He was rector of Weston Favell and Collingtree, and the well known author of "Meditations among the Tombs," and "Reflections in a Flower Garden," &c.

Mr. Hervey had for many years struggled with much weakness and languor, and was frequently confined by severe fits of sickness; but in the latter end of the year 1758 he grew worse. On the first Sunday in December, after family prayers in the evening, he was seized so extremely ill, that his dissolution was apprehended to be very near; with great difficulty he was got up stairs, and after that never left his room. He was grievously afflicted with a hectic cough in the night, that obliged him to rise very early; he was sensible of his danger, yet was willing to use proper means to mitigate the pain and prolong life. Mr. Maddock, his curate, was much with him, to whom he pathetically spoke of his assurance of faith, and of the great love of God in Christ,

"How much," said he, "has Christ done for me. and how little have I done for so loving a Saviour! If I have preached even once a week, it was at last a burthen to me. I have not visited the people of my parish as I ought to have done; and I have not thus preached from house to house. I have not taken every opportunity of speaking for Christ."

These expressions were accompanied with tears. "But," said he, "do not think that I am afraid to die-I assure you I am not. I know what my Saviour hath done for me, and I want to be gone; but I wonder and lament to think of the love of Christ in doing so much for me, and how little I have done for Him." And in another conversation, speaking of his approaching dissolution, and our ignorance of the sacred word, he observed, "How many precious texts there are, great with the richest truths of Christ, which we cannot comprehend, of which we know nothing; and of those we do know, how few do we remember! A good textuary is a good divine-that is the armour; the word of God is the sword. They are the weapons I must use when that subtle spirit, the arch-adversary of mankind, comes to tempt and sift me in my last conflict. Surely I had need be well provided with these weapons; I had need have my quiver full of them, to answer Satan with texts out of the word of God when he assaults me."

On the 19th, the pains of his body abated, but he grew drowsy and lethargic; and in the night his dissolution was expected.

The next day he was visited by his worthy friend, Dr. Stonhouse, who declared his opinion, that Mr. Hervey could not survive above two or three days; and, speaking of the consolation which a good man enjoys in the prospect of death, Mr.

Hervey replied, "True, doctor, true, the only valuable treasures are in heaven."

When Dr. Stonhouse was going away, Mr. Hervey reminded him of a dangerous fall from his horse, which he had met with not long before, by which he had been much bruised; and observing that he looked pale, said, "He hoped he would think upon such narrow escapes, so often fatal to others, as a warning to him from God, and remember them as such;" adding, "How careful ought we to be to improve those years which remain, at a time of life when but few remain to us!"

The day before his death, Mr. Hervey attempting to walk a few steps in his room, his strength failing him, he must have fallen if not supported; a fainting fit ensued, and it was some time before he recovered. When he came to himself, his brother William, who was come from London to see him, said, "We were afraid you were gone." He answered, "I wish I had." On the 25th, his curate paying him his morning's visit, Mr. Hervey, sitting down, for he was unable to lie in bed, said, "Sir, I cannot talk with you today." He complained much of a great inward conflict which he had, and, laying his hand on his breast, said, "Oh! you know not how great a conflict I have." During this time his eyes were almost constantly elevated to heaven, and his hands clasped in prayer. He frequently said, "When this great conflict is over, then"-but added no more, though it was understood he meant, that then he should be at rest.

Dr. Stonhouse came to him about three hours before he expired, to whom he strongly urged the importance of his everlasting concerns, as here is no abiding place; and entreated him not to be

P

overcharged with the cares of this life, but in the multiplicity of his business to attend to the one thing needful.

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Dr. Stonhouse, observing the difficulty with which he spoke, and finding by his languid pulse that his dissolution was near, desired that he would spare himself. "No, no," was his reply, you tell me that I have but few moments to live. Oh! let me spend them in adoring our great Redeemer." He then said, "Though my heart and flesh fail me, yet God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." He expatiated also on those words, "All things are yours, life and death, for ye are Christ's." "Here," said he, "is the treasure of a Christian. Death is reckoned among his inventory, and a noble treasure it is. How thankful am I for death, as it is the passage through which I pass to the Lord and giver of eternal life; and as it frees from all this misery you now see me endure, and which I am willing to endure as long as God sees fit; for I know He will, in his own good time, dismiss me from the body. These light afflictions are but for a moment, and then comes an eternal weight of glory. Oh, welcome, welcome, death! Thou mayest well be reckoned among the treasures of the Christian. To live is Christ; but to die is gain.""

When Dr. Stonhouse was taking his final leave, Mr. Hervey expressed great gratitude for his visits, though medicine had been unable to relieve him. He then paused a little, and, with great composure, although the pangs of death were upon him, said, "Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy most holy and comfortable word; for mine eyes have seen thy most precious salvation. Here, Dr.

Stonhouse, is my cordial: what are all the cordials given to support the dying in comparison of that which arises from the promises of salvation by Christ? This, this supports me." About three o'clock he said, "The great conflict is over; now all is done." After which he scarce spoke any words intelligibly, excepting now and then"Precious salvation!" During the last hour he said nothing, but leaned his head against the side of the chair, and, without the least struggle, expired, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, on Christmas-day, 1758, in the 45th year of his age1.

REFLECTION.-No Christian ought to refuse the Divine dispensations of sickness and pain, or even of death itself, since he is enabled to say, "Death is to me the gate of heaven."

The following is Sir James Stonhouse's account of the "Conversation of a late eminent Christian in London, with some of his relations, on their taking leave of him to go into the country."

"Our health is no more at our command than length of days: mine seems drawing fast towards a conclusion. But I am content with every allotment of Providence; for they are all in wisdomunerring wisdom.

"There is one thing needful; which is an arm underneath-this bears up and supports me; and though the rolling tempestuous billows surround me, yet my head is kept above them, and my feet

Life of Rev. James Hervey, prefixed to his whole Works, vol. i. p. 9.