itself as in his deportment, so particularly in that his pathetical ejaculation which brake forth at the hearing of those words of the Apostle, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners;" unto which he rejoined, in an accent that neither intended a compliment to God, nor men, to either of which he was not under a temptation, " of whom I am the chief."

When he was in pain he often prayed for patience, and while he did so, evidenced that his prayer was heard; for he exercised not only that, but thankfulness too, in his greatest extremity crying out," Blessed be God! blessed be God!" Nor did he, according to the usual method, inflict his sickness upon those about him, by peevishness disquieting his attendants; but was pleased with every thing that was done, and liked every thing that was brought, condescending to all proposals, and obeying with all readiness every advice of his physicians. In his own greatest desolations he administered reliefs to those about him, mixing advices with his prayers, and twisting the tenderness of a friend to that of the Christian. He then dispensed his best of legacies, his blessings; most passionately exhorting the young growing hopes of his family, whose first innocence and bashful shame of doing ill he above all things laboured to have preserved, "To be just to the advantage of their education, and maintain inviolate their first baptismal vows." Then he more generally commended unto all the great advantage of mutual friendly admonitions. On which occasion, when one asked him what more special rule he would recommend for the whole life, he briefly replied, "Uniform obedience :" whereby (if we may take a comment from himself at other times) he meant, not only a sincere reception of duty as

such, because commanded, and not because it is this or that, pleasant or honourable, or perchance cheap or easy duty; but withal the very condition of obeying, the lot of not being to choose for one'sself, the being determined in all proposals by human or divine command, and where those were left at large, by the guidance of God's providence, or the assistance of a friend.

But amidst these most Christian occupations, these happiest anodynes of sickness, the 25th of April fatally drew on. About three o'clock in the afternoon, becoming very weak and dispirited, and cold in his extreme parts, he had strength only continued to persevere in his devotions, which he did unto the last moment of his life, a few minutes before his death breathing out those words which best became his Christian life, "Lord, make haste."

On the morrow in the evening, the 26th day of the same month, he was, according to his desire, without ostentation or pomp, though with all becoming decency, buried at the neighbouring church of Hampton, with the whole office and usual rites of the Church of England; several of the gentry and clergy of the county, and affectionate multitudes of persons of less quality attending on his obsequies, the clergy with ambition offering themselves to bear him on their shoulders; which accordingly they did, and laid that sacred burden in the burial place of the generous family which with such friendship had entertained him when. alive where now he rests in peace, and full assurance of a glorious resurrection.

They that had the happiness of a personal acquaintance with this best of men, this saint, who seems in our decays of ancient virtue lent us by special providence even for this end and purpose,

that we might not disbelieve the faith of history delivering the excellency of primitive Christians, know with what thirst and eagerness of soul he sought the spiritual advantage of any single man, how humble soever, with what enjoyment he beheld the recovery of any such from an evil course and habit. And whatever apprehensions other men may have, they will be easily induced to think, that if blessed spirits have commerce with earth (as surely we have reason to believe it somewhat more than possible), they, I say, will consider it a connatural and highly agreeable accession unto his fruitions, that when there is joy in the presence of the angels of God for a sinner that repents, he may be an immediate accessory to that blessed triumph, and be concerned beyond the rate of a mere spectator.

Persuasions to piety now-a-days are usually in scorn called preaching: but it is to be hoped that this, how contemned an office soever it be grown, will not be without its use in this instance; that it will not be without its benefit, if his history, who deservedly was reckoned among the best of preachers, whose life was the best of sermons, should bear a correspondence to its subject, and professedly close with an application. This example exhorts all persons to be what they promised God Almighty they would be in their baptismal vows, what they see the glorious saints and martyrs and confessors, and, in particular, this holy man has been before them; that they be what is most honourable, most easy and advantageous to be at present; and in a word, to render themselves such as they desire to be upon their deathbeds, before they leave the world, and then would wish to be for ever.

Which blessed work, as it was the great design

of this excellent doctor, both in words and writings, his thoughts and actions, is also the only aim of this imperfect, but yet affectionate and well meant account; and may Almighty God, by the assistance of his grace, give all of these this their most earnestly desired effect and issue'!

NARRATIVE.-When a gentleman of no very laudable life had in his sickness desired to speak with Doctor Hammond, which message, through the negligence of the person employed, was not delivered, till he that sent it was in the last agonies of death; the Doctor was very much affected at it, complaining of those that had so little sense of a soul in that sad state; and pouring out his most fervent prayers in his behalf, requested farther, that by this example others, and in particular the companions of that unhappy person's vice, might learn how improper a season the time of sickness, and how unfit a place the death-bed is, for that one great work of penitence, which was intended by Almighty God the one commensurate work of the whole life 1.

REFLECTION BY DR. HENRY HAMMOND.It is the supreme privilege of Christianity to convert the saddest evils into the most medicinal advantages, the valley of Achor into the door of hope, the blackest tempest into the most perfect and fair sky.

9 Life of Hammond, by Dean Fell, published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

1 Dean Fell.

DR. ROBERT SANDERSON was an eminent scholar and divine. He was appointed chaplain to King Charles I. and afterwards made Bishop of Lincoln. About three weeks before his death, finding his strength to decay, by reason of his constant infirmity, and a consumptive cough added to it, he retired to his chamber, expressing a desire to enjoy his last thoughts to himself in private, without disturbance or care, especially of what might concern this world. Thus as his natural life decayed his spiritual life seemed more strong, and his faith more confirmed; still labouring to attain that holiness and purity, without which none shall see God.

In this time of retirement, which was wholly spent in devotion, he longed for his dissolution, and when some that loved him prayed for his recovery, if he at any time found an amendment, he seemed to be displeased, by saying, "his friends said their prayers backwards for him." He rejoiced much that he had so lived, as never to cause an hour's