CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LI BRARY 
 
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 Library 
 
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 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
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 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924104015072 
 
SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT EAST-GUILFORD, 
 JUNE 8th| 1 8031 
 
 OCCASIONED BY THS' 
 
 DEATH 
 
 Pierce AUis, 
 
 SON TO Mr. NATHANIEL ALLIS, 
 
 WHO WAS DkOWNED ON THE lift DAY OF MAKCHi TH* 
 SAMS Y£AK. 
 
 By DAVID HUNTINGTON, 
 
 Paftitir of the Second Church of Chr'iji in Lj/?ne, 
 
 Pithlijhci in compliance with the dejirc of the bereaved 
 '"' family. 
 
 As iat man, his iayi are as grafs': as a flower of the field, fo he 
 fl'oDiiflieth, for the wjn4 paHeth over it and it is gone, and the 
 , place thereof ftiall know it no more. Da vid. 
 
 For what is your life ? it is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little 
 while, and then vanifheth away. St, garnet. 
 
 Of blafted hopes — and of fliort withering joys- 
 Sing heavenly mufe. Watts, 
 Or life, or death are equal— neither weighs— 
 All weight in this — O ! Eet me live to thee, Yomg,> 
 
 Middkiozun : 
 PRINTED BY T. & J. B. DUNNING. 
 
 iSoj^. 
 
m*ft^st±!itiitfk*»Mi^sk»^^^*m^m!AmkmM§i^!m 
 
 To Mr. NATHANIEL ALLlSjandhis Children. 
 
 THE enfuing difcoorfe, with fome variations in the fttleind me< 
 thod from the delireryi including, howeveri foi fubftaoces all the 
 brigioal ideas advanced from the Deflc — is at this late periodj affec- 
 tionately dedicated, by their much obliged friend, the Author ; who 
 begs leave to add htf fincereft withes, that the truths it contains and 
 enforces, may be perofed with candour, and cordially received ; prov* 
 ing laftingly beneficial and coofolatoi'^ to them under the heavy and 
 very diftrefltog providence of Cod) which gave rife to the perform' 
 ance. 
 
 K«vy»yvyw¥yiK«««9K$!»;ti?«KVKi;w«;w?i;«y9f»ii 
 

 A Sermon* 
 
 jfobi. 2 J. 
 
 The Lord cavb and the Lord hath takkn awaTi bles- 
 sed BE THE NAME OF THELoKQa 
 
 THE holy man whofe name this hook bears> 
 fpake thefe words under the preffure of nume- 
 rous and heaivy trials. They difcover unufual re- 
 fignation to the divine will, and that in patience he 
 ppffefled his foul in the deepeft adverfity. He was 
 once in an enviable ftate of profperity. In whatev- 
 er the world eftimates great, he was the greateft of 
 ^11 the men of the eaft. His children were all about, 
 him, and the moft flattering profpeQs before him. 
 In this plenitude of earthly comforts,, he fuddenly 
 underwent a very flriking reverfe of fortune. One 
 meffenger after another in rapid fucceflion,. brought 
 him heavy tidings. At length ftripped nearly of all 
 he held dear in life, except life itfelf, he- fell down 
 ■upon the ground and worjhipped. In this humble and 
 devotional pofture, he acknowledged the giving-, 
 and adored the berea-ving hand of God, in the.fpirit 
 and ftile of the text — faying, the Lord gave and the 
 Lord hath taken away, blejf'ed.be the name of the Lord. 
 This remarkablepaifage ^urniihes ample matter foe 
 our profitable confideration at any time, and feems 
 to be well adapted to the mournful occafion of our 
 meeting. Happy will it be for us, if in thefe mo- 
 ments of religious folemnity, a precious mixture of 
 faith in God, fliould render his word and provi- 
 dence favingly beneficial to our fouls. 
 
In tlie indulgence of hope in the divine mercy, 
 that this may be the experience of imny pre/ent, and 
 efpecially confole the hearts of mourners ; I fhall 
 difcourfe on this general propofition— viz. 
 
 That a due fenfe that the Lord gave, will quiet 
 our mindSi and induce us to h'efs his name when He 
 takes away our earthly comforts. The text moft 
 obvioufly includes this doftrine ; which confifts of 
 three parts---a plain difclofure of the fovereigmy of 
 God, in his difpenfations towards hisratioiial family 
 in this world, in that he gives to them, and takes frorn 
 them what, when, and as he pleafeth. 
 
 A clear evidence, that believers in the veracity 
 and juilice of God in his promifes, and all his aSi of 
 moral government, are glad that He reigns, and re- 
 joice in the difplay of his fovereignty — and an addi- 
 tional praftical affurance, that they feel difpofed with 
 affeflionate and filial homage, in every condition of 
 life to praife his name---a notable inftance of the 
 truth of this, was the man, who/eared God and cfchew- 
 ed evil. Much incenfe of praife to God, readily found 
 its way through the gloomy thickets of ail his a;o«, 
 and came warm from his heart. Became he not, here- 
 in, a bright example, fbr the dutiful imitation of the 
 people of God in all fucceeding generations, in all 
 thofe fufferings of the prefent time, which are not 
 worthy comparifon with the glory to be revealed ? 
 
 In a farther clearance, eftabliOiment, and applica- 
 tion of the ideas above fuggefted; I fhall confider 
 the import of the afTertions— ii^e Lord gave, and the,. 
 Lord hath taken azuay,And then Ihew, that a due fenfe 
 of the truths, couched in thefe textual affertions, 
 will ferve to quiet our minds and induce us tohlefs 
 the name of God, when he takes away our earthly 
 comforts. 
 
 In regard to the firft, « the Lord gave" it evident- 
 ly prefent* Him to view as the only fupreme, mu- 
 nificent author of all the various gifts of nature and 
 providence. It brightens the eye of faiih to behold 
 
B 
 
 nim, as the hifinitely kind *nd prolific parent of the 
 material univerfe, and of his whole intelligent ofF- 
 fpring j with unfpealcable pleafure, to realize thefe 
 fcriptural interrogations ; have we not all one father ? 
 hath not one God created us^ It tends to meliorate 
 the heart, and conftrains «tll loving and conne6ied 
 minds with grateful joy, to recogn^i^e the words of 
 the apoft e James, " Every good gift and every perJeSi 
 gift^ IS from above, and coraith down from the Father of 
 iights. It inftrufts us, to think of, to feel and && 
 towards him, as the God of our lives; who. by his 
 invincible energies, feafonably brings into our glad 
 embrace and focial enjoyment, all near and dear re- 
 lations of every name and grade ; in his infinite 
 liberality, deals bountifully with us ^ renders us Com- 
 fortable to ourfelves, and ufeful to others ; as far as 
 we ever are fo ; furnifhingthe various means of our 
 fuppdrt, and continuance in this world. In a word 
 —it keeps up with unabating luftre, the afFefting ev- 
 idence— iAa^jVi him we live) move, and ham our being. 
 That He only in the original, underived, and inde- 
 pendent fenfe, is good ; and from the unfailing 
 fource qf his natural and moral fullnefs, fupplies all 
 ranks of creatures in every part of the world, with 
 thofe providential bleilings, fuited to thejrjefpeQive 
 natures. Hence, it is, that the earth is full of his 
 f;iches ; and that men, notwithftanding th«ir ingrati- 
 tude, (hare fo largely of thofe tender mercies, which 
 are over all his works. When Job. faid " the Lord 
 gave," it is plain he had principle reference to thofe 
 finite, temporal, and focial enj,oyments, in the am- 
 plitude of which he was blefled, beyoiid any who 
 were his cotemporaries in the land of Uz, and per-, 
 haps beyond any (at leaft with few exceptions) who 
 have lived fince his day ; therefore in examining the 
 import of this declaration, I have no: fo direflly 
 confidered the benefits of divine grace, and the no- 
 bler gifts of the chriftian redemption. Thefe, how- 
 ever, fliall have their place in the fequel..,. What 
 
 . . ■V..V,-''- 
 
■was the temper, and what the language of this man 
 of God, when almofi inflantly caft down from the 
 heights of earthly glory, wealth, and domeftic felici- 
 ty, into the depths of poverty, and forlorn diftrefs ? 
 did a murmur rife in his holy breaft ? did a repining 
 word efcapehis lips ? Quiie thereverfe. In his try- 
 ing circumftances ofreduQion, he afcribes r%A/eoMJ"- 
 nefi to his Maker, faying, '■^the Lord bath taken away."- 
 
 The meaning of this claufe may now as propofed 
 «ndly, be more fully explained. And it may here, 
 be obferved, that his taking away, doth not invaria-. 
 bly (land in oppofition to his ^m»^.— God,, who. 
 equally delights in juftice and mercy, not unfre-. 
 quently takes away one thing, and replaces it witb 
 another ftill more valuable. This is ever the cafe' 
 when he depriveth us of earthly, and in the opera- 
 tion of his matchlefs benevolence, fupplies the lof* 
 with celeftial good. Thus in the eftimation of the 
 Lord's friends, his real goodnefs, vaftly exceeds his. 
 feeming feverity. His goodnefs, indeed, is never 
 unreal ; although through the variety of imagination^ 
 and an extravagant fondnefs for temporal comforts^ 
 we are very liable to overlook his goodnefs, while 
 in painful repetition} we feel the flroke of his fmit* 
 ing hand. 
 
 A greater explicitnefs conftrains me to fay,, that 
 this phrafe carries in it a prominent feature of the 
 divine fovereignty— and expreffes the unalienable 
 right of Jehovah to do what he will with his own. — It 
 is his OWN that we, and all things we have are-- Noth- 
 ing can be our's, nor held as fuch appropriately, that 
 can be loft out of our pofl'efEon. This remark, 
 flands firmly fupporied on the bafis of fcriptural de- 
 cifion.— " Jf ye have net been faithful in that which is 
 another man's, xvho f hall give you that which is your . 
 own ? And Mary kath chofen that good part, which fh all 
 not be taken away from her." 
 
 Of confequence, '• and the Lord hath taktn eway^* 
 is applicable in this connexion, folely to things feen 
 
and temporal. It is an aft of hisrighteoufnefs, in 
 which he refumes what he gave. The time, place, 
 and mode, in which he doth it, is entirely optional 
 with hirafelf. They all hold neccffary dependance 
 upon him— are his fervants, and while ihey continue 
 in their prefent frail forms of exiftence, they conti- 
 nue according to his ordinances. 
 
 3. A due fenfe of this, will quiet our minds, and 
 induce us to blefs the name of God, when he takes 
 away our earthly comforts. By a due fenfe, is meant 
 an inward, effeftual confcioufnefs, fincere belief, and 
 prompt acknowledgement of the exclufive right of 
 Jehovah, to do what he pleafeth with all his crea- 
 tures. This comprifes a right moral ftate, and fil- 
 ial affeflions of the heart ; llimulating fpiritual con- . 
 templations of God, in the endearing charafter of a 
 reconciled Father. Such a confcioufnefs, faith, and 
 readinefs of mind, pioufly to acknowledge the fpot- 
 lefs reftitude of all the divine proceedings, contr.ol 
 the exercifes of every heart, in which they deeply 
 conceive, and permanently refide. It is the habitual 
 prevalence of thefe, that fettles the mind into a fweet 
 compofure, and reft in God : enkindling ardent de- 
 fires to blefs his venerable name, and give thanks at 
 the remembrance of his holinefs, even in days <rf 
 foreft tribulation. 
 
 This ornament of a meek and quiet fpirit, peacea- 
 bly refigning all to God in the moft painful endur- 
 ance of his righteous rebukes; muft not be reftrift- 
 cd, to Noah, Daniel, or Job ; nqr to any primitive 
 faints ; nor yet to the firft chriftians. It is the attire 
 of all the fubje£):s of a gracious renovation in the 
 prefent, and every age of the world. 
 
 That temper and thofe exercifes which tranquil- 
 ize the heart, and raife it into more than fimple 
 acquiefcence, even into a holy rejoicing, in all the 
 manifeftations of the divine will; are always the 
 fame in effence, and are connefted with fimilar fup- 
 ports in every attitude of diftrefs. fcriptufe witnef- 
 
fesin proof of this, encompafs us like a cloud, and 
 are far too numerous to recite.— Aaron upon hear- 
 ing of the death of his two fons, held his peace. Da- 
 vid with the cup of trembling in his hand, refrained 
 his lips, and replied not againft God ; I was dumb, 
 faith he, 1 opened not my mouth, becaufe thou diA^ 
 it.— Hezekiah when a heavy threatening was de- 
 nounced againft his houfe, fubmiffively faid " good 
 is the word of the Lord." And holy Job, when he 
 ftood as a mark for the barbed arrows of misfor- 
 tune^ approaches with filial homage, and oflFers praifo 
 to his God; faying, (drefiched in the forrows of al- 
 moft total bereavement) ^' the Lord gave and the 
 Lord hath taken away, blejfed be the name of the Lord." 
 The lame fpirit of patience and humility which pow- 
 erfully operated in thefe, and other ancient patterns < 
 of piety, operating in us,' and nothing (hort of it, will 
 infpire quietude and joy, in all thofe fufferings which 
 it pleafes God to exercife us with, on our journey 
 to the unfecn world. " When he giveth quietnefiiwha 
 then can make trouble ? and when he hideth his 'facet 
 who then can behold him ? whtthet it he done againfi 
 a nation, or againfl a man only," Therefore, fince . 
 the poffeffion and exercife of this excellent fpirit ; 
 fince to feel and aft in mental accordance with the 
 divine plan in all its providential operations, is of un- 
 equalled importance to our prefent peace, and ever- 
 lafting welfare beyond the grave, it may be proper 
 in this place, to urge fome further reafons for our 
 calm fubmiffion to the will of God in every circum- 
 ftance. 
 
 ». Oppofition thereto is very finful, and helps for- 
 •wardthe a,ffliBion. Every degfee of reluftance, that 
 God fhould govern this world, and order our ftate, 
 fwells our guilt, and prevents our peace. If we are 
 difquieted with any divine allotments, we reply 
 againft God, and would fain arreft the infinite arm 
 that rules for him. Hence we are as the troubled fea 
 that cannot reft. Vain is the hope that the bleffed* 
 
and only Potentate will vary his fyftem of counfel, 
 or lighten the Tcourges of bis rod to fatisfy us. In- 
 finite wifdom has no (uch mode of a61:ioni to filence 
 the querulous heart. He exaSs unconditional fubmif- 
 fion. The rafh adventurer, who dares to withhold 
 it muft fink in unrelieved forrovvs. The bible ftate- 
 ment and decifioh of this point, is far from colleSing 
 the general mafs of human fufFrage. It is neverthe- 
 lefs, a true one. In meeting it with cordial acquief- 
 cence ; truth, duty, and happinefs daily unite in 
 dur joyful experience ; even when our outward 
 condition is the moft affliflive, they open to our 
 welcome fruition, the lading pleafures of hope, and 
 clear our profpedls of fuUnefs of joy in the pref- 
 ence of God and the Lamb abovej where the days of 
 mourning are forever ended. 
 
 2. Quietly yielding in meek fubjefifoh to the Fath- 
 er of Ipirits, under every yoke of reftraint and chaf- 
 tifeiiientj places a bright example before others. 
 What do profeflbrs of godlinefs more than others ? 
 tuhat to influence others to embrace ifie ftri£t chriftian 
 plan of faith dnd morals ? if they appear fuited with 
 God and contented with his arrangements, only when 
 their natural wifhes are gratified; and he permits 
 them to bafk in the fun of profperity ? Sinners, with 
 all the malignity of their Unholy hearts,, can fpeak 
 pretty well of Godj when the ftiiiles of fortune ca- 
 lefs ihem., and fofterfelfifh inclinations. Chriftian 
 friends— the faireft opportunity to make full proof 
 of your fincerity, to convince unbelievers of the ex- 
 cellence of ciiriftianity, and increafe the meafure of 
 your own confolation, is prejented in the day of ad- 
 verfity. But in what way can thefe blefled efFcQs 
 of tribulation be realized ? Surely in noway differ- 
 ent from that pure example of patience in fuflPerings, 
 which is congenial to the glorious hopes you enter- 
 tain. 
 
 3. Without this rafe frame of the heart, we can- 
 not he prepared to part with friends in their death, 
 
 B 
 
lO 
 
 nor to be taken ffom them in our twn. U^f^^bmif-^ 
 fivenefs to God, wholly difqualifies to fu tain the 
 lofs of beloved connea'ions, and to refign lite with 
 joy at the call of God, ourfelves. A refutal to re-, 
 ceive correftion, betrays a mind hardened in pride*^ 
 It is always bitterne/s in the end ; and impales the 
 heart with anguifti. At what a guilty uncomforta- 
 i)!e diftance from God are we placed, when we bid 
 our dying relatives the laft adieu? what z terror 
 fhall we be to ourfelves, when the great Arbiter of 
 Jife and death, is pleafed to terminate our earthly 
 courfe ? if in lowly abafement we have never bow- 
 ed at the foot of the crols ; nor fubmitted ourfelves 
 to the righteoufnefs of God with the mild, pacific 
 fpirit, of the adopted heirs of falvation ? From the 
 deep, untainted fource of a, meek, and lowly heart, 
 moft perfeftly abforbed in the will of his Father, the 
 Saviour of men, drew his mighty fupports in the 
 neareft approaches of his lad agony. Where fliall 
 we look, if not to this indefe&iv e famplar, to get con- 
 formity to the fame glorious will, and preparation 
 to meet every event of divine providence, with joy 
 and not with grief ? A careful imitation of him, (who 
 in the view of fufFerihgs, vaftly more extreme than 
 ever fall to the lot of mortals, wholly committed him- 
 f elf to Him that judgeth righteoitfly, in fuch expref- 
 fions as thefe, " The cup that my Father hath given 
 me, /hall I not drink it ? neverthelefs, not as I will, hut 
 as thou wilt") I fay a careful imitation of Him as far 
 as it can be carried in this ftate of imperfeQion, can- 
 not fail to procure us the divine approbation ; the 
 fame will reach as fovereign antidotes againft the 
 fervile fears of death, and infure our entrance into 
 the everlafting joys of the Lord, when taken away 
 from the evil to come—^^ Mark theperfeEl man, and he- 
 hold the upright, for the end of that man is peace" 
 
 4, Affurance of intereft in God, greatly depends 
 on the attainment of calm reflgnation to his will, in 
 all the changes and affliflions which abide us hercw 
 
II 
 
 Striving againft Godj is unjuftifiable in its na- 
 ture; it beclouds the rnind-u hinders the keep- 
 ing of the heart with diligence, and operates 
 againft every attempt to make our calling and elec- 
 tion fure. No circumftance nor degree, of" natural 
 eviljor forrow of the world, can jultify or excufe it. 
 Hence thofe *^ords of £lihu to Job—'- beholdJn this 
 thdu art notjupi I will anfwtr thee, thai God is greater 
 than man., why dojl thoufirive againjl him 3" In geii- 
 eral, affurance of faith, and faving interelt in Chrift, 
 is the Itcongeft in thofe, who are the moft unreferved 
 and fincere in yielding to him— who faith to all " be 
 Jliily and know that I am God." If our perfuafion of 
 our good eftate, exceeds the meafureofour confor- 
 ifeity to his law and will— we take moi;e evidence in 
 our own favor than the Lord gives, or the truth ad- 
 mits. In this way, p-refumption is flrengthened, but 
 chriftian affurance is weakened. Whatever our out- 
 ward condition may be, our hearts can no fartheir be 
 eftablilhed with grace, than they are fuited with 
 what fuits God, and acquiefce in the appointments 
 of his providence : therefore, the aflured Soul, that 
 on a warr-antable ground, has the fealing witnef« 
 of the divine fpirit, feels as quiet, and as readily blef- 
 fes the name of the Lord, in the lofs of what earth- 
 ly comforts he fees fit to take away, as the enjoy- 
 ments of them, nay', and more than fo, if hereby his 
 enjoyment of God is enhanced, and his ppeparation 
 for the life to come, rendered more emire. From un- 
 fubmiffiv-enefs to God, and want of afllirance of his 
 favor, our chief difturbances arife. A heart fadly 
 unfubjeQed to God in fbre trials,, is the very foolifh' 
 heart that is darkened^ and alas, is too often found, 
 replying againft God. But affurance of hope, is 
 the refult oP joy in the iovereign will of Jehovah, 
 and an unreferved furrenderingof ourfelves, and all' 
 we have to his righteous difpofal, according to what 
 he requires. Commit thy way unto the Lord, truft^ 
 aJfo in him, and he Iball bring it to pafs. 
 
1% 
 
 5- The more we are fwallowcd in the will of God 
 in this world, the greater degrees of glory will he, 
 confer upon us in the world to come. Doubtlefs, 
 they will be fet neareft to their Lord hereafter,who in 
 all fuppofeable circumftances of diftrefs, go the far- 
 thfft in preferring his will to their own. As their 
 profpeftsof heaven are the cleareft— fo it is likely 
 their fflare inthe ineffable bleflednefs of it-muft be, 
 the greateft. This is farther evident, becaufe fuch, 
 are ufually the mofl eminent in faithful fervicesfor 
 God : their light aflliftion, is alfo momentary--workr; 
 ingoiit for them, a far more exceeding an.d eternal 
 weight of glory— while they look not at the things 
 yrhichare feen— but at the things' which are not feen ; 
 for the things which are fpen are leniporal— but the 
 things which are not feen are eternal. 
 
 Some Application of the truths fuggcfted may now, 
 be made in. feveral inferences, and addrelTes, fuitec^, 
 to the fubjeft and occafion. , 
 
 iftly. And the inference from what has been faid, 
 is plain that we {hould ever look through ail fecon- 
 dary caufes to their independent s^ndfupreine Origi- 
 nal. Undue (elf regards and attachment to crea- 
 tures often prevent this, and become a wide fpread, 
 fnare to take, and keep us from the fountain of gpod,- 
 the great All of felicity. The fingle eye is direfled to 
 God; with delightful perception, »* beholds him, ancl 
 vieWs all dependent exiflences, caufes and eflPeQs, as 
 the creatures of his power ; conne^ed parts of his! 
 inBnitely wife fcheme of mora] goifernment ; which, 
 in his over ruling providence he mans|ges,fhapes,con- 
 trols, and brings to their eventual ifTues, in the beft, 
 manner poffible, for the endlefs illuftration of his own. 
 perfeftions, and the greateft happinefs of all who 
 love him ; compofing the whole fociety of his holy. 
 friends. Hence the Creator and Lord of the uni- 
 verfe, thus proclaims, •' / am God, and there is none 
 like me : declaring the end /ram the beginning" and 
 from ancient times the things that are not yet 
 
11. 
 
 done, feyingi *' my counfel JhaUJidnd, and Twill do 
 allmy plea{ure,'\ Atid again, ^^^ I form t^e light ani 
 fTfute darknefs s J make peace and create evil, I ih^ 
 Lord do ail thife things." 
 
 They are the effects of his determinate counfel, as 
 precifely as they are the objeSs of his foreknow- 
 ledge. Hence that declaration, " all things are of, 
 God" Now we ftop (hort of the moft de'fireable at- 
 tainment of ftable fupport, and permanent happinefs, 
 ■when we ftay and look for reft in any created and 
 fecondary objefts, in the denial or negleft of their 
 9II glorious, primary, independent, and uncaufed 
 origihal. This is to foffake the fowziain of living 
 jvatfrSf &i\d is ever connefted with a Criminal hew- 
 jng to ou^-felves kroien ciJierns.--]oh purfued a. more* 
 Vife and fuccefsful courfe ; when, the moft poignant 
 grief, with keen fenfibility thrilled through every 
 ^bre of his heart; upon the lofsofhis child^-en, and 
 the (udden ruffling in of difaftrous. events ; he look- 
 ed to his Maker- his eyes had refpeft to the holy 
 one of IJratl. He did not afcnbe his fuffering to 
 Satan,, when it pleafed God with certain limitations^ 
 |o leave hiip a while to the power of his maljciou^ . 
 buiFettingfi. No ! in lowly proftration before his 
 jicknowledged fovreign, he devoutly regarded the 
 imyfterious operations of his hapd, and blefled ihe 
 eternal Name— In whatever affliSions we are triedj 
 the language of this, to us, individually is, " go thqu^ 
 and do likewifi." What na'mclefs miferies would be 
 prevented—what growing felicities would fwarm 
 around us, and embalm our fouls in. the bed of 
 peace ; if with the fteady eye of holy faith, we look^ ' 
 cd beyond all earthly things, to the particular agen- 
 cy of God, and found a rfcfting place in him ? the% 
 in circuraftances the moft trying that ever were, w^ 
 ftiould not lofe fight of the affcftingaphorifm " M§ 
 Lord gave." In point of real happinefs, we fhould 
 efteem the difference between temporal calamity^ 
 and temporal profperity exceedingly fnaail. Whajt 
 
14 
 
 grant <;an be more extenfire, or more fatisfying to 
 the chriftian mind, than the following: '■<' For we 
 know that all things fJi all work together for good to them 
 -who love God, to them who qre the talkie according to. 
 his purpofe ?" 
 
 Thisiemindsof a fecond inference, that no events^ 
 of lime or extraneous caufes, can re^ich or juftle,; 
 the good man's foundation : the reafon is, it is laid 
 wholly in Immanuel or God with us. If this infer- 
 ence doth not very dire£lly refult from the theme ;, 
 on the ground of headjhip, or by virtual confe. 
 quenceit is included, and may with all propriety be 
 fupported. As the fun the rays of light, a*s the 
 fountain the ftreams, as a genefati particulars ; fo, 
 Chrid and the gofpel embrace all temporal gifts. 
 And are not profit and ipleafure united in our fol- 
 lowing thefe {hallow rivulets of terreftial good, tOr 
 their native and primeval fource ? the earth hath the- 
 Lord given to the children of men, with all its paffing 
 train of bleflings. Wherefore ? becaufe all things, 
 were made by, and for ChnU, and l>y^ him they all confifii 
 Of courfe the (olid ground which bears all the hopes, 
 and comforts of the good man, cannot be touched, 
 nor (haken by any calamitous events, or difmal ca- 
 tadrophies, with which a fovercign God is pleafed; 
 to try his faith and patience in thefe regions of for- 
 rows. Through the whole varying fcene, there is a. 
 ■way to keep the helm of reafon,and preferve chriiliaiK 
 ferenity, till we enter the iefired haven of eternal reftt. 
 This with a holy fupereminence, feems to have been 
 the cafe with Job, when the Lord faw fk to choofe.; 
 him in i\it furnace of offliBion. 
 
 Hence, with all confidence, he could make to his. 
 righteous Creator, this humble appeal, « He know- 
 tth the way that I take, when he hath tryed me, I ftiall 
 come forth as gold." But whence did his affurance of 
 fuch a blefled iffue of his trials derive ? on what ba- 
 fis did the folid ftrufture of his hope and joy arife ? 
 had he not expefted the Saviour's advent ; no fcar. 
 
dow dffupport would have reached his diftr 'effed cafe.'j 
 As for his hope, who Jhould have Jan it ? • It was a 
 ' precious lenitive to his throbbing heart, to" be able 
 to fay, '■^ I know that my Redeemer liveth." Fr P"' 'his 
 deep perennial fpring of all bleflednefs, flow ^^^ 
 natural lives, dear relations ; focial and religious in'-- 
 tercourfe, liberty, all the invaluable rights of con- 
 fcience, with the plenary joys of immortality. 
 
 May every one join arid fay, thanks be to the 
 Lord for his unfpeakable gift. This, though unde- 
 ferved and always forfeited, can never be taken 
 away, if we only afFeflionately receive it. What Jhall 
 Jeper'ate us from the love of Chrijl, (3c. Would the 
 time allotted me permit ; other inferences might be 
 pertinently drawn and profitably purfued ; but a 
 leant fufficiency is left to make the ufual addreffes ex. 
 peQed, and due on afFeQing occafioris like the pre lent. 
 
 iftly. It is my ardent wifli, to minifter all the aid 
 .and inftruflion in my power, to the Father of the 
 'deceafed youth. 
 
 Greatly affliEled and much refpeBed Friend, 
 
 It is by your defire, that I come to render the 
 "prefent labor of love ; you will, therefore, indulge 
 me theufe of brotherly freedom,and great plainnefs of 
 fpeech. With agonizing fmart you feel the wound 
 fo fuddenly made in your family, by the recent 
 death of your only Son. You will not forget, that 
 the Lord who gave, hath taken him away. No doubt 
 remains that your lofs is too great to be replaced by 
 the moft liberal fupplics that earth can furnifli. 
 Such refources are Ihallow. You are a witnefs that 
 thefe can bring no folace to mourners equal to their 
 prefling demanci. But furely you cannot now, may 
 you never fay " the mercies of God are clean gone^ 
 forever." May thefe throng in upon you in the pre- 
 fent folitary hours of death and grief. With that 
 choice infufion in your fuffering cup, which a fingu- 
 Jar mirror pf hetoical patience once had in his, you 
 cannot forrow as one that hath no hope. This was 
 
love, it w,as quiet rubmiffioH to the will of God- the 
 fame is fre*^e for you as it was for Job, In this new- 
 ly rifen J diftrefs which you never felt before, and it 
 is prob;«able in a fimilar fhape can never feel again, 
 the 'Very exercife of this rare grace, will fetch xo 
 your aid the balm of comfort. Do you fay, dear 
 Sir, with your gloomy thoughts ftill hovering over 
 his grave ; there lies my darling Son, the fole gift 
 of the kind that I was ever bleft with-there (lumbers 
 my main earthly dependence, from whom ! fondly 
 cxpeQed filial fuccours in my declining years? 
 
 Is it not poiEble your dotat^e on fo precarious a 
 ground, needed afudien check, more than the long. 
 er continuance of fo favourable an obje£t for its 
 gratification ? Is it not poffible that he was growing 
 into an idol of too large dimenfrons,- crowding in 
 your heart in too clofe interference with the Lord 
 himfelf? It ma^ be, it was a feafonab'e though a ve- 
 ry painful ftroke. Who can tell what a group of 
 evils he may have efcaped by his early, and what 
 we with oar great incompetency to judge, may think 
 premature exit. Was he fober minded, cfteemed by 
 his acquaintance, and promifing fair for ufefulne^ in 
 fociety ? had he been lefs fo, would not your forrows^^ 
 at prefent be greater ? In a review of all the affeft- 
 ing circumftances of his departure, be purfuaded to 
 endure, as feeing him who is invifiile. You will not 
 drop it out of your remembrance, that you fliaM gty 
 to him, though he {hall not return to ) ou. May this' 
 alarming event ftir you up to greater faith fulnefs to 
 your children that furvive. May you, and the wife 
 of your fecond choice, who is now a partner of your 
 joys and forrows, prove fpiritual help meets to each 
 other in the happy improvement of this loud fpeak- 
 ing providence. Is not the language of ii to you 
 both, " he yealfo ready ?" When by age and g«ace 
 ripened for glory, may you come to your graves in 
 fieace, like as a fhock of corn cometh in its feafon. « 
 Having fown in tears, may you reap in joy. Where 
 friends never part, and all the days of mourjping, 
 
»7 
 
 clofe in endlefsi beatitude, and the moft glorious fru- 
 ition of a finlefs immortality. 
 
 A few words may next be addrefTcd to the fillers 
 of the deceafed. 
 
 My young Friends^ 
 
 It is eafily perceivable that the death of your 
 brother is ftill frefli in your painful recolle^lion. It 
 is an affe£tingi but no ftrange thing that has hap- 
 pened unto you. , Sudden deaths are peculiarly 
 ftriking and awful ; but there are alfo frequent Difaf- 
 ters as well as difeafesjin every period of life are hurry- 
 ing mortals to their long home. The ,cafualty, fatal to 
 the haplefs youth, whoa few weeks fince flood in fo 
 near relation to you, may not be afcribed to blind 
 chance. It received commiffion from God. This 
 is the fum of the awakening call to you, ^^ hear 
 ye the rod, and who hath appointed it." May this fol- 
 emn providential lefTon teach you wifdom. In an 
 inftance of mortality, that affeQs you with fuch ex- 
 quifite fenfibilitysi y°" ^^^ ^^^ g'^C'^^, uncertainty of 
 life. That it is but ^ momentary loan from Jeho- 
 vah to each frail pofleffor. Be purfuaded to give 
 no reft to yourfelveSj in any degree of nnreadi- 
 nefs, to render an account to God for the iife 
 of your time and talentsi Alas! how prone are 
 perfons of every name and place, to view death too 
 much as if it were an improbable and diftant event ! 
 perhaps your choice^ fraternal friend, and the ill fa- 
 ted youth who perimed with him ;* a few minutes 
 before their deftru£lion came, felt fecure of harm. 
 Sacred hiftory warrants this to have been the cafe 
 with the fons of Job, that when they were on the 
 brink of a fliocking overthrow, they were unfufpi- 
 cious of danger. Beware my young fellow travel- 
 lers in thefe temporary fields of woe ; I entreat you 
 th*at you beware, that you take no incautious ftep ; 
 ponder the path of your feet. See that death come 
 not upon you unprovided for it ; it is unfpeakably- 
 treadful to be fmitten with his trident in all the unex.. 
 
 * Johq Heodeifon« 
 
families, to pave the way by the help of the God of 
 all grace, to live together forever in heaven.- -Does 
 not death lie as in ftmbufh to fpring on his deftined 
 prey in a moment, at the commandment of the Lord ? 
 what can raife a wall of defence againfl (he encroach- 
 ments of this rapacious devourer of our race ? can 
 youth, health or even virtue ? Oh no ! Parents can 
 you be remifs, and feel no anxiety for the eternal 
 •well being of your offspring, when you fee young as 
 well as aged dying around you ? May you who 
 have fo weighty a charge,, agonize in prayer, and 
 fpare no pains to get a blefKng from God, for ihofe 
 of tender, age in your domeftic circle. May the 
 youth of this place, in this harveft feafon of grace 
 among yOu, be fexcited to commence reapers,that they 
 may receive wages, and gather fruit unto life eier- 
 nal. Let the lifted Voice of God in his providence, 
 in his word, arid in the glorioufly convincing opera- 
 tions of his fpirit, penetrate ^oMr heart. May the af- 
 fefting death of two of your young aflbciates, prove 
 favingly beneficial to you. Never dare negJe£l the 
 great falvatiooj after the opening- of ^bcA a melan- 
 choly fee ne of diftrefs before your eyesi And let 
 OS allwith feafonable precaution and unremitted dil- 
 igence, labor to clear obftruflions from the path of 
 duty— To caft the whole weight of our influence 
 into the chriftiaa ballance. Let us ttrain every 
 nerve in fupport of praftical piety--to demolish er- 
 ror and vice j to moralize a world that is on the 
 point of drowning, to all appearance, in the perdi- 
 tion of ungodly men. Applying ourfeves with in- 
 defatigable zeal and affiduous care to all the duties 
 of felf denial, and of holy living, may our fitnefs be 
 joyfuUyrmature, to be taken away from every evil to 
 come, wbin the appointed time for it, in the coun- 
 fel of Godjhas arrived. May we Ihare the triumphant" 
 benediftions of the heavenly ftate, and with raptu^ 
 rous emotions forever cry Alleluia— praife ye the 
 Lord. AMEN. '