V / *^?-^.ii» ■^m'2~ a. :5 . <»-5 I fi Stom f^c feifitari? of (J)rofe60or ^amuef (giiffer in (gtcmotg of 3ubge ^amuef (gtifPer QSrecftinrtbge ^rceenfeb 6g ^amiief (UtifPer (grecftinribge feong to f3e fci6rart of (princefon ^^feofogtcaf ^eminarj V \ n • * THE WORKS OP THE RKV. ANDREW FULLER, IN EIGHT VOLUMES. VOL. VI. NEW-HAVEN: '^ PRINTED AND PDBI.ISUED BY S. CONVERSE. 1825. EXPOSITORY DISCOURSES ON THE APOCALYPSE, INTKRSFSRSED WITH PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. CONTENTS. Page Preface, -..-- .....xi Scheme of th€ Prophecy, - ----XT DISCOURSE I. Chap. i. The Introduction and Preparatory Vision, ----.---2S DISCOUESE n. Chap. ii. 1—17. The Epistles to the Churches, .------" -33i DISCOURSE m. Chap. ii. 18 — 29. Chap.iii. The Epistles to the Churches, continued, -- 4S DISCOURSE IV. Chap. iv. The Visionprecedin^^e Book with Seven Seais, - 55 DISCOURSE V. Chap. V. The Book with Seven S«als, ....69 Tl COKTBMTS. DISCOURSE VI. Chap. vi. 1 — 4. Page The Seeds opened, -.-----• $§ DISCOURSE VII. Chap. vi. 6—17, The Opening of the SecUt, continued, --.. 71 DISCOURSE vni. Chap.vii. The Sealing of the Servants of Ood, 77 DISCOURSE IX. Chap. viii. 1—12. The Subdivision of the Seventh Seal into Seven Trumpets, - - - - 88 - APPENDIX TO DISCOURSE IX. A Sketch of the History of the First Four Trumpets, &f DISCOURSE X. Chap. viii. 13. Chap. ix. 1—12. ItheJirstWoe-Trxmnpet; or, tiie Smoke and Locusts, ----- 97 DISCOURSE XI. Chap. i». 13—21. The Second Wo^Trumpet ; or^ the Army of Horfcm^n, - - ^ - 103 tfONTBNTS- VII DISCOURSE XII. Chap. X. Page Introduction to the Western, or Papal Apostasy, 109 DISCOURSE XIII. Chap. xi. 1 — 6. The First General Description of the Papal Apostasy, and of the State of the Church under it, ------- t - - - \\s APPENDIX TO DISCOURSE XIII. The History of the Witnesses, 121 DISCOURSE XIV. Chap. xi. 7—13. The First General Description, continued ,- or the Slaughter and Resurrection of the Witnesses, with the Falling of the Tenth Part of the City, 129 DISCOURSE XV. Chap. xi. 14—19. Tfti First General Description, concluded; or the Sounding of the Seventh Angel, - 139 DISCOURSE XVI. Chap. xii. 1—6. The Second General Description; or, the Great Red Dragon, and the Woman fleeing into the Wtidemesst -.-->..^ 145 Vlii CONTtNTB. DISCOURSE xvn. Chap, xii.7— 17. Page The Second General Description, concluded ; or the Wa,r hetween Michael and the Dragon, --153 DISCOURSE XVIII. Chap. xiii. 1 — lU. The Third General Description ; or, the Beast wiih Seven Heads and Ten Horns, -.-.-------. ---15& DISCOURSE XIX. Chap.xiii. 11 — 18. The Third General Description, continued; or, the Beast with two Horns like a Lamb, -------------- 16T DISCOURSE XX. Chap. xiv. 1-^5. The Third General Description, continued ; or the LarnVs Company, 173 DISCOURSE XXI. Chap. xiv. 6—20. The Third General Description, concluded ; or, the Messages of the Three Angels, the Harvest, and the Vintage, 179 DISCOURSE XXII. Chap. XV. Introductiou to the Vials, - - 185 CONTENTS. IX DISCOURSE XXIII. Chap. xvi. 1—9. Page Onihe Vials, l»i DISCOURSE XXIV. Chap. xvi. 10—21. The Vials, continued, .-.-----------•- 191 DISCOURSE XXV. Chap. xvii. The Great Harlot, and the Beast that carrieth her, .....,- 204 DISCOURSE XXVI. Chap, xviii. Chap. xix. 1 — 10. The Fall of Babylon, and the Marriage of the Lamb, - - - - - 215 DISCOURSE XXVII. Chap. xix. 11— 31. The Taking of the Beast and the False Prophet, ------ 22ft DISCOURSE XXVIII. Chap. XX. 1 — 6. On the Millennium, ------------'--- 333 DISCOURSE XXIX. Chap. XX. 7—15. The Falling away, the End of the World, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Last Judgment, ---------- -§43 Vol. VI. 2 X. CONTENTS. DISCOURSE XXX. Chap. xxi. Chap. xxii. 1 — 5. The J^tew Heaven, and the JsTew Earth, with theMew Jerusalem, - 241 DISCOURSE XXXL Chap. xxij. 6 — 2L \MtetlaiionsloiheTrvih of Hw Prophecy, --------- 253 CoTvciUsion, _.___------_--.-- 259 ^ddititmmlUU, --..--.--.---- -269 BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST AT KETTERING, Dear Brethren, It is at your request that these discourses appear in print. When in the course of exposition I first entered on them, it was not from an idea that I at that time sufficiently understood the prophecy, but from a hope that by this means 1 might understand it better. And now that I have ventured to pub- lish, it is not because I am fully satisfied of having given the true meaning in every instance. There are parts in which 1 can only say, I have done the best I could. If, however, I had not been satisfied as to the general meaning of the pro- phecy, or had been conscious of having thrown no new light upon it, I should have felt it to be my duty to withhold my papers from the public eye. Observing the blessing pronounced on "him that readeth, and on them that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein," I had a desire to enter Xll upon it, accompanied, I think, with some sense of my depen- dence upon the enhghtening influences of the Holy Spirit, The reason also assigned why we should study this part of the Holy Scriptures in particular — that " the time is at hand," seemed to have greater force after a lapse of above seven- teen hundred years, than it could have at the time of its being written. I conceived also that the events of the present times, though we should beware of illusive hypotheses founded upon them, yet called for a special attention to prophecy. They might also be expected to throw some light upon it. Some late writers upon the subject appear to understand many things which earlier ones did not ; and there is reason to expect that prophecy will be understood much better in years to come than it is at present. The method I pursued was, first to read it carefully over, an(j as I went on, to note down what first struck me as the meaning. After reducing these notes into something like a scheme of the prophecy, I examined the best expositors I could procure, and comparing my own first thoughts with theirs, was better able to judge of their justness. Some of them were confirmed, some corrected, and many added to them. I have dealt but little in quotations, refusing nothing how- ever from any writer which appeared to me to be just. And as to what appeared otherwise, I have generally passed it over without attempting to refute it ; as being rather desirous of giving the true meaning, than of proving that other men's opinions were founded in mistake. Xlll The exposition of a prophecy, dehvered in symboUcal language, must be Hable to many mistakes. A style so highly figurative furnishes great scope for the imagination, which, unless it be accompanied with a sober and just judgment, will lead us into labyrinths of error. How far I have been enabled to avoid them, and to succeed in throwing light upon any part of the prophecy, it is not for me to decide. This I know, my object has been to obtain its true meaning, and to communicate it in a manner suited, not to the curious, but to the Christian reader. The manuscript has hen by me between four and five years, during which I have frequently re-examined its contents, and availed myself of any farther light which by reading or reflec- tion has appeared on the subject. During this period several of our most highly esteemed friends, who joined in the re- quest, are gone the way of all the earth. We shall soon fol- low them. We have seen enough, amidst all the troubles of our times, to gladden our hearts ; and trust that our children will see greater things than these. I am, Your affectionate Pastor, ANDREW FULLER. Kettering, March 21, 1815. SCHEME OF THE PROPHECY. The addresses to the seven churches are applicable to all other churches in similar circumstances, in all ages, but not prophetic — The things which the apostle was commanded to write being those which he had seen, those which if)f re, and those which should be hereafter, prove that the prophecy commences, not from the time of the vision, but probably from the ascension of Christ, in like manner as the four monarchies of Daniel commenced from the rising up of the Babylonish empire, many years before the time of the vision . Chapters i — iii- The book of sevkn seals contains ^^He whole of the prophecy, the trumpets being only a subdivision of the seventh seal, and the vials of the seventh trumpet Chapters iv, v. The opening of the Jirst seal, — on which appeared " a white horee, ani he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went foilh conquering and to conquer" — represents the great progress of the gospel in the apostolic age Chapter vi. 1, 3. The opening of the second seal — on which there appeared " a red horse, and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and tbat they sliould kill one another," — signifies the wars between the Jews and the Romans, who had united in persecuting Christ and his followers Chapter vi. 3, 4. The opening of the third seal — on which there appeared " a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand, &c." — denotes a famine, or scarcity approaching to famine, in which the neces- saries of life would be required to be weighed out with the utmost care, and which was fulfilled during the reigns of the Antonines Chap. vi. 5, 6. XVI SCHEME OF THE PROPHECY. The opening of the fourth seal — on which there appeared " a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed,"-^ signifies great mortality, owing to the intrigues and intestine wars in the empire, between the years 193 and 270, which pl-oduced famine and pestilence, and by diminishing the number of men gave ascendancy to the beasts of prey Chap. vi. 7, 8. The fifth seal was opened, on which were seen " under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying. How long, Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth ? And white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was said unto them that they should rest [or wait] yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." This seal represents the state of the church about the year 270, when it had endured nine out of ten of the heathen persecutions, and was about to endure the tenth under Dioclesian and Maximian, after which God would avenge their cause, by an utter overthrow of their persecutors . Chap. vi. 9 — 11. The opening of the sixth seal — on which appeared " an earthquake," and as it were a day of judgment, — signified the revolution of Constan- tine when the pagan empire was overthrown, and the prayers of the souls under the altar were answered Chap. vi. 12 — 17. The " sealing of the servants of God in their foreheads," portends danger to the spiritual interests of the church from its outward prosper- ity, and distinguishes the faithful from the crowd of nominal Christians that would now be pressing into it Chap. vii. 1 — 8. This chapter concludes with a vision of the martyrs who had overcome, serving to strengthen the servants of God to encounter new trials. Chap. vii. 9—17. The seventh seal is opened — A solemn pause ensues — It is then subdi- vided into SEVEN TRUMPETS, which are put into the hands of se%'^en angels ; and the sounding of them is prefaced by " another angel's offering up the prayers of the saints with much incense, filling his censer with fire, SCHEME OF THE PROPHECY. XVll and casting it into the earth, denoting that the judgments to be brought by the trumpets would be in answer to their prayers . Chap. viii. 1 — 5. The sounding oi the first four trumpets, which affect " the earth, the sea, the fountains of waters, and the sun, moon, and stars," denote the (tontinental, the maritime, and the mountainous parts of the empire, by the invasion of the northern nations, the issue of which was the ecUpse of the government, supreme and subordinate. As the seals overthrew the pagan empire, these overthrew the Christian . . . Chap. viii. 6 — 12. The sounding of the fifth, or first woe-trumpet, on which followed " smoke from the bottomless pit, and locusts," represents popery as filling the world with infernal darkness, and thus preparing the way for Mahometan delusion and depredation Chap. ix. 1 — 12. The sixth, or second woe-trumpet, is complex, relating partly to the " loosing of the four angels in Euphrates," followed by " an army of horsemen," and partly to the conduct of " the rest of the men, who were not killed by these plagues," — the first denoting the rise and rav- ages of the Turks, by whom the eastern empire, and with it the Greek church, were overthrown; and the last, the idolatries and cruelties of the members of the western church, who, instead of taking warning from the fate of the eastern, repented not, but persisted in corrupting the religion of Jesus Christ, and in persecuting his witnesses. Chap. ix. 20, 21. to Chap. xi. 14. The vision of the angel with " a little book open," whose cry was followed by " seven thunders," refers to the Western, or papal church, which the prophecy now goes some ages back to take up, and which occupies the whole of what follows, till the beast and the false prophet are taken, or down to the times of the Millennium. The " thunders" may probably refer to the same things in the form of a general threatening, which are afterwards particularly disclosed under the vials : for it appears to be of their execution that the angel swears by Him that liveth for ever and ever that there shall be no delay ; but that in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, (that is, in the times of the pouring out of the vials) the mystery of God should be finish- ed." This accounts for the command "not to write them," as they would be particularized under the vials Chap. x. Vol. VI. 3 XViii SCHKME OK THE PROPflECY. The eleventh and three following- chapters are considered as three general descriptions of the false church, chiefly under the 1260 years of antichristian usurpation, together with the state of the true churck during the same period. These general descriptions of course are not confined to the times of this or that trumpet, but comprehend those of the greater part of the trumpets. The Jirst general description, contained in the eleventh chapter, de- nominates the false church " gentiles," and the true church " wit- nesses," who bear testimony against them. It leaves out of " the tem- ple of God" the place occupied by the former. It represents, by the " slaughter of the witnesses," the prevalence of the antichristian party; by their " resurrection and ascension to heaven," the protestant refor- mation ; and by the " earthquake," in which a tenth part of the city fell, (and which, by the way, marks the termination of the sixth, or second woe-trumpet) the late revolution in France. By the sounding of the seventh angel, a signal is given of the progress of the gospel. And by the song of the heavenly choir, are intimated the judgments which should be inflicted on the antichristian party, and the Millennial glory that should follow Chap. xi. The second general description, contained in the twelfth chapter, repre- sents the true church prior to the introduction of antichristian corrup- tions, as " clothed with the sun, having the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." These corruptions originate in a third part of the stars of heaven being drawn from their orbits by the tail of the dragon, and cast upon the earth ; or by the rulers of tlie church being seduced by the riches and honours of the Roman empire. The dragon having thus prevailed over a part of the Christian church, aims to devour the other. The true church fleeth into the wilderness, where she exists without legal protection or toleration, till the Reformation m the sixteenth century, when Michael fights her battles, and the dragon is cast down. Succeeding persecutions are the eflfect of his defeat. Chap. xii. The ffiird general description, contained in the thirteenth and four- teenth chapters, represents " a beast rising out of the sea, with seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, &c." signifying that secular government by which the false church has been all along support- ed — namely. The Roman empire under its last head, after it had been divided into (en independent kingdoms, each of which was a horn of the SCHEME OF THE PKOPHtCV. Xix beast. When paganism was overthrown, the beast, in one of its heads was, "as it were, wounded to death ;" but when Christianity became so corrupted as to be paganized, " the deadly wound was healed." Chap. xiii. 1 — 16. Another beast " rose out of the earth, with two horns like a lamb, but who spake as a dragon" — denoting the hierarchy, or false church itself, which is cotemporary, and all along acts in concert with the first or secular beast Chap.xiii.il — 18. During the ravages of these beasts, and in opposition to them and their followers, appears " a Lamb standing upon Mount Sion, and with him 144,000, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. Their victory over antichristian error and corruption at the Reformation, is signified by " the voice of many waters, like tliunder, and of haipers, harping with their harps." The spirit lately excited to carry the gospel to the heathen, is thought to be denoted by the evangelical " angel." The diminution and approaching dissolution of the antichristian power, is represented by " another angel following, and saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen !" And the danger of symbolizing and tampering with antichristianism is suggested by the solemn warnings of " a third angel." Then follows that of which the signal only had been given in the cry of the second angel — namely, the overthrow of Babylon, which is denoted by a harvest and a vintage ^ Chap. xiv. Three general descriptions having been given, each of which carried us to the end of the 1260 years, the series of the prophepy, from the time of the sounding of the seventh, or third woe-trumpet, is now resumed. This trimipet wears a two-fold aspect : it is partly a woe-trumpet, and partly what may be called a jubilee-trumpet. In the first view, the SEVEN VIALS are a subdivision of it — in the last, it comprehends the Mil- lennium, and all that follows to the end of the prophecy . Chap. xv. The sounding of the seventh angel is the signal for the commencement of the pouring out of the vials, and is supposed to have taken place within the last five and twenty years. The vials are interpreted on the principle of their resemblance to the trumpets — namelj, the Jit\^i, poured out on the " earth," is supposed to denote the late wars on the conti- nent between France and the other continental powers; the second, poured upon the " sea," the wars carrying on in the maritime nations of Spain and Portugal ; the third, poured upon the " rivers and foun- XX SCHEME OK THE PROFHECV. tains of water," the wars which, if the principle here adopted be just, will ere long befcill Italy and Savoy, the countries where was shed in shocking- profusion the blood of the Waldenses ; the fourth, poured upon the " sun," the oppression of the supreme government to which the antichristian church will be subjected at the time; the Jifth, poured on " the seat of the beast," such judgments as will either drive him from his den, or render him very miserable in it; the sixth, poured on "Euphra- tes," and producing the battle of "Armageddon," partly the overthrow of the Turkish empire, and partly the temporal ruin of the adherents of popery ; the seventh, poured into the " air," the overthrow of the spiritual power of popeiy, and of every other species of false religion. Chap. XV i. The three following chapters are considered as JVbies of Illustration, containing more particular accounts of several subjects which have been already introduced. . In the first of them, (Cliap. xvii.) the false church is described under the opprobrious name of " the great whore," and the powers which support her, under that of " a beast with seven heads and ten horns." This beast, namely, the Roman empire, " was, and is not, and j'et is." When it was pagan, it existed with all its beastly proper- ties ; when it became Christian, it was supposed to have lost them, and to be a beast no longer; but by the corruptions introduced into Chris- tianity, and which were supported by it, the beast still continued. The " seven heads" of the beast have a two-fold application. — First, they are said to be "seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth;" referring to the seven hills on which Rome, when in its full extent, i^ well known to have stood, and so pointing out the seat of the hierarchy. They are also said to be " seven kings," that is, governments, under which the empire had subsisted, did subsist, and would subsist hereafter. The forms under which it had subsisted, but which were passed away at the time of the commencement of the prophecy, were Kings, Consuls, Dic- tators, Decemvirs, and J\Iilitary Tribunes ; the form under %vhich it then subsisted was that of Emperors ; and that which was " yet to come, and to continue a short space," was the government which succeeded the overthrow of the Emperors, and continued under various changes for about 300 years, till the days of Charlemagne; when a government was established which combined all the nations of Europe in support of the antichristian hierarchy. This short-lived intermediate power might on some accounts be considered as the " seventh" head of the beast, and as such be distinguished from its Inst head, which in this view would be the SCHEME OF THE I'ftOrHtCV. XXI ■' eighth :" but upon the whole, it was rather to be considered as belonging to that in which it terminated, and which in this view would be " of the seven." The " ten horns" are the kingdoms of Europe, which till the Refor- mation all united with the empire in supporting the harlot ; but which have already begun, and wjll go on to hate her, to eat her flesh, and to burn her with fire Chap. xvii. The second of these JS/~otes of Illustration (contained in the 18th and the first eight verses of the 19th chapter) is a sacred ode, sent, as it were from heaven, to be suug at the overthrow of the antichristian church, id which are celebrated not only the "fall of Babylon," but " the marriage of the Lamb;" that is, not only the termination of the reign of tlie beast, but the introduction of the Millennial reign of Christ, which shall follow upon it . Chap, xviii. xix. 1 — 8. The third and last of these Jiotes (which begins at the 9th verse of the 19th chapter) describes the actual accomplishment of the fall of Baby- lon, which the foregoing ode had anticipated. He whose name is the Word of God goes forth " riding upon a white horse," (the appropriate symbol for the success of the gospel,) joined by his faithful followers. — Tliis provokes the adherents of the beast and of the false prophet, who, gathering together their forces to oppose them, perish in the attempt. Chap. xix. 9—21. As the overthrow of the antichristian hierarchy was celebrated in the preceding ode, under tlie symbol of " the fall of Babylon," prior to its actual accomplishment ; so was the Millennium under that of " the marriage-supper of the Lamb." This glorious period is now introduced as actually taking place. The " beast and' the false prophet," or the secular and ecclesiastical powers being fallen, the Dragon himself is next seized and thrust into a state of confinement. — "Thrones" may denote stations of importance both in the world and in the church, which will now be filled by righteous men : thus " the kingdom is given to the people of the saints of the Most High;" and as the public mind will favour it, righteousness will every where prevail ; corruptions, oppres- sions, ware, tumults, and rebellions, will cease from the earth, and all nations feel towards each other as children of the same f^ily. — Now "judgment" is given to tlic martyrs, inasmuch as the cause for which they were slain is vindicated, and their memory honoured; while " the JtXii SCHEME OF THE PROPHECr. rest," or the remnaDt of the antichristian party, who escaped from the battle in which their leaders were " taken," will be as dead men till the thousand years are ended. To them this glorious period will be a burial, but to the other a " resurrection." After the Millennium, Satan is loosed for a little season, and makes one more desperate effort to corrupt the world, and to destroy the church. This brings on the general conflagration — the resurrection of the dead — and the last judgment Chap. xx. After this appear " the new heavens and the new earth" spoken of by Peter, " wherein dwelleth righteousness." The world, purified from sin and its effects, becomes the everlasting abode of the righteous, who having been raised from the dead^^are immortal. — ^The whole animate and inanimate creation, in so far as it has been " made subject to the vanity" •f subserving the cause of evil, is emancipated, and possessed that for which it has " travailed in pain," from the fall of man until now. — No more shall the earth be pollntGd and desolated by a succession of beasts ; but lo, " the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be Jiis people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. CoKCLUsioN. — The present the period of the vials; or that space of time which begins with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and ends in the Millennium. — The termination of the 1260 years probably uncer- tain. — A time of persecution to be previously expected. — Great success will attend the preaching of the gospel before the Millennium. — Aspect of the present times. — The Millennial glory. — Concluding reflections on the recent changes in Europe. EXPOSITORY DISCOURSES, DISCOURSE I. THE INTRODUCTION AND FRCFARATORY VISION. Chap. I. I HAVE lately expressed a wish to enter upon this difficult part of the Holy Scriptures : not because 1 conceive myself at present equal to the undertaking ; but because I think I understand some* thing of it, and hope by going through it in the way of exposition to understand more. I enter on it with fear : but as I shall not attempt to explain that which appears to me of doubtful import, I hope it may not be a presumptuous, but a profitable undertaking.* ] The revelation of Jesui Christ, which God gaee unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass ; and he sent and signijied it by his angel unto his servant John i 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that read- * These Discourses were delivered in the years 1809 and 1810, and drawn outia 1811. Vol. VI. 4 26 INTRODUCTION. [DiicouRse I. tth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein : for the time is at hand. The book takes its title, it seems, from the first verse. Al» scripture is a revelation in some sense ; but this is a disclosure of things to come. Christ is the great prophet of the church. He it was, as we shall see, that was found worthy to open the sefiled book. It is necessary to distinguish between the knowledge of Christ as a divine person, and that vyhich he possesses as the prophet of his church. As divine, he knows all things ; all things are naked to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do : but as a prophet he receives his messages from the Father, and makes them known to us. In this sense he knew not the day of judgment; that is, it was no part of the revelation which God gave to him to make known to men. As Christ in the character of a prophet has these things revealed to him, so in communicating them after his ascen- sion he made use of an angel. It might have been too much for a mortal man to be admitted directly to converse with him in his glorified state. The writer introduces himself to the churches in the character of a zvitness, declaring that the things which he was about to com- municate were from above — they were "the word of God," and therefore might be depended upon ; ** the testimony of Jesus Christ," on the fulfilment of which he rested the truth of the gospel, and which he himself in vision plainly "saw." To induce us to give the most serious attention to the subject, -a blessing is pronounced on those who " read, and hear, and keep" the words of this prophecy, especially as the time of its fulfilment was at hand. I recollect no other part of scripture that is prefaced with such an inducement to read and understand and practically regard it. The prophecy must be of immediate concern to the church of Christ, and requires to be read and heard, not for the gratifying of curiosity, but for the obedience of faith. We must " keep" it, as one engaged in a voyage through dangerous seas keeps his chart, and consults it on all necessary occasions. It is that to the New Testament church which the Cbaftbk I.] INTRODUCTION. 27 pillar of the cloud was to the church in the wilderness, gyiding it through the labyrinths of antichristiao errors and corruptions. It must not be neglected under a notion of its being hard to be understood. As well might the mariner amidst the rocks neglect his friendly chart, under an idea of its being difficult to understand and apply it. It would seem too from this promise, that the successful study of the prophecy depends not merely on literary attainments, but on a practical regard to the things contained in it. What- ever advantages attach to the former, and these are many and great, they will not succeed nor obtain the blessing without the latter. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Jlnia : Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which toas, and which is to come : and from the seven spirits which arc before his throne : 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold he cometh with clouds ; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him : and all kindreds of the earth shall loail because of him. Even so, Amen. The proconsular Asia had probably been the chief seat of the writer's labours since the death of the apostle Paul. To the churches in this province, therefore, he was directed to address the prophecy. The benediction is affectionate and appropriate. The periphrasis used of God the Father, " Who is, and who was, and who is to come," is singularly appropriate as an introduction to a prophecy concerning the mutability of creatures. The " seven spirits" are the abundant gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Spirit in respect of his abundant gifts and graces. The number seven is not only a well-known symbol of perfection, but corresponds with the number of the churches j and as they repre- sent the whole church, so these describe the Holy Spirit in his rich and abundant influences. ^ INTRODUCTION. [Discoitrbe I. To the blessing from the Father and the Holy Spirit he addn, " And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth." By the first of these appellations our Lord accredits the pro- phecy as being his testimony ; and by the last two cheers his suf-' fering followers, by reminding them of his having emerged from death and obtained a complete ascendency over all his and their enemies. And now having mentioned the name of Jesus Christ he cannot leave it without adding a sweet doxology on his dying love, and its interesting effects — " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father ; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Nor has he yet taken leave of this subject : Christ's suffering people must be directed to his second coming, when the persecuting Jews who pierced him in his person, and the persecuting Gentiles who were now piercing him in his members, will be called to account. To their just punishment, dreadful as it will be, the servants of God will add their " Amen." 8 / am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. The apostle, after expatiating on the glory of Christ in his salu- tation, now introduces him as speaking himself. That these are his words, and not those of the Father, will appear from compar- ing them with Chap i. l.andxxii. 6 — 16. It was Jesus Christ, and not the Father, who communicated, through the angel, with his servant John. The Father is sometimes referred to in the prophecy ; but, if 1 mistake not, it is in the third person only : not as speaking, but as spoken of. Jesus Christ therefore is " the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty ;" and consequently is able to preserve his church, and to execute the punishments denounced in this prophecy against her enemies. 9 / John, who also am your brother and companion in tribulation and ia the kingdom and patience of JesHS Christ, was in the isle that Chapter I.] PREPARATORY VISION. 29 is called Patmos,for the word of God and for the tegtimony of Jesus Christ. 10 / was in the spirit on the hordes day. and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 1 1 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last : and. What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia ; unto Ephesus, and unU Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardi$, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the vfiice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks ; 1 3 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, ctjte like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hais were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a fame of fire ; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace ; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 1 6 And lie had in his right hand seven stars : and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword : and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead : and he laid Ms right hand upon me. saying unto me, Fear not ; I am the first and the last : 1 8 J am he that liveth^ and was dead ; and behold, I am alive for ever- more. Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter, 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angeh of the seven church- es : and the seven candlesticks lohich thou sawest, are the seven churches. It was usual for the most eminent prophets to be introduced to their work by an extraordinary vision. Such was the introduction of Isaiah, of Jeremiah, and of Ezekiel ; * and such is that of John. Having been banished to the Isle of Patmos by Domitian, for preaching Christ, the spirit of prophecy came upon him on the Lord's day ; when he heard from behind him a great voice as of a trumpet, saying, 1 am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, * Isa. vi. Jct. i. Ezek. i. 30 PREPARATORY VISION. [J^^scoukse I. and what thou seest write in a book, and send it unto the seveo churches which are in Asia. Turning to see from whence the voice proceeded, he saw " seven golden candlesticks, and in the midst of them one like unto the Son of man." It was from him therefore that the great voice proceeded. In short, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ, who as to his human nature had lived and died on earth, but who as to his divine person was " the first and the last," standing as the great High Priest over the house of God, in the midst of his churches, clothed with ineffable glory. The effect of such a vision was more than a frail mortal could sustain. He who when his Lord was upon earth leaned familiarly on his bosom, now " fell at his feet as dead." But, laying his right hand upon him, he said, " Fear not, I am the first and the last; I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore. Amen ; and have the keys of hell and of death." This impressive vision would not only excite in his mind a deep interesl in the kingdom of Christ, and so prepare him for what he was to see, and hear, and write ; but must have tended greatly to relieve him from those anxieties for his brethren and companions in tribulation from whom he had been separated. All the apostles were dead : he only was left, and they had banished him. Hell and death threatened to swallow up the church. In this situation he is told not to fear, for that his Lord lived, and had the control of both the invisible and visible world. Being commanded lo write " the things which he had seen, the things that zsere, and the things that should be hereof ter,^^ we may conclude that what he wrote respected not only the future state of the church, from the time of the vision, but the whole gospel dispensation, from the ascension of Christ lo the end of the world. What is said of the ^' seven stars and seven golden candle- sticks," would tend greatly to encourage both the ministers and the churches of Christ. There was a golden candlestick in the Chapter I ] PREPARATORY VISION. 31 tabernacle, and in the second temple,* That was but one can- dlestick, though it had seven branches ; but these are seven can- dlesticks ; agreeing with the different constitutions of the Old and New Testament church, the former being national, and the latter congregational. * Exod. XXV. 31—40. Zecb. iv. 8, DISCOURSE II. THE EPISTLES TO THE CHURCHES. Chap. ii. 1—17. Before we enter on these Epistles distinctly, it is proper to make a few general remarks. First, Some have considered these churches as prophetically representing the different states of the church at large under the gospel dispensation. There is no doubt but analogies may be found between them : but it appears to me that the hypothesis is unfounded. The church of Ephesus, if designed to represent the whole Christian church in the age of the apostles, might be ex- pected to sustain as high a character at least as any that follow ; whereas Smyrna in respect of its purity is manifestly superior to it. Every thing addressed to the latter is in its praise ; which is not the case with the former. But surely it is not true that any age of the church since that of the apostles is to be com- pared with it, much less that it has excelled it in evangelical purity. Others, doubting the justness of this hypothesis, have consider- ed the Epistles to the churches as referring to the then present state of the church, and the sealed book to that which was future. And this they consider as agreeing with the division of tire book into " things which the writer had seen, things which were, and things which should be hereafter.* This is Mr. Lowman's view of it. When I entered on these Discourses from the pulpit, I adopt- *Chap. i. 19. Vol. VI. 5. 34 THE EPISTLES. [Discourse !!• ed this opinion : but before I had proceeded far in the work, I was compelled to give it up , the reasons for which will appear when 'we enter on the opening of the seals, in Chap. vi. under the fifth general remark in Discourse VI. Instead of considering the Epistles to the seven churches, either as prophetic, or as descriptive of the state of the church at large as it then roas, I should rather consider them as descriptive of the state of those seven churches as it then was, and as designed to fur- nish encouragements, reproofs, warnings, and counsels, to alt other churches and Chi'istians, in all future ages, as their cases are found to resemble theirs. The application ought not to be confined to one age more than to another, nor even to collective bodies: every one in every age, that hath an ear to hear, is called to " hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." In applying them to ourselves, we should consider the Great Head of the Church as watching over us, and closely observing the state of our hearts towards him, with all our proceedings, whether good or evil ; and inquire, what would be his address to us were he to commission an angel or an apostle to write to us. Secondly, By the Epistles being addressed to the angels, we are not to understand them as concerning the pastoi'S only, in distinc- tion from the churches, but to consider them as their represen- tatives. That which the Spirit saith in these Epistles is " to the churches.'' Thirdly, In every address to the churches Christ assumes a distinct character, taken from some one part of the description given of him in the preceding vision ; each of which, if we rightly understand it, will be found to be appropriate to the char- acter or circumstances of the church addressed. Fourthly, Every address begins with commendation, provided there be any thing to commend. This shows that Christ knows all, and notices that which is good amongst us as well as that which is evil ; nay, that he takes more pleasure in noticing the good than in complaining of the evil — an example worthy of our imita- tion in dealing with one another. If we wish to reclaim our brethren who have fallen into sin, we must begin by appreciating the good in them, and in candidly commending it, before we re- Chapter H.j EPHESUS. 35 prove them for their faults. Such was the conduct of Faal to the Corinthians, when about to censure them for their abuse of the Lord's supper — " Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances as 1 delivered them unto you." Fifthly, Most of the churches have somewhat on account of which they are censured and admonished. This is an humbling truth, even of the first and purest churches, how much more of those in our times ! If the Son of God, whose eyes are as a flaming fire, were to pronounce our character, would there not be "somewhat against us?" We can see each other's errors and defects 5 but it were to much more advantage if we could detect our own. Finally, Every epistle concludes with a promise to him that overcoraeth, and an exhortation to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Professing Christians in this world are soldiers enlisted under the banner of Christ. Some have proved desert- ers J many have been partially overcome ; the Captain ol' the Lord's host here addresses them, holding forth the glory that awaits them who are finally victorious. 1 Unto the angel of the church of EpkesuSf write ; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks ; 2 / know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil : and thoii hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not ; and hast found them liars : 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name^s sake hast laboured^ and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or else I will come unto thee gitickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hateth the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, ivhich I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life^ which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 3*6 EPHESU&. [DispuasElI. Ephesus was the metropolis of the Proconsular Asia ; and it is probable that all these churches were planted by the labours of the apostle Paul, during his two years' residence at Ephesus, when " all they who dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." Acts xix. 10. The Ephesians appear to have been in a good state when the apostle Paul took leave of their elders at Miletus ; but he then gave them to expect a time of trial after his departure, and which by this time seems to have come upon them. The charaeter which our Lord here assumes is taken from Chap. i. 36, 20. and seems to contain both encouragement and warning; which fitly applies to their character, as partly com- mendable, and partly blameable. They had been distinguished by their exertions in protnoting the cause of Christ, and their sufferings on account of it. They " worked," yea, they "laboured," for Christ, and when called to encounter persecution, bore it with " patience." They were zealous also in the exercise of a strict and holy discipline, not suffering evil characters and impostors to remain amongst them : and in this course of obedeince they had " not fainted." Altogether, this is a high character. Yet even here is something amiss : they had "left their first love." We see here, that the Lord looketh at the heart. We may retain our character and respectabilty among the churches, while yet, as to the state of oar minds, Christ hath somewhat against us. To leave our first love is a very common case, so much so that some will give young Christians to expect it as a matter of course : but Christ treats it as a sin, and calls on the parties to " repent" of it, yea, and threatens to " remove their candlestick out of its place except they repented." To decline in our attachments to Christ, his gospel, his ordinances, his people, and his cause, is practically reproaching him : it is saying to those around us, that we have not found that in his religion which we once expected to find. O my people, what have I done unto thee, and wherein have I wearied thee ? Testify against me ! A declension in love is followed by a degeneracy in good works. If this had not been the case, they would not have been admon- ished to do their " first works." Either they were neglected, or ChAptbui II.] SMYRNA. 37 attended to in a half-hearted manner, different from what they were at the beginning. The Lord, to show that he did not find fault with them with pleasure, again commends them as far as they were commendable : they hated the doctrine of the Nicolaita'nes, which he also hated. Clemens of Alexandria, as quoted by Eusebius, speaks of these as a people who practised a community of wives, living in fornication and adultery. It is thought, and with some probability, that they were the people to whom Peter and Jude refer, the antinomians of the primitive church. If we have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto this church, we shall learn from it, among other things, that works are the chief test of character ; that in serving the Lord in this world there is great occasion for patience under sufferings, and discrim' ination of characters ; and that while justly censuring others, we may decline in spirituality ourselves. The promise to him that overcometh, is, that he shall " eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." That which grew in the earthly paradise became inaccessible by sin; but no flaming sword nor cherubim prevent access to this. 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna, write, These things saith the jirst and the last ; which was dead, arid is alive ; 9 1 know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, hut are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold, the devil shall cast some of you iv to prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 1 1 He that hath an ear, let him hear lohat the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. No mention is made of this church and several others, except in these epistles. Polycarp, the disciple of John, was pastor of it, and suffered martyrdom. Whether he was the angel here address- ed is uncertain ; but when he suffered, which was about the year 162, he speaks of himself as having served Christ 86 years, and Irenaeus speaks of him as having been ordained Bishop of Smyrna 38 SMYRNA. [Discourse II by the apostles. This church seems distinguished by its persecu- tions ; all that is said has respect to them. The character under which Chirst addresses them is taken from Chap. i. 11, 18. These things, saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive." The former is expressive of his God- head, and suggests how vain it is for the enemies of the gospel to oppose him ! In the latter he holds up himself as an example of persecution before them, and as an earnest of deliverance from it. The commendaton of their " works" in the midst of tribulation and poverty, (poverty it is likely, arising from their persecutions,) is much to their honour. We see here of what little account worldly wealth is in the estimation of Christ. We hear much of respectable congregations, and churches, when little else is meant but that they are numerous or opulent : but the estimation of Christ goes on quite another principle. What a contrast there is between this church and that at Laodicea ! They were rich in this world's goods, but poor towards God : these were poor in this world, but rich towards God. It is intimated that the)' had not only to contend with Heathens, but Jews, who had a synagogue in this city : and it is remarkable that in the account of the martyrdom of Polj'carp, the Jews are spoken of as being very active in it, and as joining the Heathens in icindling the fire. We see here to what a state of mind that peo- ple were left after having rejected Christ : they had been the people of God, but were now no longer such, but blasphemers : their synagogues had been places where God had been worship- ped : there our Lord himself attended, and to them the friends of God in Heathen countries had been used to resort; but from hence they became the synagogues of Satan ! They are given to expect more persecutions, but are encour- aged to meet them with fortitude. The devil would stir up his agents to imprison some of them for a season, and some of them might expect to die for the name of Christ ; but if faithful unto death, they are promised a crown of life. It was about sixty-seven years after this that Polycarp and other members of this church, suffered martyrdom; the account of CHAPfER H.j PERGAMOS. 39 which is given by Eusebius in a letter from the church of Smyrna. When Polycarp was apprehended by his persecutors, they set him on an ass, and brought him to the place of judgment. He was met by some of the magistrates, who took him into their carriage, and tried to persuade him to deny Christ and save his life, but which he resisted. On his approaching the place of execution the Pro- consul, ashamed of putting so aged and venerable a man to death, urged him to blaspheme Christ. It was then that he answered, "Eighty-six years have I served him, during all which time he never did me injury; how then can I blaspheme my king and my Saviour?" When further urged, his answer was, "I am a Christian." When threatened with wild beasts, he said, " Bring them forth." When with fire, he reminded them of the eternal fire that awaited .the ungodly. His last address to God had more of praise in it than of prayer. It is a high honour to this persecuted people that nothing is said to them in a way of reproof To be " blameless and harm- less, the sons of God without rebuke in an evil generation," is great, even in respect of our fellow-creatures ; but to be without rebuke from Christ himself is much greater. To this suffering church Christ saith, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give the a crown of life. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Let every one that hath an ear hear this language, and be armed by it against the fear of man. 1 2 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write ; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even lohere Satan's seat is ; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Jlntipas was my faithful martyr^ who was slain among yon, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctriiie of Balaam, icho taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to conunit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, tchich thing I hate. l6 Repent; or else I will come unto thee qidckly, and vcill fight against them with 40 PERGAMOS. [Discourse II. the sword of my mouth. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Pergamos was a city of JVIysia, not far from Troas. We find the apostle Paul at this latter city more than once, and that " a door was here opened to him of the Lord, to preach Christ's gos- pel."* Here it was that he afterwards commemorated the Lord's death with the disciples; and as he had to wait seven days for their coming together, it would seem as if they had to come from some great distance. The church at Pergamos might there- fore be planted about the same time. The character under which our Lord addresses them is taken from Chap. i. 16. " He that hath the sharp sword with two edges ;" and wears a terrible aspect towards a corrupt party amongst them, against whom he threatens to wage war. Kind and encouraging things, however, are addressed to the body of them. Christ knew their "works," and their firm adherence to him under great trials and persecutions, in which one of their number in particular, and probably their pastor, had suffered martyrdom. Pergamos was a city said to be '" sacred to the gods :" here therefore we might expect to find the head-quarters of idol- atry and persecutions ; and their standing firm in such a place, and at such times, was much to their honour. But there were " a few things" amongst them which dis- pleased Christ. Some of the members tampered with idolatry and its ordinary attendant, fornication ; and the rest connived at it. This is called " the doctrine of Balaam," because it was in this way that the wicked prophet drew Israel into sin. They had also some of the " Nicolaitanes" amongst them, whose principles and practices the Lord abhorred. They are called upon to repent, on pain of Christ's displeasure, who threatens, except they repent, to come unto them quickly, * 2 Cor. ii. 12. Chapter II.] PERGAM03. 41 and to execute the judgments of his word against them, eren against the transgressors themselves, and all who favoured them. These warnings and threatenings require our attention, and that of all who are guilty in a greater or less degree of the same evils j nor do the encouragements to them that overcome require it less. The " hidden manna," the " white stone," and the " new name," being promised as the reward of them that overcome, seems to refer to the blessedness and honour of a future state, rather than of the present ; though Christians doubtless have a foretaste of them even in this life. The " hidden manna" refers to those who should deny themselves of " eating things sacrificed to idols," and other carnal enjoyments, for Christ's sake ; and denotes that there is a feast in reserve for them, which shall infinitely exceed the pleasures of flesh and sense. The Romans in judgment are said to have given their suffrage for condemnation by casting black stones into an urn, and for absolution white stones. White stones are also said to have been given by the Greeks to the conquerors in the Olympic games, with their names upon them, and the value of the prize they won. The application of this is easy. Vol. VI. DISCOURSE III. THE EPISTLES TO THE CHURCHES, CONTINUED. Chap. ii. 18—29. Chap. iii. And unto the angel of the church in Thyntira -write ; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a fame of fre, and his feet are like fne brass; 19 / know thy works, and charity and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou suffer est that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication ; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that com- mit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children tvith death ; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the rei7is and hearts : and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak ; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26 Atid he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations : 27 ^And he shall rule them with a rod of iron : as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shi- veri:) even as I received of my Father. 28 And I loill give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 44 THYATIRA. [Discourse IIU The character under which our Lord addresses this church is taken from Chap. i. 13 — 15. with this variation : there he is described as " one hke unto the Son of God ;" as denoting his divine personality. With this agrees what is said of him, that "his eyes were like unto a flame of fire," discerning the secrets of the heart ; " and his feet like tine brass" denoting the stability and glory of his proceedings. It is like saying, '* All things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom you have to do. Seeing then that ye have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, hold fast your profession !" It is a high commendation that is given of this church, for its " works, and chanty, and service, and patience, and works.'' Nor is this last word repeated without cause ; it denotes their perse- vering and even abounding in good works; " the last were more than the first." There are few churches, I fear, of which this can be said. Christ may know our works — and our works: but in most cases the first are more than the last ! Yet with all this excellence, Christ has a few things against them. With all this positive good, there was a mixture of relative evil. " The woman Jezebel," seems to relate to a corrupt part of the church, who though united to God's people, as Jezebel was by marrying an Israelitish prince, yet were in heart attached to idolatry, and laboured to seduce others into it. As a corrupt part of the Christian church is described as a harlot, so a corrupt part of a particular church, may be thus designated ; and as Jezebel pretended to divine authority, and had her prophets to draw the servants of God into literal and spiritual fornication, so these had a kind of religion which would comport with eating and drinking at idolatrous temples, and so with occasional confirmity (o idola- try. They had had space to repent ; the Lord had long borne with them : but his forbearance operated, as it often does, to harden them in their sin. This forbearance, however, will not continue always : Jezebel, with her adulterous paramours, will, except they repent, be cast together into a bed of devouring fire j and this for a warning to the churches. It seems that, like some among the Corinthians, they boasted of their knowledge, as being able to distinguish between eating at an Chapter III.] SAUDIS. 45 idol's temple and worshipping it (1 Cor, viii. 1.) ; they spake of their depths in. knowledge ; but Christ calls them " the depths of Satan," and virtually disowns their abettors, distinguishing the faithful from them — " Unto you, I say, and unto the rest in Thya- tira, as many as have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak ; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have hold fast till 1 come." The promise to them that overcome the temptations of the pre- sent life is a final triumph. They shall judge the world of the ungodly : and those who have persecuted them, and set themselves against them, and then fall before them. As a potter's vessel is broken to shivers, so shall they be destroyed ; and all this accor- ding to the commission which Christ received of his Father. Nor is this all : Christ will give unto them that overcome " the morning star." As this is one of the names assumed by himself, (Chap. xxii. 16.) it may denote that he himself will be their por- tion. The exhortation " He that hath an ear, let him hear," &c. may in this case direct our attention to the following important particu- lars — That we may be members of a true church, and yet not true members of the church ; that the mixture of evil characters and evil things which at present are found in Christ's visible kingdom greatly tarnishes its glory, but in the end he will gather them out, and then shall the righteous shine like the sun in tlie kingdom of their Father ; that we may have space given us for repentance, and yet never repent, which will greatly aggravate our doom ; that there is a species of knowledge with which it is our honour and happiness to be unacquainted; finally, that the hope of victory is sufficient to stimulate us under all our conflicts. 1 And unto the atigel of the church in Sardis write ; These lhinks to him that sat on the throne, who live th for ever and ever, 10 The Jour and twenty elders faH down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 1 1 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and hon- our, and power : for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleas- ure thry are and were created. The whole of this chapter is introductory to what follows. The scene of the vision is the heavenly world. Nowhere else could it have been with equal propriety. Where, but at the fountain of intelligence and influence, should a creature learn the secrets of futurity ? When Ahab's destiny was revealed to Micaiah, the scene of the vision was laid in heaven.* A door being opened, the apostle is invited to enter in. Hav- ing entered, he immediately finds himself under prophetic inspira- tion. He was not removed from earth as to his body: but, as Ezekiel was carried by the Spirit to Jerusalem, and saw what was transacting there, while his body was still in Chaldea, so it was with him ; he was still in the Isle of Patmos, while wrapt up by divine inspiration, and introduced into the immediate presence of God. In this supernatural state of mind he beheld a "throne," and one "sitting upon it," who was the Supreme Disposer of all the concerns of creatures. Such a sight would impress him with the conviction that whatever should befall the church, or the world, it was all according to his will who ruled in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. Ver. 1, 2. No description is given of the ever blessed God, only that his glory seemed to resemble the lustre of certain precious stones; and this may allude to the visible glory of the God of Israel as displayed in the temple. A rainbow was also round about the throne, in appearance like an emerald. We know that this from of old was a sign of peace and good will to men. It may here denote that the glorious majesty of God, which in itself were too * 1 Kioffs xsii. 19—22. ChaptbhIV.] the sealed book. 57 much to be endured, would be displayed towards his church in connexion with covenant mercy. Ver. 3. Having spoken of the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, sit- ting on his throne, he next describes his retinue. Here are twen- ty-four seats, or subordinate thrones, on which sat twenty-four elders, clothed in white, and with crowns of gold upon their heads. The "lightnings, and thunderings, and voices," may denote not only the awful majesty of God, as when he appeared at Sinai, but that from him proceeded all the terrible judgments which would short- ly afflict the earth. Besides these there were *' seven lamps of fire before the throne," which are said to be "the seven spirits of God;" answering, it may be, to the seven candlesticks, and being as it were a lamp to each candlestick. The light imparted by the churches is all derived from the Holy Spirit. These seven lamps enlighten the world. Ver. 4, 6. " Before the throne was a sea of glass like unto crystal." This crystal sea, as it was in appearance, but which was so solid that the harpers are afterwards described as standing upon it, may be opposed to the troubled tumultuous sea out of which the beast would rise, and may denote the grandeur and immutability of the divine throne as opposed to the turbulence and uncertainty of earthly thrones. The four living creatures seem to be the same as those described by Ezekiel, and to allude, as they did, to the cherubim in the holy of holies. That which the wheels were to the one, the elders are to the other; connected with them like horses in a chariot, in all their movements. Of the former it is said, *' When the living creatures went, the wheels went by them ; when those stood, these stood;; and when those were lifted up from the earth, these were lifted up over against them : for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." • Of the latter it is said, " When those living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to »Ezek. i. 21. ▼OL. fl. » 59 THE VISION, &c. [;Discour8E IV. receive glory, and honour, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." The living creatures cannot be angels, for both they and the elders are distinguished from them in Chap. vii. 11., where all the angels are said to " stand round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures." Besides this, the living creatures and the elders speak of themselves as " redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Chap. V. 9. Those who led the worship under the Old Testa- ment might be meant by the living creatures of Ezekiel ; and those who lead the worship under the New Testament may be si<^nified by those of John. They and the elders, like the stars and the candlesticks, appear to be the representatives of Christ's ministers and churches in the heavenly assembly. They are not described as being themselves on earth, or in a state of affliction, but as before the throne of God : as though a number of the spirits of just men made perfect had been chosen of God, to represent in his immediate presence their brethren upon earth, and who, as things should be described which concerned the church, would express the interest they felt in them. The description of the living creatures as bearing a resemblance to certain animals, and as having each six wings, which wings tvere "full of eyes within," would naturally express their useful prop- erties, particularly the union of zeal and knowledge} and their unceasing ascriptions of glory to God may denote the tendency of their ministerial labours. The elders were crowned, but they cast their crowns before the throne. Such appear to be the scene and the scenery of this preparatory vision. Ver. 6 — 11. DISCOURSE V. THE BOOK WITH SKVF4N SEALS Chap. V. And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is tvorthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me. Weep not : be- hold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevail- ed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And 1 beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living Creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb us it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into mil the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out rf the right hand of him t/uit sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four lioing creatures, and four and twenty elders, fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying. Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kin- dred, and tongue, and people, and nation ; 10 And hast mode us 69 THE SEALED BOOK. [Discocrsk V, unto our God kings and pries fs : and tee shall reign on the earth. 1 1 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures^ and the elders : and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thou- sands ; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth, end under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that livethfor ever and ever. That which is here called " a book," tnust not be supposed to resemble our books, which since the invention of printing have been very differt^nt from those of the ancients. Conceive of seven gkins of parchment, written upon one on side,* and rolled up, suppose on wood. At the end of every skin a seal is affixed on the backside, so that the contents of it cannot be read till the seal is opened. This book, or roll, or volume, being " in the right hand of him that sat on the throne," denotes that futurity is known only to God. The proclamation made for one that should be worthy to open the book, shows how desirable it was that the mind of God in regard of futurity, should be revealed, for stren!2;th- ening the faith and supporting the hope of his church upon earth ; and as John had been invited for the very purpose of learning " the things that should be hereafter," things which related to the church of Christ which he had been emplo^'cd in raising, it must be peculiarly interesting to him. He must needs bo anxious to know the things that should befall these his people in the latter days. To see a book therefore which contained them, and yet * By the punctuation in our translation, it would seem as if they were written upon on both siJes ; but this would not comport with the contents bein'^ secret, whi(;h they were till the seals were unloosed. It seems, there- fore, that a comma is necessary alter the word " within," in verse 1. Sev- eral other versions, and lome editions of our own, read it, A book urilten within, and on the backtide sealed with seven se als. Chaptbb v.] the sealed BOOK. 61 none in heaven or earth is found worthy to open it, might well make him weep. Ver. 1 — 4. This want of a suitable person to open the book is introduced for the purpose o( doing honour to the Lamb, whose success gives universal joy and satisfaction. The work of making known the mind of God was an honour too high for any mere creature in heaven or on earth : it was given to Christ as the reward of his obedience unto death. Ver. 9- The honour of preaching the gospel is represented as being of grace : " Unto me, (said Paul,) who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." That which Christ received as the reward of his death, we receive in our measure, of grace, and for his sake ; and a great favour it is to be bearers of such good tidings. One of the elders perceiving the apostle to weep under an ap- prehension that all must remain unknown, saith unto him, " Weep not : behold the Lion of the iribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." John was not so unacquainted with the scriptures as to be at any loss who this could mean. Probably however he expected to behold his Lord in some majestic form corresponding to the im- agery : but lo, instead of a Lion, he saw a Lamb, a Lamb as it had been slain ! yet invested with perfect authority, and possessing perfect knowleilge, so as to qualify hitu for the woi'k : for he had '' seven horns, and seven eyes." Ver. 6, 6. This glorious personage, in whom are united the majesty of the Lion and the gentleness of the Lamb, approaches him that sat upon the throne, and takes the book out of his right hand ; de- noting on his own part the undertaking of the work, and on that of God his perfect approbation. Ver. 7. And now the whole church of God by their representatives are described as falling down before the Lamb, and joining in a chorus of praise. The " golden vials full of odours," doubtless allude to those of the priests who offered incense, and denote that the church on earth is ever employed in presenting its petitions before the throne. They had also " harps'' as well as vials, and '' sung a new song," denoting the great occasion there now was for joy and 62 THE SEALED BOOK. [Discourse V- praise. A new song is suited to a new manifestation of mercy. The Lamb is found worthy to take the book, and to open the seals ; and they perceive the ground of it to lie in his having redeemed ftiem at the expense of his blood. For this they bless his nnme, as also for his having made them kings and priests unto God, and given them to expect that however they were at present oppressed on earth, they should even there be finally victorious. Ver. 8—10. Nor could the angels on such an occasion be silent, but must join in the choir. Myriads of myriads, a number that no man could number, unite in ascribing worthiness to the Lamb, and that on the same ground as redeemed men had done, namely, his having been '* slain :" a proof this of disinterested affection, both to the Redeemer and the redeemed. He took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham : yet angels unite in praising him for his love to men. In enumerating the things which he was worthy to receive, it is Temarkable how they keep their eye on those perfections of which he had emptied himself in his humiliation. He did not lay aside any thing pertaining to his goodness, but merely what be- longed to his greatness. He was no less holy, just, faithful, and merciful when on earth, than he is now in heaven : but he emptied himself of '' power," as laying aside his authority, and taking upon liim the form of a servant ; of '• riches," as becoming poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich : of " wisdom,'' as making himself of no reputation ; of '* strength," as becoming weak and subject to death like other men ; of •' honour,'' as not appearing in his native divinity, but as a man, and a man of ob- Bcure birth, despised of the people; of " glory" as subjecting himself to shame and disgrace ; and of " blessing," as receiving not the benedictions so much as the execrations of those among whom he sojourned. The purport of the song is. By how much he hath emptied himself on earth, by so much let him be magnified and exalted in heaven ! Ver. 11, 12. Nor is the song confined to angels ; the whole creation joins in praismg him that sitteth on the throne, and the Lamb, for ever ; while at every pause the representatives of the redeemed add Chapter V.] THK SEALED BOOK. 63 their emphatic " Amen," adoring in humble prostration him that liveth for ever and ever. Ver. 13. Such an august and affecting representation expresses the sen- timents which become the friends of Christ while contemplating that great cause which is carrying on in the worUl, and which the world in a manner overlooks. To this may be added, If such be the glory ascribed to the Saviour whilst events are merely fore- told, what will it be when they are actually accomplished, and when they shall be reviewed in the heaven of heavens to all eternity ! DISCOURSE VI. THE SEALS OPENED. Chap. vi. Before we enter on the opening of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, or the pouring out of the vials, it will be proper to make a few general remarks. First, The whole series of events here revealed is included in the sealed book. We are not to conceive of the seals as contain - ingone series of events, the trumpets another, and the vials another ; but as all being included in the seals : for the seven trumpets are only subdivisions of the seventh seal, and the seven vials of the seventh trumpet. Secondly, This division into seals, and subdivision into trumpets and vials, appears to be the only one which the prophecy requires, or even admits. Not to mention its division into chapters, which are sometimes made in the midst of a subject, the scheme of divi- ding it into periods, which Mr. Lowman and many others have favoured, seems to be merely a work of the imagination. There are doubtless some remarkable periods in the prophecy, such as that of the 1260 years, &c.; but to make them seven in number, and for this purpose to reckon the day of judgment, and the heavenly state, as periods, is fanciful. It is by the division of the prophecy itself into seals, and the subdivision of the seventh seal into trum- pets, and of the seventh trumpet into vials, that we must steer our course. Thirdly, In tracing the events symbolized by the seals, trumpets, and vials, there is no necessity for supposing that every preceding Vol. VI. 9 66 GENERAL REMARKS. [DiscooasE VL one must be finished before that which follows it can have begun, It is enough if they succeed each other in the manner of the four monarchies predicted in the seventh chapter of Daniel. The Babylonish empire was not extinct before that of Persia began ; nor that of Persia before that of Macedonia began ; nor that of Macedonia before that of Rome began. The latter end of each would be cotemporary with the beginning of that which followed : yet upon the whole the}' succeeded each other in the empire of the world: and this was sufficient to justify their being represented in succession. Thus the wars of the red horse in this chapter might commence before the conquests of the white horse were ended, and continue in part while the events signified by the black horse occurred. The beginnings and endings of each might run into the other, while yet upon the whole they were successive. It is on this account that I am not solicitous to determine the year when each begins or ends. Fourthtij, So far as the seals, trumpets, or vials respect the world, it is as connected with the church. The plan of this proph- ecy is much the same as that of the Old Testament : it follows religion, and what concerns religion only. Why is there so much said in the scriptures of Nineveh and Babylon, rather than of other heathen cities in those times, but because these powers had to do with the people of God ? Why are the ravages of the four beasts predicted by Daniel, but for the same reason ? Had it not been for this, they might have risen and fallen unnoticed by the scrip- tures, as much as Carthage, Palmyra, or Pekin. It is this that accounts for so much being said by Daniel of Antiochus Epiphanes. It is this that accounts for so much being said by John of the Roman empire, rather than of the other great empires of the earth ; for it was here that Christianity would be principally embraced. And as the Roman empire and the profession of Chris- tianity would in the latter ages be in a manner confined to Europe, so the greater part of what respects the world in the latter part of these prophecies is in a manner confined to that quarter of the earth. The scriptures, foreseeing that Europe wouhl be the seat of both the Christian church, and the antichristian beast and Chaptek VI.] GENERAL REMARKS. Q'i harlot, predicts events concerning this part of the world, while they overlook the other parts. Nor must we expect to find all the great events even of those parts of the world which are connected with the church. As the Old Testament history in respect of the nations connected with Is- rael, is select, so we may expect to find the New Testament proph- ecy. If some of the mightiest changes in Europe have no place in this prophecy, we are not to consider the omission of them as a defect, but rather take it for granted that God did not judge the in- troduction of them necessary for his purpose. Fifthly, The commencement of the prophecy is, I apprehend, to be reckoned from the ascension of Christ. It has been common, I am aware, to reckon it from the time of the vision, which is sup- posed to have been under the reign of Domitian, about the year 95. On this principle Mr. Lowman proceeds. Hence he con- fines the opening of the first seal, on which it is said "■ there ap- peared a ■white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown, and went forth conquering and to conquer," to the success of the gospel after the year 05, leaving out the tvhole of that which accompanied the labours of the apostles. In like manner the open- ing of the second seal, on which there went forth " a red horse, and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another," is confined to those wars between the Jews and Romans which occurred between the years 100 and 138, leaving out the ivhole of those which issued in the destruction of Jerusalem.'^ But surely it must appear singular that in a prophetic description of the success of the gospel in the early ages the most glorious part of it should be left out ; and that in a like description of the vvars between the Jews and Romans the most terrible part should be omitted. The reason given by Mr. Low- man for its being so, is, *' The destruction of Jerusalem being past , can hardly be supposed to be denoted by a prediction of a judgment to come." Doubtless it is in general true that prophecies are pre- dictions of things to come : in some instances, however, they may refer to events, the beginnings of which are already accomplished. * See Lowmaa's History of the First and Seconil Seals, jip. 40—42. 6vhom he sealed in their foreheads." These ideas will be confirmed by attending to the manner in which the sealing of the servants of God is introduced. Four angels are seen " standing on the four corners of the earth." * See MosHKiM's Account of the Fourth Century. 90 THE COMPANY WHO [Dis-coorse VIU. Angels are fhe executioners of the Divine Providence. Their number answering to the four quarters of the earth muy express its extending over the whole world. Their " holding Ihe winds" would denote that they were commissioned of God to afflict the earth with evils, or to withhold them, according to his will. The short period in which they held back the winds seems to refer to that season of tranquility which the church enjoyed on the government's becoming Christian, and before the temptations of its new situation had had time to operate. Ver. 1, 2. But as the principal part of the commission of the four angels was to '' hurt the earth and the sea," they stand ready, only waiting till the greater angel has sealed the servants of God, ere they exe- cute it. The " winds" which were to be let loose upon the earth and the sea, were spiritual, rather than temporal judgments, and would principally grow out of the new order of things : namely, errors, superstitions, corruptions, divisions, and a conformity to the manners and habits of the world. These were the winds which in the end swept away the great body of nominal Christians into the gulfs of Popery and Mahonietanism. Ver. 3. And as many of the symbols in the prophecy are taken from the Jewish temple, so the servants of God are symbolized by a certain number for an uiicortaiii, lakaii from the twelve tril)ps of Israel. The Christian cUarch being now the true '' Israel of God," were to the aposlate Christians what Israel was to an apostate world; namely, God's witnesses. Ver. 4 — 8. 9 After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands ; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying. Salvation to our G"d which sitteth upon the throne^ and unto thi hamb. 1 1 Ar.d all the angrls stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four living creatures, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12- Saying, Amen : Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiv- ing, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever I Chaptbr VII.l HAD OVERCOME. 81 and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me. What are these which arc arrayed in white robes ? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him. Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of ike Lamb. 14 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. l6 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne, shall fieed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters ; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. After the sealing of God's servants is accomplished, the saints and martyrs of Jesus, who during the preceding persecutions had overcome, and been received into glory, joining with the whole heavenly chorus, engage in a triumphant song of praise to God and to the Lamb. The reason of their being here introduced seems to be that the sealed servants of God, who were yet on earth, and had to pass through a series of trials, might by a view of their happy end be strengthened to follow their example. As great numbers would be against them in this world, they are directed to view the numbers of friends which they have in heaven ; who not only look back to their own deliverance, and ascribe it to God, but seem to look down to their brethren upon earth, and to say, •' Hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering !" The view of such a holy and happy assembly is supposed to excite in the apostle emotions of admiration and joy. On this one of the elders asks him what he conceives them to be ; and whence they could come. It would seem as if they must be pure celes- tial beings, whose whole existence had been filled up with right- eousness and blessedness. He does not presume however to say what he thought they were, whether men or angels, nor to oflfer any opinion as to whence they came ; but modestly refers it to his instructor to inform him. The answer is, in eflFect, that they are men, men who were lately upon earth, exposed to great tribula- tions, but who had come out of them. And as to their " white robes," they had been once impure, but were washed and made Vol.. VI. 11 82 THE COMPANY, &c. [DiscocnsE VUJ. white, DOt in their own blood, though that in innumerable instances bad been shed, but " in the blood of the Lamb." It was as believ- ing in his death that they were justified and sanctified ; and having lived by faith on him, they were without fault *' before the throne of God." Still more to stimulate the servants of God in this world to per- severe, he adds, " And he that sitteth upon the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any Store ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lanb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes!'' DISCOURSE IX. rUE SDBDI VISION OP THE SEVENTH SEAL INTO SEVEN TRVMFETS. Chap, viii. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there ■was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, hav- ing a golden censer ; and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar ^ which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense^ which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God, out of the angers hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filed it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth : and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven aitgets which had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves to sound. We are now come to the opening of the last of the seven sealSj and which is longer, and includes far more than the preceding six. They have reached but little beyond three hundred years j whereas this will reach from thence to the end of all things. " Silence in heaven about the space of half an hour" seems to denote a solemn pause preparatory to other events. It is like say- ing, " And now prepare thee forHnother scene !" This scene is 34 THE INTRODUCTION TO [Uiscoorse IX. " the appearence of seven angels standing before God, to whom were given seven trumpets." As nothing is said on the opening of the seventh seal but what follows under the trumpets, the latter must be considered as a subdivision of the former. But prior to the sounding of the trumpets, " another angel" comes forward, and stands at the altar, " having a golden censer, to whom much incense is given, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar before the throne." There were two altars belonging to the temple-worship ; one for sacrifice, called " the altar of burnt-offering," and the other for burning incense, called " the golden altar before the throne." The allusion here is to the last. Our great High Priest, having offered himself without spot to God, passed into the heavens, where he ever liveth to make intercession for us. Through him our prayers ascend with acceptance before God. The '* prayers" here referred to appear to have a special rela- tion to the events about to be predicted by the sounding of the trumpets. The events would occur in answer to those prayers ; which might be so many inlerces-fions for the success of Christ's cause, and against thai of its adversaries. Heathen Rome was overthrown in answer to the prayers of the souls under the altar, and Christian Rome may fidl in the same manner. Should it be objected that in the latter there would be less to pray against, it may be answered, that those who, under the name of Christians, corrupted and debased Christianity, modelling it to their fleshly minds, and converting it into an engine of state policy, might incur more of the divine displeasure than those who, under the name of Heathens, openly opposed it. For the persecutions of Pagan Rome the persecutors only were punished, having their power taken from them, and given to the Christians ; but for the corruption-; of Christian Rome we shall see the empire itself dis- solved, and divided amongst the barbarians. The symbolical language under which these events are repre- sented is that of the angel taking the censer, filling it with fire of the altar, and casting it into the earth ; on which follow voices, jtnd thunderings, and lightningSj and an earthquake. " Fire" cast Qhapter VIII.] THE SEVEN TRUMPETS. 35 into the earth by an angel would be the precursor of dreadful wnrs ; afid an " earthquake'^ is the well-known symbol of a revolution, or such an overturning in matters of government as should intro- duce a new order of things. Such were the events which distin- guished the times between Constantine and Augustulus, especially those between the years 400 and 476. Whatever virtues attached to Constantine, or his successors, and whatever obligations the Christians were under for the protection afforded them by their government, yet the system which from those times was adopted, proved ruinous both to the church and to the empire. The cor- ruptions of the former, as we have seen already, required the servants of God to be sealed in their foreheads ; and the calam- ities of the latter we shall see described under the sounding of the first four trumpets. 7 The jii'st angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire, min- gled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth ; and the third part of trees -wis burnt up, and all green grass teas burnt vp. 8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea ; and the third, part of the sea became blood : 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died ; and the third part of the ships were destrqyed. 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fella great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers^ and upon the fountains of waters ; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood ,; and manij men died of the wafers, because they were made bitter. 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars ; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of if, and the night likewise. The fulfilment of these predictions must, according to the chro- nological series of the prophecy, be looked for in the fourth or fifth centuries. They are the same things, particularly described, as ihose which followed the fire cast by the angel into the earth. Moreover, as the seals went to destroy the empire as Pagan, the QQ^ FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS. fjDiscotrRSE IX trumpets will go to overturn it as Christian. Both issae in an ♦' earthquake,"* the ordinary symbol of a revolution. The Roman empire, as being now the seat of Christianity, is here considered as a world of itself; having not only its earth, its sea, and its rivers, but its sun, and moon, and stars. By the earth we may understand those parts of the empire which were continental, as Gaul and the southern parts of Ger- many. On these fell the effects of the first trumpet, burning up the trees and the grass, or destroying great numbers among the middle and lower orders of men. By the sea we may under- stand those parts of the empire which were maritime, such as Spain, Portugal, and the lower parts of Italy. On these fell the efifects of the second trumpet, turning the waters into blood, and destroying whatever was in them. By the rivers and fountains of waters may be understood the mountainous parts of the empire, as Upper Italy, and the countries about the Alps ; at no great distance from which rise the Loire, the Po, the Rhine, the Rhone, and the Danube. On these fell the effects of the third trumpet, impart- ing to their streams a mortal bitterness. By the sun, moon, and stars, we may understand the governing powers, supreme and sub- ordinate. On these fell the fourth trumpet, smiting them with darkness, or with a general eclipse. Finally, By a third part only being affected at once, may be meant, not only that the events should take place by several successive calamities •, but that the effect of the whole would not be to destroy the western empire, but merely to subvert it. The empire was to continue, though under another form, namely, as composed of the ten king- doms. Mrj CuNMNGHAME very properly remarks the difference between the effects of the trumpets which refer to the subversion of the empire, and those of the vials, which refer to iis final dis- solution. The first are partial, the last total.! Whether the events pertaining to each trumpet can be esactly ascertained, or not, thus much is certain, that the ravages of the Goths, the Vandals, and the Huns, were that to the empire which. ''Chap. vi. 12. with viii. 5. t Dissertation, pp. 80, 81. Cha»ter VII!.] FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS. 87 a terrible hail-storm, accompanied with thunder and lightning, is to the " trees and the fields ; " which a burning mountain, thrown into the sea, would be to the waters ; and which a blazing meteor that should fall upon the rivers and fbuntains of waters, and embit- ter them, would be to a country ; while the effects of these suc- cessive ravages on the government would resemble a great though not a total eclipse of the heavenly bodies; APPENDIX TO DISCOURSE IX. CONTAINING A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY FIRST FOUR TRUJMPETS. In the Northern and North-eastern parts of Europe, bordering on the Baltic and the Euxine Seas, there were many barbarous nations which were never subdued by the Roman arms : such were the Saxons, the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths, the Vandals, the Burgundians, the Huns, the Alans, &c. and who were often asso- ciated in their enterprises. About the year 376, during the reign of the Eastern Emperor Valens, the Goths having been driven from their own country by the Huns and Alans a body of not less than 200,000 of them, besides women and children, under Jllavi- VU8 and Fritigern, two of their chiefs, obtained permission to settle in Thrace, a province of the Roman empire. To the imprudence of admitting such a body of hostile emigrants, were added several instances of injurious treatment after their arrival. These first produced resistance, and ihat a battle, in which the Romans were defeated, and the emperor lost bis life. By the prudent and ener- getic measures of Tbeodosius the great, who succeeded Valens, the Gothic emigrants were so far subjugated, as to be rendered serviceable to the empire. But after his death, the jealousies between Rufinus and Stilicho, ministers of state at Constantinople and Rome, under Arcadius and Honorius the emperors, afforded them opportunity to renew their hostilities. roL. VI. ' 12 90 HISTORY OF THE Marie, an Arian Christian, the successor of Fritigern, had been in the Roman service tor several yenrs, havino; commanded a body of his countrymen in the wars of Theodosius : but thinking him- self not sufficiently rewarded by that prince, and perceiving as he thought a fair opportunity, he was disposed to carve for himself. To this he is said to have been encouraged by Rufinus, principal ruler under Arcadius at Constantinople, whose duty it was to oppose him. Marching his army into Macedonia and Thessaly, he laid waste the country as he went. Through the treachery of Rufinus the straits of Thermopylae were left unguarded, and po opened a free passage for him into Greece ; where the villages were plundered and burnt, the males who were capable of bear- ing arms massacred, and the females led captive. Hissuccess.es obtained for him a command in the eastern empire, which having improved to the strengthening of his own army, he resolved to invade that of the west. Having laid waste Epirus and Pannonia, he in 402 entered Italy. Italy however was for this time deliv- ered from his depredations. The Romans under Stilicho, after twice defeating him, suffered him to quit the country, with the remnant of his army. In 406 another vast army, composed of Goths, Huns, Vandals, Suevi, Burgundinns, Alani , &,c. under Radagnisus, a heathen, at- tempted the invasion of Italy. The number of fighting men is said to have been 200,000, besides slaves, women, and children, who are reckoned to have amounted to as many more. But nei- ther were they succe.s^f^l. Radagaisus was defeated and slain, and a great part of his army either perished, or were sold for slaves. But though the capital of the western empire was by these events once more saved, yet its provinces were reduced to deso- lation. Gaul was at this time invaded by the Vandals, the Suevi, the Alain, and the Dnrgundiaiis, uho, with the remains of Rada- gaisus's army, destroyed all before them. *' On the last day of the year, (says Gibbon,) when the waters of the Rhine were probably frozen, they entered without opposition the defenceless provinces of Gaul. This memorable passage of the Suevi, the Vandals, the Alani, and the Burgundians, who never afterwards retreated, may FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS. 91 be considered as the fall of the Roman empire in the countries beyond the Alps ; and the barriers which had so long separated the savage and the civihzed nations of the earth, were from tha fatal moment levelled with the ground. — The banks of the Rhine were crowned, like those of the Tyber, with elegant bouses, and well cultifated farms. This scene of peace and plenty was sud- denly changed into a desert ; and the prospect of the smoaking ruins could alone distinguish the solitude of nature from the deso- lation of man. The flourishing city of Mentz was surprised and destroyed ; and many thousand Christians were inhumanly massa- cred in the church. Worms perished after a long and obstinate siege ; Strasburgh, Spires, Rlieim^, Tournay, Arras, and Amiens, experienced the cruel oppression of the German yoke ; and the consuming flames of war spread from the banks of the Rhine over the seventeen provinces of GanI 'JMiat rich and extensive country, as far as the ocean, the Alps, and the Pyrennees, was delivered to the barbarians, who drove before them in a promis- cuous crowd, the bishop, the senator, and the virgin, laden with the spoils of their houses and altars."* Thus far events appear to answer to the " hail and fire mingled with blood" under the first trumpet, which, as they are said to be on the earth, correspond with the calamities which in those times were brought upon (he continental parts of the enipire. Alaric, the king oi the Visigoths, had matle pe;ice with the emperor Honorius, and been made Master General of the Roman armies in lllyricum. In the invasion of Radagaisus he took no part but was attentive to the recruiting of his own army. In 408 he made large demands on the Roman Government, accompanied with intimations of what would follon' if they were not complied with. Stilicho persuaded the senate to comply vnta them, and four thou- sand pounds of gold were proaiiseJ him tjmier tlie name of a sub- sidy. But before the promise was fulfilled, Stilicho was disgraced and slain. Of the measures oflns successors, Al iric is snid to have had just cause of complaint. The result was, he detei-mined * Decline of Roman Empire, Chap. XXX. 92 HISTORY OF THE again to invade Italy. Passing over the Alps he pillaged the cities of Aquileia, Altinum, Concordia, and Cremona, which yielded to his arms ; increased his forces by the accession of 30,000 auxilia- ries ; and without opposition marched to the gates of Rome. Here, encompassing the city, he reduced it to a state of famine, of which many thousands died. To this succeeded a destructive pes- tilence. At length the siege was raised on a large sum of money being paid him : but his terms of peace being rejected by Honorius, who had Shut himself up in Ravenna, Rome was a second time be- sieged. After this it was taken, and for three days given up to the plunder of the besiegers. Vast numbers of the Romans were slain, not only by the Goths, but by their own slaves, 40.000 of whom being liberated, fell upon their masters. About ten months before this terrible calamity on Rome and the lower psrti of Italy, by the Goths, Spain and Portugal were inva- ded by the Vandals^ the Suevi, and the Alani. These nations had already desolated Gaul, from whence passing over the Pyrennees they conquered the peninsula. Jichard snys, " The Vandals took Galieit, where they settled ; the Suevi pushed their conquests farther ; and the Alani fixed themselves in Portugal and Andalusia. From these barbarians, (he adds,) descended the ancient kings of Spain." The calamities of this invasion are thus decribed by Gihbov from a Spanish Historian. " The barbarians exercised their indis- criminate cruelty on the fortunes of the Romans and Spaniards, and ravaged with equal fury the cities and the open country. The progress of famine reduced the miserable inhabitants to feed on the flesh of their fellow-creatures : and even the wild beasts that multiplied without control in the desert were exasperated, by the taste of blood and the impatience of hunger, boldly to attack and devour their human prey. Pestilence soon appeared, the insep- arable companion of famine ; a large proportion of the people was swept away ; and the groans of the dying excited only the envy of their surviving friends. At length, the barbarians, satiated with carnage and rapine, and afflicted by the contagious evils which FIRST FOUR TRUMPETS. 93 they themselves had introduced, fixed their permanent seats in the depopulated country."* These events seem to answer to the " burning mountain cast into the sea," causing a third part of it to become blood, and de- stroying a third part of all which were in it, as described under the second trumpet. If jEtna or Vesuvius had literally been thrown into the ocean, it could hardly have produced a greater effervescence among the waters than these things produced among the nations. The sea would also have a special reference to these calamities being brought upon the maritime parts of the empire. After this the empire received another mighty shock from the Scythians, or Huns, a heathen nation, more barbarous and cruel than either the Goths or Vandals. Attila, their king and com- mander, was distinguished by his ferocity ; affecting to be called '.' the scourge of God," and declaring that " the grass would never grow upon those places where his horse had trodden I" About 441, he fell upon the eastern empire, where, bearing down all before him, the country was in a manner destroyed by fire and sword. Gibbon says, " The whol6 breadth of Europe, as it ex- tends above five hundred miles, from the Euxine to the Adriatic, was at once invaded and occupied, and desolated by him." The government at Constantinople, after seventy cities had been rased to the ground, was compelled ignominiously to purchase hie retreat. In the year 450 Attila again deckred war against both the east- ern and western empires. He was defeated in Gaul with a loss (says Echard) of 1 70,000 men ; yet in the following year he in- vaded Italy with a larger army than that with which he had enter- ed Gaul. Aquileia, after a seige of three months, was. taken, and so effectually destroyed that the succeeding generation could scarcely discover its ruins. After this Ferona, Mantua, Padua, and many other cities, shared the same fate ; the men were slain, ihe women ravished, and the places reduced to ashes. These devastations, however, were confined to those parts of Italy which border on the Alps. Attila threatened Rome, but was induced, * Gibbon's Roman History, Cliap. XXXI. 94 HISTORY OF THE partly by fear of the Roman army, partly by the remonstances of his own. aiul partly by the embassy of Leo the Roman Pontiff, to forego the Tttemift, and returning into bis own country, he shortly after ended his days. This snrely Diu>t be the " great star burning as it were a lamp;" which followed the sounding ot the third trumpet and which shoott ing like a tiery meteor from east to west, and falling upon the riv- ers and fountains of waters, impregnated the streams with a mor- tal bitterness. If the rivers and fountains denote, as has been supposed, the mountainous parts of the empire, whence they have their origin, the facts have a remarkable coincidence with the pre- diction. As to the remainder of the history, every thing from this time wect to eclipse the imperial government. Africa, Sj)ain, Britain, the greatest part of Gaul, Germany, and lUyricum, are said to have been di»ui<-mbered from the empire ; the court was full of intrigues and muiders ; Valenliiiian the emperor ravished the wife of Max imu?, one of his senators ; Maximus in return got Valentinian murdered, usurped his throne, and compelled Endoxia the Empress to marry him ; Eudoxia in hatred to the usurper invited Genseric the Vandal to come over from Africa and revenge the death of Valentinian ; Genseric prepared to invade Italy ; Maximus on bearing it, instead of taking measures for repelling him, sunk into despondency ; the senators stoned him to death, and threw his body into the Tiber; Genseric entered Rome without opposition, and give it up to be sacked anJ plundered by the soldiers for fourteen days. From hence, as Bishop NewLon observes, " the western empire struggled hard, and ga=ped as it were for breath through eight short and turbulent reigns, for the space of twenty years, and at length expired in the year 476 under Momyllus, or Au'nistiiltis, as be was named in derision, being a diminutive of Augustus." After this Odoacer, king of the Ostrogoths, invaded the country, and siezed the government, which he held however, not as head r .1 .., . — «„,.^;~Q U'-i ,»-'>-'.1" n years. In short, they are the particulars of what was signified under the general representations by God's wrath bein^ come and the time of the dead that they should be avenged — and by the harvest and the vintage. Chapters xi. and xiy , Chapter XV.] . TO THE VIALS. |Q7 AH those expositions of the vials, therefore, which suppose them to have been pouring out at different periods from the beginning of the 1260 years appear to me to be founded in mistake. The fiir- thest point to which we can look back for the commeocement of theee calamities may be found to be within the last five and twenty years. Ver. 1. The " sea of glass mingled with fire" is the same which is said in Chap, iv. 6. to have been before the throne. It is oftpoeed^ I conceive, to that perturbed element from which tiie beast arose ; and describes the pure, calm, and triumphant state of those who have overcome. The striking up of the heavenly choir on thi» occasion was to express the great good that should arise from these evils. The song they sing is that of " Hoses and the Lamb." As the song of Moses at the Red Se? magnified the victory of the Lord over the Egyptians, so this song will cele- brate the triumph of the Lamb and of his followers over enemies of a similar character. If the works of God in redeeming his people from the long and hard bondage of Egypt were " great and marvellous," much more so would they be in delivering his saints from the long and hard bondage of" that great city which is spiritually called Egypt ;" and if his " ways were just and true" in the former instance, they would be still more manifestly so in the latter. Ver. 2, 3. It is not in malignity towards any creature, but in love to God, whose honour had for so long a timt Hindoos and Moors, as in the most polished parts of Europe. The very disposilion, which, blessed be my dear Re- deemer ! he has given me, to be any thing, do any thing, or endure ^ny thing, so that his name might be glorified, 1 sa}', the dispo- sition itself is heaven begun below ! I do feel a daily panting after more devotedness to his service, and I can never think of my suf. fering Lord, without dissolving into love; love which constrains me to glorify him with my body and spirit, which are his. " 1 do often represent to myself all the possible hardships of a mission, arising from my own heart, the nature of the country, domestic connexions, disappointment in my hopes, &c. &c. : And then I set over against them all, these two thoughts, — I am Gocfs servant ; and God is my friend. In this, I anticipate happiness MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 305 in the midst of suffering, light in darkness, and life in death. Yea, I do not count my life dear unto myself, so that 1 may win some poor heathens unto Christ ; and I am willing to be offered as a sa- crifice on the service of the faith of the gospel. " Mr. Home justly observes, * that, in order to justify a man's undertaking the work of a missionary, he should be qualified for it' disposed heartily to enter upon it, and free from such ties as ex- clude an engagement.' — As to the first, others must judge for me ; but they must not be men who have an interest in keeping me at home. 1 shall rejoice in opportunities of attaining to an acquaint- ance with the ideas of judicious and impartial men in this matter, and with them I must leave it. A willingness to embark in this cause I do possess ; and I can hardly persuade myself that God has for ten years inclined my heart to this work, without hav- ing any thing for me to do in it. But the third thing requires more consideration; and here alone I hesitate." — Here he goes on to state all the objections from this quarter, with his answers to them leaving it with his brethren to decide when they had heard the whole. The Committee, after the most serious and mature dehberation, though they were fully satisfied as to brother Pearce's qualifica- tions, and greatly approved of his spirit, yet were unanimously of opinion that he ought not to go ; and that not merely on account of his connexions at home, which might have been pleaded in the case of brother Carey ^ but on account of the mission itself, which required his assistance in the station which lie already occupied. In this opinion, brother Carey himself, with singular disinterest- edness of mind, afterwards concurred ; and wrote to brother Pearce to the same effect.* On receiving the opinion of the Committee, he immediately wrote to Mrs. P , as follows : — " Northampton, Nov. 13, 1794. Mr DEAR Sarah, " I AM disappointed, but not dismayed. I ever wish to make my Saviour's will my own. 1 am more satisfied than ever T * See Periodical Accounts, No. V. p. 374, ^6 M £>:,'• 01RS_0F THE LATE expected I should be with a negative upon my earnest desired, because the biwiness has been so conducted, that, I think (if by any means such an issue could be insured) the mind of Christ has been obtained. My dear brethren here have treated the afifair with as much seriousness and affection as I could possibly desire, and, I think, more (ban so insigniticaut a worm could expect. After we had spent the former part of this day in fasting and prayer, with conversation on the subject, till near two o'clock, brother Potts, King, and I retired. We prayed while the Committee con- sulted. The case seemed difficult, and I suppose they were neaf two hours in deciding. 'At last, time forced them to a point; and their answer I inclose for your satisfaction. Pray take care of it; it will serve for me to refer to when my mind may labour beneath a burden of guilt another day. •' \ am my dear Sarah's own '' S. P." The decision of the Committee, though it renrlored him much more reconciled to abide in his native country than he could have been without it ; yet did not in the least abate his zeal for the object. As he could not promote it abroad, he seemed resolved to lay him- self out more for it at home. In March 1795, after a dangerous illness, he says in a letter to Mr. Fuller — " Through mercy I am almost in a state of convalescence. May my spared life be wholly devoted to the service of my dear Redeemer. 1 do not care where I am, whether in England or in India, so 1 am employed as he would have me ; but surely we need pray hard that God would send some more help to Hindostan." In January 1796, when he was first informed by the Secretary, of a young man (Mr. Fountain) being desirous of going, of the char- acter that was given of him by our friend Mr. Savage, of London, and of a Committee Meeting being in contemplation, he wrote thus in answer — " Your letter, just arrived, put — I was going to say aoother soul into my little body ; at least it has added new lite to MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. ^07 llie soul I have. I cannot be contented with Ihe thougl.t of being iibsent from your proposed meeting. No, no ; I must be there, (for my own sake I mean,) and try to sing with you, ' O'er the gloomy hills of darkness."* In August the same year, having received a letter from India, he wrote to Mr. Fuller as follows — " Brother Carey speaks in such a manner of the effects of the gospel in his neighbourhood, as in my view promises a fair illustration of our Lord's parable, when he compared the kingdom of heaven to a little leaven, hid in three measures of meal, which insinuated itself so effectually as to leaven the lump at last. Blessed be God, the leaven is already in the meal. The fermentation is begun ; and my hopes were never half so strong as they are now, that the whole shall be effectually leav- ened. O THAT I WERE THERE TO WITNBSS THE DELIGHTFUL PRO- CESS ! But whither am 1 running ? . , . I long to write you FROM HlXDOSTAN !" On receiving other Letters from India, in January, 1797, he thus writes :— " Perhaps you are now rejoicing in spirit with me over fresh intelligence from Bengal. This'rnoment have I concluded reading two letters from brother Thomas : one to the Society, and the other to myself.t He speaks of others from brother Carey. I hope they are already in your possession. If his correspondence has produced the same effects on your heart as brother Thomas's has on mine, you are filled with gladness and hope. I ym grieved that I cannot convey them to you immediately. I long to witness the pleasure their contents will impart to all whose hearts are with us. O that I were accounted worthy of the Lord to preach the gospel to the Booteas !'' Bein;^ detained from one of our mission meetings by preparinu- the Periodical Accounts for the press, he soon after wrote as fol- lows : " We shall now get out No. IV. very soon. I hope it will go to the press in a very few days. Did you notice, that the very day on which we invited all our friends to a day of prayer on be- half of the mission, (Dec. 28, 1796,) was the same in which brollier * The 428th Hymn of Dr. Rippon's Selection, frequently sung at oui Committee Meetings, if See tiiese Letters printed in Periodical Accounts., No. IV. p. p. 294,301, 308 , MEMOIRS OF THE LATE Carey sent h is best and most interesting accounts to the Society ? I hope you had solemn and sweet seasons at Northaoipton, On many accounts I should have rejoiced to have been with you : yet I am satisfied that on the whole I was doing best at home.'' It has been already observed, that for a month preceding the decision of the Committee, he resolved to devote one day in every week to secret prayer and fasting, and to keep a diary of the exercises of his mind during the whole of that period. This diary was not shown to the Committee at the time, but merely the pre- ceding narrative. Since his death a few of them have perused it ; and have been almost read}' to think, that if they had seen it before, they dared noteppose his going. But the Lord hath taken him to himself. It no longer remains a question now, whether he shall labour in England or in India. A few passages, however, from this transcript of his heart, while contemplating a great and disinterested undertaking, will furnish a better idea of his charac- ter than could be given by any other hand. "Oct. 8, 1784. Had some remarkable freedom and affection this morning, both in family and secret prayer. With many tears I dedicated myself, body and soul, to the service of Jesus ; and earnestly implored full satisfaction respecting the path of duty. — I feel a growing deadness for all earthly comforts ; and derive ray happiness immediately from God himself. May I still endure, a* Moses did, by seeing Him who is invisible !" " Oct. 10. Enjoyed much freedom to-day in the family. Whilst noticing in prayer the state of the millions of heathen who know not God, 1 felt the aggregate value of their immortal souls with peculiar energy. *' Afterwards was much struck whilst (on my knees before God In secret) I read the fourth chapter of Micah. The ninth verse I fancied very applicable to the Church in Cannon-street : but what reason is there for such a cry about so insignificant a worm as I am ? The third chapter of Habakkuk too well expresses that MR. SAMUEL PEARCK. 309 mixture of solemnity and confidence with which I contemplate the work of the mission. " Whilst at prayer-meeting to night, I learned more of the meaning of some passages of scripture than ever beiore. Suita- ble frames of soul are like good lights, in which a painting appears to its full advantage. I had often meditiited on Phil. iii. 7, 8, and Gal. vi. 14 : but never/e/i crucitixion to the world, and disesteem for all that it contains as at that time. All prospects of pecuniary independence, and growing reputation, with which in unworthier moments I had amused myself, were now chafed from my mind ; and the desire of living ?c/io% to Christ swallowed up every other thought. Frowns and smiles, fullness or want, honour and re- proach, were now equally indifferent; and when I concluded the meeting, my whole soul felt, as it were, going after the lost sheep of Christ among the heathen. " I do feel a growing satisfoction in the proposal of spending my whole life in something nobler than the locality of this Island will admit. I long to raise my Master's banner in climes where the sound of his fame hath but scarcely reached. He hath said, for my encouragement, that aZ/ nations shall flow unto it. " The conduct and success of Stach, Boonish, and other Mora- vian Missionaries in Greenland, both confound and stimulate me. O Lord, forgive my past indolence in thv service, and help me to redeem the residue of my days for exertions more worthy a friend of mankind, and a servant of God. " Oct. 13. Being taken up with visiters the former part of the day, I spent the after part in application to the Bengal language, and found the difficulties I apprehended vanish as fast as I encoun- tered them. I read and prayed, prayed and read, and made no small advances. Blessed be God ! " Oct. 15. There are in Birmingham 50,000 inhabitants ; and, exclusive of the vicinity, ten ministers who preach the fundamen- tal truths of the gospel. In Hindostan there are twice as many millions of inhabitants, and not so many gospel preachers. Now Jesus Christ hath commanded his ministers to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature : why should we be so disproportionate in our labours ? Peculiar circumstances must Vol. VI. 40 310 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE not be urged against positive commands : I am therefore bound, if others do not go, to take the means more proportionate to the mul- titude. " To-night, reading some letters from brother Carey, in which he speaks of his wife's illness when she first came into the country, I endeavoured to realize myself not only with a sick, but a dead wife. The thought was like a cold dagger to my heart at first : but on recollection I considered that the same God ruled in India as in Europe ; and that he could either preserve her, or support me, as well there as here. My business is only to be where he would have me. Other things I leave to him. O Lord, though with timidity, yet I hope not without satisfaction, I look every possible evil in the face, and say, Thy will he done. Oct. 17. This is the first day 1 have set apart for extraordinary devotion in relation to my present exercise of mind. Rose earlier than usual, and began the day in prayer that God would be with me in every part of it, and grant that the end I have in view may be clearly ascertained — the knowledge of his will. " Considering the importance of the work before me, I began at the foundation of all religion, and reviewed the grounds on which I stood ; the being of a God, the relation of mankind to him, with the divine inspiration of the scriptures ; and the review af- forded me great satisfaction.* I also compared the different reli- gions which claimed divine origin, and found little difficulty in de- termining which had most internal evidence of its divinity. I attentively read and seriously considered Doddridge's three excel- lent Sermons on the Evidences of the Christian Religion, which was followed by such conviction, that \ had hardly patience to conclude the book, before I fell on my knees before God to bless him for such a religion, established on such a basis ; and 1 have received more solid satisfaction this day apon the subject than ever I did before. * There is a wide difference between admitting these principles in theory and making use of them. David might have worn Saul's accoutrements at a parade : but in meeting Goliath he must go forth in an armour that had been tried. A mariner may sit in his cabin at his ease while the ship is in har- bour : but ere he undertakes a voyage he must examine its soundness, and ■whether it will endure the storms which may overtake him. MR. SAMUJiL PEARCK. 311 " I also considered, since the gospel is true, since Christ is the head of the church, and his will is the law of all his followers, what are the obligations of his servants in respect of the enlargement of his kingdom. I here refer to our Lord's commission, which I could not but consider as universal in its object, and permanent in its obligations. I read brother Carey's remarks upon it — and as the command has never been repealed ; as there are millions of beings in the world on whom the command may be exercised ; as I can produce no counter-revelation ; and as I lie under no natu- ral impossibilities of performing it .... I concluded that 1, as a servant of Christ, was bound by this law. " 1 took the narrative of my experience, and statement of my views on this subject, in my hand, and bowing down before God, t earnestly besought an impartial and enlightened spirit. I then perused that paper; and can now say, that I have (allowing for my own fallibility) not one doubt upon the subject. I therefore resolved to close thissolen)n season with reading a portion of both Testaments, and earnest prayer to God for my family, my people, the heathen world, the Society, and particularly for the success of our dear brethren Thomas and Carey, and his blessing, presence, and grace to be ever my guide and glory. Accordingly I read the xlixth chapter of Isaiah ; and with what sweetness! I never read a chapter in private with such feelings since I have been in the ministry. The 8th, 9th, 10th, 20th, and 2lst verses 1 thought re- markably suitable. " Read also part of the epistle to the Ephesians, and the first chapter to the Philippians. O that for me to live may be Christ alone ! Blessed be my dear Saviour, in prayer 1 have had such fellowship with him, a? would warm me in Greenland, comfort me in New-Zealand, and rejoice me in the valley of the shadow of death ! " Oct. 18. I dreamed that I saw one of the Christian Hindoos. O how I loved him! I long to realize my dream. How pleasant will it be to sit down at the Lord's table with our black brethren, and hear Jesus preached in their language ! Surely then will come to pass the saying that is written, In Christ there is neither 312 MEMOIRS or THE LATE J€W nor Greek, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free, all are one in him. " Have been happy to-day in completing the noanuscript of Peri- odical Accounts, No. I. Any thing relative to the salvation of the heathen brings a certain pleasure with it. I find I cannot pray, nor converse, nor read, nor study, nor preach with satisfaction without reference to this subject. " Oct. 20. Was a little discouraged on reading Mr. Zeigen- bald's conferences with the Malabarians, till I recollected, what ought to be ever present to my mind, in brother Carey's words, — The work is God's. " In the evening I found some little difficulty with the language ; but considering how merchants and captains overcome this diffi- culty for the sake of wealth, I sat confounded before the Lord that I should ever have indulged such a thought ; and looking up to him, I set about it with cheerfulness, and found that 1 vvas making a sensible advance, although I can never apply till 11 o'clock at night, on account of my other duties.* Preached from 2 Kings iv. 26. // isivell. Was much enlarged both in thought and expression. Whilst speaking of the satifac- tion enjoyed by a truly pious mind, when it feels itself in all cir- cumstances and times in the hand of a good God, I felt that were the universe destroyed, and 1 the only being in it, beside God, he is fully adequate to my complete happiness ; and had I been in an African wood, surrounded with venomous serpents, devouring beasts, and savage men, in such a frame, 1 should be the subject of perfect peace and exalted joy. Yes, O my God, thou hast taught me that thou alone art worthy of my confidence; and with this sentiment fixed in my heart, 1 am free from all solicitude about any * Night studies, often continued till two or three o'clock in the morning, it is to be feared, were the first occasion of impairing; Mr. Pearce's health, and brought on that train of nervous sensations w ith which he was afterwards af&icte«l. Though not much accustomed to converse on this subject, he once acknowledged to a brother in the ministry, that owing to his enervated state, he sometimes dreaded the approach of public services to such a degree, that he w.^uld rather have submitted to stripes than engage in them ; and that while in the pulpit, he was frequently distressed with the apprehension of falling ever it. MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 313 temporal prospects or concerns. If thy presence be enjoyed, poverty shall be riches, darkness light, affliction prosperity, reproach my honour, and fatigue my rest : and thou hast said, My presence shall go with thee. Enough, Lord, I ask for nothing, nothing more. " But how sad the proofs of our depravity ; and how insecure the best frames we enjoy ! Returning home, a wicked expression from a person who passed, caught my ear, and occurred so often to my thoughts for some minutes as to bring guilt upon my mind, and overwhelm me with shame before God. But I appealed to God for my hatred of ail such thi'iigs, secretly confessed the sin of my heart, and again ventured to the mercy-seat. On such occasions how precious a Mediator is to the soul ! " Oct. 22. I did not for the former part of the day feel my wonted ardour for the work of a Missionary ; but rather an incli- nation to consult flesh and blood, and look at the worst side of things. I did so : but when on my knees before GoJ in prayer about it, I first considered that my judgment was still equally satisfied, and my conscience so convinced, that I durst not relinquish the work for a thousand worlds ! And then I thought that this dull frame had not been without its use ; as I was now fully convinced, that my desire to go did not arise from any fluctuation of inconstant passions, but the settled convictions of my judgment. 1 therefore renewed my vows unto the Lord, that let what diffi- culties soever be in the way, I would (provided the society ap- proved) surmount them all. I felt a kind of unutterable satisfac- tion of mind, in my resolution of leaving the decision in the hands of my brethren. May God rightly dispose their hearts ! I have no doubt but he will. "Oct 23. Have found a little time to apply to the Bengalle language. How pleastuit it is to work tor God ! Love transforms thorns to roses, and makes pain itself a pleasure. I never sat down to any study with such peculiar and continued satisfaction. The thought of exalting the Redeemer in this language, is a spur to my application paramount to every discouragement for want of a living tutor. 1 have passed this day with an abiding satisfac- tion respecting my present views. 314 MKMOIRS OF THE LATE "Oct. 24. O for the enlightening, enlivening, and sanctifying presence of God to-day ! It is the second c f those days of extra- ordinary devotion which I have set apart for seeking God, in rela- tion to the mission. How shall i spend it ? I will devote the morning to prayer, reading, and meditation ; and the afternoon to visiting the wretched, and relieving the needy. May God accept my services, guide rae by his counsel, and employ me for his praise ! "Having besought the Lord that he would not fuffer me to de- ceive myself in so important a matter as that which I bad now retired to consider, and exercised some confidence that he would be the rewarder of those who diligently seek him, I read the ll9th Psalm at the conclusion of my prayer, and felt and wondered at the congriiity of so many verses to the breathings of my own heart. Often, with holy admiration, I paused, and read, and thought, and prayed over the verse again, especially verses 20, 31, S9, 60, 112, 145, 148. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. I have stuck unto thy testi- monies : O Lord, put me not to shame. "Most of the morning I spent in seriously reading Mr. Home's Letters on Missions, having first begged of the Lord to make the perusal profitable to my instruction in the path of duty. To the interrogation, ' Which of you will forsake all, deny himself, take up his cross, and, if God pleases, die for his religion ? ' I replied .spontaneously, Blessed be God, I am willing ! Lord, help me to accomplish it ! " Closed this season with reading the 61st and 62d chapters of Isaiah, and prayer for the church of God at large, my own congre- gation, the heathens, the Society, brethren Thomas and Carey, all Missionaries whom. God hath sent of every denomination, my own case, my wife and family, and for assistance in my work. "The after part of this day has been gloomy indeed. All the painful circumstances wliich can attend my going have met upon my heart, and formed a load almost insupportable. A number of things, which have been sometime accumulating, have united their pressure, and made me groan being burdened. Whilst at a prayer-rneeting I looked round on my Christian friends, and said to MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 315 myself, A few months more and probably I shall leave you all ! But in the deepest of ray gloom, I resolved, though faint, yet to pursue, not doubting but my Lord would give me strength equal to the day. " I had scarcely formed this resolution before it occurred, My Lord and Master was a man of sorrows. Oppressed, and covered with blood, he cried. If it he possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet in the depth of his agonies he added, Thy will he done. This thought was to me what the sight of the cross was to Bunyan's pilgrim ; I lost my burden. Spent the remainder of the meeting in sweet communion with God. "But on coming home, the sight of Mrs. P. replaced my load. She had for some time been much discouraged at the thoughts of going. 1 therefore felt reluctant to say any thing on this subject, thinking it would be unpleasant to her: but though I strove to conceal it, an involuntary sigh betrayed my uneasiness. She kindly inquired the cause. I avoided at first an explanation, till she, guessing the reason, said to this effect — ' I hope you will be no more uneasy on my account. For the last two or three days, I have been more comfortable than ever in the thought of going. I have considered the steps you arc'pursuing to know the mind of God, and I think you cannot take more proper ones. When you consult the ministers, you should represent your obstacles as strongly as your inducements ; and then, if they advise your going, though the parting from my friends will be almost insupportable, yet I will make myself as happy as I can, and God can make me happy anywhere.' *' Should this little Diary fall into the hands of a man having the soul of a Missionary, circumstanced as I am, he will be the onh' man capable of sharing my peace, njy joy, my gratitude, my rap- ture of soul. Thus at evening-tide it is light ; thus God brin<^s his people through fire and through water into a healthy place ; thus those who ask do receive, and their joy is full. O love the Lord, ye his saints : there is no want to them that fear him I " Oct. 26. Had much enlargement this morning, whilst speak- ing on the nature, extent, and influence of divine love : what designs it formed — with what energy it acted — with what perse- 316 MEMOIRS OK THE LATE verance it pursued its object — what obstacles it surmounted — what difficulties it conquered — and what sweetness it imparted under the heaviest loads and severest trials ! Almost through the day I enjoyed a very desirable frame ; and on coming home, my wife and I had some conversation on the subject of my going. She said, Though in general the thought was painful ; yet there were some seasons when she had no preference, but felt herself disposed to go or stay, as the Lord should direct. " This day wrote to brother Fuller, briefly stating my desires, requesting his advice, and proposing a meeting of the Committee on the business. 1 feel great satisfaction arising from my leaving the matter to the determination of my honoured brethren, and to God through them. ** Oct. 27. To-day I sent a packet to our brethren in India. I could not forbear telling brother Carey all my feelings, views, and expectations : but without saying I should be entirely governed by the opinion of the Society. " Oct. 28 . Still panting to preach Jesus among my fellow sin- ners to whom he is yet unknown. Wrote to Dr. Rodgers, of Phil- adelphia, to-day, upon the subject with freedom and warmth, and inquired whether, whilst the people of the United States were forming societies to encourage arts, liberty, and emigration, there could not a few be found among them who would form a society for the transmission of the word of life to the benighted heathens ; or in case that could not be, whether they might not strengthen our hands in Europe, by some benevolent proof of concurring with us in a design, which they speak of with such approbation? With this I sent Home's Letters. I will follow both with my prayers, and who can tell ? " Oct. 29. Looked over the Code of Hindoo Laws to-day. How much is there to admire in it, founded on the principles of justice. The most salutary regulations are adopted in many circumstances. But what a pity that so much excellence should be abased by laws to establish or countenance idolatry, magic, prostitution, prayers for the dead, false-witnessing, theft, and suicide. How perfect is the morality of the gospel ef Jesus ; and how desirable that they should embrace it! Ou^ht not means to be used ? Can we assist Mil. SAMUEL PEARCE. 3I7 them too soon ? There is reason lo think that their Shasters were penned about the beginninj^ of the Kollee Jogue, which must be soon after the deluge : and are not 4000 years long enough for 100 millions of men to be under the empire of the devil ? '' Oct. 31. I am encouraged to enter upon this day (which I set apart for supplicating God) by a recollection of his promises to those who seek him. If the sacred word be true, the servants of God can never seek his face in vain ; and as I am conscious of my sincerity and earnest desire only to know his pleasure that I may perform it, I find a degree of confidence that I shall realize the fulfilment of the word on which he causeth me to hope. •' Began the day with solemn prayer for the assistance of the Holy Spirit in my present exercise, that so I might enjoy the spirit and power of prayer, and have my personal religion improved, as well as my public steps directed. In this duty I found a little quickening. *' I then read over the narrative of my experience, and my journal. I find my views are still the same ; but my heart is much more established than when 1 began to write. '' Was much struck in reading Paul's words in 2 Cor. i. I7, when after speaking of his purpose to travel for the preaching of the gos- pel, he saith. Did I then use lightness, when I was thiis minded? — Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the Jiesh, that with me there should be yea, yea ; nay, nay ? The piety of the apostle in not purposing after the flesh, the seriousness of spirit with which he formed his designs, and his steadfast adherence to them, were in my view worthy of the highest admiration and strict- est imitation. " Thinking that I might get some assistance from David Brain- errf's experience, I read his life to the time of his being appointed a missionary among the Indians. The exalted devotion of that dear man almost made me question mine, yet at some seasons he speaks of sinking as well as rising. His singular piety excepted, his feelings, prayers, desires, comforts, hopes, and sorrows, are my own ; and if I could follow him in nothing else, I knew 1 had been enabled to say this with him, ' I feel exceedingly calm, and quite resigned to God respecting my future improvement (or sta- VoL. VI. 41 318 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE tion) Tvhen and where he pleased. My faith Ufted me above the world, and removed all those mountains which 1 could not look over of late. 1 thought I wanted not the favour of man to lean upon ; for I knew God's favour was infinitely better, and that it was no matter ichere, or when, or how Christ should send me, nor with what trials he should still exercise me, if I might be prepared for his work and will.' ** Read chapters ii. iii. iv. v. and vi. of the second epistle to the Corinthians. Felt a kind of placidity, but not much joy. On be- ginning the concluding prayer, I had no strength to wrestle, nor power with God at all. I seemed as one desolate and forsaken. I prayed for myself, the Society, the Missionaries, the converted Hindoos, the church in Cannon-street, my family, and ministry ; but yet ail was dullness; and I feared I had offended the Lord. I felt but little zeal for the mission, and was about to conclude with a lamentation over the hardness of my heart ; when of a sudden it pleased God to smite the rock with the rod of his Spirit, and im- mediately the waters began to flow. O what a heavenly, glorious, melting power was it ! My eyes, almost closed with weeping, hard- ly suffer me to write. I feel it over again. O what a view of the love of a crucified Redeemer did I enjoy: the attractions of his cross, how powerful ! 1 was as a giant refreshed with new wine, as to my animation ; like Mary at the Master's feet, weeping for tenderness of soul ; like a little child, for submission to my heavenly Father's will ; and like Paul, for a victory over all self-love, and creature-love, and fear of man, when these things stand in the way of my duty. The interest that Christ took in the redemption of the heathen, the situation of our brethren in Bengal, the worth of the soul, and the plain command of Jesus Christ, together with an irresistible drawing of soul, which by far exceeded any thing I ever felt before, and is impossible to be described to or conceived of by those who have never experienced it ; all compelled me to voto that I would, by his leave, serve him among the heathen. The Bible lying open before me, (on my knees,) many passages caught my eye, and confirmed the purposes of my heart. If ever in my life, I knew any thing of the influences of the Holy Spirit, I did at ibis time. I was swallowed up in God. All was delightful, for MR, SAMUEL PEARCK. 319 Christ was all, and in all. Many times I concluded prayer ; but when rising from my knees, communion with God was so desira* ble, that I was sweetly drawn to it again and again, till my animal strength was almost exhausted. Then I thought it would be pleas-i ure to hum for God. " And now while I write, such a heavenly sweetness fills my soul, that no exterior circumstances can remove it ; and I do uni- formly feel, that the more I am thus, the more I pant for the ser- vice of my blessed Jesus among the heathen. Yes, my dear, ray dying Lord, I am thine, thy servant ; and if I neglect the service of so good a blaster, I may well expect a guilty conscience in life, and a death awful as that of Judas, or of Spira ! " This evening I had a meeting with my friends. Returned much dejected. Reviewed a letter from brother Fuller, which, though he says he has many objections to my going, yet is so affec- tionately expressed; as to yield me a gratification. " Nov. 3. This evening received a letter from brother Ryland, containing many objections : but contradiction itself is pleasant when it is the voice of judgment mingled with affection. I wish to remember that / may be mistaken, though I cannot say I am at present convinced that it is so. I am happy to find that brother Ryland approves of my referring it to the committee. I have much confidence in the judgment of my brethren, and hope I shall be perfectly satisfied with their advice. I do think, however, if they knew how earnestly I pant for the work, it would be impos- sible for them to withhold their ready asquiescence. O Lord, thou knowest my sincerity : and that if I go not to the work, it will not be owing to any reluctance on my part ! If I stay in Eng- land, 1 fear I shall be a poor useless drone ; or if a sense of duty prompt me to activity, I doubt whether I shall ever know inward peace and joy again. O Lord, I am, thou knowest I am, oppressed) undertake for me ! " Nov. 5. At times to-day I have been reconciled to the thought of stjiying, if any brethren should so advise ; but at other times I seem to think I could not. I look at brother Carey's por- trait as it hangs in my study, I love him in the bowels of Jesus Christ, and long to join his labours : every look calls up a hundred 320 MEMOIRS OF THE l.ATE thoughts, all of which inflame my desire to be a fellow-labourer with him iu the work of the Lord. One thing, however. I have resolved upon, that, the Lord keeping me, if I cannot go abroad, I will do all I can to serve the mission at home. •' Nov. 7. This is the last day of peculiar devotion before the deciding meeting. May 1 have strength to wrestle with God to- day for his wisdom to preside in the committee, and by faith to leave the issue to their determination. " I did not enjoy much enlargement in prayer to-day. My mind seems at present incapable of those sensations of joy with which I have lately been much indulged, through its stragglings in relation to my going or staying : yet 1 have been enabled to commit the issue into the hands of God, as he may direct my brethren, hoping that their advice will be agreeable to his will.'' The result of the Committee Meeting has already been related ; together with the state of his mind, as far as could be collected from his letters, for some time after it. The termination of these tender and interesting exercises, and of all his other labours, in so speedy a removal from the present scene of action, may teach us not to draw any certain conclusion as to the designs of God con- cerning our future labours, from the ardour or sincerity of our feelings. He may take it well that it was in our hearts to build him an house, though he should for wise reasons have determined not to gratfy us. Suffice it, that in matters of everlasting mo- ment he has engaged to perfect that which concerns us. In this he hath condescended to bind himself, as by an oath, for our con- solation : here, therefore, we may safely consider our spiritual desires as indicative of his designs : but it is otherwise in various instances in regard to present duty. .VI R. SAMUEL PEARCE. 32| CHAPTER III. HJS EXERCISES AND LABOURS FROM THE TIME OF HIS GIVING UP THE IDEA OF GOING ABROAD, TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS LAST AFFLICTION. Had the multiplied labours of this excellent man permitted his keeping a regular diary, we may see by the foregoing specimen of a single month, what a rich store of truly Christian experience would have pervaded tlicse Memoirs. We should then have been better able to trace the gradual openings of his holy mind, and the springs of that extraordinary unction of Spirit, and energy of action, by which his life was distinguished. As it is, we can only collect a few gleanings, partly from memory, and partly from letters com- municated by his friends. This chapter will include a period of about four years, during which he went twice to London to collect for the Baptist Mission, and once he visited Dublin, at the invitation of the Evangelical Society in that city. There appeals throughout the general tenor of his life, a sin- gular submissiveness to the will of God ; and what is worthy of notice, this disposition was generally most conspicuous when his own will w;is most counteracted. The justness of this remark is sufficiently apparent from his letter to Mrs. Pearce, of November 13, 1794,* after the decision of the committee ; and the same spirit was carried into the common concerns of life. Thus, about a month afterwards, when his dear Louisa was ill of a fever, he thus writes from Northampton to Mrs. Pearce : *See page 305v 322 .MEMOIRS OF THK LATP: '' December 13, 1794. "Ml PEAR Sarah, " I AM just brought on the wings of celestial mercy safe to nay Sabbath's station. 1 am well : and my dear friends here seem healthy and happy : but I feel for you. I long to know how our dear Louisa's pulse beats : I fear still feverish. We must not, however, suffer ourselves to be infected with a mental fever on this account. Is she ill .'' It is right. Is she very ill ... dying ? It is still right. Is she gone to join the heavenly choris- ters ? It is all right, notwithstanding our repinings Repin- ings ! no ; we will not repine. It is best she should go. It is best for her. This we must allow. It is best for us. Do we expect it ? O what poor, ungrateful, short-sighted worms are we ! Let us submit, my Sarah, till we come to heaven : if we do not then see that it is best, let us then complain. But why do I at- tempt to console ? Perhaps an indulgent Providence has ere now dissipated your fears : or if that same hind Providence has re- moved our babe, you have consolation enough in Him who suffered more than we ; and more than enough to quiet all our passions, in that astonishing consideration, — ' God so loved the world, that be spared not his own Son.' Did God cheerfully give the holy child Jesus for us : and shall we refuse our child to Him ? He gave his Son to suffer : He takes our children to enjoy : Yes ; to enjoy Himself. " Yours, with the tenderest regard, " S. P"" In June 1795, he attended the Association at Kettering, partly on account of some missionary business there to be transacted. That was a season of great joy to many, especially the last fore- noon previous to parting. From thence he wrote to Mrs. Pearce as follows : — MR. SAMUEL PEARCS. 323 " B'rom a pew in the house of God at Kettering, with my cup of joy running over, I address you by the hands of brother Sim- mons. Had it pleased Divine Providence to have permitted your accompanying me, my pleasures would have received no small ad- dition ; because 1 should have hoped that you would have been fdled with similar consolation, and have received equal edification by the precious means of grace on which I have attended. In- deed, I never rememberto have enjoyed a public meeting to such a high degree since I have been in the habit of attending upon them. Oh that I may return to you, and the dear church of God, 'ji the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ ! I hope, my beloved, that you are not without the enjoyment of the sweetness and the supports of the blessed gospel. Oh that you may get and keep near to God, and in Hivi find infinitely more than you can possibly lose by your husband's absence ! " Mr. Hall preached, last evening, from 1 Pet. i. 8. A most evangelical and experimental season ! I was charmed and warmed. Oh that Jesus may go on to reveal himself to him as altogether lovely ! I am unable to write more now. To-day I set off for Northampton, and preach there to-night. The Lord bless you !" In July 1795, he received a pressing invitation from the General Evangelical Sociefy in Dublin, to pay them a visit, and to assist in diffusing the gospel of the grace of God in that kingdom. To this invitation he replied in the following letter, addressed to Dr. M'Dowal .— " Birmingham, August 3, 1796. " Rev. and dear Sir, " I RECEIVED your favour of the 22d ult. and for the inter- esting reason you assign, transmit a' speedy answer.' The Soci- ety, on whose behalf you wrote, 1 have ever considered with the respect due to the real friends of the best of causes — the cause of God and of his Christ: a cause which embraces the most im- portant and durable interests of our fellow-men : and your name, dear sir, I have been taught to hold in more than common esteem by my dear brother and father, Messrs. Birt and Francis. The benevolent institution which you are engaged in supporting, I am persuaded, deserves more than the good wishes or prayers of 324 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE your brethren in the kingdom and patience of Jesus, on this side the channel ; and it will yield me substantial pleasure to aflford personal assistance in your pious labours. But, for the present, 1 am sorry to say, I must decline your proposal ; being engaged to spend a month in London this autumn, on the business of our Mission Society, of which you have probably heard. " When I formed my present connexions with the church in Birmingham, I proposed an annual freedom for six weeks, from my pastoral duties ; and should the ' Evangelical Society' express a wish for my services the ensuing year, I am perfectly inclined, God willing, to spend that time beneath their direction, and at wh?* part of the year they conceive a visit would be most serviceable to the good design. I only request, that should this be their de- sire, I may receive the information as soon at they can conveniently decide, that I may witlihold myselffrom other engagements, which may interfere with the time they may appoint. I entreat you to make my Christian respects acceptable to the gentlemen who com- pose the Society, and assure yourself that I amj dear sir, respect- fully and affectionately, " Your brother, in our Lord Jesus, " S. P." The invitation was repeated, and he complied with their re- quest, engaging to go over in the month of June 1796. A little before this journey, it occurred to Dr. Ryland, that an itinerating mission into Cornwall might be of use to the cause of true religion, and that two acceptable ministers might be induced to undertake it ; and that if executed during the vacation at the Bristol Academy, two of the students might supply their place. He communicated his thoughts to Mr. Pearce. who wrote thus in answer : MK. SAMUEL PEARCE. 325 " May 30, 179G. '* Mv VERY DEAR BROTHER, " I THANK you a thousand limes for your last letter. Bless- ed be God, who hath put it into your heart to j)ro[)ose such n plan for increasing the boundaries of Zion. I have read vour let- ter to our wisest friends here, and they heard it with great joy. The plan ; the place; the mode ; the persons ; all, «// meet our most affectionate wishes. How did such a scheme never enter our minds befoi-e I Alas, we have nothing in our hearts that is worth having, save what God puts there. Do write to rae when at Dublin, and tell me whether it be resolved on ; when they set out &c. ? I hope ere long to hear, that as many disciples are em- ployed in Great Britain, as the Saviour employed in Judea. When he gives the word, great will b^ the company of the preachers. "Oh, my dear brother, let us go on still praying, contriving, labouring, defending, until ' the little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, and the small stone from tije mountain till the whole earth.' '• What pleasures do those lose who have no interest in God's gracious and holy cause I How thankful should we be, that we are not strangers to the joy which the friends of Zion feel when the Lord turneth again Zion's captivity! I am, beyond ex' pression, ** Your afl'ectiouate brother in Christ, "S. P." On ]\Jay 31, he set oft" for Dublin, and " the Lord prospered his way, so that he arrived at the time appointed ; and from every account it appears, that he was not only sent in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of peace, but that the Lord himself went with him. His preaching was not only highly acceptable to every class of hearers, but the word came trom him with power, and there is abundant reason to believe, that many will, through eter- nity praise God for sending his message to them by this dear Vol. VI, 42 326 MEMOIRS OF my. r.ATh: ambassador of Christ. His memory lives in their hearts, and they join with other churches of Christ in deploring the loss they have sustained by his death. '•He was earnestl/ solicited by the Evangelical Society to renew his visit to that kingdom in 1798. Ready to ambrace every call of duty, he had signified his compliance ; and the time was fixed : but the breaking out of the late rebellion prevented him from realizing his intention. This was a painful disappointment to many, who wished once more to see his face, and to have heard the glad tidings from his lips." Such is the brief account of his visit to Dublin, given by Dr. iVl'Dowal. The following letter was written to Mrs. Pearce, when he had been there a little more than a week : — " Dublin, June 31, 1796. '' I long to know how you do, and you will be as much con- cerned to know how I go on at this distance from you. I haste to satisfy your inquiries. " I am in perfect health : am delightfully disappointed with the place, and its inhabitants. I am very thankful that I came over. I have found much more religion here already than 1 expected to meet with during the whole of my stay. The prospect of useful- ness is flattering. I have already many more friends (I hope Christian friends) than I can gratify by visits. Many doors are open for preaching the gospel in the city ; and my country excur- sions will probably be few. Thus much for outline. '• But you will like to know how I spend my time, &c. Well then : I am at the house of a Mr. H , late High-Sheriff for the city : a gentleman of opulence, respectability, and evangelical piety. He is by profession a Calvinistic presbyterian ; an elder of Dr. M'Dowal's church ; has a most amiable wife, and four children. I am very thankful for being placed here during my stay. I am quite at home, I mean as to ease and familiarity ; for as to style of living, I neither do, nor desire to equal it. Yet in ray present situation it is convenient. It would, however, be sickening and dull, had I not a God to go to, to converse with, to MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 327 enjoy, and to call my own. Oh, 'tis this, His this, my dearest Sarah, which gives a point to every enjoyment, and sweetens all the cup of life. " The Lord's day after I wrote to you last, I preached for Dr. M'Dowal in the morning at half past eleven; heard a Mr. Kil. burne at fivej and preached again at Plunket-street at seven. On Tuesday evening I preached at a hospital, and on Thursday evening at Plunket-street again. Yesterday, for the Baptists in the morning. Dr. M'Dowal at five, and at Plunket-street at seven. "The hours of worship will appear singular to you; the}' depend on the usu;d meal times. We breakfast at ten ; dine between four and five, sometimes between five and six ; take tea from seven to nine ; and sup from ten to twelve. " I thank God that I possess an abiding determination to aim at the consciences of the people in every discourse. I have borne the most positive testimony against the prevailing evils of profess ors here : — as sensuality, gaiety, vain amusements, neglect of the Sabbath, &.c. ; and last night, told an immense cro^rd of professors of the first rank, ' that if they made custom and fashion their plea, they were awfully deluding their souls ; for it had always been the fashion to insult God, to dissipate time, and to pursue the broad road to hell ; but it would not lessen their torments there, that the way to damnation was the fashion.* " I expected my faithfulness would have given them offence ; but I am persuaded it was the way to please the Lord, and those whom I expected would be enemies^ are not only at peace with me, but even renounce their sensual indulgences to attend on my ministry. 1 do assuredly believe that God hath sent me hither for good. The five o'clock meetings are miserably attended in general. In a house that will hold 1,500, or 2,000 people, you will hardly see above fifty ! Yesterday morning I preached on the subject of public worship, from Psalm v. 7j and seriously warn* ed them against preferring their bellies to God, and their own houses to his. I was delighted and surprised, at the five o'clock meeting, to see the place nearly full. Surely this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in my eyes. Never, never did 1 more feel how weak 1 am myself, — a mere nothing : and how strong I arn 328 IVIE.MOIRS OF THE LATF- in the omnipotence of God. I feel a superiority to all fear, and possess a conscious dij^nity in being the ambassador of God. Oh help me to praise, for it is he alone who teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight : and still pray for me ; for if he withdraw for a moment, I become as weak and unprofitable as the briars of the wilderness. •' You cannot think how much I am supported by the assurance that I have \efi A pmying people at Birmingham ; and I believe, that in answer to their prayers I have hitherto been wonderfully assisted in my public work, as well as enjoyed much in private devotion. " I have formed a most pleasing acquaintance with several serious young men in the University here, and with two of the fellows of the College ; most pious gentlemen indeed, who have undergone a world of reproach for Christ and his gospel, and have been forbidden to preach in the churches by the Archbishop : but God has raised another house for them here, where they preach with much success, and have begun a meeting in the College, which promises fresh prosperity to the cause of Jesus." The following particulars, in addition to the above, are taken partly from some notes in his own handwriting, and partly from the account given by his friend, Mr. Summers, who accompanied him daring the latter part of his visits. At his first arrival, the congregations were but thinly attended, and the Baptist congregation in particular, amongst whom he de- livered several discourses. It much affected him to see the whole city given to sensuality and worldly conformity ; and especially to find those of his own denomination amongst the lowest, and least affected with their condition. But the longer he continued, the more the congregations increased, and every opportunity became increasingly interesting, both to him and them. His faithful re- monstrances, and earnest recommendations of prayer-meetings to his Baptist friends, though at first apparently ill received, were well taken in the end ; and he had the happiness to see in them some hopeful appearances of a return to God. On .Tune the ?Oth, hf» wrote to his friend. Mr. Summers, as follows : MR. SAMUEF, rF.AllGE. 329 ''■ My dear Friend, " If you mean to abide by my opinion, I say, come to Dub- lin, and come directly ! I bave been most delightfully disappoint- ed. I expected darkness, and behold, light ; sorrow, and I have had cause for abundant joy. I thank God that I came hither, and hope that many, as well as myself, will have cause to praise him. Never have I been more deeply taught my own nothingness : never hath the power of God more evidently rested upon me. The harvest here is great indeed ; and the Lord of the harvest hath enabled me to labour in it with delight. ' I praise him for all that is past ; I trust him for all that's to come.' " The Lord hath of late been doing great things for Dublin. Several of the young men in the college have been awakened ; and two of the fellows are sw^eet evangelical preachers. One of them is of a spirit serene as the summer evening., and sweet as the breath of May. I am already intimate with them, and have spent several mornings in college with various students, who bid fair to be faithful watchmen on Jerusalem's walls. But I hope you will come ; and then you will see for yourself. If not, I will give you some pleasant details when we meet In England. Mr. Summers complied with this invitation ; and of the last seven or eight days of Mr. Pearce's continuance at Dublin, he himself thus writes : — " Monday, July 4. At three in the afternoon I went with my friend Mr. Summers, to Mr. K 's. Spent a very agreeable day. Miss A. K remarked two wonders in Dublin : — a pray- ing .'ociety composed of students at college, and another of law- yers. The family were called together. We sung : I read, and 330 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE expounded the xiith of Isaiah ; and prayed. — At seven we went to a prayer-meeting at Plunket-street : very large attendance. Mr. R and Mr. S prayed, and I spoke from Rom. x. 12, 13. There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek : for the same Lord over all is rich unto all who cathipon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of t/te Lord, shall be saved. — Many seemed af- fected. — After 1 had closed the opportunity, I told them some of my own experience, and requested, that if any present wished for conrersation, they would come to me, either that evening, or on Thursday evening in the vestry. — Five persons came in : — one had been long impressed with religion, but could never summon courage to open her heart before. Another, a Miss VV , attri- buted her first impressions, under God, to my ministry ; and told me that her father had regularly attended of late, and that her mother was so much alarmed as to be almost in despair. Poor girl ! she seemed truly in earnest about her own soul, and as much concerned for her parents. — The next had possessed a serious concern for some time, and of late had been much revived. — One young lady, a Miss H , staid in the meeting-house, ex- ceedingly affected indeed. Mr. K spoke to her — She said, she would speak with me on Thursday. " Tuesday, 5th. Went to Leislip. At seven — preached to a large and affected auditory. ' Wednesday, 6th. INIr. H and myself went to Mrs. M'G , to inquire about the young lady who was so much affect- ed at the meeting. Mrs. M'G said her mother and sister were pious ; that she had been very giddy ; but that the last Lord's day she was seriously awakened to a sense of sin ; had expressed her delight in religion, au(\ fled for refuge to the blood of Jesus. — Her sister was introduced to me; a sweetly pious lady. — I agreed to wait for an interview with the young lady at Mr H 's, in Eccles-street, to-morrow. " Thursday, 7th. Miss H , her sister, and Mrs. M'G , came to Eccles-street. — A most delightful interview. Seldom have I seen such proficiency in so short a time. — That day week, at Plunket-street, she received her first serious impressions. Her concern deepened at Mass-lane, on Lord's day morning — more so MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 331 in the evening at Plunket-street — but most of all on Monday night. I exhorted them to begin a prayer and experience meeting ; and they agreed. Blessed be God ! this strengthens my hands greatly. At seven o'clock, preached at Plunket-street, from Jer. I. 4, 5. Going and weeping, — they shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward. — A full house ; and an impressive season. Tarried after the public services were ended, to converse on religion. The most pleasing case was a young man of Mr. D 's. " Saturday, 9tli. Went with my friend Mr. S , to call on Miss H . Found her at her mother's — We first passed the door — She ran out after us — Seemed happj' ; but agitated. Ran and called her mother — Soon we saw the door of the parlour open, and a majestic lady appeared ; who, as she entered the room, thus accosted me : — Who art thou, oh blessed of the Lord ? Welcome to the widow's house! Accept the widow's thanks for coming after the child whom thou hast begotten in the gospel ! ' — I was too much overcome to do more than take by the hand the aged saint. A solemn silence ensued for a minute or two ; when the old lady recovering, expressed the fullness of her satisfaction respecting the reality of the change effected in her daughter, and her gratitude for great refreshment of her own soul, by means of my poor labours. She said, she had known the Lord during forty years, being called under the ministry of John Fisher, in the open air, when on a visit to an officer who was her brother-in-law. She told us much of her experience, and promised to encourage the prayer-meeting, which i proposed to be held in her house every Lord's day evening. They are to begin to morrow, after preach- lug. — It was a pleasant meeting; and we returned with pleasure to Eccles-street. After we rose up to come away, the old lady affectionately said, ' May the good will of Him who dwelt in the bush attend you wherever you go, for ever and ever! ' " The young lady some months after wrote to Mr. S , and says, amongst other things, — " I have great reason to be thankful for the many blessings the Lord has been pleased to bestow upon me, and in particular for his sending Mr. Pearce to this city ; and that through his means i have been convinced of sin. I am happy 332 MEMOIRS OF THE EAl'E to inform 3'ou, that through grace I am enabled to walU in the nar- vow path. The Lord has taken away all desire for worldly com- pany ; all my desires now are to attend on the means of grace. Blessed be his name, 1 often tind him present in them. My mother and 1 often remember the happy time we spent in your company at our house. She often speaks of it with great pleasure, and blesses the Lord for the change which grace has wrought in me." "Lord's day, 10th. (The last Sabbath.) Preached in the morning at Mary's abbey, from Job xxxiii. 27, 2G. He lookctk upon men, and if any say, I have siniied, and pcfvertcd that which ■was right, and it profited me not; he will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light — A hajjpy sea- son. — In the afternoon, having dined with Mr. VV , he look me to Swift's alley, the Baptist place of worship, where I gave iin exhortation on brotherly love, and administered the Lord's supper. At Mr. W 's motion, the church requested n:e to look out a suitable minister for them. — In the evening, I preached at Plunket-street, from 2 Tim. i. 18. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day .' — A very solemn season. "Monday, 11th. Met the dear Christian friends, for the last time, at a prayer-meeting in Plunket-street. — The Lord was there ! — Several friends spent the evening with us afterwards at Mr. H 's. "Tuesday, 12th. Went aboard at four ; arriv^ed at Liverpool on Thursday ; and safely at home on Friday, July 15, 1790. Blessed be the Preserver of men, the Saviour of sinners, and the help of his servants, for evermore, amen, amen." Some time after, writing to his friend who accompanied him, he says, "I have received several letters from Dublin: — two from Master B., one from Miss H , one from M , three or four from the Baptist friends, and some from others, whom I cannot recollect. — Mr. K lately called on me in his way from Bath to Holyhead. We talked of you, and of our Lord, and did not part till we had presented ourselves before the throne." Mil. .-?a.viui:l pearci-:. 33j During liis labours in Dublin, he was strongly solicited to settle in a very flnttering situation in the neigiibourhood ;* and a very libera! salary was offered him. On his positively declining it, mention was made of only six months of the year. When that was declined, three months were proposed ; and when he was about to answer this in the negative, the party refused to receive his answer, desiring him to take time to consider of it. He did so ^ and though he entertained a very grateful sense of the kindness and generosity expressed by the proposal, yet after the maturcst deliberation, he thought it his duty to decline it. Mr. Pearce's modesty prevented his talking on such a subject ; but it was known at the time by his friend who accompanied him, *nd since his death, has been frequently mentioned as an instance of his disinter- ested spirit. His friends at Birmingham were ready to think it hard that he should be so willing to leave them to go on a mission among the heathen ; but they could not well complain, and much less think ill of him, when they saw that such a willingness was more than could be effected by the most flattering prospects of a wordly nature, accompanied too with promising appearances of religious usefulness. About a month after his return from Dublin, Mr. Pearce addressed a letter to Mr. Carey, in which he gives some further account of Ireland, as well as of some other interesting matters : — "Birmiugham, August 12, 1796. " Oh my dear brother, did you but know with what feelings I resume my pen, freely to correspond with you after receiving your very affectionate letter to myself, and perusing that which you sent by the same conveyance to the Society, T am sure you would per- suade yourself that I have no common friendship for you, and that your regards are at least returned with equal ardour. "I fear (I had almost said) that I shall never see your face in the flesh, but if any thing can add to the joy which the presence •'' At the Black Rock the residence of some of the most gente»^l families in the vicinity of Dublin. Vol. VI. 43 334 MtMOIRS OF THE LATE of Christ, and conformity, perfect conformity to hini, will afford lu heaven, surely the certain prospect of meeting with my dear brother Carey there, is one of (if not) the greatest. Thrice happy should I be, if the providence of God would open a way for my partaking of your labours, your safferings, and your pleasures on this side the eternal world : but all my brethren here are of a mind, that I shall be more useful at home than abroad ; and I, though reluctantly, submit. Yet 1 am truly with you in spirit. My heart is at Mudnabatty, and at times I even hope to find my body there : but with the Lord I leave it ; He knows my wishes, my motives, my regret ; He knows all my soul ; and, depraved as it is, I feel an inexpressible satisfaction that he does know it. However, it is an humbling thought to me, that he sees I am unfit for such a station, and unworthy such an honour as to bear his name among the heathen. But 1 must be thankful still, that tliough he appoints me not to a post in foreign service, he will me to stand centinel at home. In this situation may allow I have grace to be faithful unto death I " I hardly wonder at your being pained on account of the effects produced in the minds of your European friends, by the news of your engagement in the Indigo business, because I imagine you are ignorant of the process of that matter amongst us. When I received the news, I glorified God in sincerity, on account of it, and gave most hearty thanks to him for his gracious appearance on your behalf: but at the same time I feared, lest through that undertaking, the work of the Mission might in some way or other be impeded. The same impression was made on the minds of many others : yet no blame was attached, in our view, to you. Our minds were only alarmed for the future ; not disposed to cen- sure for the past. Had you seen a faithful copy of the prayers, the praises, and the conversation of the day in which your letters were read, I know you would not have entertained one unkind thought of the Society towards you. Oh no, my dear brother, far be it from us to lay an atom upon your spirits of a painful nature. Need I say, We do love, we do respect you, we do con- fide too much in you to design the smallest occasion of distress to your heart. But I close this subject. In future we will atone for an MR. Samuel pearce. 335 expression that might bear a harsh construction. We will strengthen, we will support, we will «omfort, we will encourage you in your arduous work : — all, all shall be love and kindness ; glory to God, and good will to men. If I have done aught that is wrong, as an individual, pardon me : If we have said aught amiss, as a Society, pardon us. Let us forbear one another in love, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us. " By the time this reaches you, I hope you will have received Nos. I. and II. of Periodical Accounts. Should you find any thing in them, which you think had better be omitted, pray be free iti mentioning it, and in future your instructions shall be fully attended to. We have taken all the pains, and used all the caution in our power to render them unexceptionable ; but you can better judge in some respects than we. Ifyou should not approve of all (though we are not conscious of any thing that you will disapprove) you will not be oflFended, but believe we have done our best, and with your remarks, hope to do better still. " With pleasure, approaching to rapture, I read the last accounts you sent us. I never expected immediate success : the prospect is truly greater than my most sanguine hopes. " The kingdom of heaven is like to a little leaven hid in three measures of meal, til' the whole is leavened." Blessed be God ! the leaven is in the meal, and its influence is already discoverable. A great God is doing great things by you. Go on, ray dearest brother, go on ; God will do greater things than these. Jesus is worthy o^ a world of praise : and shall Hindostan not praise him ? Surely he shall see of the travail of his soul there, and the sower and the reaper shall rejoice together. Already the empire of darkness totters, and soon it shall doubtless fall. Blessed be the labourers in this important work ; and blessed be He who giveth them hearts and strength to labour, and promises that they shall not labour in vain! '< Do not fear the want of money. God is for us, and the silver and the gold are his ; aad so are the hearts of those who possess the most of it. I will travel from the Land's eiid to the Orkneys but we will get money enough for all the demands of the mission 1 have never had a fear on that head : a little exertion will do 336 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE womlers ; and past experience justifies every confidence. Men, we only want; and God shall find them for us in due time. "Is brother Fountain arrived ? We hope he will be an accept- able remittance, and, viva voce, compensate lor the lack of episto- lary communications. •'■ I rejoice in contemplating a church of our Lord Jesus Christ in Bengal, formed upon his own plan. Why do not the Hindoo converts join it ? Lord, help their unbelief! But perhaps the drop is now with held, that you may by and by have the shower, and lift up your eyes, and say, " These, whence came they ? They fly as clouds, and ae doves to their windows." For three years, we read of few baptized by the first disciples of our Lord; but on the fourth, three thouitnd, and five thousand openly avowed him. The Lord send you such another Pentecost ' " I intend to write my dear brother a long letter. It will prove my desire to gratify him, if it do no more. I wish that I knew in what communications your other correspondents will be most deficient: then I would try to supply their omissions. " I will begin with myself: but I have nothing good to say. I think I am the most vile, ungrateful servant, that ever Jesus Christ employed in his church. At some times, I question whether I ever knew the grace of God in truth ; and at others, I hesitate on the most important points of Christian faith. 1 have lately had peculiar struggles of this kind with my own heart, and have often half concluded to speak no more in the name of the Lord. When I am preparing for the pulpit, I fear 1 am going to avow fables for facts, and doctrines of men for the truths of God. In conversation I am obliged to be silent, lest my tongue should belie my heart. In prayer I know not what to say, and at times think prayer altogether useless. Yet I cannot wholly surrender my hope, or my profession. Three things 1 find, above all others, tend to my preservation : — First, A recollection of a time, when, at once, I was brought to abandon the practice of sins which the fear of damnation could never bring me to relinquish before. Surely, I say, this must be the finger of God, according to the scripture doctrine of regenera- tion : — Secondly, I feel such a consciousness of guilt, that no- thing but the gospel scheme can satisfy my mind respecting the hope MR samui:l pkaucj:. 337 of salvation : — and, Thirdly, I see that what true devotion does appear in the world, seems only to be found amongst those to whom Christ is precious. '* But I frequently find a backwardness to secret prayer, and much deadness in it : and it puzzles me to see how this can be consistent with a life of grace. However, I resolve, that let what will become of me, I will do all 1 can for God while I live, and leave the rest to him ; and this I usually experience to be the best way to be at peace. " I believe, tliat if I were more fully given up to God, I should be free from these distressing workings of mind ; and then I long to be a Missionary where I should have temptations to nothing but to abound in the work of the Lord, and lay myself entirely out for him. In such a situation, I think pride would have but little food, and faith more occasion for exercise ; so that the spiritual life, and inward religion, would thrive better than they do now. " At times, indeed, I do feel, I trust, genuine contrition, and sin- cerely lament m}-^ short-comings before God. Oh the sweets that accompany true repentance ! Yes, I love to be abased before God. ' There it is I find my blessing;.' May the Lord dai y and hourly bring me low, and keep me so I " As to my public work, I find, whilst engaged in it, little cause to complain for want either of matter or words. My labours are acceptable, and not altogether unprofitable to the bearers: but what is this to me, if my own soul starves whilst others are fed by me ? Oh, my brother, I need your prayers, and I feel a great satis- faction in the hope that you do not forget me. Oh that I may be kept faithful unto death ! Indeed, in the midst of my strugglings, a gleam of hope, that I shall at last awake in the likeness of God, affords me greater joy than words can express. To be with Christ is far better than to continue sinning here : but if the Lord hath any thing to do by me. His will be done. " I have never so fully opened my case to any one before. Your freedom on similar topics encourages me to make my com- plaint to you, and I think, if you were near me, I should feel great relief in revealing to you all my heart. But I shall fatigue you with my moaniogs ; ?o I will have done on this subject. 338 MEMOIRS OF THE F.ATE " It is not long since 1 returned from a kind of mission to Ireland.- A society is established in Dublin for the purpose of inviting from England, ministers of various denominations, to assist in promoting the interests of the kingdom of Christ there. Some of our Baptist brethren had been there before me, as Rippon, Langdon, Francis, and Birt ; and I think the plan is calculated for usefulness. I have at Dr. Rippon's request, sent him some remarks on my visit, for the Register ; but as it is probable you will receive this before that comes to hand, I will say something of my excursion here. " Having engaged to spend six Lord's days in that kingdom, I arrived there the day before the first Sabbath in June. I first made myself acquainted with the general state of religion in Dub- lin. I found there were four Presbyterian congregations ; two of these belong to the southern presbytery, and are Arians or Socini- ans ; the other two are connected with the northern presbytery, and retain the Westminster confession of faith. One of these lat- ter congregations is very small, and the minister, though orthodox, appears to have but little success. The other is large and flour ishing : the place of worship ninety feet by seventy, and, in a morning, well filled. Their times of public service are at half past eleven, and five. In the afternoon, the usual congregations are small indeed ; for five o'clock is the dining hour in Dublin, and few of the hearers would leave their dinners for the gospel Dr. M'Dowal is the senior pastor of this churcii, — a very affec- tionate, spiritual man. The junior is Mr. Horner. The doctor is a warm friend to the Society, at whose request I went over to Ireland. " There is one congregation of Burgher Seceders, and another of Antiburghers. The latter will not hear any man who is not of their own cast ; the former are much more liberal. 1 preached for them once, and they affectionately solicited a repetition of my services. " Lady Huntingdon's connexion has one society here, the only one in the kingdom, perhaps, except at Sligo, where there is an other. It is not large, and I fear rather declining. There is not one Independent church in the kingdom. There were ten Baptist So- MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 339 cieties in Ireland : they are now reduced to six ; and are. I fear, still on the decline. " The inhabitants of Dublin seem to be chiefly composed of two classes : the one assume the appearance of opulence ; the other exhibit marks of the most abject poverty ; and as there are no parishes in Ireland which provide for the poor, many die every year for want of the necessaries of life. *' Most of the rich are by profession protestants ; the poor are nearly all papists, and strongly prejudiced against the reformed religion. Their ignorance and superstition are scarcely inferior to your miserable Hindoos. On midsummer day I had an af- fecting proof of the latter. On the public road, about a mile from Bublin, is a well, which was once included in the precints of a priory, dedicated to St. John of Jerusalem. This well is in high repute for curing a number of bodily complaints, and its virtues are said to be most efficacious on the saint's own day. So from twelve o'clock at night, for twenty-four hours, it becomes the ren- dezvous for all the lame, blind, and otherwise diseased people, within a circuit of twenty miles. Here they brought old and young, and applied the " holy water," both internally and exter- nally ; some by pouring, some by immersion, and all by drinking : whilst, for the good of those who could not come in person, their friends filled bottles with the efficacious water to use at home. Several I saw on their knees before the well, at their devotions, who were not unfrequently interrupted with a glass of whiskey. With this they were supplied from a number of dealers in that article, who kept standings all around the well. " Near the spot, was a church-yard where great numbers kneeled upon the tombs of their deceased relatives, and appeared engaged in praying for the repose of their souls. " It was truly a lamentable sight. My heart ached at their de- lusions, whilst I felt gratitude, I hope unfeigned, for an acquaint- ance with the ' water of life, of which, if a man drink, he shall live for ever !' " There are few or none of the middle class to connect the rich and the poor, so that favourable access to them is far more difficult than to the lower orders of the people in England • and 340 MEMOIRS OF THE ^A I'E their priests hold them in such bonJage, tliat if a cuthohc servant only attend on family ivorship in a protestant house, penance must he peiformed for the offence. " S. P." illention has already been made of his havinjf " formed a pleas- ing acquaintance with several serious young gentlemen of the Uni- versity of Dublin."* The following letter was addressed to one of them, the Rev. Mr. Matthias, a few months after his retuin . " D£A& Brother Matthias, " I HAVE been employed this whole day in writing letters to Dublin ; and it is the first day I have been able to redeem for that purpose, I will not consume a page in apology. Let it suf- fice to say, that necessity, not disinclination, has detained from my Irish friends those proofs of my gratitude and esteem, which in other circumstances I ought to have presented three months ago. I thought this morning of answering all their demands before I slept : but 1 have written so many sheets, and all full, that I find my eyes and my fingers both fail ; and I believe this must close my intercourse with Dublin this day. When I shall be able to complete my purpose, I do not know. To form friendships with good men is pleasant ; but to maiRtain all that communion, which friendship expects, is in some cases very difficult. Happy should I be, could I meet my Irish friends in propria persona, instead of sitting in solitude, and maintaining, by the tedious medium of the pen, this distant intercourse. But the Lord, he shall choose our inheritance for us. Were all the planets of our system embodied, and placed in close association, the light would be greater, and the object grander ; but then, usefulness and systematic beauty consist ill their dispersion : and what are we, my brother, but so many satellites to Jesus, the great Sun of the Christian system ? Some, indeed, like burning Mercuries, keep nearer the luminary, and re- * E. 323. MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 341 ceive more of its light and heat, whilst others, like the ringed planet, or the Georgium Sidus, preserve a greater distance, and reflect a greater portion of his light : yet if, amidst all this diver" sity, they belong to the system, two things may be affirmed of all : — all keep true to one centre, and borrow whatever light they have from one source. True it is, that the further they are from the sun the longer are they in performing their revolutions : and is not this exemplified in us ? The closer we keep to Jesus, the more brilliant are our graces, the more cheerful and active are our lives ; but, alas, we are all comets ; we all move in eccentric or- bits : at one time glowing beneath the ray divine, at another freezing and congealing the icicles. ' Oh what a miracle to man is man !' " Little did I think when 1 begun this letter, that I should have thus indulged myself in allegory : but true friendship, I believe, always dictates extempore ; and my friends must never expect from me a studied epistle. They can meet with better thoughts, than I can furnish them with, in any bookseller's shop. It is not the dish, however well it may be cooked, that gives the relish, but the sweet sauce of friendship ; and this, I think sometimes, makes even nonsense palatable. *' But 1 have some questions to put to you : first, how are all my college friends, Messrs Walker, Maturin, Hamilton, &c. 1 How is their health ? But chiefly, how are the interests of reli- gion among you ? Are any praying students added to your num- ber ? Do all those you thought well of continue to justify their profession ? You know what it is that interests me. Pray tell me all, whether it makes me weep or rejoice. " I hope Mr. H 's ministry was blessed in Dubiin. Do you know any instances of it ? We must sow in hope, and I trust that we shall all gather fruit to eternal life, even where the buddings have never appeared to us in this world. How is it with your own soul ? 1 thank God I never, I think, rejoiced habitually so much in him as 1 have of late. ' God is love.'' That makes me happy. I rejoice that God reigns ; that he reigns over all ; that he reigns over me; over my crosses, my comforts, my family, my friends, my senses, my mental powers, my designs, my words, my preacii- Voi.. Vr. 44 342 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE ing, ray conduct ; that he is God over all, blessed forever. I am willing to live, yet I long to die, to be freed fr«m all error and all sin. I have nothing else to trouble me ; no other cross to carry. The sun shines without, all day long ; but I am sensible of internal darkness. Well, through grace it shall be all light by and by. Yes, you and 1 shall be angels of light 5 all Mercuries then ; all near the sun ; always in motion ; always glowing with zeal, and flaming with love. Oh for the new heavens, and the new earth, wherein dwellcth righteousness! ' O what love and concord there, And what sweet harmony In heaven above, where happy souls Adore thy Majesty ! O how the heavenly choirs all sing To Him who sits enthroned above : What admiring ! And aspiring- ! Still desiring : O how I long to see this feast of love !' << Will you tell brother M that I wait an opportunity to send a parcel to him ? In that I will enclose a letter. My very affec- tionate respects to him, and Mr. H — , with all my college friends as though named. If you be not weary of such an eccentric cor- respondent, pray do not be long ere you write to your unworthy, but affectionate brother in Christ, ''S. P." A while after this, he thus writes to his friend Mr. Summers : " December 1796. I rejoice that you have been supported under, and brought through your late trials. I do not wonder at it, for it is no more than God has promised; and though we may well wonder that he promir-C!; any thing, yet his performance is no just ground of surprise ; and when we find ourselves so employed, we had better turn our wonder to our own unbelief, that for one mo- ment suspected God would not be as good as his word. MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 343 " I have been lately more than ever delighted with the thought, that God hath engaged to do any thing for such worms as we. I never sludied the deistical controversy so mnch, nor ever re- joiced in revelation more. Alas! what should we know, if God had not condescended to teach us ? Paul very justly remarks, that no one knowefh any thing of God, hut the Spirit, and he to whom the Spirit revealeth him. Now the Spirit hath revealed God in the Bible, but to an unbeliever the Bible is a sealed book. He can know nothing from a book that he looks upon as an imposture, and yet there is no other book in which God is revealed ; so that to reject the Bible is to immerse ourselves in darkness, and whilst professing to be tvise, actually to become a fool ; whereas, no sooner do we believe what the Spirit saith, than unto us is God revealed, and ' in his light do we see light. " S. Pj" To the above may be added a few extracts of letters, which he addressed to his friends in 1797 and 1798. TO DR. RYLAND. "March 1797. *' During the last three weeks, I have, at times, been verv poorly, in colds, &c. Am better now, and have been all along assisted in going through my public duties. Let us continue to pray for each other, till death makes it a needless service. How uncertain is life, and what a blessing is death to a saint ! I seem lately to feel a kind of affection for death. Methinks if it were visible, I could embrace it. ' Welcome herald, that bids the pris- oner be free ; that announces the dawn of everlasting day ; that bids the redeemed come to Zion with everlasting joy, to be beyond the reach of an erroneous judgment, and a depraved heart.' To believe, to feel, to speak, to act, exactly as God will have me ; to be wholly absorbed and taken up with him ; this, this, nothing short of this, can make my bliss complete. But all this is mine. Oh the height, the depth, the length, the breadth, of redeeming 344 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE love ! It conquers my heart, and constrains me to yield myself a living sacrifice, acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. My dear brother, we have had many happy meetings upon earth : the best is in reserve. 'No heart upon earth can conceive The bliss that in heaven they share ; Then who this dark world would not leave, And cheerfully die to be there ! ' '• Oh how full of love, and joy, and praise, shall we be when that happy state is ours! Well, yet a little while, and He that shall come, will come : Even so come. Lord Jesus ! My dear brother, forgive the hasty effusions of a heart that loves you in the bowels of Jesus, aiid is always happy in testifying itself to be " Affectionately yours, "S. P." TO MR. CAVE. On the falling away of some who had promised fair in religion. , 1797. '' 1 THANK you, my dear brother, for the confidence you repose in me, the affection you have for me, and the freedom with which you write to me. Assure yourself that I sincerely sympathize in the cutting events which you have lately experienced. Trying indeed ! Your heart must bleed. Yet be not discouraged in your work. The more Satan opposes Christ, the more let us oppose Jiim. He comes with great violence, because his time is short. His kingdom is on the decline ; his strong holds are besieged, and he knows they must soon be taken. Whilst it lasts, he is making desperate sallies on the armies of the Lamb. It is no great wonder thai he fights and wounds a raw recruit now and then, MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 345 who strays from the camp, and, thoughtless of the danger, keeps not close by the Captain's tent. I hope our glorious Leader will heal the wounded, and secure the captive. He is sure to make reprisals. Christ will have ten to one. You will yet see his arm made bare. He shall go forth like a man of war. The prisoners shall be redeemed, and the old tyrant shall be cast into the bottom- less pit. Be of good cheer, my fellow-soldier. The cause is not ours, but God's. Let us endure hardness, and still fight the good fight of faith. At last we shall come off conquerors, through Him who hath loved us. " I hope you have some causes for joy as well as grief. I trust though one, or two, or three fall, the tens and the twenties stand their ground. Oh do what you can to cheer them under the common trial. Let them not see a faint heart in you. Fight manfully still. Tell them to watch the more ; to pray the harder; to walk the closer with God. So out of the eater shall come forth meat, and sweetness out of the strong. "S. P." TO MR. BATES, AND MRS. BARNES, Who had been burnt out of their residence. " The many expressions of Christian friendship, which I received from yon, and your affectionate families, during my last visit to London, will often excite grateful recollections in future, as they have almost daily since I parted from you ; and though 1 do not write this avowedly as a mere letter of acknowledgment, yet I wish it to assure you, that I am not forgetful of my friends, nor unthankful for their kindness. May all the favour you show to the servants of our common Lord, for his sake, be amply recompensed in present peace, and future felicity, when the prom- ise of Him who cannot lie shall be fulfilled,—' A cup of cold water 346 MKMOIRS OF THE LATK given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward.' •♦ But, whilst you, my dear friends, live * in hope of the glory' that remains ' to be revealed,' I am persuaded that you expect all as the fruit of sovereign mercy, which first forms us to the mind of Christ, then accepts, and then rewards. Truly, if sinners be rewarded, it must be 'of grace, and not of debt.' Yet it is a mercy of unspeakable magnitude, that grace should establish a connexion between obedience and enjoyment ; such a connexion as at once ensures joy to the believer, and glory to Christ. "Oh that our thoughts, our aflfections, our desires, may be much in heaven I Here, you have been taught, is 'no continuing city,' no certain place of abode ; and though you have been taught it awfully in flames, yet if you learn it effectually, the terror of the means will be conquered by the excellency arid glory of the consequences. \es, my friends, 'in heaven we have a better and enduring substance :' the apartments there are more spacious; the society more sweet; the enjoyments more perfect; and all to last for ever. Well may Christians ' rejoice in hope of the glory of God ." TO MR. AND MRS. BOWYER, PALL MALL. "November 17, 1797. ''Blessed be 'the Preserver of men,' for all his goodness to dear Mr. and Mrs. B •. With theirs, shall my gratitude also ascend, whilst separated from their society ; and with theirs, shall it more warmly and permanently ascend, when we meet to form a part of the 'general assembly, the church of the first-born.' •'I do not return to London this autumn, but I mean to visit Portsmouth. I must be indebted to you for my directions. We shall be very happy to see you at Lukei-street : but Wales I sup- pose will be the vortex that will swallow up much of your time. MR. SAMUEL PEARC;E. 347 Well, so you are liappy, we must be disinterested enough to be satisfied, although we be denied a personal participation. ''Let us not forget that we are Christians; and Christians pro- fess a hope of a better country than Cambria contains. There we all belong. Already citizens by privilege, we shall be by possession soon. • Roll swifter round, ye wheels of time, Aud bring the welcome day !' " In hope of greeting you both in that good land, 1 remain most affectionately yours, " S. P." TO DR. RYLAND. "November 17, 1797. *' I FEEL much for you, in relation both to the duties and trials of your present situation • at the same time 1 bless God, who fixed you in it, because 1 am persuaded that it will be for his glory in the churches of Christ. And though none but those whose hands are full of religious concerns can guess at your difficulties, yet our blessed Redeemer knows them all. Oh, my dear brotherj you are travailing for Him who redeemed you by his blood ; who sympathizes with you, and who will graciously crown you at last. Small as my trials are, I would turn smith, and work at the anvil and the forge, rather than bear them for any other master than Christ. Yet were they ten thousand times as many as they are, the thought of their being for Him, I trust, would sweeten them all. "I have reason to be very thankful for much pleasure of late, both as a Christian, and a minister I have never felt so deeply my need of a Divine Redeemer, and seldom possessed such solid confidence that he is mine. I want more and more to become a little child, to dwindle into nothing in my own esteem, to 348 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE reDOUnce my own wisdom, power, and goodness, and simply look to, and live upon Jesus for all. 1 am ashamed that I have so much pride, so much self-will. Oh my Saviour ! make me ' meek and lowly in heart; in this alone I find ' rest to my soul.' " I could say much of what Immanuel has done for my soul ; but I fear lest even this should savour of vanity. Wlien shall I be like my Lord ! Oh welcome death, when I have nothing more to do for Christ. To him, till then, may 1 live every day and every hour. Rather may 1 be annihilated than not live to him ! "You will rejoice with me to hear that we have a pleasing prospect as a church. Several very hopeful, and some very valuable characters, are about to join us. Lord, carry on thy work ! "S. P." TO MRS. PEARCE. On the dangerous illness of one of the children. * Portsmouth, January 29, 1798. " Ignorant of the circumstances of our dear child, how shall I address myself to her dearer mother ! With a fluttering heart and a trembling hand, I, in this uncertainty, resume my pen. One consideration tranquillizes my mind, — 1 and mine are in the hands of God : the wise, the good, the indulgent Parent of man- kind ! Whatever he docs is best. I am prepared for all his will, and hope that I shall never have a feeling, whose language is not, « Thy will be done.' " 1 ammostkinilly entertained here by Mr. and Mrs. Shoveller ; and, except my dear Sarah's ])resence, feel myself at home. Thei/ have had greater trials than we can at present know. They have attended seven children to the gloomy tomb : they have been sup- ported beneath their loss, by Him who hath said, ' As thy days, so shall thy strength be.' Mrs. S. tells me, she ' blessed God for Mil. SAMUEL PEARCE. 349 all.' May my dear Sarah be enabled to do the same, whatever the result may prove. To-morrow I expect another letter from you ; yet, lest you should too much feel my absence, I will not delay forwarding this a single post. O that it may prove in some degree a messenger of consolation ! " Yesterday 1 preached three times : God was very good. I received your letter before the first service : you may be assured that I bore you on my heart in the presence of my Lord and yoars ; nor shall I pray in vain : He will either restore the child, or support you under the loss of it. I dare not pray with impor- tunity for any earthly good ; for ' who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as A shadow V Bat strength to bear the loss of earthly comforts, he has promised : for that I importune ; and Ihat^ I doubt not, will be granted. " In a house directly opposite to the window before which I now write, a wife, a mother, is just departed ! Why am I not a bereaved husband ? Why not my children motherless ? When we compare our condition with our wishes, we often complain : but if we compare it with that of many around us, our complaints would be exchanged for gratitude and praise. «; g^ p '-5 TO R. BOWYER, ESQ. " February 14, 1798. '' Not a day has hurried by, since 1 parted with my dear friends in Pall Mall, but they have been in my affectionate remem- brance ; but not being able to speak with any satisfaction respect- ing our dear child, I have withheld myself from imparting new anxieties to bosoms already alive to painful sensibility. " At length, however, a gracious God puts it in my power to say, that there is hope. After languishing between life and death for many days, she now seems to amend. We flatter ourselves that Voh. VI. 45 350 MEMOIRS OF THE LAIE she has passed the crisis, aiul will yet be restored to our arms ; but parental fears forbid too strong a confiilence. It may be that our most merciful God saw (hat the shock of a sudden removal would be too strong for the tender feelings of a mother ; and so by de- grees, prepares for the stroke which must fall at la?t. However, she is in the best hands, and we are, I hope, preparing for submis- sion to what ever may be the blessed will of God. <' I was brought home in safety, and feel myself in much better health in consequence of my journey. Oh that it may be all con- secrated to my Redeemer's praise ! " Happy should I be, if I could oftener enjoy your friendly society ; but we must wait for the full accomplishment of our so- cial wishes, till we come to that better world, for which divine grace is preparing us : — There our best, our brightest hopes, and there our warmest affections must be found. Could we have all we want below, we should be reluctant to ascend, when Jesus calls lis home. No, this is not our rest ; it is polluted with sin, and dashed with sorrow : but though our pains in themselves are evil, yet our God turns the curse into a blessing, and makes all that we meet with accomplish our good. " What better can I wish, my friends, than the humble place of Mary, or the happy rest of John ! Faith can enjoy them both, till actually we fall at the Saviour's feet, and lean upon his bosom, when we see him as he is. ' Oil the delights, the heavenly joys. The glories of the place, Where Jesus sheds the brightest beams Of his o'erflowing grace !' «s. p.' MR. SAMUEL PEARCE, 35 ^ LINES, WRITTEN ON THE WORDS OF IGNATIUS, — " Ml/ Love is crucified"^ MEUM DESIDERUM CRUCIFIXUM EST. " Warm was his heart, his faith was strong-. Who thus in rapture cried, When on his way to martyrdom, My Love is crucified. Warm also be my love for Him. Who thus for sinners died ; Long as I live be this my theme, My Love is crucified. Come, oh my soul, behold him pierced In hands, and feet, and side ; And say, while he's in blood immersed, My Love is crucified. What lover ere to win my heart, So much has done beside ? To him I'll cleave, and never part ; My Love is crucified. Oh that in Jesus' wounds, my soul Secure, may ever hide. And sing, as changing seasons roll, My Love is crucified. * When Ignatius, pastor of the church at Autioch, was condemoed by the emperor Trajan to suffer death at Rome, he was apprehensive that the Chris- tians there, out of their great affection for him, might endeavour to prevept his martyrdom ; and therefore wrote a letter from Smyrna to the Roman Christians, which he sent on before him, wherein he earnestly beseeches them to take no measures for the continuance of his life ; and amongst other things says, " I long for death," adding as a reason why he was desirous of thusteg. tifyinghis love to Christ, *'My Love is crurified." 352 ME?/.01RS OF THE LATF, In seasons oft, when bow'd with fear, My trembling heart has sig-h'd, This thoug-ht again brings comfort near. My Love is crucified. To what a test his love was put. When by his suff'rings tried ! But faithful to the end endured; My Love is crucified. His garments white as wintry snows, In crimson floods were die ' ; Hence spring the blessings he bestows; My Love is crucified. Down from his wounded body flow'd The all-atoning tide, Which peace restored 'twixt me and God : My Love is crucified. Now, by the cross, is hell subdued, And all its powers defied ; It yields to Jesus' conqu'ring bloody My Love is crucified. Ne'er may my dear despised Lord By me be once denied ; My joy, my crown, my boast be this, My Love is crucified. Dead be my heart to all below, In Christ may I abide ; Why should I love the creature se r My Love is crucified. Shameful his death, oh let it slay In me all cursed pride; Lowly in Jesus, may I say, My Love is crucified. When first my soul, by living faith. My bleeding Lord espied, My lips declared, at every breatln. My LeVfi is crucified. .^ MR. SAMUEL PEAllCE. 353 And since my happy heart has known His sacred blood applied , This still has been my sweetest song-. My Love is crudjied. And whilst upon this world I stay, Whate'er may me betide, To all around I'll ever say, J\Iy Love is crucified. When through death's g-loomy vale I walk, My Lord shall be my guide ; To him I'll sing, of him I'll talk, My Love is crucified. Could I, his praise e'en now I'd sound. As vast creation wide ; But I shall sing on heavenly ground. My Love is crucified. Yes, when to that blest land I mount, On places high to ride, Through all eternity I'll shout, My Love is crucified ! Jan. 19, 1795. S. P. • THE GARDENER AND ROSE-TREE," " A FABLE," ■' Affectionately addressed to Mrs. J. H , on the death of her child, by her truly sympathizing friend, " S. P." March 12, 1798. " In a sweet spot, which Wisdom chose, Grew a unique and lovely Rose ; A flower so fair was seldom borne — A Rose almost without a thorn 354 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE Each passing stranger stopp'd to view A plant possessing- charms so new : •■' Sweet Flower " each lip was heard to say— Nor less the Owner pleased than they : Rear'd by his hand with constant care. And planted in his choice parterre, Of all his garden this the pride, No flower so much admired beside. Nor did the Rose unconscious bloom, Nor feel ungrateful for the boon ; Oft as her guardian came that waj'^, Whether at dawn, or eve of day, Expanded wide — her form unveil'd, She double/ragrance then exhaled. As months roll'd on, the spring appear'd. Its genial rays the Rose matured ; Forth from its root a shoot extends — ■ The parent Rose-tree downward bends, And, with a joy unknown before, Contemplates the yet embryo flow'r. ' Offspring most dear, (she fondly said,) Part of myself ! beneath my shade, Safe shalt thou rise, whilst happy I, Transported with maternal joy, Shall see thy little buds appear, Unfold, and bloom in beauty here. What though the Lily, or Jonquil, Or Hyacinth no longer fill The space around me — All shall be Abundantly made up in thee. ' What though my present charms decay. And passing strangers no more say Of me, ' Sweet flower !' — Yet thou shalt raise Thy blooming head, and gain the praise ; And this reverberated pleasure Shall be to me a world of treasure. Cheerful I part with former merit. That it my darling may inherit, MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 355 Haste then the hours which bid thee bloom, And fill the zephyrs with perfume !' Thus had the Rose-tree scarcely spoken, Ere the sweet cup of bliss was broken — The Gard'ner came, and with one stroke He from the root the offspring took ; Took from the soil wherein it grew. And hid it from the parent's view. Judge ye, who know a mother's cares For the dear tender babe she bears, The parent's anguish — ye alone Such sad vicissitudes have known. Deep was the wound ; nor slight the pair) Which made the Rose-tree thus complain : ' Dear little darling ! art thou gone — Thy charms scarce to thy mother known ? Remov'd so soon ! — So suddenly, Snatch'd from my fond maternal eye ! What hadst thou done ? — dear offspring I say, So early to be snatch'd away ! What ! gone for ever ! — seen no more ! For ever I thy loss deplore. Ye dews descend, with tears supply My now for ever tearful eye ; Or rather come some northern blast. Dislodge my yielding roots in haste. Whirlwinds arise — my branches tear, And to some distant region bear Far from this spot, a wretched mother, Whose fruit and joys are gone together." As thus the anguish'd Rose-tree cried. Her Owner near her she espied ; Who in these gentle terms reproved A plant, though murm'ring, still beloved : 356 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE ' Cease, beauleons flower, these useless crie*. And let my lessons make thee wise. Art thou not mine ? Did not my hand Transplant thee from the barren sand, Where once a mean unsightly plant, Exposed to injury and want, Unknown, and unadmir'd I found. And brought thee to this fertile ground ; With studious art improved thy form, Secured thee from th' inclement storm, And through the seasons of the year, Made thee my unabating care ? Hast thou not blest thy happy lot. In such an Owner, such a spot ? But now, because thy shoot I've taken, Thy best of friends must be forsaken. Know, flower beloved, e'en this affliction Shall prove to thee a benediction : Had I not the young plant removed, (So fondly by thy heart beloved,) Of me thy heart would scarce have thought. With gratitude no more be fraught : — Yea — thy own beauty be at stake Surrender'd for thy offspring's sake. Nor think, that, hidden from thine eyes, The infant plant neglected lies — No-^I've another garden, where In richer soil and purer air It's now transplanted, there to shiue In beauties fairer far than thine. ' Nor shalt thou always be apart From the dear darling of thy heart ; For 'tis my purpose thee to bear In future time, and plant thee there, Where thy now absent off-set grows. And blossoms a celestial Rose. Be patient, then, till that set hour shall come, When thou and thine shall in new beauties bloom ; MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 357 No more its absence shalt thou then deplore, Together grow, and ne'er be parted more.' These words to silence hush'd the plaintive Rose, With deeper blushes redd'ning now she glows, Submissive bow'd her unrepining head. Again her wonted, grateful fragrance shed — Cried, ' Thou hast taken only what's thine own, Therefore thy will, my Lord, not mine, be done.' Vot. VI. 46 358 MEMOinS OF THE LATE CHAPTER IV^. A^ ACCOUNT OF HIS LAST AFFLICTION, AND THE HOLV AND HAPPY EXERCISES OF HIS MIND UNDER IT. Early in October 1798, Mr. Pearce attended at the Kettering ministers' meeting, and preached from Psalm xc 16, 17. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us ; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. He was observed to be singularly solemn and affectionate in that discourse. If he had known it to be the last time that he should address his brethren in that part of the country, he could scarcely have felt or spoken in a more interest- ing manner. It was a discourse full of instruction, full of a holy unction, and that seemed to breathe an ajiostolical ardour. On his return, he preached at Market Harborough ; and riding home the next day in company with his friend Mr. Summers of London, they were overtaken with rain. Mr. Pearce was wet through his clothes, and towards evening complained of a chil- liness. A slight hoarseness followed. He preached several times after this, which brought on an inflammation, and issued in a con- sumption. It is probable that if his constitution had not been pre- viously impaired, such effects mi^hl not have followed in this in- stance. His own ideas on this subjt^ct are expressed in a letter to Dr. Ryland, dated December 4, 1798, and in another to Mr. King, dated from Bristol, on his way to Plymouth, March 30, 1798. In the former, he says, — " Ever since my Christmas journey last year to Slieepshead, Nottinghain, and Leicester, on the mission MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 35^ business, I have found my constitution greatly debilitated, in con- sequence of a cold caught after the unusual exertions which cir-. cumstances then demanded ; so that from a frame that could endure any weather, I have since been too tender to encounter a single shower without danger; and the duties of the Lord's day, which, as far as bodily strength went, I could perform with little fatigue, have since freqiently overcome me. But the severe cold I caught in my return from the last Kettering ministers' meeting has affected me so much, that 1 have sometimes concluded I must give up preaching entirely ; for though my head and spirits are better than for two years past, yet my stomach is so very weak that I cannot pray in my family without frequent pauses for breath, and in the pulpit it is labour and agony, which must be felt to be conceived of I have, however, made shift to preach sometimes thrice, but mostly only twice on a Lord's day, till the last, when the morning sermon only, though I delivered it with great pleasure of mind, and with as much caution as to ray voice as possible, yet cost me so much labour as threw me into a fever till the next day, and prevented my sleeping all night." In the letter, he thus writes " Should my life be spared, I, and my family, and ail my connexions, will stand indebted, under God, to you. Unsuspecting of danger myself, I believe I should have gone on with m}' exertions, till the grave had received me. Your attention sent Mr. B (the apothecary) to me, and then first I learned what I have since been increasingly convinced of — that I was rapidly destroying the vital principle. And the kind interest you have taken in my welfare ever since, has often drawn the grateful tear from my eye. May the God of heaven and earth re- ward your kindness to his unworthy servant, and save you from all the evils from which your distinguished friendship would have saved me ! " Such were his ideas. His labours were certainly abundant ; perhaps too great for his constitution : but it is probable that nothing was more injurious to his health, th;in a frequent expo sure to night air, and an inattention to the necessity of chano-ino- damp clothes. 360 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE Hitherto we have seen in Mr. Pearce, the active, assiduous, and laborious servant of Jesus Christ : but now we see him laid asidtf from his work, wasting away by slow degrees, patiently en- during the will of God, and cheerfully waiting for his dissolution. And as here is but little to narrate, 1 shall content myself with copying his letters, or extracts from them, to his friends, in the order of time in which they were written, only now and then drop- ping a few hints to furnish the reader with the occasions of some of them. TO DR. RYLAND. " Birmingham, Oct. 8, 1798, *' Oh 1 my dear brother, your letter of the^ 6th, which I received this morning, has made me thankful for all my pulpit agonies^ as they enabled me to weep with a weeping brother. They have been of use to me in other respects ; particularly, in teaching me the importance of attaining and maintaining that spirituality and pious ardour, in which I have found the most effectual relief; so that on the whole, I must try to 'glory in tribulations also.' I trust I often can when the conflict is past, but to glory ' iri' them, especially in mental distress — hie labor, hoc opus est. " But how often has it been found, that when ministers have felt themselves most embarrassed, the most effectual good has been done to the people. Oh for hearts entirely resigned to the will of God! '• How happy should I be, could I always enjoy the sympathies of a brother, who is tried in these points, as 1 of late have been. MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 361 TO MR. FULLER. " Birmingham, Nov. 13, 1798. ''I CAUGHT a violent cold in returning from our last committee- meeting, from which I have not yet recovered. A little thing now affects my constitution, which I once judged would be weather and labour proof for at least thirty years, if 1 lived so long. I thank God that I am not debilitated by iniquity. I have lately met with an occurrence, which occasioned me much pain and perplexity'. ****** Trials soften our hearts, and make us more fully prize the dear few, into whose faithful sympathizing, bosoms we can with confidence pour our sorrows. I think I could bless God for my afflictions, if they produced no other fruits than these, — the tenderness they inspire, and the friendships they enjoy. Pray, my dear brother, for yours affectionately, ^'S. P.» To a young man who had applied to him for advice, how he should best improve his time, previous to his going to the Bristol Academy : " Birmingham, Nov. 13, 1798. " My dear M , "I CAN only confess my regret at not replying to yours at a much earlier period, and assure you that the delay has been accidental, and not designed. I feel the im{)ortance of your request for advice. 1 was sensible it deserved some consideration before it was answered. I was full of business at the moment. I put it by, and it was forgotten ; and now it is too late. The time of your going to Bristol draws nigh. If, instead of an 362 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE opinion respecting the best way of occupying your time before you go, jou v.ill accept a little counsel during your continuance there, I shall be happy at any time to coitribute such a mite as my experience and observation have put in my power. "At present, the following rules appenr of so much moment, that were I to resume a place in any literary establishment, I would religiously adopt them as the standard of my conduct : First, I would cultivate a spirit of habitual devotion. Warm piety, connected with my studies, and especially at my entrance upon them, would not only assist me in forming a judgment on their respective importance, and secure the blessing of God upon them ; but would so cement the religious feeling with the literary pursuit, as might abide with me for life. The habit of uniting these, being once formed, would, I hope, be never lost ; and I am sure that without this, I shall both pursue trivial and unworthy objects, and those that are worthy I shall pursue for a wrong end. — Secondly, I would determine on a uniform submission to the instructions of ray preceptor, and study those things which would give him pleasure. If he be not wiser than I am, for what pur- pose do I come under his care ? I accepted the pecuniary help of the Society on condition of conforming to its will ; and it is the Society's will that my tutor shall govern me. My example will have influence : let me not, by a single act of disobedience, or by a word that implicates dissatisfaction, sow the seeds of discord in the bosom of my companions. — Tliirdly, I would pray and strive for the power of self-government, to form no plan, to utter not a word, to take no stpp, under the mere influence of passion. Let my judgment be often asked, and let me always give it time to answer. Let me always guard against a light or trifling spirit ; and particularly as I shall be amongst a number of youths, whose years will incline them all to the same frailty. — Fourthly, I would in all my weekly and daily pursuits, observe the strictest order. Always let me act by a plan. Let every hour have its proper pursuit ; from which let nothing, but a settled conviction that I can employ it to a better advantage, ever cause me to deviate. Let me have fixed time for prayer, meditation, reading, languages, correspondence, recreation, sleep, &c. — Fifthly, I would not MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 3g3 only assign to every hour its proper pursuit ; but what I did, I would try to do it with all my might. The hours at such a place are precious beyond conception, till the student enters on life's busy scenes. Let me set the best of my class ever before me, and strive to be better than they. In humility and diligence, let rae aim to be the tirst. — Sixthly, I Avould particularly avoid a versatile habit. In all things I would persevere. Without this I may be a gaudy butterfly, but nerer, like the bee, will my hive bear examining. Whatever I taiie in hand, let me first be sure I understand it, then duly consider it, and if it be good, let me adopt and use it. " To these, my dear brother, let me add three or four things more minute, but which 1 am persuaded will help you much. — Guard against a large acquaintance while you are a student. Bristol friendship, while you sustain that character, will prove a vile thief, and rob you of many an invaluable hour. — Get two or three of the students, whose piety you most approve, to meet for an hour in a week for experimental conversation, and mutual prayer. 1 found this highly beneficial, though strange to tell, by some we were persecuted for our practice I — Keep a diary. Once a week, at farthest, call 3'ourself to an account : What advances you hare made in your different studies ; in divinit}-^, history, languages, naturnl philosophy, style, arrangement ; and amidst all, do no not forget to inquire. Am I more fit to serve and to enjoy God than I was last week ? "S. P." On December 2, 1798, he delivered his last sermon. The sub- ject was taken from Dan. x. 19. Oh man, greatly beloved, fear not ; peace \he unto thee, he strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I tvas strengthened, and said. Let my Lord speak, for thou hast strengthened me. " Amongst all the Old Testament saints," said he, in his introduction to that discourse, "• there is not one whose virtues were more, and whose imperfec- tions were fewer, than those of Daniel. By the history given of 364 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE him in this book, which yet seems not to be complete, he appears to have ex-celled among the excellent." Doubtless no one was further from his thoughts than himself: several of his friends, how- ever, could not help applying it to him, and that with a painful apprehension of what followed soon after. TO MR, CAVE, LEICESTER. " Birmingham, Dec. 4, 1798. " Blessed be God, ray mind is calm; and though my body be weakness itself, my spirits are good, and I can write as well as ever, though I can hardly speak two sentences without a pause. All is well, brother ! all is well, for time and eternity. My soul rejoices in the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. Peace from our dear Lord Jesus be with your spirit, as it is (yea, more also) with your affectionate brother, "S. P." December 9, 1798, he was detained from public worship, and wrote to Dr. Ryland the first of the letters which appear at the close of his funeral sermon. The following lines seem to have been composed on the same occasion : " On being prevented by Sicknsssfrom attending on Public Worshijt. " The fabric of nature is fair, But fairer the temple of grace ; To saints 'tis the joy of the earth— Oh glorious, beautiful place .' \ MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 365 To this temple I once did resort, With crowds of the people of God ; Enraptured, we enter'd its courts, And hail'd the Redeemer's abode. The Father of Nature we praised. And prostrated low at Lis throne ; The Saviour we loved and adored, Who loved us and madie us hi3 own. Full oft to the message of peace. To sinners address'd from the sky, We listen'd, extolling that grace, Which set us, once rebels, on high. Faith clave to the crucified Lamb ; Hope, smiling, exalted its head ; Love warm'd at the Saviour's dear name. And vow'd to observe what he said. What pleasure appear'd in the looks. Of brethren and sisters around; With transport all seem'd to reflect On the blessings in Jesus they'd found. Sweet moments ! If aught upon earth Resemble the joys of the skies, 'Tis thus when the hearts of the flock Conjoin'd to the Shepherd arise. But ah ! these sweet moments are fled. Pale sickness compels me to stay Where no voice of the turtle is heard, As the moments are halting away. My God ! thou art holy and good. Thy plans are all righteous and wise : Oh help me submissive to wait, Till thou biddest thy servant arise. If to follow thee here in thy courts, May it be with all ardour and zeal. With success and increasing delight, Performing the whole of thy will. Vol.. \H. 47 366 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE Or shouldst thou in bondage detain. To visit thy temples no more, Prepare me for mansions above, Where nothing exists to deplore ! Where Jesus, the Sun of the place, Refulgent incessantly shines. Eternally blessing his saints. And pouring delight on their minds. There — there are no prisons to hold The captive from tasting delight ; There — there the day never is closed With shadows, or darkness, or night. There myriads and myriads shall meet. In our Saviour's high praises to join ; Whilst transported we fall at his feet, And extol his redemption divine. Enough then ! my heart shall no more Of its present bereavements complain; Since, ere long, I to glory shall soar, And ceaseless enjoyments attain !'" TO MR. NICHOLS, NOTTINGHAM. " BirmiDgham, Dec. 10, 1798. " I AM now quite laid by from preaching, and am so reduced in my internal strength, that I can hardly converse with a friend for five minutes without losing my breath. Indeed I have been so ill, that I thought the next ascent would be, not to a pulpit, but to a throne — to the throne of glory. Yes indeed, rav friend, the re- ligion of Jesus will support when flesh and heart fail ; and in ray worst state of body, my -oul was filled with joy. I am now getting 3 little belter, though but very slowly. But fast or slow, or as it may, the Lord doth all things well. " S. P.' MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 367 TO R. BOWYER, ESQ. " I HAVE overdone m3'self in preaching. I am now ordered to lie by, and not even to converse, without great care ; nor indeed till to-day have I for some time been able to utter a sentence, without a painful effort. Blessed be God ! I have been filled all through my affliction with peace and joy in believing ; and at one time, when I thought I was entering the valley of death, the prospect beyond was so full of glory, that but for the sorrow it would have occasioned to some who would be left behind, I should have longed that moment to have mounted to the skies. Oh, my friend, what a mercy that I am not receiving the wages of sin ; that my health has not been impaired by vice ; but that, on the contrary, I am bearing in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. To him be all the praise ! Truly I have proved that God is faith- ful : and most cheerfully would I take double the affliction for one half of the joy and sweetness which have attended it. Accept a sermon which is this day published.* "S. P," TO MR. BATES AND MRS. BARNES, MINORIES. " Birmingham, Dec. 14, 1798. I COULD tell you much of the Lord's goodness during my affliction. Truly ' his right hand hath been under my head, and his left embraced me.' And when I was at the worst, espe- cially, and expected ere long to have done with time, even then, such holy joy, such ineffable sweetness, filled my soul, that I would not have exchanged that situation for any besides heaven itself. » The last but oue he ever preached, entitled, Motives to Gratitude. It was delivered on the day of national thanksgiving, and printed at the re- quest of his own congregation. 36t MEMOlilo OF THE LATF, *' Oh, my dear friends, let ii9 live to Christ, and lay ourselves wholly out for him whilst wc live ; and then, when health and life forsake us, he will be the strength of our heurt, and our portion for ever, About this time, the congregation at Cannon-street was supplied for several months by Mr. Ward, who is since gone as a mission- ary to India : here that amiable young man became intimately ac- quainted with Mr. Pearce, and conceived a most affectionate esteem for him. In a letter to a friend, dated Jan. 5, 1799, he writes as follows : " I AM happy in the company of dear brother Pearce. I have seen more of God in him, than in any other person I ever knew. Oh how happy should I be to live and die with him ! When well, he preached three times on a Lord's day, and two or three times in the week besides. He instructs the young people in the prin- ciples of religion, natural philosophy, astronomy, &c. They have a Benevolent Society, from the funds of which they distribute forty or fifty pounds '•. year to the poor of the congregation. They have a Sick Society for visiting the afflicted in general : a Book Society at chapel : a Lord's day School, at which betwixt two and three hundred children are instructed. Add to this, missionary business, visiting the people, an extensive correspondence, two volumes of taiasion history preparing for the press, &c. ; and then you will see Bomcthing of the soul of Pearce. He is every where venerated, though but a young man ; and all the kind, tender, gentle affections, make him as a little child at the feet of his Saviour. '.umption, he adds, — " but thanks be to God, whogiveth my heart the victory, let my poor body be consumed, or preserved. In the thought of leaving, I feel a momentary gloom ; but in the thought of going, a heavenly triumph. ' Oh to grace how great a debtor !' " Praise God with me, and for me, my dear brother, and let us not mind dying any more than sleeping. No, no ; let every Chris- tian sing the loudest, as he gets the nearest to the presence of his God. — Eternally yours in Him, who hath washed us both in his blood. =' S. P." TO MR. MEDLEY, LONDON. Unokr the same date, he says, — " My affliction has beei> rendered sweet, by the supports and smiles of Him whom I have served in the gospel of his Son. He hath delivered, he doth de- liver, and I trust that he will yet deliver. Living or dying, all is well for ever. Oh what shall I render to the Lord !" It seems that in order to avoid wounding Mrs. P.'s feelings, he deferred the settlement of his affairs till he arrived at Bristol ; from whence he wrote to his friend, Mr. King, requesting him to become an executor. Receiving a favourable answer, he replied as follows : — " Bristol, April 6, 1799. '* YovR letter, just received, affected me too much, with feelings botli of sympathy and gratitude, to remain unanswered a single post. Most heartily do I thank you for accepting a service, 372 MILMOIRS OF THE LATi: which frieiulship alone can render agreeable in the most simple cases. Should that service demand your activities at an early pe- riod, may no unforeseen occurrence increase the necessary care ! But may the Father of the fatherless, nnd Judge of the widows, send you a recompense into your own bosom, equal to all that friendship, to which, under God, I have been so much indebted in life, and reposing on whose bosom, even death itself loses part of its gloom. In you, my children will find another father — in you, my wife another husband. Your tenderness will sympathize with the one, under the most distressing sensibilities ; and your prudent counsels be a guide to the others, through the unknown mazes ol inexperienced youth. Enough — blessed God ! My soul pros- trates, and adores thee for such a friend. "S. P.'- TO MR. FULLER. " riymoulli, April 18, 1799. " The last time that I wrote to you was at the close of a let- ter sent to you by brother Ryland. I did not like that postscript form ; it looked so cardlike as to make me fear that you would deem it unbrotherly. After all, perhaps you thought nothing about it ; and my anxieties might arise only from my weakness, %vhich seems to be constantly increasing my sensibilities. If ever I felt love in its tenderness for my friends, it has been since my affliction. This, in great measure, is no more than the love of ' publicans and harlots, who love those that love them.' I never conceived myself by a hundred degrees so interested in the re- gards of my friends, as this season of affliction has manifested 1 was ; and therefore, so far from claiming any ' reward' for loving them in return, I should account myself a monster of ingratitude, were it otherwise. Yet there is something in affliction itself, which, by increasing the delicacy of our feeling, and detaching our thoughts from the usual round of objects which present themselves MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 375 to the mind when in a state of health, nuay be easily conceived (« make us susceptible of stronger and more permanent impressions of an affectionate nature. " 1 heard at Bristol, that you and your friends had remembered me in your prayers, at Kettering. Whether the Lord whom we serve may see fit to answer your petitions on my account, or not, may they at least be returned into your own bosoms ! " For the sake of others, I should be happy, could 1 assure you that my health was improving. As to myself, I thank God, that I am not without a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. I find that neither in sickness nor in health, I can be so much as I wish like Him whom I love. ' To die is gain :' Oh to gain that state, those feelings, that character, which perfectly accord with the mind of Christ, and are attended with the full persuasion of his complete and everlasting approbation ! I want no heaven but this ; and to gain this, most gladly would I this mo- ment expire. But if to abide in the flesh be more needful for an individual of my fellow-men, — Lord, let thy will be done 5 only let Christ be magnified by me, whether in life or death ! " The weather ha* been so wet and windy since I have been at Plymouth, that I could not reasonably expect to be much better ; and I cannot say that I am much worse. All the future is uncertain. Professional men encourage me ; but frequent returns appear, and occasional discharges of blood check my expectations. If I speak but for two minutes, my breast feels as sore as though it were scraped with a rough-edged razor ; so that I am mule all the day long, and have actually learned to converse with my sister by means of our fingers. " I thank you for yours of April 4th, which I did not receive till the 12th, the day that I arrived at Plymouth. On the 16th, a copy of yours to brother Ryland came to hand, to which I should have replied yesterday, but had not leisure. I am happy and thankful for your success. May the Lord himself pilot the Crite- rion safely to Calcutta river ! " Unless the Lord work a miracle for me, I am sure that I shall not be able to attend the Olney meeting. It is io my feelings a Vol. VL 48 374 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE severe anticipation ; but how can I be a Christian, and not submit to God ? "S. P." TO MR. WM. WARD. " Plymouth, April 22, 1799. " Most affectionately do I thank you for your letter, so full of information and of friendship. To our common Friend, who is gone into heaven, where he ever sitteth at the right hand of God for us, 1 commend you. Whether I die, or live, God will take care of you till he has ripened you for the common salvation. Then shall I meet my dear brother Ward again ; and who can tell how much more interesting our intercourse in heaven will be made by the scenes that most distress our poor spirits here ? Oh, had I none to live for, I had rather die than live, that I may be at once like Him whom I love. But while he ensures me grace — why should I regret the delay of glory ! No : I will wait his will, who performeth all things forme. " My dear brother, had I strength, I should rejoice to acquaint you with the wrestlings and the victories, the hopes and the fears, the pleasures and the pangs, which I have lately experienced. But I must forbear. All I can now say is, that God hath done me much good by all, and made me very thankful for all he has done. " Alas ! I shall see you no more. I cannot be at Olney on the 7th of May. The journey would be my death ; but the Lord whom you serve will be with you then, and for ever. My love to all the dear assembled saints, who will give you their benedic- tions at that solemn season. Ever yours, " S. P." MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 375 TO DR. RYLAND. » Plymouth, April 24, 1799. •■' Very dear Brother, " My health is in much the same state as when I wrote last, excepting that my muscular strength rather increases, and my powers of speaking seem less and less every week. I have, for the most part, spoken only in whispers for several days past ; and even these seem too much for my irritable lungs. My father asked me a question to-day ; he did not understand me when I whisper- ed ; so I was obliged to utter one word, and one word only, a little louder, and that brought on a soreness which 1 expect to feel till bed-time. "lamstilllookingout for fine weather: all here is cold and rainy. We have had but two or three fair and warm days since I have been here : then 1 felt better. I am perfectly at a loss even to guess what the Lord means to do with me ; but I desire to commit my ways to him, and be at peace. 1 am going to-day about five miles into the country, (to Tamerton,) where I shall await the will of the Lord concerning me. " I knew not of any Committee meeting of our Society to be held respecting Mr. Marshman and his wife. I have therefore sent no vote, and indeed it is my happiness that 1 have full confidence in my brethren at this important crisis, since close thinking or much writing always increases my fever, and promotes my com- plaint. "My dear brother, I hope you will correspond much with Ket- tering. I used to be a medium, but God has put me out of the way. I could weep that I can serve him no more ; and yet I fear some would be tears of pride. Oh, for perfect likeness to my hum- ble Lord ! " S. P." 316 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE i TO MR. KING. " Tamerlon, May 2, 1799. a Give my love to all the dear people at Cannon- street. Oh pray that He who afflicts, would give me patience to endure. Indeed, the state of suspense in which I have been kept so long, requires much of it ; and I often exclaim, ere I am aware, * Oh, my dear people I Oh, my dear family ! When shall I be re- stored to you again I' The Lord forgive all the sin of my desires ! At times I feel a sweet and perfect calm, and wish ever to live ander the influence of a belief in the goodness of God, and of all his plans, and all his works. "S. P." The reader lias seen how much he regretted being absent from the solemn designation of the missionaries at OIney. He however addressed the following lines to Mr. Fuller, which were read at the close of that meeting, to the dissolving of nearly the whole assembly in tears : " Tamerton, May 2, 1799. "— — Oh that the Lord, who is unconfined by place or tJondition, may copiously pour out upon you all the rich effusions of his Holy Spirit on the approaching day ! My most hearty love to each missionary who may then encircle the throne of grace. Happy men ! happy women ! you are going to be fellow-labourers with Christ himself ! I congratulate — 1 almost envy you : yet I love you, and can scarcely now forbear dropping a tear of love as each of your names passes across my mind. Oh what promises are yours ; and what a reward ! Surely heaven is filled with double joy, and resounds with unusual acclamations, at the arrival of each missionary there. Oh be faithful, my dear brethren, my dear sisters, be faithful unto death, and all this joy is yours ! Long as I live, my imagination will be hovering over you in Bengal ; and should T die, if separate spirits be allowed a visit to the world they left, I MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 377 tnelhinks 'mine would soon be at Mudnabatty, watching your labours, your conflicts, and your pleasures, whilst you are always abounding in the work of the Lord. ''S. P." TO DR. RYLAND. « " Plymouth, Maj 14, 1799. *' My DEAR Brother, ** Yours of the llth instant I have just receired, and thank you for your continued concern for your poor unworthy brother. " I have suffered much in my health since I wrote to you last, by the increase of my feverish complaint, which filled me with heat and horror all night, and in the day sometimes almost suffocated me with the violence of its paroxysms. I am extremely weak, and now that warm weather which I came into Devon to seek, I dread as much as the cold, because it excites the fever. I am happy, how- ever, in the Lord. I have not a wish to live or die, but as he pleases. I truly enjoy the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and would not be without bis divine atonement, wherein to rest my soul, for ten thousan-^l worlds. I feel quite weaned from earth, and all things in it. Death has lost its sting, the grave its horrors ; and the attractions of heaven, I had almost said, are sometimes violent. • Oh to grace how great a debtor t' " But I am wearied. May all grace abound towards ray dear brother, and his affectionate "S. P." TO THE CHURCH IN CANNON-STREET. "Plymouth, May 31, 1799. " To the dear people of my charge, the flook of Christ, as- sembling in Cannon-street, Birmingham; their afflicted but affec 378 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE tionale Pastor presents liis love in Christ Jct^us, the great Shep- herd of the sheep. '•' My DEAREST, DEAREST FrIENDS AM> BRETHREN, '* Separatkd as I have been a long time from you, and during that lime of separation, having suffered much both in body and miiul, yet my heart has still been with you, participating in your sorrows, uniting in your prayers, and rejoicing with you in the hope of that glory, to which divine faithfulness has engaged to bring us, and /or which our heavenly Father, by all his provi- dences, and by every operation of his Holy Spirit, is daily pre- paring us. '* Never, my dear brethren, did I so much rejoice in our being made ' partakers of the heavenly calling,' as during my late afflic- tions. The sweet thoughts of glory, where 1 shall meet my dear Lord Jesus, with all his redeemed ones, perfectly freed from all that sin which now burdens us, and makes us groan from day to day — this transports my soul, whilst out of weakness I am made strong, and at times am enabled to glory even in my bodily infirm- ities, that the power of Christ, in supporting when flesh and heart fail, may the more evidently rest upon me. Oh, my dear breth- ren and sisters ! let me, as one alive almost from the dead, let me exhort you to stand fast in that blessed gospel, which for ten years I have now preached among you : the gospel of the grace of God ; the gospel of free, full, everlasting salvation, founded on the suf- ferings and death of God manifest in thejlesh. Look much at this all-amazing scene ! ' Behold ! a God descends and dies, To save my soul from gaping hell ;' And then say whether any poor broken-hearted sinner need be afraid to venture his hopes of salvation on such a sacrifice ; espe- cially, since He who is thus ' mighty to save,' hath said, that * whosoever cometh to him he will in no wise cast out.' You, be- loved, who have found the peace-speaking virtue of this blood of atonement, must not be satisfied with what you have already known or enjoyed. The only way to be constantly happy, and MR SAMUEL PEARCE. .379 constantly prepared for the most awful changes which we must all experience, is to be constantly looking and coming 10 a dying Sav- iour : renouncing all our own worthiness ; cleaving to the loving Jesus as our all in all ; giving up every thing, however valuable, to our worldly interests, tliat clashes with our fidelity to Christ ; begging that of his fullness we may receive ' grace upon grace ;' whilst our faith actually relies on his power and faithfulness, for the full accomplishment of every promise in his word that we plead with him, and guarding against every thing that might for a moment bring distance and darkness between your souls and your precious Lord. If you thus live, (and oh that you may daily re- ceive fresh life from Christ so to do !) 'the peace of God will keep your hearts and minds,' and you will be filled with 'joy un- speakable and full of glory.' " As a Church, you cannot conceive what pleasure I have en- joyed in hearing that you are in peace ; that you attend prayer- meetings ; that 3'Gu seem to be stirred up of late for the honour and prosperity of religion. Go on in these good ways, my beloved friends, and assuredly the God of peace will be with you. Yea, if after all, I should be taken entirely from you, yet God will surely visit you, and never leave you, nor forsake you. " As to my health, I seem on the whole to be still mending, though but very slowly. The fever troubles me often, both by day and night ; but my strength increases. I long to see your facer? in the flesh ; ye;i, when 1 thought myself near the gates of the grave, I wished, if it were the Lord's will, to depart among those whom I so much loved. But I am in good hands ; and all must be right. " I thank both you and the congregation most affectionately, for all the kindness you have shown, respecting me and my family, during my absence. The Lord return it a thousandfold! My love to every one, both old and young, rich and poor, as though named. The Lord bless to your edification the occasional ministry which you enjoy. 1 hope you regularly attend upon it, and keep together, as 'the horses in Pharaoh's chariot.' I pray much for you : pray, still pray, for your very alTectionate, though unworthy pastor, "S. P." 380 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE In a postscript to Mr. King he says, " I h.ive made an effort to >frite thia letter: my affections would take no denial j but it has brought on the fever." It seems to have been about this lime that he wrote the follow- ing lines, which have appeared in several periodical publications, l)ut with many inaccuracies : HYMN IN A STORM. " In the floods of tribulation, While the billows o'er me roll, Jesus whispers consolation, And supports my fainting soul. Thus the lion yields me honey. From the eater food is g-iven ; Strengthen'd thus, I still press forward, Singing, as I wade to heaven, — Sweet affliction ! sweet affliction ! That brings Jesus to my soul ! 'Mid the gloom the vivid lightnings With increased brightness play ; 'Mid tlie thornbrake, beauteous flow'rets Look more beautiful and gay : So, in darkest dispensations, Doth my faithful Lord appear, With his richest consolations, To re-animate and cheer. Sweet affliction ! sweet affliction ! Thus to bring my Saviour near ! Floods of tribulation heighten. Billows still around me roar ; Those that know not Christ, ye frighten ; But my soul defies your power. In the sacred page recorded. Thus his word securely stands, — 1 MR. SAMUEL FEARCE. 2M " Fear not, I'm in trouble near thee, Nought shall pluck thee from my hands." Sweet affliction ! sweet affliction ! That to such sweet words lays claim ! All I meet, I find assists me In my path to heavenly joy, Where, though trials now attend me, Trials never more annoy : \V earing there a weight of glory, Still the path I'll ne'er forget ; But, reflecting how it led me To my blessed Saviour's seat. Cry, affliction ! sweet affliction ! Haste ! bring more to Jesus' feet ! Towards the latter end of May, when Mr. Ward and his com- panions were just ready to set sail, a consultation concerning Mr. Pearce was held on board the Criterion, in which all the missiona- ries, and some of the Baptist Missionary Society, were present. It was well known that he had for several years been engaged in preparing materials for a History of Missions, to be comprised in two volumes octavo : and as the sending of the gospel among the heathens had so deeply occupied his heart, considerable expecta- tions had been formed by religious people, of his producing an in- teresting work on the subject. The question now was, Could not this performance be finished by other hands, and the profits of it be appropriated to the benefit of Mr. Pearce's family ? It was admitted by all that this work would, partly from its own merits, and partly from the great interest which the author justly possess- ed in the public esteem, be very productive ; and that it Would be a delicate and proper method of enabling the religious public, by subscribing liberally to it, to afiord substantial assistance to the family of this excellent man. The result was, that one of the Vol. VI. 49 3f2 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE members of the Society addressed a letter to Mr. Pearce's rela- tions at Plymouth, requestiog them to consult him as he should be able to bear it, respecting the state of his manuscripts ; and to in- quire whether they were in a condition to admit of being finished by another hand ; desiring them also to assure him, for his msent relief concerning his dear f;\miiy, that whatever the hand of friend- ship could effect on their behalf, should be accomplish d. The answer, though it left no manner of hope as to the accomplishment ©f the object, yet is so exjiessive of the reigning dispositions of the writer's heart, as an affectionate husband, a tender father, a grateful friend, and a sincere Christian, that it cannot be uninter- esting to the reader : " Tamerton, June 24, 1799. *' To use the common introduction of ' dear brother,' would fall so far short of my feelings towards a friend, whose uniform conduct has ever laid so great a claim to my affection and gratitude ; but whose recent kindness, — kindness in adversity — kindness to my ruife — kindness to my children kindness th it would go far to * smooth the bed of death,' has overwhelmed my whole soul in tender thankfulness, and engaged my everlasting esteem. I know not how to begin. . . . ' Thought is poor, and poor expression :' The only thing that lay heavy on my heart, when in the nearest yrospe t .f eternity, was the future situation of my family. I had but a comparitively small portion to leave behind me, and yet that little was the all that an amiable woman, delicately brought up, and through mercy, for the most part comfortably provided for since she entered on domestic life, — with five babes to feed, clothe, and «>ducate, had to subsist on. Ah, what a prospect ! Hard and long I strove to realize the promises made to the widows and the f ither- less ; but these alone I could nol iully rest on and enjoy. For my own part, God was indeed very gracious. I was willing, I hope, to linger in suffering, if I might thereby most glorify him, and death w-as an angel whom I longed to come and embrace me, ' cold' as his embraces are. But how could 1 leave those who were dearest to my heart in the midst of a world, in which, although thousands now professed friendship for me, and, on my account. MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 333 for mine ; yet after my decease, would, with few eKceptions, soon forget my widow and my children among the crowds of the needy and distressed. — It was at this moment of painful sensibility that your heart meditated a plan to remove my anxieties ; — a plan too that would involve much personal labour before it could be accom- plished. ' Blessed be God, who put it into thy heart, and blessed be thou.' May the blessing of the widow and the fatherless rest on you and yours for ever. Amen and amen ! " You will regret perhaps that I have taken up so much room respecting yourself, but I have scarcely gratified the shadow of my wishes. Excuse then on the one hand, that I have said so much, and accept on the other what remains unexpressed, " My affections and desires are among my dear people at Bir- mingham ; and unless I find ray strength increase here, I purpose to set out for that place in the course of a fortnight, or at most a month. The journey, performed by short stages, may do me good ; if not, I expect when the winter comes, to sleep in peace ; and it will delight my soul to see them once more before I die. Be- sides, I have many little arrangements to make among my books and papers, to prevent confusion after my decease. Indeed, till I get home, I cannot fully answer your kind letter ; but I fear that my materials consist so m;ich in references, which none but myself would understand, that a second person could not take it up, and prosecute it. I am still equally indebted to you for a proposal so generous, so laborious. " Rejoice with me, that the blessed gospel still ' bears my spirits up.' 1 am become familiar with the thoughts of dying. I have taken my leave often of the world ; and thanks be to God, I do it ahvays with (ranquillity, and often with rapture. Oh, what grace, what grace it was, that ever called me to be a Christian ! What would have been my present feelings, if I were going to meet God with all the filth and load of my sin about me ! But God in my nature hath put my sin away, taught me to love him, and long for his appearins:;. Oh, my dear brother, how consonant is everlasting praise with such a great salvation !' 384 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE " After this, another letter was addressed to Mr. Pearce, inform- ing him more particularly that the above proposal did not originate with an indivi'dual, but with several of the brethren who dearly loved him, and had consulted on the business ; and that it was no more than an act of justice to one who had spent his life in serving the public ; also requesting him to give directions by which his manuscripts might be found and examined, lest he should be taken away before bis arrival at Birmingham. To this he answered as follows : " Plymouth, July 6, 1799. '• I NEED not repeat the growing sense I have of your kindness, and yet I know not how to forbear. " 1 cannot direct Mr. K to all my papers, as many of them are in books from which I was making extracts ; and if 1 could, I am persuaded that they are in a state too confused, incorrect, and unfinished, to suffer you or any friend to realize your kind inten- tions. " I have possessed a tenacious memory. 1 have begun one part of the history ; read the necessary books ; reflected ; arranged ; written perhaps the introduction ; and then, trusting to my recol- lection, with the revisal of the books as I should want them, have employed myself in getting materials for another part, &c. Thus, till my illness, the volumes existed in my head, — my books were at hand, and I was on the eve of writing them out, when it pleased God to make me pause : and, as close thinking has been strongly forbidden me, I dare say, that were 1 again restored to health, I should find it necessary to go over much of my former reading to refresh my memory. ** It is now Saturday. On Monday next we propose setting out on our return. May the Lord prosper our way ! Accept the sin- cefe affection, and the ten thousand thanks, of your brother in the Lord, "S. P." MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 385 As the manuscripts were found to be in such a state, that no person, except the author himself, could finish them, the design was dropped. The public mind, however, was deeply impressed with Mr. Pearce's worth, and that, which the friendship of a few could not effect, has since been amply accomplished by the liberal exertions of many. TO MR. BIRT. «' Birmingham, July 26, 179&. " It is not with common feelings that I begin a letter lo you. Your name brings so many interesting; circumstances of my life before me, in which your friendship has been so uniformly and eminently displayed, that now, amidst the imbecilities of sickness, and the serious prospect of another world, my heart is overwhelm- ed with gratitude, whilst it glows with affection, — an affection which eterdity shall not annihilate, but improve. " We reached Bristol on the Friday after we parted from you, having suited our progress to my strength and spirits. We staid with Bristol friends till Monday, when we pursued our journey, and went comfortably on, till the uncommonly rough road from Tewkesbury to Evesham quite jaded me ; and I have not yet re- covered from the excessive fatigue of that miserable ride. At Alcester we rested a day and a half, and through the abundant goodness of God, we safely arrived at Birmingham on Friday eve- ning, the l9th of July. " I feel an undisturbed tranquillity of soul, and am cheerfully waiting the will of God. My voice is gone, so that I cannot whis- per without pain ; and of this circumstance I am at times most ready to complain. For to see my dear and amiable Sarah look at mc, and then at the children, and at length bathe her face in tears, 386 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE without my being able to say the kind word of comfort, Oh ! ' Yet the Lord supports me under this also ; and I trust will support me to the end. " S. P.« TO MR. ROCK. July 28, 1799. " 1 AM now to all appearance within a few steps of eternity. In Christ I am safe. In him I am happy. I trust we shall meet in heaven. «'S. P." TO R. BOWYER, ESQ. "Birmingham, August 1, 1799. "' Much disappomted that I am not released from this world of Sin, and put in possession of the pleasures enjoyed by the spirits of just men made perfect, I once more address my dear fellow- heirs of that glory which ere long shall be revealed to us all. *' We returned from Devon last Friday week. 1 was exceed- ingly weak, and for several days afterwards got rapidly worse. My friends compelled me to try another physician. I am still told that I shall recover. Be that as it may, I wish to have my own will annihilated, that the will of the Lord may be done. Through his abundant grace, I have been, and still am happy in my seul ; and I trust my prevailing desire is, that living or dying I may be the Lord's. ^ " S P." MR. SAMUEL PEARCE, 337' TO R. BOWYER, ESQ. On his having sent him a print of Mr. Schwartz, the Missionary on the Malabar coast. " Birmingham, August 16, 1799. " On three accounts was your last parcel highly acceptable. It represented a man, whom I have long been in the habit of loving and revering ; and whose character and labours I intended, if the Lord had not laid his hand upon me by my present illness, to have presented to the public in Europe, as he himself presented them to the millions of Asia. The execution bearing so strong a likeness to the original, heightened its .value. And then the hand from whence it came, and the friendship it was intended to express, add to its worth. "S. P." TO MR. FULLER. "Birmingham, August 19, 1799. " The doctor has been making me worse and weaker for three weeks. In the middle of the last week he spoke confidently of my recovery : but to-day he has seen fit to alter his plans ; and if I do not find a speedy alteration for the better, I must have done with all physicians, but Him, who ' healeth the broken in heart.' '• For some time after I came home, I was led to believe my case to be consumptive, and then thinking myself of a certainty near the kingdom of heaven, I rejoiced hourly in thedeligbtful prospect. " Since then, 1 have been told that I am not in a dangerous way ; and though I give very little credit to such assertions in this case, yet I have found my mind so taken up with earth again, that I seem as though I had another soul. My spiritual pleasures are 388 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE greatly inlerrupled, and some of the most plaintive parts of the most plaintive Psalms seem the only true hmgtiage of my heart. Yet, ' Thy will be done,' 1 trust, prevails ; and if it be the Lord's will that I linger long, and suffer much, Oh let him give me the pa- tience of hope, and still, his will be done. — I can write no more. This is a whole day's work ; for it is only after tea that for a few minutes I can sit up, and attend to any thing. "S. P." From the latter end of August, and all through the month of September to the tenth of October, the day on ivhich he died, he seems to have been unable to write. — He did not, however, lose the exercise of his mental powers ; and though in the last of the above letters he complains of darkness, it appears that he soon recovered thai peace and joy in God, by which his affliction, and even his life were distinguished. Four excellent letters, addressed to Dr. Ryland, Mr. Pope, and Mr. King, appear at the end of his funeral sermon, published by Dr. Ryland, together with various short sentences, which he drop- ped during the last five or six weeks of his life. And as the readers of the Sermon will probably wish to have it bound up with the Memoirs, both are connected together for that purpose. A little before he died, he was visited by Mr. Medley, of Lon- don, with whom he had been particularly intimate on his tirst coming to Birmingham. Mr. Pearce was much affected at the sight of his friend ; and continued silently weeping for nearly ten minutes, holding and pressing liis hand. After this, he spoke, or rather whispered as follows : — " This sick bed is a Bethel to me : it is none'other than the bouse ofGod, and the gate of heaven. I can scarcely express the pleasures that 1 have enjoyed in this affliction. The nearer I draw to my dissolution, the happier I am. It scarcely can be called an affliction, it is so counter- MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 339 balanced with joy. You have lost your pious father : tell me bow it was." — Here Mr. Medley informed him of particulars. He wept much at the recital, and especially at hearing of his last words, — " Home, Home !" Mr. Medley telling him of some temptations he lately met with, he charged him to keep near to God. "Keep close to God," said he, "and nothing will hurt you!" The following familiar compositions, which were found amongst Mr. Pearce's papers, appear to have been written at distant intervals : — ' Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.* I Cor. i. 2. " Sweet are the gifts which gracious Heaven On true believers pours ; But the best gift is grace to know. That Jesus Christ is ours. Our Jesus ! what rich drops of bhss Descend in copious showers, When ruin'd sinners, such as we. By faith can call him ours. Differ we may in age and state, Learning and mental powers. But all the saints may join and shout, Dear Jesus ! thou art ours, I Let those who know our Jesus not, Delight in earth's gay flowers ; We, glorying in our better lot. Rejoice that He is ours. Vol. VI. 50 390 AlEMOIllS OF THE LATE When hope, with elevated flight, Towards heaven in rapture towers, 'Tie this supports our vent'rous wing, We know that Christ is ours. Though Providence, with dark'ning sky. On things terrestrial lowers, We rise superior to the gloom When singing, Christ is ours. Time, which this world, with all its J03S, With eager haste devours, May take inferior things away, But Jesus still is ours. Haste then, dull time, and terminate Thy slow revolving hours ; We wish, we pray, we long, we pant, In heaven to call Him oubs !" Plain Dealing with a Backsliding Heart.'''' **' Stupid soul, to folly cleaving. Why has God no more thy heart ; Why art thou thy mercies leaving ; Why must thou with Jesus part ? Is there in this world existing Aught with Jesus to compare ; Yea, can heaven itself produce one Half so lovely, half so fair ? Ah ! look back upon the season, When thy soul the Saviour chose For thy portion, and thy spirit Rid with his salvation close: MR. SAMUEL PKARCE. 391 Ah ! remember thine espousals ; Didst thou not with Christ agree. Leaving all thy former lovers, His, and his alone to be ? In his love thy powers exultingf, What did all below appear ; Was there aught seemed worth possession, Worthy of a hope or fear ? When thy heart, by grace instructed, Learn'd the world to disesteem. And to Christ for all resorted, Was there not enough in him ? Yes ; thon know'st thy joyful spirit Knew no unfulfiU'd desire ; Longing still, and still receiving Fuel for the heavenly fire. Why then, tell me, now so lifeless, Why this heavenly fountain leave : Why to broken cisterns seeking. Cisterns that no water give ? Doth not disappointment follow Every step that leads from God ; Have not piercing thorns and briers Shown their points through all the road ? ^ Recollect, 'tis thus, the Saviour Says he will thy soul reclaim, With weeping and with supplication, Humbly offer'd through his name." 392 - MEMOIRS OF THE LATE " Invocation to returning Peace.'''' " Sweet Peace, return ! thy wonted bliss restore, Bid war's insatiate scourge prevail no more ; Sheath the dread sword that deals destruction round. And every ear salute with tranquil sound ! Oh ! bid oppression from each land retire. And Britain's sons with halcyon bliss inspire ; Remove the misery of domestic woes, And hush the tumult of contending foes ! Let each, with patriot zeal, all strife disown ; Be one their wishes, and their motives one ! The widow's tears, her sad corroding care, The orphan's sighs, assist this ardent prayer : May he on whom propitious fortune smiles, Relieve that breast which adverse fate beguiles ! May virtue's impulse every purpose move, To acts of goodness, universal love ! JVIR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 393 CHAPTER V. GENERAL OUTLINE OF HIS CHARACTER. To develop the character of any person, it is necessary to de- termine what was his governing principle. If this can be clearly ascertained, we shall easily account for the tenor of his conduct. The governing principle in Mr. Pearce, beyond all doubt, was Holy Love. To mention this, is sufficient to prove it to all who knew him. His friends have often compared him to that disciple whom Jesus loved. His religion was that of the heart. Almost every thin**^ he saw, or heard, or read, or studied, was converted to the feeding of this divine flame. Every subject that passed through his hands, seemed to have been cast into this mould. Things that to a merely speculative mind would have furnished matter only for curiosity, to him afforded materials for devotion. His sermons were generally the effusions of his heart, and invariably aimed at the hearts of his hearers. For the justness of the above remarks, I might appeal not only to the letters which he addressed to his fri.'nds, but to those which his friends addressed to him. It is worthy of notice how much we are influenced in our correspondence by the turn of mind of the person we address. If we write to a humorous character, we shall generally find that what we write, perhaps without being conscious of it, will be interspersed with pleasantries : or if to one of a very serious cast, our letters will be more serious than usual. On this principle, it has been thought, we may form some iudcr- ment of our own spirit by the spirit in which our friends address 394 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE US. These remarks will apply with singular propriety to the cor- respondence of Mr. Pearce. In looking over tlie first volume of Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Mission, the reader will easily perceive the most affectionate letters from the missionaries are those which are addressed to him. It is not enough to say of this affectionate spirit that it formed a prominent feature in his character: it was rather the life-blood that animated the whole system. He seemed, as one of his friends observed, to be baptized in it. It was holy love that gave the tone to his general deportment : as a son, a subject, a neighbour, a Christian, a minister, a pastor, a friend, a husband, and a father, he was manifestly governed by this principle ; and this it was that produced in him that lovely uniformity of character, which consti- tutes the true beauty of holiness. By the grace of God he was what he was ; and to the honour of grace, and not for the glory of a sinful worm, be it recorded. Like all other men, he was the subject of a depraved nature. He felt it, and lamented it, and longed to depart, that he might be freed from it : but certainly we have seldom seen a character, taking him altogether, " whose excellencies were so many, and so uniform, and whose imperfections were so iew,^'' We have seen raen rise high in contemplation, who have abounded but little in action — We have seen zeal mingled with bitterness, and candour degenerate into indifference ; experimental religion mixed with a large portion of enthusiasm, and what is called rational religion void of every thing that interests the heart of man — We have seen splen- did talents tarnished with insufferable pride, seriousness with mel- ancholy, cheerfulness with levity, and great attainments in religion with uncharitable censoriousness towards men of low degree : but we have not seen these things in our brother Pearce. There have been ^ew men in whom has been united a greater portion of the contemplative and the active ; holy zeal, and gen- uine candour ; spirituality, and rationality ; talents that attracted almost universal applause, and the most unaffected modesty ; faithfulness in bearing testimony against evil, with the tenderest compassion to the soul of the evil doer ; fortitude that would en- counter any difficulty in the way of duty, without any thing MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 395 boisterous, noisy, or overbearing ; deep seriousness, with habitual cheerfulness ; and a constant aim to promote the highest degrees of piety in himself and others, with a readiness to hope the best of the lowest ; not breaking the bruised reed, nor quenching the smoking flax. He loved the divine character as revealed in the Scriptures. — To adore God, to contemplate his glorious perfections, to enjoy his favour, and to submit to his disposal, were his highest delight. '^ I felt," says he, when contemplating the hardships of a mis- sionary life, " that were the universe destroyed, and I the only being in it besides God, he is fully adequate to my complete happiness 5 and had I been in an African wood, surrounded with venomous serpents, devouring beasts, and savage men ; in such a frame, I should be the subject of perfect peace, and exalted joy. Yes, O my God ! thou hast taught me that thou alone art worthy of my confidence ; and with this sentiment fixed in my heart, I am freed from all solicitude about my temporal concerns. If thy presence be enjoyed, poverty shall be riches, darkness light, affliction prosperity, reproach my honour, and fatigue my rest! " He loved the gospel. — The truths which he believed and taught dwelt richly in him, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. The reader will recollect how he went over the great principles of Christianity, examining the grounds on which he rested, in the first of those days which he devoted to solemn fasting and praver in reference to his becoming a missionary ;* and with what ardent affection he set his seal anew to every part of divine truth as he went along. If salvation had been of works, few men, according to our way of estimating characters, had a fairer claim : but, as he himself has related, he could not meet the king of terrors in this armour.j So far was he from placing any dependence on his own works that the more he did for God, the less he thought of it in such a way. " All the satisfaction I wish for here," says he, " is to be doing my heavenly Father's will. I hope I have found it my meat and drink to do his work ; and can set to my seal, that the purest pleasures of human life spring from the humble obedience * See Chap. II. p. 310. t Chap. I. p. 285. 396 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE of faith. It is a good saying, 'We cannot do too much for God, nor trust in what we do too little ' I find a growing conviction of the necessity of ;» free salvation. The more 1 do for God, the less I think of it; and am progressively ashamed that I do no more.'' Christ crucified was his darling theme, from first to last. This was the subject on which he dwelt at the outset of his ministry among the Coldford colliers, when, " He could scarcely speak for weeping, nor they hear for interrupting sighs and sobs; " this was the burden of the song when addressing the more polished and crowded audiences at Birmingham, London, and Dublin ; this was the grand motive exhibited in sermons for the promotion of public charities ; and this was the rock on which he rested all his hopes, in the prospect of death. It is true, as we have seen, he was shaken for a time by the writings of a Whitby, and a Priestley : but this transient hesitation, by the overruling grace of God tended only to establish him more firmly in the end. "Blessed be his dear name," says he under his last affliction, " who shed his blood for me. He helps me to rejoice at times, with joy unspeakable. Now I see the value of the religion of the cross. It is a religion for a dying sinner. It is all the most guilty, and the most wretched can desire. Yes, I taste its sweetness, and enjoy its fullness, with all the gloom of a dying bed before me ; and far rather would I be the poor emaciated and emaciating creature that I am, than be an emperor with every earthly good about him, but without a God." Notwithstanding this, however, there were those in Birmingham, and other places, who would not allow that he preached the gospel. And if by the gospel were meant the doctrine taught by Mr. Huntington, Mr. Bradford, and others who follow hard after them it must be granted he did not. If the fall and depravity of man operate to destroy his accountableness to his Creator ; if his inability to obey the law, or comply with the gospel, be of such a nature as to excuse him in the neglect of either ; or if not, yet if Christ's coming under the law frees believers from all obligation to obey its precepts; if gospel invitations are addressed only to the regenerate ; if the illuminating influences of the Holy Spirit consist in revealing to us the eecrel purposes of God concerning MR. SAiVlUEL PEAKCE. 397 US, or impressing lis with the icJea that we are the tavourites of Henven ; if helieving such impressions be Christian faith, and doubting of tlieir validity unbelief ; if there be no such thing as progressive sanctification, nor any sanctilication inherent, except that of the illumination before described ; if wicked men are not obliged to do any thing beyond what they can find in their hearts to do, nor good men to be holy beyond what they actually are ; and if these things constitute the gospel, Mr. Pearce certainly did not preach it. But if man, whatever be his depravity, be neces- sarily a free agent, and accountable for all his dispositions and actions ,• if gospel invitations be addressed to men not as elect, nor as non-elect ; but as sinners exposed to the righteous dis- pleasure of God ; if Christ's obedience and death rather increase than diminish our obligations to love God and one another ; if faith in Christ be a falling in with God's way of salvation, and unbelief a falling out with it ; if sanctitication be a pregresstve work, and so essential a branch of our salvation, as that without it no man shall see the Lord ; if the Holy Spirit instruct us in nothing by his illuminating influences but what was already re- vealed in the scriptures, and which we should have perceived but for that we loved darknesa rather than light; and if he inclines us to nothing but what was antecedently right, or to such a spirit as every intelligent creature ought at all times to have possessed — then Mr. Pearce did preach the gospel ; and that which his accusers call by this name is another gospel, and not the gospel of Christ. Moreover, If the doctrine taught by Mr. Pearce be not the gospel of Christ, and that which is taught by the above writers, and their adherents be, it may be expected that the effects pro (luced will, in some degree, correspond with this representation. And is it evident to all men who are acquainted with both, and who judge imparl!. illy, that the doctrine taught by JVIr. Pearce is productive of hatred, variance, rwHlaiions, wrath, strife, railing!^, evil surmisings, and perverse disptifings ; that it renders those who embrace it lovers of their ou)n selves, covetous, boasters, proud, false accusers, ferae, despiners of f!i>,se that are goid } while that of his adversaries promotes Jove, joy, peace, long-siifering, grntle- V'oi-.VT. 51 398 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE nets, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance? .... whv EVEN OF YOURSELVES, JUDGE TK NOT WHAT IS RlfiHT ? . . . • YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS. Mr. Pearce's ideas of preaching human obligation, may be seen in the following extract from a letter, addressed to a young minis- ter who was sent out of the church of which he was pastor. " You reqaest my thoughts how a minister should preach human obliga- tion. I would reply, do it extensively, do it constantly ; but withal, do it affectionately and evangelically. I think, considering the general character of our hearers, and the state of their mental improvement, it would be time lost to argue much from the data of natural religion. The best way is, perhaps, to express duties in scripture language, and enforce them by evangelical motives ; as, the example of Christ — the ends of his suffering artd death — the consciousness of his approbation — the assistance he has promised — the influence of a holy conversation on God's people, and on the people of the world — the small returns we at best can make for the love of Jesus — and the hope of eternal holiness. These fcrm a body of arguments, whichthe most simple may understand, and the most dull may feel. Yet I would not neglect on some occasions to show the obligations of man to love his Creator — the reasonableness of the divine law — and the natural tendency cf its commands to promote our own comfort, the good of society, and the glory of God. These will serve to illuminate, but after all, it is the gospel of the grace of God that will mos't effectually animate, and impel to action." Mr. Pearce's affection to the doctrine of the cross was not merely, nor principally, on account of its being a system which secured his own safety. Had this been the case, he might, like others, whose religion originates and terminates in self love, have been delighted with the idea of the grace of the Son, but it would have been at the expense of all complacency in the righteous gov- ernment of the Father. He might have admired something which he accounted the gospel, as saving him from misery ; but he could have discerned no loveliness in the divine law, as being holy, just, and good, nor in the mediation of Christ, as doing honour to it. That which, in his view, constituted the glory of the gospel, was MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 399 that God is therein revealed as the just God and the Saviour — jusf, and thejustijier of him that believeth in Jesus. He was a lover of good men. — He was never more in his element than when joining with them in spiritual conversation, prayer, and praise. His heart was tenderly attached to the people of his charge ; and it was one of the bitterest ingredients in his cup during his long affliction, to be cut off from their society. When in the neighbourhood of Plymouth, he thus writes to Mr. King, one o? the deacons — " Give my love to all the dear people. O pray that He who afflicts would give me patience to endure. In- deed, the state of suspense in which I have been kept so long, requires much of it ; and 1 often exclaim, ere I am aware, O my dear people ! O my dear family, when shall 1 return to you again !" He conscientiously dissented from the Church of Eng- land, and fiom every other national establishment of religion, as inconsistent with vvhat he judged the scriptural account of the nature of Christ's kingdom : nor was he less conscientious in his rejection of infant baptism, considering it as having no foundation in the holy scriptures, and as tending to confound the church and the world ; yet he embraced with brotherly affection, great numbers of godly men, both in and out of the establishment. His spirit was truly catholic : he loved all who loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. " Let us pray," said he in a letter to a friend, '' for the peace of Jerusalem r they shall prosper who love — not this part, or the other, but who love — her — that is, the whole body of Christ." He bore good zvill to all mankind. — It was from this principle that he so ardently desired to go and preach the gospel to the heathen. And even under his long affliction, when at times he entertained hopes of recovery, he would say, " My soul pants for usefulness more extensive than ever : I long to become an apostle to the world !" The errors and sins of men wrought much in him in a way of pity. He knew that they were culpable in the sight of God : but he knew also that he himself was a sinner, and felt that they were entitled to his compassion. His zeal for the divin- ity and atonement of his Saviour, never appeared to have operated in a way of unchristian bitterness against those who rejected these 400 MEMOIRS OF TriE LATE important doctri '«s ; and thongh he was shamefully traduced by professors of another descriptio'i as a mere leg;d preacher, and his Biinistry hehl up as affording no food ("or the souls of believers, and could not but feel the injury of such misrepresentations ; yet he does not appear to have cherished unchristian resentment, but would at any lime have laid himSelfoutfor the good of his worst en- emies. It was his constant endeavour to promote as good an under- standing between the different congregations in the town as the nature of their different religious sentiments would admit. The cruel bitterness of many people against Dr. Priestley and his friends, at and after the Birmingham riots, was affecting to his mind. Such methods of opposing error he abhorred. His regard to mankind made him lament the consequences of war : but while he wished and prayed for peace to the nations, and especially to his native country, he had no idea of turbulently contending for it. Though friendly to civil and religious liberty, he stood aloof from the fire of political contention. In an excellent Circular Letter to the churches of the Midland Association in 1794, of which he was the writer, he thus expresses himself — "Have as little as possible to do with the world. Meddle not with political controversies. An inordinate pursuit of these, we are sorry to observe, has been as a canker-worm at the root of vital piety ; and caused the love of many, formerly zealous professors to wax cold. The Lord reign- eth ; it is our place to rejoice in his government, and quietly wait for the salvation of God. The establishment of his kingdom will be the ultimate end of all those national commotions which terrif}' the earth. The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remain- der of wrath he will restrain." If he could write in this manner in 1794, his seeing a hopeful undertaking, in which he had taken a more than common interest, blasted by this species of folly in 1796, would not lessen his aversion to it.* From this time morn than ever, he turned his whole attention to the promoting of the kingdom of Christ, cherishing and recommending a spirit of con- tentment and gratitude for the civil and religious advantages that we enjoyed. Such wore the sentiments inculcated in the last ser- * See Periodical Accounts of (hr Baptist Mission, Vo!. I. p. 257. MR. SAMUEf. PEARCF.. 401 nion that he printed, and the last btit one that he preached.* His dear young friends who are gone to India will never forget how earnestly he charged them by letter, when confined at Plymouth, to conduct themselves in all civil matters as peaceable and obedient subjects to the government under which they lived, in whatever country it might be their lot to reside. It was love that tempered his fait hftdness with so Idrge a portion of tender concern for the good of those whose conduct he was obliged to censure. — He could not bear them that were evil, but would set himself against them with the greatest firmness : yet it were easy to discover the pain of mind with which this necessary part of duty was discharged. It is well remembered bow he conducted himself towards certain preachers in the neighbourhood, who» wandering from place to place, corrupted and embroiled the churches; whose conduct he knew to be as dishonourable as their principles were loose and unscriptural : and when requested to recite particulars in his own defence, his fear and tenderness for character, his modest reluctance to accuse persons older than him- self, and his deep concern that men engaged in the Christian minis- try should render such accusations necessary, were each conspicu- ous, and proved to all present, that the work of an accuser was to him a strange work. It was love that expanded his heart, and prompted him to labour in season and out of season for the salvation of sinners. — This was the spring of that constant stream of activity by which his life was distinguished. His conscience would not suffer him to decline what appeared to be right. " 1 dare not refuse," he would say, " lest I should shrink from duty. Unjustifiable ease is worse than the most difficult labours to which duty calls." To persons who never entered into his vieivs and feelings, some parts of his con- duct, especially those which relate to his desire of quitting his country that he might preach the gospel to the heathen, will appear extravagant : but no man could with greater propriety have adopted the language of the apostle. Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God ; or whether we be sober, it is for your cause ; for the love of Christ constraineth us. I * See page 367. Note, 402 MEMOIRS OF THE LATE He was frequently told that his exercises were too great for iiis strength : but such was the ardour of his heart, " He could not die in a better work." When he went up into the pulpit to deliver his last sermon, he thought he should not have been able to get through ; but when he got a little warm, he felt relieved, and for- got his indisposition, preaching with equal fervour and freedom as when in perfect health. When he was laid aside, he could not forbear hoping that he should some time resume his delightful work ; and knowing the strength of his feelings to be such that it would be unsafe to trust himself, he proposed for a time to write his discourses, that his mind might not be at liberty to overdo his debilitated frame. All his counsels, cautions, and reproofs^ appear to have been the effect of love. — It was a rule dictated by his heart, no less than by his judgment, to discourage all evil-speaking : nor would he ap- prove of just censure unless some good and necessary end were to be answered by it. Two of his distant friends being at his house together, one of them, during the absence of the other, suggested something to his disadrantage. He put a stop to the conversation by answering, " He is here, take him aside, and tell him of it by himself: you may do him good. ' If he perceived any of his acquaintance bewildered in fruitless speculations, he would in an affectionate manner endeavour to draw off their attention from these mazes of confusion to the sim- ple doctrine of the cross. A specimen of this kind treatment will be seen in the letter, No. I. towards the close of this chapter. He was affectionate to all, but especially towards the rising generation. The youth of his own congregation, of London, and of Dublin, have not forgot his melting discourses which were particularly addressed to them. He took much delight in speaking to the children, and would adapt himself to their capaci- ties, and expostulate with them on the things which belonged to their everlasting peace. While at Plymouth he wrote to one of his friends, " O how should I rejoice were there a speedy pros- pect of my returning to my great and little congregations !" Nor was it by preaching only that he sought their eternal welfare ; MR. SAMUEL PEARCE. 4Qi several oi" his letters are addressed to young persons. See No. II. and No, III. towards the close of this chapter. With what joy did he congratulate one of his most intimate friends, on hearing that three of the younger branches of his family had apparently been brought to take the Redeemer's yoke upon them. " Thanks, thanks, thanks be to God," said he, " for the enrapturing prospects before you as a father, as a Christian ^father especially. What, three, of a family ! and these three at once ! O the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths, of this unfathoma- ble grace ! My soul feelsjoy unspeakable at the blessed news. Three immortal souls secured for eternal life I Three rational spirits preparing to grace Immanuel's triumphs, and sing his praise ! Three examples of virtue and goodness ; exhibiting the genuine influences of the true religion of Jesus before the world —Perhaps three mothers training up to lead three future fi^milies in the way to heaven. Oh what a train of blessings do I see in this event ! Most sincerely do I participate with my dear friend, in his pleas- \irfcs and his gratitude." Towards the close of life, writing to the same friend, he thus concludes his letter — "Present our love to dear Mrs. S and the family, especially those whose hearts are engaged to seek the Lord and his goodness. O tell them they will find him good all their lives, supremely good on dying beds, but best of all in glory." In his visits to the sick he was singularly useful. His sympathetic conversation, affectionate prayers, and endearing manner of re- commending to them a compassionate Saviour, frequently operated as a cordial to their troubled hearts. A young man of his congrega- tion was dangerously ill. His father living at a distance, was anx- ious to hear from him ; and Mr. Pearce, in a letter to the minister on whose preaching the father attended, wrote as follows — " I feel for the anxiety of Mr. V , and am happy in being at this time a Barnabas to him. I was not seriously alarmed for his son till last Tuesday, when I expected from every symptom, and the language of his apothecary, that he was nigh unto death. But to our aston- shment and joy, a surprising change has since taken place. I saw him yesterday apparently in a fair way for recovery. His mind, for the first part of his illness, was sometimes joyful, and almost 404 ME-MOilia OK Tilfc: LAI'E constantly calm ; but when at the worst, suspicions crowded his mind ; he feared he had been a hypocrite. I talked, and prayed, and wept with him. One scene was very affecting; both he and his wife appeared like persons newly awakened. They never felt 80 strongly the importance of religion before. He conversed about the tenderness of Jesus to broken-hearted sinners ; and whilst .we spoke, it seemed as though he came and began to heal the v.'ound. It did me good, and I trust was not unavailing to them. They have since been for the most part happy ; and a very pleas- ant interview I had with them on the past day." Every man must have his seasons of relaxation. In his earlier years he would take strong bodily exercise. Of late, he occasion- ally employed himself with the microscoj)e, and in making a few philosophical experiments. " We will amuse ourselves with phi- losophy," said he to a philosophical friend, " but Jesus shall be our teacher." In all these exercises he seems never to have lost sio-ht of God ; but would be discovering something in his works that should furnish matter for praise and admiration. His mind did not appear to have been unfitted, but rather assisted, by such pursuits for the discharge of the more spiritual exercises, into which he would fall at a proper season, as into his native element. If in conipany with friends, and the conversation turned apon the works of nature, or art, or any other subject of science, he would cheerfully take a part in it, and when occasion required, by some easy and pleasant transition, direct it into another channel. An ingenious friend once showed him a model of a machine which he thought of constructing, and by which he hoped to be able to produce a (perpetual motion. Mr. Pearce, having patiently inspected it, discovered where the operation would stop, and pointed it out. His friend was convinced, and felt, as may be supposed, rather unpleasant at his disappointment. He consoled him ; and a prayer- meeting being at hand, said to this eQect, " We may learn from hence our own insufficiency, and the glory of that Being, who is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working : let us go and worship Him." His mild and gentle disposition, not apt to give or take offence, often won upon persons in matters wherein at first they have shown MR. SAMUEL Pfc:ARCE. 405 themselves averse. When collecting for the Baptist mission, a gentleman who had no knowledge of him, or of the conductors of that undertaking, made some objections, on the ground that the Baptists had little or nothing to say to the unconverted. This ob- jection Mr. Pearce attempted to remove, by alleging that the parties concerned in this buaiaaiss were entirely of another mind. " I am glad to hear it," said the gentleman, " but I have my fears." " Then pray, sir," said Mr. Pearce, " do not give till you are sat- isfied." " Why, 1 assure you," replied the other, " I think the Methodists more likely to succeed than you ; and should feel more pleasure in giving them ten guineas than you one." " Ifyou give them twenty guineas, sir," said Mr. Pearce, " we shall rejoice in their success ; and if you give us one, 1 hope it will not be misapplied." The gentleman smiled, and gave him four. His figure, to a superficial oljserver, would at first sight con- vey nothing very interesting ; but on close inspection, his counte- nance would be acknowledged to be a faithful index to his soul. Calm, placid, and, when in the pulpit especially, full of animation, his appearance was not a little expressive of the interest he felt ia the eternal welfare of his audience ; his eyes beaming benignity, and speaking in the most impressive language his willingness to impart, not only the gospel of God, but his own soul also. His imagination was vivit work of God into the dust. When he takes to himself his great power, none can stay his hand. Fixed in his purpose, and irresistible in the execution of the same, ■he stalks, untouched by the pangs of agonizing nature; the dis- tress of helpless infancy ; the poignant grief of paternal affection ; or the bitterest sorrows of connubial love. Relentlessly he breaks in upon domestic happiness ; frustrates the most benevolent designs ; and casts a dark shade upon the brightest prospects. In6ne, cruelty marks his footsteps ; and desolntion and anguish are his common attendants. If we look beyond the scene which presents itself to our view in this life ; and, by the aid of revelation, endeavour to substantiate the serious realities of death, beyond " that bourne from whence no traveller returns ;" if we look into the eternal world, and there behold whai follows denih, surely we cannot remain unmoved. Man is immortal ; it is the flesh only that dies : The spirit is incorruptible. Hence death is the most eventful period. The THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 429 body returns to dust ; but the spirit ascends to God ; and enters then upon its eternal state. But the state of all men is not alike beyond the grave — The wicked is driven away in his zmckedness . The guilty sinner then knows, that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Guilt subjects him to the divine displeasure ; and moral depravity unfits him for that place, into which nothing that defileth can possibly enter. Fearful moment ! all his hopes are now like a spider's web ; his imaginary refuges fail; and the wrath of God " beats upon his naked soul, in one eternal storm." The rich man, in Luke xvi. can tell us all about it. He died and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment. And thus it will happen to all, who know not God. He that made them will have no mercy on them ; whatever their respective situation may have been in this life. Death, that mighty leveller, will reduce them all to a sad equality. He that fared sumptuously every daj', had not a drop of water to cool his burning tongue, when once he had passed the tremendous gulf. How different the state of a good man ! The righteous hath hope in his death. The day of his death is intinitely better than the day of his birth : It is his coronation day ; the final close of all his troubles. He shall sorrow no more. Whatever he under- went in passing through this vale of tears ; however numerous and severe his trials, they are all over. The Lamb in the midst of the throne shall feed him. He shall eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. He enters upon his rest, and shall go no more out for ever. He is happy, as God is happy ; and saved vvith an everlasting salvation. Thus death is always a solemn and affecting event : but some- times circumstances render it peculiarly so : and this is now the case. We have conveyed no common mortal to the grave. Here lies the cold, the exanimated clay of a good man ; of an emi- nently good man ; afiiithful, highly-favoured minister of the glori- ous gospel of the blessed God. When a good man dies, it is a common loss ; thus the Psalmist viewed it. Help, Lord, for the oodly man ceascth ! The d«atli of such a man is a national loss, for '' the strength of empire is religion." Righteottsness exaltetb u nation. Good men are the salt of the earth. It is particularly Vol. VI. ftr, 430 ORATION AT THE GRAVE OF a loss (o tlie cause ol' Clod oo earth : there is one labourer less ifi the vineyard; one watchman less upon the walls of Jerusalem. The death of that good man, whom we are now bewailing, is a great loss to the churciies of Christ. His ardent love for the •i'liole truth ; his flaming zeal ; his chaste conversation will be long remembered by many. But you, my brethren, who compose the church and congre- gation in this place, you have had a great breach made upon you ; a breach that cannot easily be repaired. You have lost a valuable minister ; a man who laboured hard for your eternal good; a man whose grand aim was to make you happy for ever. You know how frequently he has warned you to flee from the wrath to come ; how plainly he has pointed you to the Lamb of God, as the only sacrifice for your sins. Yes, ye are witnesses how he has prayed for you, and wept over you. You have often heard him raise, within these walls, his charming voice, in publishing glad tidings to Zion. This night twelve tnonths, the place that I am now occupying, was occupied by him. This very night twelve months, you heard the gospel in this very place, from his mouth : But it is all over ; you shall hear his voice, you shall see his face, no more. There lies all that could die of a good man; a faithful minister ; a tender father ; and an afiectionate husband. His lips are closed in silence; and a long night hangs upon his eyes. Dust is returning to dust ; and corruption already com- mences its riot. Painful as the stroke has been to you, there are those, on whom it has fallen with greater severity. You may be provided with another minister; but who can make up the loss to his bereaved family ? Who can restore him to the deeply afflicted partner of his. life ? who like him, can soothe her sorrows, and cheer heron the rugged path of time ? \Vho can restore the fond father to five dear helpless babes ? Cruel death ! Inexorable monster ! What has thou done ? — But the Lord reigneth, and we will be still. The present dispensation is not only solemn and afl"ecting, but it is likewise alarming. It has a loud voice : not to attend to it, would be highly criminal. It speaks to us all. Death always speaks loudly ; but some deaths louder than others. The present THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE. 431 speaks loud enough to be heard by this church and congrega- TION. Methinks, with strong emphasis, it now saith, Unto you, O MEN OF THIS PLACE, I CALL. You have had a great loss ; but is there not a cause ? God forbid that I should charge the death of your minister upon you ! Yet I know it is possible for a people to murder their minister; and that by the most cruel means. There needs neither the poison nor the dagger ; it may be done effectually without either. I hope it is quite inapplicable ; but it may not be altogether useless, to ask, Are there none of you, who have pierced him through with many sorrows ? Has his heart never been wrung by your unkindness ? Has your misbehaviour, in your Christian profession, never caused him to say, Oh that J had in 'he ivildemess a lodging-place of lonyfaring men, that I might leave my people and go from them? Jer. ix. 2. Though I thus speak, I am sure it has no general application. Few men were better beloved by their people than he was. Your many prayers for his recovery ; yeur tender solicitude for his welfare; your present eviden* distress, all speak for you : your tears do yon honour. But let me speak it again ; should there be a cruel in- dividual amongst you, to whom the charge applies, I would not for a world, be that man : He must answer for it another day. God will avenge his own elect. Where this has not been the case; where nothing but kindness marked your behaviour towards your departed friend ; has he had no occcasion to weep in secret on your account, because though you esteemed the man, you neglected his message ? Ah brethren ! it is to be feared, unless your state as a church and congregation be sin- gular, that the word preached did not profit all of you. Some of you may yet be in your sins. God has borne long with you ; but he may have been weary of forbearing ; he may have been angry at your infidelity ; and in judgment taken away his servant. I do not say this is the case ; but if it be only a possible case, it should cause searchings of heart amongst you. It is a providence that speaks to us all, as mortal mkn. In a little time, according to the common course of nature, the place that now knows us, shall know us no more. Time, with rapid win"-, bears us away to that place, where no device nor work is 432 ORATION AT THE GRAVE OF found ; lo that state, where there is no distinction, but that of just and unjust. But who can reckon upon the common extent of human life? Behoki, before our eye?, a young man, who had not lived out half his days, called to eternity, in the thirty-fourth year of his life. Should not this awaken our concern, and excite us to make that important inquiry. Who shall be the next ? He who bids the fairest for length of years, may be the first to fall. Let us then so number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. We will now " turn to the bright reverse of this mortifying scene." We have hitherto looked at the dark side of the cloud, let us now contemplate its luminous one. Death, we admit, is a penalty — hy sin came death. Death'is an enemy — the last enemy ; hut, blessed be God, he is a conquered enemy. The Captain of our salvation has destroyed him who had the power of death. Influenced by the faith of God's elect, believers in all ages have triumphed over death ; they have sung with their expiring breath, and exulted amidst the swellings of Jordan. Death is amongst the privileges of the children of God. Death is yours. He meets them as a friend, as an envoy commissioned by their heavenly Father, to bring them to his throne. Our eyes have frequently beheld the victory of fiiith, in the dark valley. Assaulted on either hand by pale disease, and its long train of at- tendants, we have seen good men rising superior to all the evils of their situation; feeling a "majesty in death;" and entering the eternal world, shouting, Thanks be to God who hath given us the victory. This is not all. The total destruction of death is laid in the irreversible counsel of the Most High. The last enemy shall be destroyed. Death himself must die. The tabernacle of God shall be with men ; he will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death. The sea shall give up its dead, and those that are in their graves shall come forth. Then the Lord Jesus will make his triumph complete, and cast death and hell into the lake of fire and brimstone. The re-animated dust of the redeemed shall then be perfectly released from the bondage of THE REV. SAMUEL TEAllCE. 43^ corruption, and made like unto the glorious body of their great Head : the whole number of the elect shall then be presented before the presence of the divine glory, with exceeding great joy- One grand indispensable inquiry yet remains — By what means may we attain to the resurrection of the just ? In search of this im- portant subject, we are not left to wander in the maze of uncer- tainty and doubt ; the way into the holiest is made manifest. There are three things absolutely requisite for a man to be ac- quainted with, before we can enter into life. First, The pardon of our sins. The scripture proposes this unspeakable gift by the blood of Jesus. We have redemption through his hlood,even the forgiveness of our sins . Ephes. i. 7. Secondly, the justification of our persons. Provision for which is made by the obedience of the Son of God. He is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth,. Rom. x. 4. Thirdly, The sanctification of our nature. Jesus is of God made unto us sanctif cation. 1. Cor. i. 30. By the influence of his Spirit upon our hearts, "we are made partakers of the divine nature ; sanctified in body, soul, and spirit ; and changed thus into the divine image, as by the Spirit of our God." 2 Cor, iii. 8. This is the only method of salvation countenanced in scripture [ and it seems a method, '* just to God, and safe to man." To conclude. Though we sorrow to-day, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope. God, who has taken away our dear brother, will take care of his. He will be a husband to the for- lorn widow, and a father to the dear tender babes. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children. God will provide; he will surely do them good ; he has the hearts of all men in his hands ; he will raise up friends for them ; and eventually make it appear, that even this dark dispensation is amongst the all things that work together for good. He that has the government upon his shoulders, will take care of you, my brethren, as a church. A pastor is provided for you ; and he who knows him will bring him amongst you in his own way and time. Trust in the Lord ; he will never forsake Zion ; her 434 ORATION, &c. walls are ever before him. Take his word for your rule ; live ac- cording to the same ; seek him by prayer and supplication ; and you shall yet praise him. We now bid farewell, along farewell, to the sleeping dust of our departed brother : but, blessed be God, though it be a long fare well, it will not be an everlasting one. We shall meet again. What we are to-day sowing in dishonour, shall be raised in glory. The trumpet shall sound ; our brother will arise ; we shall meet no more to part. When Jesus comes, he will bring all his saints with him. Comfort ye one another with these things. The. promised presence of Christ with his people a source of consolation under the most painful bereavem,ents. A S E R M O N, Occasiooed by the death of THE REV. SAMUEL PEARCE, A.M. BY JOHN RYLAND, D. D. J'OFIN xiv. IS. 1 will not leave you comfortless. I will come uulo 30U. So deeply am I sensible of the loss sutiained by this church in general, not to say by the nearest relative of my dear departed brother, that on a partial view of their circumstances, (and ^our views, especially of afflictive events, are too commonly partial,) I could not be surprised, were some now present ready to exclaim, " Is there any sorrow like unto our sorrow, wherewith the Lord has this day afflicted us ?" But though I scarcely know where a church could sustain an equal loss, by the removal of so young a pastor ; nor can I conceive, there exists a widow, whom death has plundered of a richer store of blessings, by taking from her and from her infant care the guide of their youth ; yet, on more ma- ture consideration, we must not admit that lamentation to be ap- plicable, even to them that feel the most pungent grief in this as- sembly. The event which has occasioned our present meeting, must deeply afifect even strangers, whose hearts know how to feel j but all the dearest friends of the deceased must acknowledge, that 436 TlJi: PRESEiNCE OF CHRIST the clays of tribulation, whicli preceded this mournl'iil evening, were nut the season of displayinj^ the Lord's anger, but of the clear manifestation of his faithfulness and love : they were to him the days of heaven upon earth. Surely they who drank with him the deepest out of his cup ot'afHiction, could find no savour of the curse, no, not at the bottom ; nor could they drink the bitter, without tast- ing also of the sweet, which was not sparingly dropped into it, but copiously infused. And after such proofs and illustrations of divine fidelity, I cannot but believe, that she who needs them most of all, shall find further stores of consolation laid up for her relief: since God her Maker is her husband, who giveth songs in the night. This church also must be reminded, that there was a church at Jerusalem, near^eighteen centuries ago ; which sustained a loss un- speakably greater than that which they now bewail ; while yet the sorrow, which was then endured, was quickly turned into joy. And your afiPectionate pastor, who, both in health and in sickness, cared so much for your welfare, did not hesitate to recommend to your attention, the kind assurance which was given for their relief; as believing it to contain ground of encouragement, on which you also are authorized to depend. He who said to his dear disciples, " I will not leave you comfortless orphans, I will come unto you,'''' has the same respect to his whole church in every age ; and you, my brethren, may as safely rely on his gracious promise, as his very apostles. Yes, beloved, we were authorized to make a general application of this word of consolation ; and must affirm, that the promised presence of the blessed Redeemer is the best source of comfort, to all his people, in every time of trouble. In complying with the request of my dear deceased brother, I shall first consider the subject in reference to those, to whom it was immediately addressed, and then endeavour to apply it to the present occasion. First. Let us notice the immediate reference of this declaration, to our Lord's disciples, who were then favoured with his bodily presence. You are well aware that the words I have read were spoken by the blessed Jesus, to those who followed him in the days of his A SOURCE OF CONSOLATION. 437 liumiliatioii ; and that when he thus aridressed them, sorrow had filled theii heurt«, hernose he had just announced his approach- ing departure. He came Iroin tlu- Father, and was come into the world, and though the world was made by him, yet the world knew him not; but he had made himself known to these his disciples, whom he had chosen out of the world ; and now when he was about to leave them, and go unto the Father, though his stupid and ungrateful countrymen would rather rejoice at his leaving the earth, than bewail it, yet his disciples could not but weep and la- ment, and be sorrowful ; and surely, well they might, at the thought of losing such an invaluable friend I Especially we might expect this to be the case, if we reflect on the manner in which he was to be removed from them. They were to see him falsely accused, unjustly condemned, and cruelly murdered ; being nailed to the cross with wicked hands, suspended between two thieves, and while thus numbered with transgressors, insulted and derided in his last agonies. Yes, he would be treated as the object of national abhorrence and (execration, and that by the only people upon earth, who professed to be the worshippers of the true God. And his disciples must either view this barbarous treatment of their blessed Lord, or hide themselves from the shocking scene, by forsaking him in the hour of distress. In the meanwhile, he was also apparently abandoned by God himself, the zeal of whose house had consumed him ; the Lord was pleased to bruise him, and put him to grief; he was resolved to make Lis soul an offering for sin, and therefore he called on his sword to awake against him, who was their Good Shepherd ; though he was one in covenant, yea, one in nature with himself; who could with- out robbery claim equality with God. What could be more sur- |)rising, distressing, and perplexing to his disciples, than such a series of events ? While Jesus was widi them he had fed them, and kept them as ;i shepherd doth his flock ; he had laid them like lambs in his bosom, and led them on gradually in tiie paths of truth and right- eousness, as they were able to bear it. He had been gentle among them, as a nursing father is gentle towards his little children ; pitying their infirmities, rectifying their mistakes, supplying their Vol. VI. :,G 438 'i'Hl' I'RESENCE OF CHRIST wants, healing their maladies ; manifesting to them his Father's will, and keeping them in his name : and must they now lose his visible presence, and see him no more ? He had been little more than three and thirty years in the world, and most of them had known him but a very small part of that period ; they had, however, now beheld his glory, and were con- vinced that it was the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. They were satisfied that he alone had the words of eternal life ; they believed and knew that' he was the Christ, the Son of the living God ; though at present they under- stood but imperfectly that plan of redemption, which rendered it expedient and necessary, that he should suffer all these things and then enter into glory. This remaining ignorance must abundantly enhance their grief, at the intimations given them of his depart- ure being at hand.* But in these words, their gracious Lord suggests, that they had no occasion to sink under their sorrows. He would nof leaveihem comfortless, like destitute orphans, who had no affectionate parent* no wise tutor, no faithful guardian, to supply their wants, sympa- thize with Ihem, protect them from evil, or instruct them in the way of duty. No, he had promised them his Holy Spirit, to be their Comforter and Monitor ; and here he engages also, to come jrgain to them himself; I will come unto you saith our Lord. This promise was fulfilled to them in several ways — * The conception of the disciples, on the subject of Christ's atoningsacrifice, appears to have been much less distinct than those of David, Isaiah, and many of the Old Testament saints, who lived before the declension of the Jewish church ; which appears to have lost much ol its spiritual light, and to have become more and more carnalized, from the days of Malachi, till the coming of our Lord. And as it seemed necessary that this general declension, and ignorance of the nature of the Messiah's character and kingdom should be suf- fered to take place, in order to the fulfilment of prophecy, in the death of our Saviour, by the hands of his own countrymen ; so there was an expediency, •