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COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND 
 ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE 
 
 I 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 
 
 
 

 
■■■Ill 
 
 A 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF 
 
 r 
 
 J*t9 H N II O W A R D, Esq^. 
 
 [PRICE ONE SHILLING.] 
 
SERMON, 
 
 OCCASIONED BY THE DECEASE OF 
 
 JOHN HOWARD, Esq^ 
 
 PRE A CHIP IN 
 
 LITTLE WILD-STREET. 
 
 K E A R 
 
 LINCOLN' S-INN-FIELDS, 
 March 21, 1790. 
 
 By SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, STRAND 5 C. DILLY, POULTRY i 
 
 R. BISHOP, NEWPORT-STREET, LEICESTER-FIELDS j 
 
 AND T. KNOTT, LOMBARD-STREET. 
 
 M.DCC.XC. 
 
TO THE 
 
 CHURCH and CONGREGATION 
 
 ASSEMBLING IN LITTLE WILD-STREET, 
 NEAR LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING SERMON, 
 
 PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST, 
 
 IS, 
 
 WITH GREAT RESPECT, 
 
 INSCRIBED, 
 
 BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE 
 
 AND OBLIGED 
 
 HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 The AUTHOR. 
 
 Muswell-Hjll, 
 April 5, 1790. 
 
SERMON, &>c. 
 
 kk9 
 
 Acts x. 38. 
 ■—who went about doing good — - 
 
 IT is a fad providence that directs my at- 
 tention to thefe words — words fodefcriptive 
 of the character to which I mean to accom- 
 modate them, that the name of Howard 
 fcarce need be mentioned to inform you whom 
 I intend. To raife a monument to his me- 
 mory is not my objeft. It does not require 
 it, nor am I equal to the fervice. The obli- 
 gations however I owe to his friendship and 
 your edification, will not allow me to be filent. 
 His benevolent regards to this Chriftian So- 
 ciety; his regular attendance with us for 
 
 B manv 
 
[ 2 ] 
 
 many years paft, as opportunity permitted ; 
 the fatisfadlion he expreffed in the word here 
 preached -, and the particular mare I had in 
 his affectionate efteem, are all considerations 
 which will I hope fecure me from the im- 
 putation of vanity, in thus taking notice of 
 fo public a character. 
 
 The words of our text were fpoken by the 
 Apoftle Peter to Cornelius, of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. " God anointed him with 
 " the Holy Ghoft, and with power, fo that 
 " he went about doing good, and healing all 
 " that were opprefled of the Devil : for God 
 " was with him/' The two particulars I 
 mean to illuftrate and improve, are, 
 
 I. His Bufinefs, which was " doing good;" 
 and 
 
 II. The Diligence with which he purfued 
 it — " He went about'' doing good. 
 
 I. His Bufinefs. It was " doing good. 
 
 ft 
 
 He was a " Benefactor' 7 to mankind. A title 
 affumed by one of the Egyptian Kings, how 
 juftly I will not enquire. But whatever good 
 
 offices 
 
[ 3 1 
 
 offices a Ptolemy Euergetes might perform, his 
 character is not to be mentioned at the fame 
 time with that of our Lord Jefus Chrift. He 
 is indeed Jesus the Benefactor. Not to 
 (beak here of the grand object of his appearance 
 in oar world, the offering his life a facrifice of 
 fin : how benevolently was he employed 
 during his pilgrimage on earth ! u He went 
 about doing good" — good, both to the Souls and 
 the Bodies of men. To the latter indeed our 
 text principally refers. And though it in- 
 stances only one fpecies of good he did, that of 
 " healing them who were oppreffed of the 
 Devil ;" yet the phrafe itielf comprehends all 
 pollible ways of being beneficial to mankind. 
 And the inftance here mentioned plainly inti- 
 mates, as feme have obferved, that he who took 
 fuch pains to refcue the bodies of men from 
 the power and pofTeflion of the devil, would 
 not fuffer their fouls to remain under his 
 dominion. He <c did good" then both to their 
 Souls and their Bodies, 
 
 First, To their Souls. 
 
 This he did by his public preaching, and 
 his private inftrudtions. He fet himfelf to 
 oppofe the paffions of depraved nature, and 
 
 B 2. the 
 
r 4 j 
 
 the prejudices arifing from the ignorance and 
 fuperftition of the times. He laid the axe 
 to the root of the tree, and refolutely com- 
 bated the abfurd and dangerous principles of 
 the Scribes and Pharifees, who fat in Mofes's 
 feat, and lorded it over the confciences of 
 men. He (hewed the fallacy of their reafon- 
 ings, and the evil tendency of their doctrines. 
 And knowing the fecrets of their hearts, he 
 warned men to beware of their hypocrify, 
 affirming that they -were " blind leaders of 
 the blind *." And while he thus attacked 
 the prevailing errors of the times, which had 
 confirmed men in ignorance and fin, he failed 
 not to give them juft apprehenfions of God, 
 his Law, the Sou/, the Way of life and fa/- 
 vation, Religion, and a Future fate. 
 
 The character of the bleffed God he placed 
 in its true light, by afcribing to him the 
 perfections of wifdom, juftice, holinefs, good- 
 nefs, and truth ; and by drawing out the 
 lively expreffions thereof in his own pure and 
 perfect example. • 
 
 The divine Law he refcued from thofe falfe 
 glories and abfurd interpretations, which had 
 been impofed upon it by wicked and defigning 
 
 * Matt. x\'. 14. 
 
 men; 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 men ; giving its true and genuine fenfe, and 
 explaining its fpirituality, extent, andauthority. 
 
 The Soul he affirmed to be immortal : and 
 whilft he afferted its dignity, importance, and 
 amenablenefs at the divine tribunal, gave a 
 ftriking picture of the fad ftate to which it is 
 reduced by fin ; laying open the ignorance, 
 pride, paffion, and iniquity of the human heart, 
 and infifting on the neceliityof a moral change, 
 or of the " New-birth * f " 
 
 All haughty pretences to merit he treated 
 with fovereign contempt, teaching men that 
 he alone was " the Mediator between God 
 and them -j-," that " none could come to God 
 with acceptance but by him J," and that " they 
 only who believed on him, the Saviour of the 
 World, fliould have life through him §." 
 
 Thenatureof Perfonnl Religion he explained, 
 and the obligations of Chriftians to it he en- 
 forced by the nobleft motives. The bleffings of 
 a peaceful confcience, and the pleafures remit- 
 ing from a hope of the divine favour, he let in 
 the moft engaging light. And while he recom- 
 mended the virtues of humility, faith, and 
 benevolence, with their genuine fruits, he 
 
 * Johniii.'3. t i Tim. ii.5. + John xiv, 6. § John ill - 36. 
 
 B 3 pointed 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 pointed to the Bleffed Spirit as the Author of 
 thefe heavenly gifts, and directed his followers 
 to look for them as the effect of his influence. 
 
 To qrown all, he gave the mofl plealing 
 and animated defcriptions of the felicity and 
 glory of heaven, and the ftrongeft affurances 
 of its certainty and everlafting duration. — 
 Such was the doctrine our Saviour taught, 
 ever accompanied with the cleareft reafoning, 
 the moit forcible arguments, and the warmeft 
 per fua lions. 
 
 Itisalfo ohfervable of his inftructions, that 
 they were fo conducted as to the feafpn, man- 
 ner, and other circumftances of them, as 
 beft to attain the end he had always in view 
 of " doing good." He taught both publicly 
 and privately, at home and abroad, in the 
 temple and the iynagogues, in the city and 
 the defart. He took occaiionfrom the com- 
 mon occurrences of life to engage die atten- 
 tion of men to the great truths of religion, and 
 to fix a deep impreffion of their importance 
 upon their hearts. He addrelfed himfelf to 
 the different characters, paflions, and con- 
 ditions of his hearers. The ignorant he 
 taught with gentlenefs and forbearance, pity- 
 ing 
 
{ 7 J 
 
 ing their prejudices, and condescending to 
 their weakneiTes. The diftreffed he comforted, 
 like a companionate phylician, healing the 
 brokenhearted, and pouring oil and wine into 
 the wounds of the bleeding confcience, The 
 proud and felf-confident oppofer he reproved 
 with feafonable freedom, and juft fe verity. 
 Nor would the peculiar affection he bare to 
 his own difciples, fuffer him to foothe their 
 irregular paflions, or palliate their criminal 
 miftakes. As occaiion was, he reprehended 
 or he pitied them, he exhorted or he com- 
 forted them, he cenfured or he applauded 
 them. And his inftrudcions he cloathed with 
 fuch language, figures, and parables ; and 
 uttered them with fuch a voice and gefture, 
 as were beft adapted to convey them with 
 clearnefs and energy to the mind and con- 
 fcience. — Thus did our divine Saviour, in 
 every poffible v/ay, ferve the interefts of the 
 immortal fouls of men* Which leads me to 
 fpeak, 
 
 Q 
 
 econdly, Of his " doing good" to their 
 
 Bodies. 
 
 Their temporal .in terefts, every fpecies of 
 which I include in this phrafe, were an obje£t 
 
 B 4 he 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 he did not deem unworthy of his attention. 
 As he was not himfelf a ftranger to poverty 
 and affiiftion, fo neither was he inieniible of 
 the miferies of others. So far from it, that 
 he is faid to have " borne their griefs and 
 carried their forrows * :' ; and " he came not 
 to be miniftered to, but to minifter -j»/ J 
 
 How much he was concerned for the civil 
 interefts of his native country, appears from 
 the tears he fried over jerufalem, while he 
 looked forward to the dreadful calamities that 
 were coming upon it. The offices too of 
 private friendfLip he performed with the 
 greateft chearfulnefs, as is evident from the 
 provident care he took of his difciples, whom 
 he confidered as his family, and the affectionate 
 farewel he gave them at iaft. And of the 
 good he did to individuals of every rank and 
 condition where he came, the inftances are 
 innumerable. 
 
 He was himfelf poor, and fo had little of 
 this world's good to diftribute to the needy. 
 Yet what he had he freely communicated to 
 
 * Ifa. liii. 4. t Matt. xx. 28, 
 
 them 4 
 
[ 9 ] 
 
 them; and the widow, the orphan, and the 
 ftranger all fhared of his bounty. Having 
 no other way to provide for a large multitude 
 that followed him into the wildernefs, and 
 were almoft fpent with hunger, he miracu- 
 lously multiplied a few fmall loaves and fifhes, 
 and fo kindly fupplied the cravings of animal 
 nature #, The fick he healed, The cries of 
 tender parents for their children, of mailers 
 for their fervants, of the humane ior their 
 afflicted friends and neighbours, he heard and 
 anfwered. He gave eyes to the blind, ears to 
 the deaf, and feet to the lame. The hungry 
 he fed, and the naked he cloathcd. Little 
 children received his benediction, and " the 
 bleffing of thoufands that were ready to perifh 
 came upon him *f% ,: By his prefence, houfes 
 hung round with forrow and mourning, were 
 rnade chearful and happy. The widow of 
 Nain, through his tender compafnon, had her 
 only fon reftored to life, and given back to her 
 embraces J; and Martha and Mary their be- 
 loved brother Lazarus §, 
 
 * John vi. 5 — 14, f Job xxix. 13. t Lukevii. 11 — 17. 
 (j John xi. 1 — 46. 
 
 In 
 
±n fhort, every place he vifited had fome 
 monument of gratitude to raife to his libe- 
 rality. And his difciples long after, well 
 remembered what he was ufed to fay, 
 with heart-felt pleafure and delight, " It 
 is better to give than receive *." The 
 favorite maxim this by which he governed 
 his life, and which he found means to prac- 
 tife amidft all the poverty and mifery he en- 
 dured. — Thus have we taken a general view 
 of " the good he did both to the Bodies and 
 Souls of men." — And now let us fee, 
 
 II. With what attention and diligence he 
 pet formed this the great bufinefs of his life. 
 — " He went about" doing good. 
 
 Such was his conftant, unwearied, and moil 
 delightful employment. He coniidered it as 
 his proper work, juft as men do the follow- 
 ing their feveral trades and occupations of life. 
 — So he calls it " his Father's bufinefs." 
 " Wot ye not that I was about my Father's 
 bufinefs -fr" — And " the work which was 
 given him to dot." To do the will of God 
 was " his meat and drink § ;" as natural to him, 
 
 * Ads xx. 3 r . + Luke ii. 49. J John xvii. 4. 
 
 5 John iv. 34» 
 
 as 
 
[ « ] 
 
 as it is to men in common to gratify their 
 fenfes. And that it was thus his object will 
 appear, if you confider thefe three things, 
 manifeftly included in the expreilion of "going 
 about" to do good,— the Wide Extent of his 
 labors — the Pains which of neceflity mult 
 attend his work— and his Perfeverance 
 therein. 
 
 First, As to the Wide Extent of his la- 
 bors. 
 
 He did not move in a narrow fphere. His 
 aim of doing good was not confined to his 
 own proper family, to his neighbourhood, to 
 the town where he lived, or to the villages 
 round about it, no nor to Judaea itfelf. It 
 was not confined to his immediate difciples, 
 or to his own party, as they were perhaps 
 called ; no nor to the Jews themfelves. He 
 did good to all forts of men, high and lew, 
 rich and poor, young and old, perfons of every 
 defcription. "He went about" doing good. He 
 did not flay at home, and receive all that came 
 to him, as Paul was obliged to do at Rome, 
 in his own hired houfe. But he went abroad, 
 went wherefoever he w r as fent for, or where 
 
 there 
 
[ « ] 
 
 there was any proipect of doing good. Some- 
 times he is feen in the city, and fometimes in 
 the wildernefs ; fometimes in the towns and 
 villages, and fometimes in the fields and by 
 the way-fide : now in Galilee, then in Judaea. 
 
 Secondly. The Pains and Fatigues too 
 attending his work were very great. 
 
 His conftitution was probably as tender, and 
 as fufceptible of languor and wearinefs as that 
 of the moft delicate. This however was no 
 temptation to him to floth and indulgence. 
 Urged by a vehement defire of doing good, 
 he is forgetful of himfelf, and indifferent to 
 thofe precautions which would be generally 
 thought prudent. Hunger, thirft, and cold, 
 he willingly fuffers to accomplifh his defigns. 
 Hazardous and fatiguing journeys he takes to 
 compafs the ends of his miniftry. Some- 
 times we fee him fitting on the fide of a well, 
 and afking a little water to quench his thirft*. 
 And again, entering a village where the in- 
 hofpitable inhabitants refufe him any enter- 
 tainment. " The foxes have holes, and the 
 birds of the air nefts : but the Son of man 
 
 * John iv. 6, 7. 
 
 hath 
 
[ *3 I 
 
 hath not where to lay his head *," yet none 
 of thefe things difcourage him. 
 
 Nor does his love of folitude, which muft 
 have been peculiarly grateful to him who had 
 in himfelf fuch fources of divine entertain- 
 ment, divert him from his grand object. If 
 he may but do good he is content to live in a 
 croud. Nor is he difcouraged by the oppo- 
 sition he meets with. Nothing is fo great a 
 trial to a good man, as to be traduced for a 
 defigning hypocrite, and reprefented as aiming 
 at popularity, or fomething worfe. So our 
 Lord was treated. Yet this cruel treatment 
 does not provoke him to defift from his at- 
 tempts to do good; no nor the bafe ingra- 
 titude of many who received favours at his 
 indulgent hands. — Once more, 
 
 Thirdly. The phrafe intimates his Con- 
 jlancy and Perfevera?zce in this his delightful 
 employment. 
 
 He did not in one or two inftances only do 
 good. He did not upon a few occafions only 
 exert himfelf for the good of his family, his 
 
 * Matt. viii. 20. 
 
 neigh- 
 
[ *4 ] 
 
 neighbourhood, his friends, or his country. 
 It was not in his early days only that he was 
 thus employed, or when incited to duty by 
 fome fair opportunity that offered. To 
 do eood was the buiinefs of his whole life. 
 At twelve years of age he was doing good in 
 the temple *, and the very la ft- day of his life 
 he was employed in the fame work. His 
 zeal never abated, nor did his buiinefs fuffer 
 any the leaft intermiffion. " I have finifhed 
 the work/ 3 fays he when he came to die, 
 " which thou ggtveft me to do -f." 
 
 Thus have you the out-lines of our Saviour's 
 moftperfed and amiable character — a character 
 which never was or can be equalled. " He 
 went about doing good/' and acquitted himfelf 
 with entire fatisfadion to his divine Father, 
 and the requifitions of his holy law. 
 
 Let us now coniider the Inftrudion which 
 this pleafing fubjed affords. 
 
 First. This view of our Saviour's cha- 
 rader lhoukt excite in our breafts the warmeft 
 
 * Luke ii. 96. t John xvii. 4. 
 
 love 
 
[ *S I 
 
 love to him, and the firmefl confidence in 
 him. 
 
 Can we have fo fair a pattern before our 
 eves without beins; enamoured with it? 
 efpecially when we reflect that to this zeal 
 and diligence of his we owe our hope of ever- 
 lafHng life. It was not only in obedience to 
 his Father's commands, but to gratify his own 
 ardent defires for our welfare, as well as that of 
 his immediate difciples, that he thus wxnt 
 about doing good. From his toils and la- 
 bours we derive bleffings of infinite value. 
 He has by thefe means laid open to our view 
 the immeafurable grace and compaffion of his 
 heart; given us the moll ftriking idea of the 
 divine character ; provided effectually for our 
 forgivenefs, acceptance, and falvation • and fet 
 us an example the moft engaging — the moil 
 animating. Behold the Son of God thus 
 <c going about doing good," thus providing for 
 the happinefs of myriads of rational creatures, 
 and fecuring to them joys the moft refined and 
 that know no end. And then fay, Whether 
 he is not worthy of our highefl love and moil 
 chearful obedience. — Nor can there remain 
 
 the 
 
C 16 ] 
 
 the leaft ground to fufpeft either his €< dbi* 
 lity 9 or his willingnefs > to fave them to the ut- 
 termoft that come unto God by him*/' after 
 his having given fuch proofs of the perfection 
 of his character, and the benevolence of his 
 heart. 
 
 Secondly. In this mirrotir of our Savi- 
 our's example we have a clear and humbling 
 view of our own defects. His pattern juftly 
 upbraids the fin and folly of all. " He went 
 about doing good." 
 
 • 
 
 But ah ! how many are there, on the con- 
 trary, who go about doing evil ? like their 
 father the devil, " who, as a roaring lion, 
 walketh about feeking whom he may de- 
 vour f." — Doing evil to God, trampling 
 under foot his righteous law, and cafting 
 contempt upon the gracious propofals of his 
 gofpel. Doing evil to their fellow-crea- 
 tures, to their reputation, fubftance, and per- 
 fons. And doing evil to themfelves, laying 
 violent hands on their immortal fouls, " mak- 
 ing a mock at fin %" and " cafting about 
 
 * Heb. vii. 25. t 1 Pet. v. 8. J Prov. xiv. 9. 
 
 1 fire- 
 
C *7 1 
 
 fire-brands, arrows, and death, faying they are 
 in fport*." — And not only do evil, but " go 
 about" to do evil; confider it their bufinefs, 
 " make pravifion for the flefh to fulfil the 
 lufts thereof "j-j" and " not only do thefe 
 things," but, as the apoftle expreffes it, " have 
 pleafure in thofe that do them J." How 
 deplorable thefe characters ! 
 
 Others there are who think it enough if 
 they abftain from grofs fins, and doing no 
 one any harm, take it for granted they may 
 be excufed doing any good. But fuch men, 
 while fheltering themfelves under the fond 
 notion of innocence, aft in diredl oppofition 
 to their own reafon ; fince the fame law that 
 requires them to abftain from vice, requires 
 them alfo to do good. To men of this 
 character I would fay, — Behold, I befeech 
 you, in the mirrour of the Saviour's life, your 
 own lamentable defects; and fo be convinced 
 of the neceffity, on the one hand, of that 
 provifion he has made for the pardon and 
 acceptance of the penitent finner; and on 
 the other, of new views, difpofitions, and 
 
 * Prov. xxvi. j 8, 19. f Rom. xiii. 14.. % Rom. i. 32. 
 
 C affwdtions 
 
[ i8 ] 
 
 affections to conftitute you his difciples, and 
 engage you to the imitation of his example. 
 
 Others indeed are fenfible, in a degree at 
 leaft, of their obligations not only to preferve 
 fober characters, but alfo td^do good : yet, 
 alas ! while faintly attempting it, they con- 
 fidently build their hopes on their fuppofed 
 merit. They go about, or rather feem to go 
 about, doing good, and therefore think they 
 have a claim to the rewards of heaven, on the 
 ground of ftrict equity. But let fuch men 
 compare their works with thofe of Chrift, 
 and they will fee fuch deficiencies in them, as 
 muft, unlefs extravagant ftupidity prevent, 
 ftrike them dumb in the prefence of a Being 
 who is omnifcient and all-perfect. — Again, 
 
 Another deception, no lefs fatal, is that of 
 thofe who, wholly taken up with fpeculations 
 in religion, and furioufly zealous in their con- 
 tention for the faith; are perfectly indifferent 
 to the great bufinefs of imitating the example 
 of Chrift. But what evidence does that man 
 give of the genuinenefs of his faith, who acts as 
 if he thought his zeal was to excufe him from 
 offices of love and obedience; and as if, becaufe 
 2 he 
 
[ *9 ] 
 
 he ferved the king in his wars, as fome one 
 exprefles it, he is to be exempted from taxes ? 
 A due consideration of the life of Chrift, 
 every where propofed for our imitation, would 
 -make fuch pe-rfons aftumed of their preten- 
 fions to religion. — Once more, 
 
 While we thus behold our divine Matter 
 ever employed in doing good, the very beft 
 of us ft and reproved for our many failures in 
 duty. Alas ! how little good have we 
 done ! how little for the glory of God ! 
 the honour of Chrift! and the real welfare of 
 our fellow-creatures ! Let lis therefore be 
 deeply humbled at the feet of divine Mercy, 
 look by faith to the crofs of Chrift, and fhed 
 penitential tears there for our ingratitude and 
 diiingenuity. And let us, 
 
 Thirdly. Be perfuaded to the imitation 
 of his moft excellent example. 
 
 To do good is thenobleft employment we can 
 be engaged in : nor is there a Chriftian living 
 who has it not in his power to do good. If then 
 we have abilities, though but in the fmalleft de- 
 gree, for inftrucling others, let us chearfully 
 ufe them to that end. " Let him that hath 
 
 C 2 the 
 
[ 20 j 
 
 the gift of teaching, wait on teaching ; or of 
 exhorting, on exhortation *." Be our ftations 
 in life what they may, whether public or 
 private, let us cherifh in our bofoms the 
 amiable graces of humility, meeknefs, con- 
 tentment, and benevolence; and by the 
 genuine expreffions of thofe graces in our 
 lives, allure others to the imitation of our 
 example, and fo do them good. Particular! y 
 by ads of charity, if bleffed with wealth, let 
 us diffufe happinefs among the poor, and 
 animate thofe of the fame rank with ourfelves 
 to the like kind offices. Let us feed the hungry, 
 cloath the naked, vifit the lick, and take under 
 our patronage the oppreffed and the friendlefs, 
 the widow and the orphan. And to our en- 
 deavours for the good of others, let us add our 
 fervent prayers to God for his blemng. Thus 
 let us become the friends and benefactors of 
 mankind. 
 
 To animate us to our duty, let it be re- 
 membered, that while we are doing good, we 
 are imitating the example of the bleflcd God. 
 " He is good to all, and his tender mercies 
 are over all his works -j-." O how various, 
 
 * Rona. xii. 7, 8. t Pfal. cxlv. 9. 
 
 how 
 
[ 21 ] 
 
 how numerous, how prodigious are the ex- 
 preffions of his bounty ! And how great 
 muft the honour be to refemble him, the beft 
 of all Beings ! " Be ye therefore followers of 
 God, brethren, as dear children *." 
 
 By doing good we imitate the example of 
 Chrift, And when to the dignity of his 
 character, we add the obligations we owe to 
 his friendihip in dying for us, how powerful, 
 how irrefiftible is the motive to do as he did ! 
 O think, Chriftian, on the one hand, of the 
 immenfe value of your foul, the miferies to 
 which your guilt had expofed you, and the 
 glory to which you ftand entitled in heaven; 
 and think, on the other, of the painful fer- 
 vices your divine Saviour performed, and the 
 bitter furferings he endured, to redeem you 
 from death and hell, and to make you the heir 
 of immortal blifs : think of all this, and then 
 fay, Whether you are not bound by every pof- 
 fible obligation to imitate the example of fuch 
 a Friend ? 
 
 There is alfo the higheft pleafure, to a 
 renewed mind, in this God-like employ- 
 
 * Ephef. v. r. 
 
 C 3 ment 
 
I 22 ] 
 
 ment of doing good. Is he a happy man 
 whole only object is, to guard again ft tem- 
 poral evils and to gratify his animal appe- 
 tites ? O ! no. Rightly inftrufted in our 
 relation to God and one another, the noble ft 
 fenfations we can poilibly feel, are thofe 
 which arife from a perfuaiion of his favour, 
 and the recollection of having; contributed to 
 the happinefs of our fellow-creatures. How 
 earneftly did the apoftle exhort the Ephefians 
 to remember the words of Chrift ! " how he 
 faid, it is more blcffed to give than to re- 
 
 ceive *. 
 
 Let me add the animating confideration of 
 the infinitely glorious rewards of a future ftate. 
 Yes, Chriftian, the blefied Jefus, who him- 
 felf went about doing good, will not fail, on 
 the great day of account, to acknowledge your 
 fervices performed in obedience to his com- 
 mands, and from a grateful fenfe of your ob- 
 ligations to his grace. With what ufrUtter*- 
 able joy will you hear him fay, in the prefence 
 of angels and men ! " I was an hungred, and 
 ye gave me meat : I was thirfty, and ye gave 
 me drink : I was a ftranger, and ye took me in : 
 
 * Ads xx. 35. 
 
 naked, 
 
E 23 3 
 
 naked, and ye clothed me : I was lick, and ye 
 vifited me : I was in prifon, and ye came unto 
 me *." " Well done, good and faithful fer- 
 vant ! enter thou into the joy of the Lord -j-;" 
 
 But there is one further confideration 
 to animate us to our duty, and that is, the 
 example of men eminent for their benevo- 
 lence and piety. Such an example I have 
 now to hold up to your view. A pattern 
 which is not, indeed, to be copied, in many 
 particulars of it, as few have ability and op- 
 portunity for the exertions of fo diftinguifhed 
 a character. The confideration of it may, 
 however, have a happy effect to engage us, 
 in our little circles, to put out all our 
 ftrength in the fervice of God and our fellow- 
 creatures. 
 
 Permit me then to give youfome general ac- 
 count of this extraordinary man, and then relate 
 a few hiftorical facts concerning him, which 
 w r ill eflablifh what has been faid of his cha- 
 racter, and make impreiTions on our minds 
 fuited to the prefent occafion. 
 
 * Matth. xxv. 35 — 39. + Matth. xxv. 21. 
 
 ' C 4 I (hall 
 
[ 2 4 ] 
 I fhall not take up your time with the 
 particulars of his birth, education, and for- 
 tune. The advantages of this kind with 
 which Providence indulged him, and of which 
 he was truly fenfible, were, of trifling con- 
 fideration, when brought into view with thofe 
 perfonal endowments, natural and religious, by 
 which he was diftinguifhed from moft other 
 characters. 
 
 He poffefled a clear underftanding and a 
 found judgment, which were enriched and 
 improved by a variety of ufeful knowledge. 
 And as he had a tafle for polite literature, fo 
 he was well verfed in moft of the modern 
 languages, which he took no fmall pains to 
 acquire, that he might be the better enabled 
 to carry his benevolent purpofes into effect. 
 He had a juft idea of the civil and religious 
 rights of mankind, accompanied with a true 
 fenfe of the worth, importance, and dignity of 
 man as a reafonable, focial, and immortal crea- 
 ture. And as no man had a more extenfive 
 knowledge of the world than he, having con- 
 verfed with perfonages of the firft rank in life, 
 and with thofe in the meaneft ftationsj with 
 characters eminent for virtue and piety, and 
 
 the 
 
[ *5 ] 
 
 the mofl abandoned and wretched ; fo no man 
 was more fully perfuaded than he of the 
 univerfal depravity of human nature. With 
 the difcernment both of a Philofopher and a 
 Chriftian he entered into the principles, 
 maxims, and views of men of all ranks and 
 conditions of life ; and knew how to apply 
 the knowledge he thus acquired to the moft 
 important purpofes. 
 
 His moral endowments w r ere perhaps more 
 extraordinary than thofe juft mentioned. Here 
 he ihone with diftinguifhed luftre. The two 
 virtues of Fortitude and Humanity were the 
 prominent features in his countenance. Nor 
 could his modefty conceal them from the 
 public eye, no not from the view of all Europe. 
 They were interwoven with his nature, and 
 always acted in unifon with each other. 
 
 Such was the Firmnefs of bis Mind that no 
 danger could deter him from his duty — not 
 the painful fatigues of long and hazardous 
 journies — not the perils of feas infefted with 
 mercilefs barbarians — not the loathfome in- 
 fection of dungeons — not the dread of affaffi- 
 nation bv the hands of mifcreants, who draw 
 
 their 
 
[ 26 ] 
 
 their gains from the vitals of thofe committed 
 to their cuftody — nor the apprehenfion of the 
 plague in a fhip with a foul bill, and in the 
 confinement of a Lazaretto — no danger how- 
 ever formidable could (hake his refolution. 
 '{ Having made up his mind to his duty/' as 
 he told me when expreffing my apprehen lions 
 for his fafety, " he thrufted all confequences 
 " from his view, and was refolved to follow 
 " wherever Providence led.' 1 And in a letter 
 I received from him, when juft embarking 
 on a dangerous ocean, with the profpect before 
 him of performing a forty-two days quaran- 
 taine, he thus expreffes himfelf, " I blefs God, 
 € * my calm fpirits and jleady refolution have not 
 " yet forfaken me" 
 
 He was fuperior too to the frowns and the 
 contempt of the envious and the avaricious, 
 who reprefented hirn as petulantly officious, 
 or extravagantly infane. Difappointments he 
 did meet with, and obftrudtions were thrown 
 in the way of fome of his benevolent plans. 
 But none of thefe things moved him. And 
 more than one inftance I might mention of his 
 afferting the caufe of the oppreffed, in the face 
 of a kind of oppofition which would makemoft 
 men tremble. — Nor on the other hand, could 
 
 the 
 
[ 2 7 ] 
 
 the Sir en -long of eafe, indulgence, and plea- 
 fure, prevail on him when on the career of 
 duty and danger, in the leaft to relax his 
 painful exertions. 
 
 u Firm to the mall with chains himfelf he bound, 
 " Nor trufted virtue to th' enchanting found." 
 
 With this Roman fortitude was united un- 
 common Humanity. He felt for the miferies 
 of mankind in general. He felt for the miferies 
 of the opprelTed. Yea, he felt for the miferies 
 of the guilty, for he well remembered that we 
 are all guilty before God. Their diftrefies 
 exifted not in his imagination only, they were 
 realized to his eye, his ear, his touch. As 
 the Poet exprefles it, when fpeaking of him, 
 
 <; He quitted biifs that rural fcenes beftow, 
 
 iC To feek a nobler amidlt fcenes of woe, 
 
 u To traverfe feas, range kingdoms, and bring home 
 
 " Not the proud monuments of Greece cr Rome, 
 
 " But knowledge fuch as only dungeons teach, 
 
 " And only lympathy like his cou'd reach." 
 
 The number of prifons he viiited, at the 
 hazard of his health and life, it would be 
 difficult to collect. Nor did he flop at the 
 iron-gate of the moil: gloomy dungeon. He 
 entered thofe dreary man lions of filence and 
 darknefs, and, in fome inftances, of cruel 
 
 oppreffion ; 
 
[ 28 J 
 
 oppreflion ; poured tears of commiferation on 
 the wretched inhabitant ; and with his own 
 hand miniftered affiftance, while his heart was 
 meditating plans of more general and effectual 
 relief. " 'The impreffions* lays he, which thefe 
 " fcenes of mifery made on my mind y no length of 
 " time can efface." It may therefore eafiiy 
 be imagined that, with a fenfibility peculiar to 
 himfelf, he affixed that expreffive motto to 
 his Book, 
 
 " Ah ! little think the gay 
 
 " Whom pleafurc, power, and affluence furround, 
 ** How many pine in want and dungeon-glooms ; 
 u Shut from the common air." Thomson. 
 
 Here I might paint, but I mail rather leave 
 it to you to imagine, the extatic joy which 
 many groaning under oppreffion felt, at ftarting 
 into life and happinefs, through the interpo- 
 lation of this tlieir generous Patron ; and the 
 gratitude too, which even thole who juftly 
 fuffered imprifonment felt, for the alleviation 
 of their miferies by his kind offices. 
 
 His Di/interejtednefs alfo in thefe exertions 
 for the good of mankind, is deferving of our 
 particular notice. For befides the conlidera- 
 tion of the fatigues he endured, the dangers 
 to which he expofed his perfon, and the ex- 
 pence 
 
t 29 ] 
 
 pence of various kinds he incurred, he well 
 knew the reports he made to the public would 
 afford difguft rather than entertainment, and 
 fo be read and regarded by few. He writ 
 therefore not for the amufement of the curious, 
 and could expert no applaufe from the un- 
 feeling. Indeed his objed; was the informa- 
 tion of Legiflature, of whom he fought, and 
 from whom, to his great fatisfaftion, he ob- 
 tained the redrefs of many evils he complained 
 of. €t As nothing , fays he, but a confcionfnefs 
 " of duty could have enabled me to go through 
 " all the dif agreeable fcenes which lay in my 
 " way, fo I had the happinefs of being placed 
 ** out of the reach of other incitements J' 
 
 There is one more trait in his character 
 which muft not be overlooked, and that is 
 his Temperance, Such a maflery he obtained 
 over himfelf that a little food, and that chiefly 
 of the vegetable kind, fatisfied the demands 
 of nature - y and with one night's reft out of 
 three he could, for a long courfe of time, 
 purfue his journies. No conlideration could 
 prevail on him to partake of the luxuries of 
 the moft elegant table, or to allow himfelf 
 more reft than was abfolutely neceffary. Nor 
 yet was he influenced, in this kind of difcipline 
 
 he 
 
[ 3° J 
 he obftrved, by cynical aufterity. Pie found 
 this mode of living moll: agreeable to his con- 
 ftitution,and bell qualified him for thofe active 
 exertions which were the pleafure of his life. 
 
 Such were the moral endowments of this 
 extraordinarv man — fuch his Fortitude, his Hu- 
 ?nanity> his T)ijinterejle chiefs y and temperance. — 
 I go on now to fpeak of his religious character. 
 
 He was a firm believer of divine Revela- 
 tion. Nor was he alhamed of thofe truths 
 he heard Hated, explained, and enforced in 
 this place. He had made up his mind, as he 
 faid, upon his religious fentiments, and was 
 not to be moved from his ftedfaftnefs by 
 novel opinions obtruded on the world. Nor 
 did he content himfelf with a bare profeffion 
 of thefe divine truths. He entered into the 
 fpirit of the gofpel, felt its power, and tailed 
 its fweetnefs. You know, my friends, with 
 what ferioufnefs and devotion he attended, for 
 a long courfe of years, on the worlhip of God 
 among us. It would be fcarce decent for 
 me to repeat the affectionate things he 
 fays, in a letter writ me from a remote part 
 of the world, reflecting the iatislaction and 
 pleafure he had felt in the religious exercifes 
 
 of 
 
t> 3 
 
 of this place. I fhall however be excufed, 
 if I juft obferve, that his hours of religious 
 retirement, whether on land or at fea, were 
 employed in reviewing the notes he had taken 
 of fermons delivered here. And " tbefe, adds 
 " he, are my Jongs in the htinfe of my pilgrimage \ 
 " Ohy Sir, bow many fab baths have I ardently 
 ' ' longed to fpend in Wild-free t ! — God in Cbriji 
 u is my Rock, the portion of my Soul J 1 
 
 His Candour, as might naturally be ex- 
 pected in a man of his exemplary piety, was 
 great. As he fteadily adhered to his religious 
 principles, fo he abhorred bigotry. Having 
 met with difficulties in his enquiries after 
 truth, he knew how to make allowance for 
 thofe who met with the fame. 
 
 His a£ts of Charity to the poor were nu- 
 merous. "For though he was not oflentatious, 
 yet many of them could not be concealed. 
 Providence bleffed him with affluence ; but 
 all who knew him, know that nothing was 
 more oppofite to his difpoiition than the 
 heaping up wealth. His treafure was laid up 
 in heaven. His neighbourhood in Bedford- 
 fhire will bear witnefs to his gene'cfity ; and 
 many a poor family there will, I doubt not, 
 
 feci 
 
feel deeply for the lofs of fo kind a Friend, 
 Nor were his charities confined to the circle 
 of his own manfion. " He went about," like 
 his divine Matter, " doing good/' Companion 
 excited, prudence guided, and obligingnefs 
 accompanied his benefactions. He well re- 
 membered what the benevolent Jefus was 
 ufed to fay when on earth, " It is more 
 bleffed to give than to receive." Few who 
 fought his affiftance were refufed, and many 
 obtained it without feeking it. The advance- 
 ment of the interefts of truth and religion, 
 was an object in his view mod important. 
 To the erecting of many a place of worfhip 
 did he liberally contribute. And with what 
 chearfulnefs he affifted in the building this 
 Houfe you need not be told. " He accounted 
 " it an honour, he faid, to join his name with 
 " yours " 
 
 Good men of every denomination he affec- 
 tionately loved. And while with a manly 
 firmnefs he afferted and maintained his own 
 religious fentiments, agreeably to the fenfe he 
 felt of their importance ; he was a good deal 
 hurt at every approach, in his apprehenfion, 
 towards a little, narrow, contracted ipirit in 
 matters of religion. Yet he was a Dijfenter 
 9 from 
 
[ 33 ] 
 from the Eftablifhed Church on principle. 
 Nor was he aihamed to have it known to all 
 the world that this was his proferhon. He 
 well underflood the grounds of his Diffent, 
 nor could he on any confideration think it his 
 duty to take the facramental teft as a quali- 
 fication, either for enjoying any place of 
 honour and emolument, or ferving any burden- 
 fome office in the ftate. Called upon, how- 
 ever, to the latter, he did not avail himfelf 
 of this juft excufe for declining the fervice^ 
 but refolutely undertook it, at the hazard of 
 incurring enormous pains and penalties, from 
 which nothing but a bill of indemnity could 
 fecure him. 
 
 Such was the Character of this excellent 
 man. " He went about doing good.' 3 The 
 life of Chrift was the original, his the copy. 
 How nearly the latter refembled the former 
 you will judge from what has been faid. Nor 
 am I afraid you will charge the account given 
 of him with exaggeration. His character 
 was a very extraordinary one. It was how- 
 ever, not without its imperfections : nor 
 fhould I do him juftice were I to omit adding 
 that he was himfelf deeply fenfible of thofe 
 imperfections. 
 
 D X It 
 
[ 34 ] 
 
 It remains that I mention a few hiftorical 
 facts, which will ferve to throw a further 
 light upon the character we have drawn, and 
 confirm the truth of what hath been faid. 
 
 In the year 1773 he was called upon to 
 ferve the office of Sheriff for the county of 
 Bedford. The prifons, of courfe, failing 
 under his infpection and management, he 
 became acquainted with fuch dlforders and 
 abufes, as failed not to excite his companionate 
 concern. He confidered that prifons, houfes 
 of correction excepted, were not meant for 
 punifhment but confinement. No man is in 
 the eye of the law guilty, till legally tried 
 and convicted. He therefore rightly con- 
 cluded that to fubject a perfon in this ftate to 
 any inconvenience, more than the neceffary 
 one of confinement, is unjuft; and to fuffer 
 him, when acquitted, to be loaded with ex- 
 orbitant fees, is cruel oppremon. 
 
 The utmoft pains therefore he immediately 
 took to effect a reform in the goals under his 
 own cuftody. This naturally led to the idea, 
 that what had happened in his own County, 
 might have happened alfo in other Counties. 
 
 He 
 
[ 35 3 
 
 He therefore refolved to vifit the prifons of 
 neighbouring Shires. This he did, and his 
 fears being realized by the miferable fcenes 
 his eyes beheld, he extended his progrefs 
 further, and vifited the whole kingdom. The 
 information thus obtained, and which was 
 committed accurately to writing, he imme- 
 diately applied to the object he had in view. 
 
 In the year 1774 he was examined upon 
 this fubject before the Houfe of Commons, 
 when he had the honour of their thanks. 
 And foon after a Eill was brought in te for 
 the Relief of prifoners who mould be acquitted 
 — refpecting their fees ;" and another Bill 
 " for preferving the health of Prifoners, and 
 preventing the Goal-diftemper/' Thefe two 
 Acts which paffed that Seffion, he had printed 
 in a different character, and fent them to the 
 keeper of every County-Goal in England. 
 By thofe ABs, as he obferves, the tear was 
 wiped from many an eye ; and the Legiflature 
 had for them " the blefjings of many that were 
 ready to perifo" Thus had a Howard the 
 honour of pouring confolation into the afflicted 
 breaft ; and through him it might be faid, 
 i( God looked down from the height of his 
 
 D 2 fanctuary 
 
[ 36 ] 
 
 ianctuary, to hear the groaning of the prifoner, 
 to loofe thofe that were appointed to death *.." 
 
 His views, upon this fuccefs, w r ere quicklv 
 enlarged. He refolved to vifit the prifons in 
 foreign countries, not only to obtain relief 
 for the oppreffed, and a mitigation of miferies 
 to the diftreffed wherever he found them ; 
 but to procure fuch new information, as might 
 be necefiary to forward the reforms he had in 
 contemplation at home. His vifits were re- 
 peated, and fcarce a kingdom was there in 
 Europe which he did not traverfe. 
 
 He then extended his views ftill further, 
 and refolved to collecl: the rules, orders, and 
 drafts of the principal Lazarettos in Europe, 
 with the medical treatment of patients in the 
 plague ; in hopes by thefe means to fet on 
 foot fuch regulations, and bring forward fuch 
 meafures as, with the bleffing of God, might 
 prevent the future return of that calamity to 
 this country. So he travelled into Turkey, 
 and vifited himfelf one, if not more, who 
 was actually in that dreadful diforder, the 
 
 * Pf. cii. 1 8, 19. 
 
 diftant 
 
[ 37 3 
 
 diftant apprehenfion of which has made many 
 a countenance turn pale. 
 
 To give you only a general account of his 
 well-laid plans, for alleviating the miferies of 
 the poor, for flopping the progrefs of vice, 
 for promoting induftry and virtue, and for 
 preventing the importation and fpread of in- 
 fectious difeafes, would carry me too far. I 
 muft therefore only add, that fuccefs has al- 
 ready, in a degree, attended his endeavours. 
 And it is to be hoped, that fuch a fuperftruc- 
 ture will, in time, be raifed on the foundation 
 he has laid, as will be of the greatcft utility to 
 this country ; and which, fhould he have ac- 
 cefs to the knowledge of it in the world above, 
 would, I am perfwaded, add to the joy his 
 benevolent heart there feels. 
 
 We have hinted before at the painful fa- 
 tigues he endured, the great expence he in- 
 curred, and the imminent dangers to which 
 he expofed himfelf in thus going about to do 
 good; and on this fubjedt I meant further to 
 enlarge, but muft deny myfelf this fatisfadion, 
 left I fhould trefpafs on your patience. 
 
 The 
 
[ 38 ] 
 
 The attention which was paid to him by 
 the principal Perfonages in Europe, and which 
 he was fo far from courting, that, in fome 
 inftances, he abfolutely declined it; I fay, 
 this extraordinary attention of theirs, with the 
 peculiar circumftances that accompanied it, 
 fhews in what high eflimation his character 
 flood with the Public. Indeed, his modefly 
 muft not be paffed over without particular 
 •notice. His reply to one of the principal 
 officers of ftate in a great kingdom, upon 
 being told that, however he would not fuf- 
 fer a ftatue to be erected to him in his own 
 country, a ftatue would in the prifons of 
 that; I fay, his reply was memorable, and 
 marks the character of the man. " / have 
 " no objection, faid he, to its being erected where 
 it flail be invijible" And in a letter he fent 
 me from Turkey, fpeaking of this hajly mea- 
 fure, as he calls it, and his wijh that it might be 
 flopped, he adds, " Alas! our bejl performances 
 " have fuch a mixture of folly and Jin, that 
 " praife is vanity and prefumption, and pain to 
 " a thinking mind" 
 
 He fat out on his laft journey the begin- 
 ning of July, 1789. It was to have been 
 of great extent, and to have taken up the 
 
 com- 
 
t 39 ] 
 
 compafs of about three years. I expoftulated 
 largely with him at parting, on the miftake of 
 fuffering himfelf, through an earneft defire of 
 doing good, to be precipitated beyond the 
 clear line of duty, which might poffibly be 
 fome times the cafe. He feemed to appre- 
 hend he mould fcarce fee this country again, 
 and when laft in this place, faid to a friend 
 near him, " Well! we fhall not perhaps meet 
 one another again till we meet in heaven" 
 
 What we feared Providence has permitted. 
 Howard is no more ! He died at Cher Jon *, 
 January the 20th, of a malignant fever, which 
 he caught by humanely vifiting a perfon in 
 that diforder ; to whom he adminiftered the 
 ufual medicine, but without effedl. The fame 
 medicine he took himfelf, which proving too 
 powerful for his conftitution, the fever carried 
 him off in ten days. He had the affiftance of 
 feveral Phyficians ; and great attention was 
 paid him by Prince Potemkin, who not only 
 fent him his own Phyfician, but vifited him 
 himfelf. 
 
 * A fettlement of the Emprefs of Rujfia, toward the 
 northern extremity of the Euxine or Black Sea, not far from 
 Oczakc-iv* 
 
 Thus 
 
[ 4° '] 
 Thus fell this great and good man a 
 facrifice to humanity. The fad news 
 has touched the hearts of thoufands. His 
 country weeps. Who feels not on this 
 mournful occafion ? It is no weaknefs to feel 
 — to feel, when friendship and benevolence 
 receive fo great a ihock from the mercilefs 
 hand of death. 
 
 Submiffion, however, is our duty. May 
 furviving relatives patiently acquiefce in 
 fo very trying a providence ! And let us 
 all endeavour to compofe our minds to 
 this temper, by turning our attention from 
 the lofs we fuftain to the immenfe gain be has 
 acquired. w Blefled are the dead that die in 
 the Lord : they reft from their labours, and 
 their works follow them*. ' : Yes, he hath 
 ceafed from his labours, and is now m the 
 perfect enjoyment of that freedom, health, 
 and happinefs he fo benevolently wifhed all 
 mankind to pofTefs : 
 
 — his weary foul he bathes 
 
 Jn feas of heavenly reft, 
 And not a wave of trouble roils 
 Acrofs his peaceful breaft. 
 
 * Rev. xiv. 13. 
 
 Glory 
 
[ 4i ] 
 
 Glory too is his reward. While the angel 
 of mercy wiped the falling tear from his eye, 
 God, the Judge of all, placed a crown of 
 righteoufnefs on his head. So, with a fatis- 
 faclion unhurt by the pain he had often felt 
 from the applaufe of men, he received the 
 plaudit of his divine Mafter. " Well done, 
 good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Lord */' The fentence was heard 
 by the heavenly choir, who inftantly, with 
 one voice, echoed back their loud Amen. 
 
 * Matth. xxv. 23. 
 
 THE END. 
 
Inthe Prefs, and fpeedily will be publijhed, 
 
 S E R M O 'N S, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 DIVINE AUTHORITY 
 
 AND 
 
 VARIOUS USE 
 
 or THE 
 
 HOLY SCRIPTURES. 
 
 By SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D. 
 
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 Poultry; R. Bishop, Newport-Street, Leicefter-Fields ; and 
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