ADVERTISEMENT.

A WORK of this nature must be necessarily a compilation; but the time devoted to the completion of it has scarcely been less than that required in the production of an original composition. The reader may conceive some portion of the difficulty which has attended the execution of this useful design, but inglorious occupation, when it is stated that but few biographical memoirs of any note, in our language, have escaped my perusal, and that a minute examination of those voluminous publications, the Biographia Britannica and the French Dictionaries, by Bayle and Moreri, has formed, comparatively, but a very small portion of my researches. To make the series more complete, I have spared no pains to collect narratives from foreign sources. It is hoped they will be found to convey some interesting information to the literary, and much religious instruction to the Christian reader. The Last Hours of eminent Divines, Senators, Physicians, Advocates, and others, who have been most esteemed for their learning and piety, in Holland, France, Switzerland, and Germany, are here brought into one view. A few of these have previously appeared in our language, but by far the greater number are now for the first time presented to the English reader.

The origin of this design may be found in the "Appendix" of "Prayers of Eminent Persons." The subject appeared, on

The narratives of the last hours of those who have been eminently distinguished for their attainments in the arts and sciences, and but little for their religious acquirements, might be included in the same work, for the illustration of the same truth. To those who would be desirous to keep this object in view, and at the same time to complete a general design of "the deaths of eminent persons," I shall be glad to furnish ample materials.

The instances adduced in this volume are to be considered as incontrovertible evidences of the sincerity and constancy even to death of those who have professed the Christian Faith; it, therefore, appeared to me of the first importance that such statements should preserve the utmost authenticity. Many were the opportunities in which useful reflections and practical advice occurred to my mind, and which would have given me occasion to present this volume in a more attractive form. By how much the statements would have gained perhaps in interest, by so much would they have lost in genuineness and the freshness of the original scenes. Subjects for consideration will be suggested

heathen writers, (Lucius Annæus Seneca de Providentiâ,) who have sufficient light from nature and experience to know that the school of affliction is more favourable to the cultivation of every virtue than the most uninterrupted course of worldly prosperity. Christianity proceeds on this principle of nature, shews this life to be only a state of probation for another, and affliction a means designed by a merciful parent to discipline the mind for a future state of existence. Thus it is, that trials of every kind, when rightly considered, are discerned to be a part of the dispensation of mercy, falling in with the noblest designs displayed in the moral administration of the universe; that objections, however speciously urged against them, when minutely examined, are clearly proved to arise from mistaken views of the nature of things, and that the principles at which those objections are aimed, are shewn to be a link in the golden chain of designs in the moral, as clearly as the apparently complicated, yet appointed motions of the heavenly bodies in the material world.

* Heb. xii. 5, 6, 7, 8, &c.

by the narratives themselves; the selected sentences in italics, are designed as aids to reflection.

I have thought it necessary to adduce the examples of Martyrs in their last moments; they are interwoven with the history of the Church of Christ; are the noblest monuments of faith, fortitude, and Christian triumph; may be adduced as the best evidence of sincerity in the cause they advocated; and are set forth to be read as illustrious proofs of our capability to bear the lesser evils of life with a like patience and resignation to the divine will.

Let it not be supposed that these, however numerous, are the only instances in which the advantages of Christianity might be seen at the close of life. When it is remembered that the last words even of Wickliffe, Bacon, Boyle, and Newton, do not appear to have been recorded with sufficient care; it may readily be conceived that many unobtrusive Christians, who have trod the humbler walks of life, have expired without a biographer to note down their fervent prayers, their affectionate advice, and their pious conduct.

The instances to be adduced might also have been more numerous, if a sense of delicacy towards the memory of departed friends had not prevented the survivors from publishing to the world that information which chiefly concerned the private feelings of the domestic circle. Sudden deaths and excruciating pains, with the infirmities of age, have prevented many others, as Archbishops Tillotson and Whitgift, Bishops Berkeley and Burnet, with Dr. S. Clarke, from instructing the world by their dying words and examples. In this terra incognita may be included the names of Cudworth, Kepler, Leland, Leibnitz, Bishop Atterbury, Earl Clarendon, Erasmus, Leslie, Jeremy Taylor, Lightfoot,

Milton, Limborch, St. Bernard, Lardner, Chillingworth, Hoadley, and Bishop Watson, with many others, too numerous for insertion, especially among the early Fathers of the Christian Church. The design also of this publication, which is to offer the narratives of those only who have been most eminent for their station or public works, necessarily shuts out a vast number of interesting and useful statements. And, lastly, it should be mentioned, that this volume contains but a portion of the instances which the author of it has collected: sufficient it is presumed are here offered to shew the advantages of being a Christian.

The nature and limits of an introduction and advertisement necessarily deter me from treating on the duty and advantages of a preparation for death. Sherlock's admirable work will be found to anticipate all advice and argument on the subject, and yet I cannot but commend "Farewell to Time," as a well written and very useful modern publication. Prayers for the use of persons in every stage of sickness, composed by Bishop Andrews, Dean Stanhope, and the ablest divines of our Church, may be found in "Prayers of Eminent Persons."

In taking this occasion of returning my best acknowledgments to those of my friends (especially to Alexander Chalmers, Esq.) who may have favoured me with their suggestions, and the use of their publications, I am desirous at the same time to state, that among so great a variety of names, dates, and references, it is likely some inaccuracies may be noticed. I shall, therefore, feel most grateful to those of my readers who will point them out to me, desirous at some future time, to avail myself of this, or any other information they may communicate upon a subject of general interest.

The volume is now presented to the reader, with the hope that the devotion of many may be kindled by reading the last pious reflections, and tranquil behaviour of Bede, Hooker, and Sancroft; that the man of literature will feel some interest as he peruses whatever gleanings of information can be offered respecting the concluding scenes in the lives of Boyle, Selden, and Newton; that the science of mind will have discovered high sources of reflection in the dying sensations and sublime thoughts of Raleigh, Sydney, Boerhaave, and Maclaine; and that every Christian, not excepting the younger part of the community, but especially the sick, the aged and infirm, who are drawing down to the gates of death, may receive some moral and religious instruction from a work designed to bring into one view, whatever examples upon record relate to that universally important event-Death.