seen foes,-as still effecting the work of "redeeming mediation," is beheld in the bright effulgence of uncreated divinity, and is invested, as the Lamb that was slain, with loveliness inexpressibly cap was the instructive exhortation. The accents, now The disregard, or non-improvement, of an event so momentous as the soul's transition to unknown regions, involves deplorable indifference, if not stupidity, comparable only to that of the Egyptian monarch, or the very auditors of Zechariah: concerning the latter of whom, it is affirmed, to their perpetual reproach, that they made their hearts as an adamant stone. It should always be remembered, that death, in the case of every human being, is so inevitably certain, as to render, when the appointed season shall arrive, every plea, whether for exemption or postponement, fruitless. No man hath power in the day of death: there is no discharge in that war. And an apostle, as if to force onward the thoughts with an impetuous ardour, urges the solemn warning,-We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. When man's probationary existence, its termination, and the altered, but endless mode of being which then commences, are thus contemplated, not only is biography suitably improved, but the proclamation, that time shall be no longer—once to be heard from the apocalyptic angel,-will fill the mind, and chase to a distance, with irresistible authority, all terrestrial attractions. Visions of eternity, succeeding in awful progression, and undefinable grandeur, obliterate those "characters of divinity which men set upon absurdities, and errors;"* sweep away, as with hail, every refuge of lies, and exalt the religion of the Bible to her rightful pre-eminence. The glorified Saviour, as a prevailing intercessor,-as the vanquisher of un Employed in such meditations, the Christian participates in the grateful admiration and vehement aspirings of Stephen, when, full of the Holy Ghost, he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and, mingling astonishment with triumph, uttered the memorable invocation,-Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! These views of the subject, while they prevent our wonder at the multiplicity of Scripture narratives, and account satisfactorily for the interest Mr. Henry took" in the lives, actions, and sayings of eminent men," + discover also to the reflective and pious mind their legitimate effect. Nor can it escape notice, that the chiefest of the apostles, when closing the early records of faith, has consolidated, in one unexampled address, and as a deduction from the whole, sentiments the most noble and sublime :-Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Let it never be forgotten, that admiration, however glowing, bestowed upon the affecting structure of a passage, like that just cited, can avail, for practical purposes, either personal, or in reference to the community, only as the metaphorical allusions, which it embodies, are duly regarded. But let that regard be once prevalent; let the eye be intently fixed upon high examples, and not upon those who rank, at best, only as inferiors in the school of Christ; let the attention be, especially, directed to the Great Exemplar himself; and effects, fruitful and all-pervading, will invariably follow. Then will be given to base companionship the hap * See Locke's Essay concerning Human Understanding, ch. iii. Į 20. + See the Life, post. p. 127. The names of the ancient fathers should be very precious with us, and the remains of their lives and labours; the first Reformers in our own land, in other lands; the good old puritans; those ministers and Christians who have been eminent in our own country. We should not despise the way of our fathers, but be ashamed to think how short we come of them. We must regard their testimony; and, as far as it agrees with the word of God, put a great value upon it. We must follow them as far as they followed Christ. Matthew Henry. Orig. MS. And see post. p. 188. JOHN BICKERTON WILLIAMS. piest overthrow; then will calumniated piety be due, will be secured to the only living and true upheld by unanswerable vindications; religious God. attainments will be advanced to an enviable maturity; and, while individual happiness, and the prosperity of the " holy church" universal, are efficiently promoted, glory in the highest, ever justly Swan Hill, Shrewsbury, February 12, 1825. TO HIS MUCH HONOURED FRIEND SIR HENRY ASHURST, BARONET. SIR, THE ministers of the gospel are, in the Scripture language, stars in the right hand of Christ, to signify their diffusive light and beneficial influences. As in the future state of the resurrection, some stars shall differ from others in glory, so in the present state of the regeneration, some ministers are distinguished from others by a brighter eminence in their endowments, and a more powerful emanation of light in their preaching. Of this select number was Mr. Philip Henry, in whom there was a union of those real excellences of parts, learning,* and divine graces, that signalized him among his brethren. This does evidently appear in the narrative of his life, drawn by one very fit to do it ;-as having had entire knowledge of him, by long and intimate conversation; and having, by his holy instructions, and the impression of his example, been made partaker of the same sanctifying Spirit. The describing the external actions of saints, without observing the holy principles and affections from whence they derived their life and purity, is a defective and irregular representation of them. It is as if an account were given of the riches and fecundity of the earth, from the flowers and fruits that grow upon it, without considering the mines of precious metals contained in its bosom. Now, only an inward Christian, that has felt the power of religion in his heart, can, from the reflection upon himself, and his uncounterfeit experience, discover the operations of grace in the breasts of others. Mr. Henry was dedicated to the service of Christ by his mother in his tender age. His first love and desires, when he was capable to make a judicious choice, were set upon God. He entered early into the ministry, and consecrated all the powers of his soul, understanding, memory, will, and affections, with his time and strength, to the service of Christ. And such was the grace and favour of God to him, that he lost no days in his flourishing age, by satisfying the voluptuous appetites; nor in his declining age by diseases and infirmities, but incessantly applied himself to his spiritual work. He was called to a private place in Wales, but his shining worth could not be shaded in a corner. A confluence of people from other parts attended on his ministry. Indeed, the word of truth that dies in the mouths of the cold and careless, (for they are not all saints that serve in the sanctuary,) had life and spirit in his preaching; for it proceeded from a heart burning with zeal for the honour of Christ and salvation of souls. Accordingly he suited his discourses to the wise and the weak; and imitated the prophet who contracted his stature to the dead body of the widow's son, applying his mouth to the mouth of the child, to inspire the breath of life into him. The poor and despised were instructed by him with the same compassionate love and diligence as the rich, notwithstanding the civil distinction of persons which will shortly vanish for ever; for he considered their souls were of the same precious and immortal value. In the administration of the Lord's Supper, he expressed the just temperament of sweetness and severity. With melting compassion he invited all relenting and returning sinners to come to Christ, and receive their pardon sealed with his blood. But he was so jealous of the honour of Christ, that he deterred, by the most fearful consequences, the rebellious that indulged their lusts, from * Every one knows Mr. Philip Henry was an excellent scholar; he was certainly possessed of a rich treasure of all polite and useful learning, both in languages and in the sciences. Life of the Rev. Matthew Henry, by W. Tong, oct. 1716. p. 24. B 2 |