to the truths which he had preached. In so very gra.dual a declension, interesting particulars can scarcely be expected should any be gathered, they will appear in the Memoirs of his Life, which I have collected under his direction; and which will further tend to prove the force of truth, the blessedness of its service, and the greatness of its present as well as future reward.

My honoured Brethren in the Ministry-Servants, Stewards, Watchmen!' how much have we to learn on this occasion! What need to cry, My Father, my Father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof! Let a double portion of thy spirit rest upon us!" For our hour is also hastening: our account is soon to be given in our Master is coming our character will be proclaimed: our state will be fixed! Think on these momentous things. Think of your Lord's words, Be ye ready also: For the Son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

II. To his PARISHIONERS, also, I would address the feelings of my heart.

I speak more especially to such as have not duly appreciated the ministry of their late worthy Pastor. The worn-out body of him who long entreated you to be mindful of the day of your visitation, now is a mass of inanimate clay under that Communion-Table -his lamp broken-his tongue silent

"Disarm'd, disabled, like a wretch that's gagg'd,
And cannot tell his ills to passers by,"

while he borrows my tongue to address you on the occasion.

And what can I say to you that he has not said a thousand times? I can only say, Lay the day of your visitation to heart, for God has spoken to you again and again by the mouth of his Servant. If he were to return from the dead, he could only repeat the same message; and then sigh and say with one of old, 'Oh

that they were wise! that they understood this! that they could consider their latter end!'

Some of his parishioners have, I hope, felt the truth of his character; and are now convinced that he was that very man who kept his eye on his sacred rule, inquiring what sort of man the Minister of a Parish ought to be. Since his death, perhaps you have been ready to say, 'Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his for the true minister is seldom fully known till he is gone. But let us allow something to imagination--Let us suppose your late Minister to rise like SAMUEL from the dead. Suppose him to learn that some of you, his Parishioners, had begun to recollect yourselves; had resolved to pray, to turn to God, to embrace his Son, and to obey the Gospel;-nay that some of you were supposing that you even do serve God, because you begin to pay a formal attention to the externals of religion, and admit the general truths which he preach

ed.

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I ask, would he not say to such, like SAMUEL on another occasion, "Ye serve God! What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep of mine ears, and this lowing of the oxen that I hear?? What meaneth this frequent breaking of the Sabbath, by business or pleasure? What meaneth this chosen friendship with the enemies of truth?-this idolatry of the world?this strangeness to the active servants of your Lord's house? this slighting of his children?-this neglect of his only begotten Son? Ye serve God! How is it possible to serve God through such days of vanity and nights of carnal amusement? Can this be the service of that God, who loathes a mere lip service? -who cries, 'My son, give me thy heart?-Oh that thou, even thou at least in this thy day,' knewest the things that belong to thy peace!"""

But I should apologize for the bare supposition of such a return from the grave; for 'there the weary

are at rest:' as it is said in the Book of Wisdom, "The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God. -In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace. Then shall the righteous stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours. When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear; and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation; so far beyond all that they looked for; and in anguish of spirit shall say, This was he whom he had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach. We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour; how is, he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints."

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Such a recall, therefore, of your late Minister to future labour on earth, is purely imaginary.-But, away with the phantoms of imagination, while certain realities demand our attention! I am bound to denounce a truth firmer than heaven or earth: I am bound to assert, that your late Minister SHALL return from the dust not as a preacher, but as a witness; not as a warning voice, but as an unquestionable evidence. For the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, when all the proud and all that do wickedly shall be as stubble'-When these massy pillars shall give way!When this temple shall be crushed in dust!--When these tombs shall be opened!-When these dead shall awake! 'Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation.'

Then will your late faithful Minister present his testimony to his Lord and Judge, respecting the impenitent of his charge. He will declare, "Near thirty years I stood on my appointed watch in the parish of St. Mary Woolnoth. I knew no rule, but

thy word ; and declared the message which thou gavest me.

'I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented of his wickedness, saying. What have I done! Every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.' I called unto them from my pulpit: I sent warnings and invitations to their houses : I exhorted them as a friend : I cried as a watchman : I entreated them as a father, Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?-O my God, thou, that searchest the heart and triest the reins, Thou knowest this !”—May his parish also know it before They also follow him to the silent grave!

My dear fellow-citizens and fellow sinners, standing on the brink of an awful precipice! you must know, that to-morrow your cares, your sorrows, and your joys will be recollected but as a dream; and that the grand objects long presented to you from this pulpit will be then your only anxious concern. Remember, ihat the admonition before us respects not Ministers only. The conscience of every man before me is also addressed. The happiness or misery of every man is at stake. May God, of his infinite mercy, fix these considerations with a lasting impression on our hearts, for Jesus Christ's sake! To whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.