held so stedfast and immoveable, saving that once with the same hand he wiped his face, that all men might see his hand burned before his body was touched. His body did so abide the burning of the flame, with such constancy and stedfastness, that, standing always in one place, without moving his body, he seemed to move no more than the stake to which he was bound: his eyes were lifted up unto heaven, and oftentimes he repeated, "This unworthy right hand!" so long as his voice would suffer him; and using often the words of St. Stephen, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," in the greatness of the flame he gave up the ghost 2.

REFLECTION. We may learn from this example, that in life the fears of death frequently overcome our resolution; but that while in the act of death the Christian is strengthened and upheld by Him, who in his own person conquered death.

ROGER ASCHAM was preceptor to Queen Elizabeth. On the 23rd of December, 1568, he was 2 Wordsworth's Eccl. Biog., vol. iii.

seized with an aguish distemper, which threatened him with immediate death. Dr. Alexander Nowell, Dean of St. Paul's, often visited him during his illness, and supported and comforted him, by setting before him the sufferings of earth, and the prospects of heaven, but in a strain and manner so divine, that, when he had left the room, the sick man declared with joy, that "the excellent dean had sustained his soul with food that would never die."

His disease soon grew more and more oppressive, but he rehearsed on his death-bed a variety of passages expressive of the mercy and love of God to mankind, and of his blessings bestowed on them. To the learned Edward Graunt, one of the prebendaries of Westminster, who came to visit him, he said, "This is my confession and faith, this is my prayer and all that I long for, I desire to depart and be with Christ." These were his last words 3.

REFLECTION.-In the hour of sickness and in the full prospect of eternity we perceive the passing nature of all things here below. At that period, religion, the Bible, Christian consolations, and a view by the eye of faith of future joys, not only support the dying Christian, but give him a foretaste of heaven itself.

3 Life by Graunt, Churton's Life by Nowell, Biog. Brit.

DR. JOHN JEWELL was eminent for piety, learning, and meekness of disposition: he was Bishop of Salisbury, and the patron of Richard Hooker.

We are informed by his biographer, that when he was urged not to exert himself too much by preaching on a certain occasion, as it was better that the people should want one sermon than be altogether deprived of such a preacher, the bishop replied, "It best becometh a bishop to die preaching," seriously thinking perhaps upon the comfortable assurance of his Master, "Happy art thou, my servant, if when I come, I find thee doing." Wherefore that he might not deceive the people's expectation, he ascended the pulpit; and now nothing but spirit, (his flesh being pined away and exhausted,) read his text out of Galatians v. 25, " Walk in the Spirit," and with much pain made an end of his discourse. Presently after the conclusion, he was forced to take his bed, and concluded that his dissolution was not far off.

The following Saturday, nature shrinking and

failing, he called all his household about him, and, after an exposition of the Lord's Prayer, thus breathed forth his last address :

"I see that now I am to go the way of all flesh, and I feel the arrows of death already fastened in my body; wherefore I am desirous, in a few words, whilst yet my most merciful God vouchsafeth me the use of my tongue, to speak unto you all. It was my prayer always unto God, since I had my understanding, that I might honour his name with the sacrifice of my flesh, and confirm his truth with the oblation of this my body unto death, in the defence thereof; which seeing He hath not granted me in this, yet I somewhat rejoice and solace myself that it is worn away and exhausted in the labours of my calling. For while I visit the people of God, God, my God, hath visited me. I beseech you all that are about me, and all others whom I ever offended, to forgive me. And now that my hour is at hand, and all my moisture dried up, I most earnestly desire of you all this last duty of love, to pray for me and help me, with the ardency of your affection, when you perceive me, through the infirmity of my flesh, to languish and wax cold in my prayers. Hitherto I have taught you and many others, now the time is come wherein I may and desire to be taught and strengthened by every one of you."

Having thus spoken, with something more to the like purpose, with much pain and interruption, he desired them to sing the 71st Psalm, which begins thus: "In thee, O Lord, I put my trust, let me never be confounded;" himself joining with them as well as his exhausted strength would permit. And when they recited those words, "Thou art my hope, O Lord, my trust even from my youth," he added, "Thou only wast my whole hope:" and

as they went forward, saying, " Cast me not off in the time of age, forsake me not when my strength faileth me; yea, even to mine old age and grey head forsake me not, O God," he made this application to himself, "He is an old man, he is truly grey-headed, and his strength faileth him, who lieth on his death-bed." To which he added other short prayers, as if he were moved thereto by the power of God's Spirit, saying, "Lord, take from me my spirit. Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace: break off all delays: suffer thy servant to come unto Thee: command him to be with Thee; Lord, receive my spirit."

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At this time, when one of those who stood by prayed with tears, that, if it might stand with God's pleasure, He would restore him to his former health, the pious Jewell overhearing him, turned his eyes, as if he were offended, and spoke to him those words of Ambrose, "I have not lived so that I am ashamed to live longer, neither do I fear to die, because we have a merciful Lord.' crown of righteousness is laid up for me. Christ is my righteousness. Father, let thy will be done : thy will I say, and not my will, which is imperfect and depraved. Lord, confound me not. This is my to-day," alluding probably to those words of Christ, "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise" "this day let me quickly come to Thee. This day let me see the Lord Jesus!"

After a few fervent inward prayers of devotion, and sighs of longing desires, the soul returned to God that gave it. Mr. Ridley, the steward of his house, closed his eyes. Such was the death of Bishop Jewell, a most worthy trumpet of Christ's glorious Gospel *.

4Life of Bp. Jewell, prefixed to Jewell's "Apology;" Garbrand, &c.