And apprehending, that as he is also peculiarly styled the | but variously complicated with many other occasions, in God of the spirits of all flesh, it must belong to him to determine, both what spirits shall sojourn in flesh, and what shall not; as also to limit the time of their abode there; how long they shall continue in that mean dwelling, and when they shall leave it. Conscience of duty, in this very case, is in itself a pleasant reflection, and sensation! Whence it appearing, that it is a matter of duty; this is further to be considered by them,

4. That their very expectation itself will be rewarded; that since they were willing to wait, though they had real, vivid desires to be dissolved, and to be with Christ; and that their willingness to wait was not idle, but conjunct with a willingness also to serve him in this world, they shall have so much the more ample reward in heaven; their very heaven itself will be so much the more grateful; and they shall have so much the more abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom and glory. They may, therefore, encourage themselves from that consolatory exhortation of the apostle, 1 Cor. xv. ult. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as you know your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. And if no part of that work shall be in vain, nothing of it, according to that connexion which the grace of God hath settled between work and reward, shall be without its recompense; nor consequently any part of that time, in this our state of expectation, which we had for the doing of such work, shall pass without its relative consideration thereto; if only we had opportunity to give one cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a disciple.

this our present state, while we dwell in such a world, and in such bodies, that must increase our need of patience. For, taking the whole matter, as may be said, in concreto, and as comprehending all our present circumstances, we may be put to expect the promised good, under much suffering for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, as is signified in this context, ver. 32, 33, 34. Enduring a great fight of afflictions-made gazing stocks, by reproaches on ourselves, and as the companions of others so used-suffering the spoiling of our goods, even our all, as to this world; so as nothing shall remain to us, but the (expected) better, the enduring heavenly substance. And we may thus be obliged to expect, amidst great bodily pains and languishings, the concussions and shakings of our earthly tabernacles, while, as yet, they come not down; the outward man daily perishing, but we know not how long it will be ere it actually perish; besides, the more grievous distempers of the inward man, that not being so sensibly renewed, as with many it is not, day by day, 2 Cor. iv. 16. And thus, if we had not others' burdens, we are burden enough to ourselves. Whereupon, the greater our need of patience is, the more earnestly we should endeavour for it. And we are to use very earnest endeavours in order hereto, both with God, and with ourselves.

With God, by incessant prayer, as the God of all grace; that, as the apostle speaks in another instance, we may abound in this grace also. Another apostle, St. James, (ch. i. 4, 5.) speaks of this Christian excellency under the name of wisdom. 'Tis plain he so intends; for having (ver. 4.) given the exhortation, Let patience have its perfect workTherefore, to shut up all: let us now apply and bend he subjoins, (ver. 5.) If any man lack wisdom, i. e. as is ourselves to this one thing; to get into such a temper of evident, this wisdom, patiently to acquiesce in the Divine soul, as that we may find, and feel, we need patience to pleasure, under whatsoever exercises, or of what continuwait for the blessedness of heaven. If we do not sensibly ance soever; than which no part of wisdom can be more need patience, we are dead, there is no life in us. If we necessary, or any thing more apparently wise. But we live that life that tends towards God, and will end in eter- see what his further direction is upon that supposition, if nal life, that life will have sense belonging to it, and that any man lack this 'wisdom, let him ask it of God, &c. sense will make us feel our need of patience; we shall Agreeably whereto he is pleased to be styled the God of wait, not like-stupid stocks, but like obedient children. patience, (Rom. xv. . 5.) to let us know whether, in this And when we see this to be the genuine temper of a Chris-apprehended and felt necessity, our great resort must be. tian spirit, how uneasy should it be to us, not to be able to And how kind and compassionate is the encouragement say, Blessed be God, it is our temper! Which, if we do given in the following words of that former text, James i. find, our own sense not letting us doubt, that, upon the 5. that he giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; mentioned account, we need patience; our next care must is not apt to reproach frail creatures with the folly of their be, that we have it; which will not exclude our feeling impatient frettings, but freely, upon their request, to give the need of it. For when we find, that through the mercy them that composure of mind which may show them to be of God, in some competent measure, we have it, our sense truly wise; and wherein their wisdom doth eminently of the need of it will not cease, i. e. we shall never account consist. Moreover, we find that elsewhere experience is that we have it as an unnecessary or needless thing. We appealed to for further encouragement, and as a demonshall, indeed, truly judge, with just gratitude, that we do stration of God's faithfulness in this case, 1 Cor. x. 13. not altogether want it; but shall apprehend we need it No temptation hath befallen you but what is common to still, as that we cannot be without. Yea, and the more we man, or incident to our present state, and for the bearing have of it, and are under its dominion and possessive whereof you had divine support. And God is faithful, who power, the more we shall apprehend its value and excel- will not suffer you to be tempted, or tried, above what you lency, and how needful it is to us. But that when we are able, or beyond the ability which he will graciously feel our need, we may not be destitute of it, ought to be afford you; but will, with the trial, make a way to escape, our great and very principal care. Nor are we to content that you be able to bear it; i. e. such a way of escape, ourselves with the mere self-indulgent opinion, that we as will not avoid bearing, but consist with it; and wherein have it laid up (as in a napkin) in the dull and lazy habit; a vouchsafed ability to bear shall consist; so as that you but must take care, that we have it in act and exercise; come off unharmed, and without real hurt or prejudice. which is the express import of that apostolical exhortation, And since patience is this ability to bear, how reasonable James i. 4. Let patience have its perfect work, q. d. take is it, with a filial faith and confidence, to supplicate for it. care, not merely, that you have the principle; as where one good and holy principle belonging to the new creature is, there all are; but that we have it in its present use and operation, or in an actual promptitude, and readiness for use and exercise, as the occasions that call for it shall occur; that then we be not as men of might that (though not supposed to want) cannot find their hands, i. e. have them not ready for present use.

Moreover, we are here also to consider, that though patience is needful as that text imports, upon the account of mere absence, and expectation of the good, i. e. principally the final blessedness contained in the promise; and that this alone is a true ground, upon which patience is necessary, if we look upon the case abstractly, and in thest, or in the theoric, and contemplation: yet when we come to the exercise of patience, we actually find no such case, wherein the expectation of this promised good is alone;

Yet, as we are thus by fervent prayer to strive and wrestle with God; it will argue we are grossly neglectful, or very ignorant of God's usual methods of communicating his gracious assistances, if also we do not, by proper and suitable means, strive, and take pains with ourselves, that we may obtain what we pray for. And nothing can be more suitable to reasonable creatures, that are not to be wrought upon as stocks or stones, but as men and Christians, capable of consideration and thought; and of such thoughts and considerations, as God's own word, which we profess to believe, hath given ground for; of which considerations there are many, wherewith we should urge our own souls to the exercise of such patience as the present case calls for; i. e. while as yet we are to continue expectants, waiting his time, for our receiving the promise. In this way we should therefore commune, and discourse this matter with ourselves: Am not I God's creature, the

have any taste of spiritual and heavenly things, that so pleasant a way is prescribed them of living, through the whole time of their expecting state, i. e. as long as they live in the flesh, viz. to live by faith in the Son of God, Gal. ii. 20. How unspeakable is the joy and pleasure of that way of living! That all the days of our abode in the flesh, we have so great a one as the glorious ever-blessed Son of God to depend upon; by continual, and often repeated vital acts, resigning ourselves to his conduct and government, and deriving from that fulness, which it pleased the Father should dwell in him, all needful supplies of grace, spirit, life, and righteousness; and that we are taught to consider him, not as a stranger, or one unrelated to us, or unconcerned for us; but who hath loved us, and (which is the highest evidence hereof) given himself for us, that great, rich, and glorious self! In whom, therefore, our faith may not only repose, and acquiesce, but triumph and glory! And that we may do thus, not by

rare, unfrequent, and long intermitted intervals; but as long as we breathe in mortal flesh, even to the last breath! Should such a way of living be tedious, and irksome to us? Though we expect long, we are not to expect as forlorn creatures, without Christ, and without hope, and without God in the world! Therefore, in how high transports of spirit should we exult, and bless God, who hath so stated our case; endeavouring to our uttermost and earnestly aspiring to that excellent temper of spirit, (Col. i. 11, 12.)--to be strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience, and long-suffering, with joyfulness, giving thanks.-And how overpowering a consideration should this be with us! What! am I to aim at that high pitch of all patience, and long-suffering with joyfulness; and, instead of repining, to give thanks; and have I not attained so far, as to meet patience? My not being able to endure the enjoined expectation, should make me not endure myself!

country air, and shall thereby be, in a great measure, de-
prived of those blessings; yet I earnestly desire the ir
prayers for me, and my family, that in some sort of such
intercourse, our communion may continue still, if not in
body, yet in spirit.
Your servant,

HENRY SAMPSON."

ALTHOUGH the foregoing discourse is grounded upon | my health in the city, I am to seek relief thereof in the the same text of Scripture that was insisted on soon after the notice was brought me of this worthy person's decease, and upon the occasion thereof; yet this discourse itself cannot admit to be called a funeral sermon. The frequent and inward conversation I had with him, divers years, gave me ground to apprehend, that the temper and complexion of his mind and spirit did very much agree with the sense and import of this text; which, when I heard of his death, first led my thoughts to it; and was my induce- He now found himself constrained by his declining age, ment to say something of it in public, with some particu- and growing distempers, to retire from us (but not withlar reference to him, in whom I had seen an exemplifi- out very great reluctancy) into a village at no great discation of it in an eminent degree. But of what was then tance from the city; but which, for change of air, was said, I could now give no distinct account. For having necessary, and, as he found, relieving to him. From then no thought of its further publication, and my own thence his earnest desire to visit his relations, and native long languishings presently ensuing, what was spoken country, engaged him in a long journey, as far as Nottingupon that occasion, was with me lost. Nor was it after-hamshire. And that journey brought him into the better, wards decent to offer at publishing a sermon, for the even the heavenly country: God so ordering it, that near funeral of one, though very dear to me, that was deceased the place where he drew his first breath, he should draw so long before. Yet God affording me, at length, some his last; and end a very holy useful life, not far from the respiration from the extremity of those painful distempers very spot where he began to live. For reaching the seat that had long afflicted me; apprehending, that a discourse of a reverend brother of his, near to that of his birth, he upon this subject might be of some use to divers others there found, but for a very few days, a temporal, and there besides the present hearers, I did, by intervals, set myself entered upon his eternal rest. So falling a little short of to reconsider it. And only now take this occasion to the (patrías sedes) the place that had been the dwelling of annex some memorial of this excellent person, that first his earthly parents, by a joyful anticipation, he sooner ardrew my thoughts to it. He was long a member, and rived at his heavenly Father's house, and found his place lived in communion with many of us, in the same church, among the many mansions, and everlasting habitations, viz. by the space of thirty years, under the pastoral inspec- where was to be his proper and perpetual home. tion of the Reverend Doctor Jacomb, and of him who, is not now my design to write the history of his life, the with great inequality, succeeded him. This he signified former part, and therefore the longer course and tract himself, in a paper written by his own hand, and delivered whereof, must have been more known to divers of our to me when we were entering upon the administration of society, than it could be to me; though I have had much the Lord's supper, the last time that God ordered him opportunity also, within the space of twenty years past, to that opportunity with us. The paper was thus: understand and know much of it. But that must contain many things which, though useful in their kind, my circumstances allow me not to relate. Nor shall I enlarge in giving his character, though the subject is copious; for my present infirmities will make my limits narrow, whether I will or no.

"Sir,

"It is my request to you, that you will please to acquaint the congregation with the great sense I have of the mercy of God, that hath afforded me communion with them, and their ministry, for thirty years together. But now being, by the providence of God, deprived of

It

But a man of so real value, and usefulness in his station, and of so instructive, and exemplary a conversation,

ought not to be neglected, or be let slide off the stage from among us, without some such observation, as may some way answer a debt owing to his memory; and be a real gain and advantage to ourselves. He began his course, favoured by the Author of nature, with very good natural parts; and very early enriched with communications of the more excellent kind, by the God of all grace. Herewith, having his spirit seasoned, and deeply tinctured betimes, the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, became, near the beginning of his course, the governing principle thereof. His choice was, therefore, of that way and state, wherein he, in the general, conceived he might most glorify God, and do most good to men. And because, he thought, he might serve those ends best, in that high and noble employment, wherein he should be obliged principally, and most directly, to intend the saving of men's souls, thither he more immediately bent and directed his preparatory endeavours.

And, therefore, though in his academical studies, wherein he spent several years, he neglected no part of that rational learning, which was most fitly conducing and serviceable to this his purpose; yet he most earnestly applied himself to the gaining a thorough acquaintance with those languages, wherein the Holy Scriptures were originally written; and spared no cost to procure great variety of the best and most celebrated editions of both the testaments, with other helps, for the attaining of that most necessary knowledge; whereof his library, so richly furnished in that kind, did appear, after his decease, a full evidence; to the bettering of divers other libraries, of such as he had formerly been wont to hear, and among them, as I must with gratitude acknowledge, by his special kindness and bequest, my own. Accordingly this had been his calling, if the way of managing it could as much have been the matter of his choice, guided by his judgment and con:science, as the calling itself had been.

preachers. And, as it hath been sometime thought a greater thing to make a king, than to be one, he hath attained a higher degree, above being, himself, one single preacher, in doing that whereby now, and in future time, he may contribute to the making of many.

These are some instances, and blessed be God, 'tis to be hoped there are others, which show, that Religio Medici is not always opprobrious, or a note of ignominy and reproach; and that a beloved physician, on the best account, was not appropriate to the first age. That calling gives very great opportunity to a man of a serious spirit, of doing good to men's souls; and I know, it hath been improved by some, to discourse, and to pray with their dying patients; and when their art could not immortalize their bodies, they did all that in them lay for the saving their immortal souls. And this, I have reason to think, was a great part of the practice of this worthy man. In the proper business of this calling, he sincerely studied the good of mankind; endeavouring to his utmost, to lengthen out their time in this world, in order to their further preparation for the other. And herein his skill was not unequal to his sincerity; nor his charity to his skill: for being applied to, upon no former acquaintance, when the cases of extreme illness and extreme poverty have met together, he hath most cheerfully embraced the opportunity of doing such good; declaring, he was ready as well to serve the poor, when he was to receive nothing, as the rich, from whom he might expect the largest fees: his visits have been there repeated with equal constancy and diligence. He equally rejoiced in the success of such endeavours, whereof he had no other recompense, than the satisfaction of having relieved the distressed and the miserable. And of such, some do survive him, to whom the remembrance of his name is still grateful and dear. Nor were the great advantages lost, which he had gained, for the instructing a congregation, (had the state of things and his judgment concurred thereto,) for they eminently appeared to such as had the privilege of living under his roof, and of partaking in the instructions which his great acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures enabled him to give them from time to time: which, together with his daily fervent prayers, and holy conversation, made his family as a well ordered and a watered garden, compared with the howling wilderness of too many others.

But things falling out, in this respect, otherwise, before The could solemnly enter upon it; he seasonably diverted from it, to that which he judged the next best; and wherein the persons of men were still to be the objects of his care. Things of higher excellency than lands and riches; as life and the body are, by the verdict of our Saviour, of more worth than their perquisites, food and raiment, unto which, ample estates and revenues are but more remotely subservient. And the vicinity of this to But in all my conversation with him, nothing was more that other most excellent calling, is so near, that it is an observable, or more grateful to me, than his pleasant and easy step from it to the affairs of the other. Which we see patient expectation of the blessed state, which he now exemplified in that excellent person, a dear and most possesses. The mention whereof would make joy sparkle worthy relative of the deceased; unto whose historical in his eye, and clothe his countenance with cheerful looks; account of him, subjoined to this discourse, I refer the accompanied with such tokens of serenity, and a composed reader for fuller information: whose most useful and temper of mind, as showed and signified submission, with elaborate works may not only occasion us to consider the- an unreluctant willingness to wait for that time, which the ology as every one's business, or the calling of a divine as wisdom and goodness of God should judge seasonable for in sone respect transcendental, and running through every his removal out of a world, which he loved not; nor yet man': calling; but that of a physician, as more nearly could disaffect from any sense of its unkindness to him, allied to it than any other; many excellent speculations but only from the prospect he had of a better. Which being common, and, as those works show, of great impor-made me think him a fit example of what is treated of in tance, to both. And in which performance that accurate the foregoing discourse. writer doth not, indeed, preach to the vulgar, but instructs

a Dr. Grew.

THE WORTHY

DOCTOR GREW'S ACCOUNT

OF THIS HIS EXCELLENT BROTHER-IN-LAW.