constancy; we serve the same Master, have a promise of the same Spirit, and a prospect of the same recompence. Let every one of us, therefore,-Hebrews, vi. 11,-shew the same diligence unto the full assurance of hope unto the end. THE APPENDIX. APPENDIX, No. I. MRS. KATHARINE HENRY died May 25th, 1707, æt. 79. The following extracts are from Mr. Matthew Henry's diary:-1707, May 25. This morning I received the sad tidings of my dear mother's death, a little after twelve o'clock in the night. At the entrance of the sabbath she entered upon her everlasting rest. I endeavoured to do the work of the day in much weakness and heaviness, because Christ would not suffer him, whom he called to preach the gospel, to go first and bury his father. I expounded Zechariah, xiv. Philippians, iv. Psalm xxv. 15;-Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord. I went in the evening to the beheaded family at Broad Oak, where we wept and prayed together. My wife and two sisters were with my mother when she died, which was a comfort to me, though I was absent. 26. Spent at Broad Oak, in preparation for the funeral, which I desire to do in the actual belief and expectation of the resurrection of the dead, and the commandment which will be given concerning the bones. 27. Spent as the day before; many thoughts of heart, which are known to God. Friends are strange, but I hope our God is nigh at hand. 28. This day my dear mother's remains were decently conveyed to Whitchurch, and deposited in the silent dust, close by my dear father's. Before we set out, Dr. Benyon preached, ad rem, and very affectingly, on Hebrews, vi. 12. * Orig. MS. See also Tong's Life of Matthew Henry, p. 138, ut supra. Ꮓ Dr. Benyon's funeral sermon had reference also to Mr. Pell, who was placed over the congregation at Broad Oak when the Doctor removed to Shrewsbury. Mr. Pell died May 21, 1707, æt. 25. See Memoirs of Mrs. Savage, Appendix, No. I. The notice taken of Mr. and Mrs. Henry, together with the honourable memorial of Mr. Pell, seem to unite in rendering it desirable that the following extract from the sermon should be preserved. The transcription is from an authentick manuscript. "Shall I run eleven years backwards to the ever-memorable consort of that excellent person, whose dear remains we are now going to inter? I would do so, did I not think his bright graces, and endearing service, must needs have left impressions upon you that cannot wear off as long as you have souls to retain them; and yet I cannot but excite you to follow him in his second self; for, they both thought, and spoke, and did, the same things in religion, and, being dead, yet speak. "I must add, too, that Divine Providence hath ordered the melancholy event of an intervening death - Mr. Pell to enforce the instruction of the other two more powerfully. "He, I doubt not, inherits the promises; follow him; imitate him; he was industrious in his great Master's service, and pleaded not, as he might have done, the excuse of a crazy and dying body. Be not weary in well-doing; he reaps already; and you will reap, in due time, if you faint not. "He was very penitent for sin, and spoke of it with a mighty passion; and, though he hoped God, for Christ's sake, had forgiven him, he could never forgive himself. He entertained the prospect of death with great composure. It was his dependance or Christ that made him able to do so. He often said he had nothing else to trust to, and he trusted to that so far as to say, cheerfully, when he found his expiring hour was at hand,-Come, now, death, and do thine office.' How agreeable was the reflection, that the excellent believer, whose funeral we now attend, made on the report of this hopeful preacher's death. 'And,' said she, is Mr. Pell got to heaven before me? It was like her. "There was so much to be followed, that, in proposing her to your imitation, the only difficulty is what is to be omitted. "In general, she made it her business to regulate her life by the word of God, the efficacy of which she experienced betimes in the ministry of that now happy divine whose name is precious with some of you." + It is recorded of Mr. Baxter, that, such was his abhorrence of himself for his sins, that he said, “I can more easily believe that God will forgive me, than I can forgive myself." Dr. Bates's Works, v. 4, p. 340. The Rev. Mr. Steel. See ante, p. 278. |