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 Princeton Tlieological Seminary Library 
 
 littp://www.arcliive.org/details/remainstheologicOOrobe 
 
r<unted /v ^r. JACKSON. 'K.K.T-JtjrdVod h-'M .1 .l:^^. 
 
 14. r i 1-ir- "R .-4 a i^ 
 
REMAINS, 
 
 THEOLOGICAL AND POETICAL, 
 
 ^i 
 
 REV. THOMASIIOBEIITS, A.M. 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, 
 BY JAMES BUCKLEY. 
 
 AND A GENERAL PREFACE, 
 BY GEORGE CUBITT. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 SOLD BY SIMPKIN & MARSHALL, STATIONERS' COURT ; 
 AND BY JOHN MASON, 66, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 
 
 1838. 
 
London :— Printed by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton Square. 
 
CONTEN' 
 
 
 I 
 
 Page. 
 General PRBrACE vii 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. THOMAS 
 ROBERTS, M.A. 
 
 Dedication 3 
 
 Treface to the Memoir 5 
 
 Memoir 11 
 
 SERMONS AND SKETCHES OF SERMONS. 
 
 Sermon I. Preached at the South E^ales District-Meet- 
 ing, June 12th, 1811; immediately after 
 the Rejection of Lord Sidmouth's Bill, 
 for limiting the Toleration- Act. (Isaiah 
 Ixci. b.) 203 
 
 II. Illumination, Help, and Comfort. (Psalm 
 
 cxlci. 8.) 225 
 
 III. Confident Expectation of the Divine Bless- 
 ing, the Ground of Encouragement in the 
 Cause qf Religion. (Neh. ii. 20 j 243 
 
 a 2 
 
IV CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 Sermon IV. Preached under the Rycamore'tree, at 
 Kingswood, on Mr. Wesley's Birth-day. 
 (John i.6,7-) 268 
 
 V. Job's Sincerity. (Job xix. 28.; 281 
 
 VI. Missionary Exertions considered in their 
 Object and Obligations. (Isaiah xl. 3 — b.) 291 
 
 Sketch I. Devout Solicitude for a Revival of Religion. 
 
 (Habakkuk Hi. 2.) 307 
 
 II. Sanctified Bereavement. (Job xxiii. lO.j . . 316 
 
 III. Evangelical Obedience rewarded. (Isaiah 
 xxxiii. 15—17.) 321 
 
 IV. The Sinfulness and Redemption of Man. 
 (Romans Hi. 22 — 24. ) 330 
 
 V. Christmas-day. (Matthew i.3.) 335 
 
 VI. Good-Friday. (Zechariah xiii. 7-) 339 
 
 VII. The Rest of the Soul. (Psalm cxvi. 7—9 ) 343 
 
 VIII. Believers the Subjects of Divine Illumina- 
 tion. (Ephesians v. S.) 346 
 
 IX. The good Man in Affliction. (Psalm cxix. 
 107.; 349 
 
 X. The Season of Harvest improved. (Isaiah 
 
 ix. 3.) 353 
 
 XI. Primitive Christian Preaching. (Acts viii. 
 35.J 359 
 
 XII. The ready Preacher and the devout 
 Hearer. (Acts x. 33.) 363 
 
 XIII. The Doer of the Work blessed in his 
 Deed. (James i. 25.; 369 
 
CONTENTS. T 
 
 Page. 
 Sketch XIV. Christian Diligence. (2 Peter i. lOj . . 372 
 
 XV. The Vanity of Man. (Isaiah xl. 6—8.;. . 375 
 
 XVI. The Effects of the Outpouring of the 
 Spirit. (Isaiah xliv. 1 — 5.) 381 
 
 XVII. For Good-Friday. Part I. (Isaiah liii. 
 10.; 384 
 
 XVIII. Good-Friday. Part II. (Isaiah liii. 10.; 389 
 
 XIX. Preached in Connexion with the Forma- 
 tion of a Bible Society. (2 Thess. Hi. I.) 393 
 
 XX. The Work and the Effect of Righteous- 
 ness. (Isaiah xxxii. 17.) 398 
 
 HYMNS AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 St. Matthew xxd 407 
 
 Written at his Lodgings in Bandon, Ireland, in 1787-8 408 
 
 On the Death of Mr. Wesley 409 
 
 A Wanderer 411 
 
 Missionary Questions and Answers 412 
 
 Christ, the Prophet, Priest, and King of his People. ... 414 
 
 Encouragement 415 
 
 Twilight 410 
 
 Job xix. 28 ib. 
 
 Christmas-day 417 
 
 Sanctified Affliction 418 
 
 The Song of Moses 420 
 
 Morning Hymn 423 
 
 Evening Hymn 424 
 
 Some Persian Verses imitated 425 
 
 New Year's Day — 1819 ib. 
 
 A Hymn for a Child, on New Year's Day 420 
 
 Hymn, to the Spirit 427 
 
 a 3 I 
 
Tl CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 The Sluggard 427 
 
 The Forget-me-not 431 
 
 Nunc Dimittis ib. 
 
 We all do fade as a Leaf 432 
 
 Gaudilla and Lavinia 433 
 
 St. Matthew vi. 33 436 
 
 Joshua vii. 19, 20 437 
 
 Psalm xxiii 438 
 
 Messiah 439 
 
 Amos in. 1 — 6 440 
 
 A Hymn in Praise of the Author of Nature 441 
 
 Psalm a;a;. 1, 2 443 
 
 Numbers x. 29 444 
 
 The Fall of Antichrist 445 
 
 Paraphrase on Psalm cxlviii 446 
 
 Horace's Twentieth Ode, Book U. imitated 450 
 
 Horace's Fourth Ode, Book I. imitated 451 
 
 Abraham interceding for Sodom 453 
 
 2 Samuel xxiv. 14 455 
 
 Isaiah xxvi. 8, 9 456 
 
 Morning 457 
 
 Noon 459 
 
 Jeremiah xiv. 7 — 9 467 
 

 GENERAL PREFACE.'^ ^/(? . 
 
 '^^i 
 
 I HAVE been requested by the cbildren of my 
 much-respected friend to write a general preface to 
 the volume containing the Memoir of their father 
 by the Rev. James Buckley, and a selection from 
 his manuscripts, theological and poetical. I could 
 not refuse such a request, unless I had first forgotten 
 the many happy hours I had spent in his society, and 
 the advantages I had derived from his neighbour- 
 hood during a long season of deep personal and 
 family affliction. What I may term my direct and 
 personal acquaintance with Mr. Roberts, began in 
 the year 1825, when I was appointed to the Bristol 
 Circuit, where he was then residing as a Supernume- 
 rary Preacher. We were opposite neighbours, and, 
 for three years, (at the end of which I removed from 
 Bristol, and he went to reside at Bath,) not many 
 days passed in which there was not some intercourse 
 either between ourselves, or some of the members of 
 our respective families. If, therefore, my acquaint- 
 ance with him was short, it was nevertheless close 
 and constant, and afforded me every opportunity of 
 noticing what one of his friends has, with great 
 precision, called his " interior character ; " the only 
 difficulty in perceiving and describing which, the 
 respected writer very forcibly states, (p. 187.) There 
 Avas a remarkable agreement betAveen the interior and 
 exterior character of Mr. Roberts ; between tliat 
 moral and intellectual form which his mind had 
 
Vm GENERAL PREFACE. 
 
 assumed, and those visible expressions of the inner 
 man whicli his ordinary life presented to the in- 
 spection of others. He was free from guile ; he 
 was free also from those little artifices and con- 
 cealments which sometimes obscure the excellence 
 of the truly good man, and which, in point of fact, 
 disguise nothing, and make no other impression 
 on the beholder than that of littleness and infirmity. 
 In the character of Mr. Roberts there was an almost 
 transparent simplicity ; he appeared just as he was, 
 without display or efl^ort, with all his excellencies, and 
 with all his failings. His whole deportment was so 
 unconstrained, that they whom he admitted to his 
 friendship at once felt themselves to be perfectly 
 at home with him. There are persons whose princi- 
 ples are substantially right, who, nevertheless, appear 
 to have an ambition to enact a character not naturally 
 their own, and, in attempting this, every movement is 
 marked by stiffness and formality. It may be ob- 
 served, in passing, that this is a line of conduct always 
 to be carefully avoided. An artificial character never 
 attracts, and sometimes it even repels ; for it is im- 
 possible to avoid the approaches of a suspicion, that 
 though all may be in perfect unison with the charac- 
 ter maintained with such resolute labour, yet that 
 the cloak and mask may conceal that which the 
 wearer is perhaps even more anxious to conceal from 
 himself than from others. The Christian is bound 
 not only not to disgrace the doctrine of God his 
 Saviour, but to adorn it in all things ; and this cannot 
 be done unless in " simplicity and godly sin- 
 cerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace 
 of God, he has his conversation in the world." Not, 
 indeed, that he is to parade his defects. There is 
 
GENERAL PREFACE. IX 
 
 often as much ostentation in this as in the display of 
 excellencies, and a great deal more viciousness. Men 
 seldom bring forth their own failings for condemna- 
 tion. They refer to them v?ith seeming candour, but 
 with the real design that they may be denied, or 
 extenuated ; or, which is frequently the case, met 
 by a counterbalancing ascription of abundant good. 
 Of all this I saw nothing in Mr. Roberts. He was 
 a fine example of open-hearted honesty. I had every 
 opportunity of seeing him just as he was ; and as I 
 saw him, so I believe he was. I most willingly add 
 my testimony to those which are given in the follow- 
 ing Memoir. The writers had known him much 
 longer than I had, but they could scarcely esteem 
 him more. But they knew him well, and they have 
 described him accurately. Indeed, after these de- 
 scriptions, and especially after the beautiful, correct, 
 and instructive one drawn up by my esteemed friend 
 Mr. Lessey, any additions from myself would be 
 worse than superfluous. There are one or two ob- 
 servations, however, which I may be allowed to 
 subjoin. They will have a far higher object than 
 either eulogy or description, and may be useful to 
 the reader, while he is perusing the varied events of 
 the life of Mr. Roberts, in assisting him to derive 
 from them their proper and intended moral. 
 The lines of Dr. Young, — 
 
 " Heaven gives us friends to bless the present scene, 
 Removes them to prepare us for the next : " 
 
 are often quoted, and perhaps admired whenever 
 read ; but, however true the last line may be, the 
 former expresses only a part, a very small part of the 
 design of Providence in those various gifts which 
 constitute what is generally considered as temporal 
 
GENERAL PREFACE. 
 
 prosperity. It may be doubted whether these gifts 
 are ever bestowed for the sole (or even the principal) 
 purpose of " blessing the present scene," — taking the 
 "words in the sense which ninety-nine readers out of 
 every hundred will give to them ; that is, for the 
 purpose of promoting our personal comfort and en- 
 joyment. All the dispensations of Divine Provi- 
 dence, in reference to " the children of God by faith 
 in Christ Jesus," have one great object ; and though, 
 ordinarily, that object is best promoted by those chas- 
 tenings which we have called " adversity," — in 
 the same spirit of querulous unbelief that led the Pa- 
 triarch Jacob to exclaim, " All these things are 
 AGAiiN^sT me," — yet is it sometimes promoted by a 
 series of events whose external character is very 
 different, though their ultimate design is the same ; 
 namely, " that we may be partakers of his holiness." 
 If the word, " bliss," be thus taken, — and properly 
 speaking, thus it always ought to be taken, for we are 
 never blessed except when our growth in grace is 
 promoted, — then is it delightfully true that 
 
 " God gives us friends to Wess tlie prsient scene : " — 
 
 that all which makes our temporal condition pros- 
 perous is given in reference to that higher prosperity 
 of which the holy apostle speaks in the verse which 
 so strikingly exemplifies both the kindness and the 
 holiness of Christian character : " Beloved, I wish 
 above all things, that thou mayest prosper, and be in 
 health, even as thy soul prospereth." Such 
 gifts will generally be found connected with freedom 
 from the ordinary engagements of life ; and large 
 intervals of leisure will be the result, which, if indus- 
 triously occupied, will be the means of an extensive 
 improvement, both intellectually and spiritually con- 
 
GENERAL PREFACE. XI 
 
 sidered. Nor are extended opportunities of useful- 
 ness to be overlooked. Access is afforded to those 
 who dwell in the more elevated ranges of society, 
 and who might not permit the approaches of truth, — 
 not at least in the first instance, — unless introduced 
 by one who dwelt among themselves. But, chiefly, 
 a state of flourishing prosperity is calculated to deve- 
 lope with great power all the latent energies of the 
 soul, the minuter principles of character ; just as the 
 mighty heat of a tropical climate gives anexpansiveness 
 and strength to vegetable organization and life, utterly 
 unknown in colder regions. And when the whole 
 man has been, and still is, placed under the direction 
 and control of Divine truth, considered as the expres- 
 sion of Divine will, then will the developement of 
 latent energy be, to a very large extent, the deve- 
 lopement of personal virtue. Mental improvement, 
 pursued under these circumstances, and referred to 
 the more powerful defence and exposition of truth, 
 is virtuous. Sympathy, cherished for the sake of the 
 great High Priest, who is touched with a feeling of 
 our infirmities ; generosity, cultivated and exercised 
 according to the example of Him who was rich, and 
 for our sake became poor, that we through his 
 poverty might be rich ; — these, and all the kindly 
 emotions of the soul for the exercise of which a state 
 of high prosperity gives the opportunity, may in this 
 manner become Christian virtues, and the character 
 in which they are found one in which their additional 
 lustre shall be made an additional recommendation of 
 personal piety. The diamond is not less " tlie gem 
 of purest ray serene," when resting in " the dark 
 unfathomed caves of ocean ; " but, when placed in 
 the sun-beam, its own transparent beauty becomes 
 
XU GENERAL PREFACE. 
 
 obvious, while it reflects the light that has made it 
 visible. 
 
 Were man an unfallen creature, these dispensa- 
 tions of prosperity, with all their agencies for powerful 
 developement, might be both more frequent, and 
 more lasting. But the power operates upon the 
 whole man ; and there may be a large undergrowth of 
 weeds, requiring for their extirpation some " killing 
 frost." It is in tropical climates, where every thing 
 seems almost gigantically beautiful, that the very 
 storms partake of the universal character ; and thun- 
 der and lightning, wind and rain, come with a seve- 
 rity and destructiveness unknown in more temperate 
 climates. 
 
 The sum of the whole is, that " all things," whe- 
 ther apparently prosperous or adverse, " work toge- 
 ther for good to them that love God ; " and they do 
 so because they are under the guidance of Him 
 whose dispensations towards his children are all 
 explained by that most significant expression of Scrip- 
 ture, " IN BRINGING MANY SONS TO GLORY." 
 
 They who trust in God at all times, will find that all 
 circumstances contribute to their spiritual growth, 
 and are parts of that plan, which, when from the 
 heights of glory we remember all the way that God 
 led us many years in the wilderness, will appear 
 replete with wisdom and love, and shall awaken a rap- 
 ture which only a glorified spirit could sustain. The 
 narrative of each life, reviewed in the light of eter- 
 nity, will lead to the same conclusion,—" He hath 
 
 DONE ALL THINGS WELL." 
 
 GEORGE CUBITT. 
 
 London, January 22d, 1838. 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 OF THE LATE 
 
 REV. THOMAS ROBERTS, M.A. 
 
 BY JAMES BUCKLEY 
 
 '^ The righteons stall be in CTerlasting remembrance." 
 
THE BEREFT WIDOW AND FAMILY, 
 
 HIGHLY ESTEEMED BRETHREN IN THE MINISTRY, 
 
 IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED, 
 
 BY THEIR SINCERELY ATTACHED FRIEND AND 
 FELLOW-LABOURER IN THE LORD, 
 
 JAMES BUCKLEY. 
 
 Cilvige House, 
 May 5th, 1837. 
 
 B 2 
 

 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 
 When requested to write the following memoir, 
 I only purposed it to be a supplement to that pub- 
 lished in the first numbers of the Wesleyan Maga- 
 zine for this year; but after considerable delibera- 
 tion I concluded it would be more interesting, and 
 better calculated for general usefulness, to make that 
 already published the outline of what might be writ- 
 ten ; as it would embody and place the whole in, the 
 form of one connected narrative, and avoid the incon- 
 venience of further reference. 
 
 It is much to be lamented that the subject of 
 this memoir had several years before his death, for 
 reasons which he never appears to have disclosed, 
 destroyed his diary, leaving little more than 
 a brief chronological sketch up to the year 1 814 ; 
 evidently intending it to be filled up by his biogra- 
 pher, in case a memoir should be written. This ren- 
 dered the task difficult, as the necessary materials could 
 only be supplied by one intimately acquainted with 
 his private and public life. Probably aware of this, 
 he had confidentially assigned it to his particular 
 friend, Dr. Clarke ; which was not known till after 
 
PREFACE TO THE MEMOIE. 
 
 1 was applied to by his widow and family, and 
 had made some arrangements for the purpose ; this 
 information, however, was received with great 
 pleasure, and the work immediately and most cheer- 
 fully confided to the hands of that most ex- 
 cellent man, who, had his valuable life been pro- 
 longed, from his early and intimate acquaintance with 
 Mr. Roberts, and that through succeeding years, 
 would have produced a memoir honourable to him- 
 self and his deceased friend. But before he could 
 enter upon this much desired labour, and pay this 
 tribute of justly deserved esteem, death cut short 
 his literary and ministerial labours; and, instead 
 of recording those events Avhich, at best, can only 
 in the present state be seen in "a glass darkly," 
 he was called to join his triumphant and glorified 
 brother, to contemplate, in the unclouded light of 
 eternity, the mysteries of Providence and grace 
 unfolded, by which their useful lives had been dis- 
 tinguished ; and to celebrate in blissful harmony the 
 wonders of redeeming love, which had so long been 
 the subject of their successful ministry. 
 
 In consequence of this mournful event, the friendly 
 task again devolved upon me ; but by this time my 
 health had much declined, and, being reduced to a 
 state of great debility, I could engage to do no more 
 than furnish a brief narrative for the excellent period- 
 ical referred to, and was indeed for a length of time 
 held in great doubt, and had little prospect or hope 
 of ever accomplishing it ; which accounts for the long 
 
PREFACE TO THE MEMOIR. / 
 
 delay of its publication. This, however, being accom- 
 plished, a further service was pressed upon me, that 
 of providing a memoir to accompany the selection 
 from the manuscripts of my late friend, which is now 
 presented to the public in this volume. This I have 
 endeavoured to perform in the best manner circum- 
 stances would allow ; but I must claim the candour 
 and indulgence of the critical reader, — the whole 
 having been written in circumstances of great phy- 
 sical infirmity and painful debility. It should also 
 be remembered that considerable difficulty has at- 
 tended collecting, selecting, and arranging the scat- 
 tered papers ; this I could only do correctly by my 
 own recollections, memorandums, and correspond- 
 ence ; and it may be satisfactory to state, that the 
 more material events recorded either passed under 
 my own observation, or were received from my friend 
 in verbal or written communications. To near rela- 
 tives and friends I am under great obligations for 
 copies and extracts of valuable letters ; for which they 
 will please to accept my most grateful acknowledg- 
 ments. I would also present my sincere thanks to 
 my much-esteemed friend, a lady whose name I am 
 not permitted to mention, and to my much-valued 
 friend, the Rev. Theophilus Lessey ; also to my kind 
 friend, the writer in the Cheltenham Gazette, for their 
 interesting communications appended to the close of 
 the Memoir. 
 
 I deem it but proper, in reference to myself, 
 to observe, that, on reviewing what I have writ- 
 
8 PREFACE TO THE MEMOIK. 
 
 ten, I have the satisfaction of stating, I am not con- 
 scious in any instance of having given too strong 
 a colouring either to personal excellence, character, 
 talents, or labours ; but of one thing I am deeply 
 sensible, — my inadequacy to do justice to so much 
 real worth. Of the deep things of God, and of his 
 own experience, he speaks for himself in the extracts 
 from his papers and letters. 
 
 However high the opinion I might previously have 
 indulged, that opinion has been greatly enhanced 
 Avhile retracing his life, particularly from the year 
 1790, when I first had the pleasure of seeing him ; 
 soon after which, a friendship was formed, that 
 knew no diminution. Many circumstances of great 
 interest, which were comparatively forgotten, have 
 risen into view ; and, when collected, form an aggre- 
 gate of excellence which I had never fully appre- 
 ciated. 
 
 I have written as a dying man at the foot of 
 the Divine throne, Avhere motives, words, and works, 
 appear in their real quality, and are weighed in a just 
 balance ; and as one viewing his friend in glory, with 
 other kindred and much-endeared spirits, and look- 
 ing with humble hope and joyous expectation of 
 shortly joining their glorified society. My heart's 
 desire and fervent prayer to God is, that this record 
 of one who was called to glorify God in such diversi- 
 fied dispensations of joy and sorrow, of enjoyment 
 and bereavement, of official usefulness and compli- 
 cated afflictions, and in whom the all-sufficient and 
 
PREFACE TO THE MEMOIR. 9 
 
 abounding grace of God in Christ Jesus "was so 
 eminently manifested, may be made a blessing 
 to its various readers. Though dead, he may yet 
 speak in these pages, to the conversion of the unre- 
 generate, by the converting grace manifested in 
 him : To the young, by his early piety, and that of 
 his sons"', that they also may seek first the kingdom 
 of God and his righteousness : To parents, that they 
 may imitate his pious paternal solicitude in the 
 instruction of their children in the fear of the Lord : 
 To Christian believers of every class, by that sanc- 
 tifying grace which was progressively manifest in 
 him, and the support and consolation he received in 
 diversified affliction, and final peaceful admittance 
 into the kingdom and glory of God : To minis- 
 ters, especially the young, by his early active zeal, 
 assiduous attention to the improvement of his 
 mind and talents; and when,. by infirmity and phy- 
 sical debility, his labours were partially paraylyzed, 
 and he might have reposed upon the couch of ease 
 and affluence, and of social and domestic enjoyment, 
 was ever ready to fulfil the duties of his office at the 
 call of his brethren and the church, not sparing him- 
 self, nor counting his life dear to him, so that he 
 might win Christ and the souls of men to salvation ; 
 ever breathing the sentiment of our poet, — 
 
 " Happy, if with my latest breath 
 I may hxit gasp his name ; 
 Preach him to all, and cry in death, 
 Behold, behold the Lamb ! " 
 
 B 5 
 
10 PREFACE TO THE MEMOIR. 
 
 Should it graciously he accompanied with the 
 Divine influence, and favoured with any or all these 
 much-desired effects and blessings ; unto the one 
 ineffable and eternal Jehovah, the Divine Father, 
 Eternal Son, and Holy Ghost, be the glory ! Amen. 
 JAMES BUCKLEY. 
 Cilvege-Home, Llanelly^ 
 April 26t/i, 1837. 
 

 ■^/: 
 
 MEMOIIf ^.^^^ ^^^ 
 
 OF THE LATE <^ "^ ^ J ^ ' /jL. "^ ' 
 
 REV. THOMAS ROBERTsM^M.^ ^C' i- 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Biography is confessedly of all historical records the 
 most interesting, pleasing, and instructive, as well as 
 excitive. It presents to the mind the various delinea- 
 tions of light and shade, with the prominent peculiar- 
 ities which exist in the characters of men of talented 
 attraction. It brings to view their physical and mental, 
 natural and acquired qualities, moving in the varied 
 spheres of domestic, professional, civil, and religious 
 life. In some of them, that which had before been 
 considered merely theoretical and visionary, is seen in 
 practical operation, and becomes a powerful incentive 
 to emulation; and however high the attainments may 
 be, there is an almost involuntary desire created to 
 tread in the same path, to imitate and attain the dis- 
 tinguished endowments contemplated ; and the pos- 
 sibility of their being acquired, inspires hope to realize 
 at least some portion of them; while, on the other 
 hand, the shades of moral delinquency, indiscretion, or 
 of misapplication of talent, by which such enterprise 
 has been rendered a failure, becomes cautionary and 
 admonitory. 
 
 On this subject the Sacred Scriptures are pre-eminent 
 ia the impartiality and faithful history of the holy 
 
12 MEMOIR OF 
 
 worthies, whose cardinal virtues and works of pious 
 zeal are recorded as imperishable moniiments, and as 
 models of excellence for the devout imitation of all suc- 
 ceeding generations. " Ye have us," says an apostle, 
 " for an ensample." But in contrast their defects are 
 faithfully marked, not to serve as an apology for our 
 moral imperfections, but, as the same apostle states, 
 " they are written for our admonition, upon whom the 
 ends of the world are come." The diversified and 
 abounding grace of God in the Old and New-Testa- 
 ment saints, is the system of Divine revelation seen in 
 experimental operation, and it is emphatically said, 
 " Be ye followers of them who through faith and 
 patience inherit the promises." Of these, and not of 
 these only, but of all the distinguished faithful, the 
 voice from heaven is heard, saying, " Write, Blessed 
 are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; 
 yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
 labours and their works do follow them." 
 
 The lives of Christians distinguished for eminent 
 piety and usefulness, and more especially ministers of 
 Christ, have been the subjects of record through every 
 succeeding period of the history of the church; and per- 
 haps no age ever presented a larger portion of holy, 
 honourable witnesses, than the present, to which all 
 the different denominations and tribes of our spiritual 
 Israel contribute, and none more than that section of 
 the cliurch with which the subject of this memoir was 
 connected from early youth. At that period, and for 
 maiiy years, this sect was every where spoken against. 
 However the offence of the cross may now have 
 ceased, then persecution awaited all, and particularly 
 the minister who bore the name of " Methodist." 
 Their sufferings and privations were in many instances 
 severe, and their labours most extensive and arduous. 
 It was a day of great spiritual apathy : a cloud of moral 
 darkness rested on the hemisphere of the Christian 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 13 
 
 church ; but he ^vliose labours are here recorded, and 
 his coadjutors, had not only tlie bappiness of seeing the 
 " day-spring from on high" visit with its benign beams 
 tens of thousands of those Avho sat in darkness, but 
 of witnessing an unparalleled extension of the kingdom 
 of Christ. 
 
 It is worthy of observation, that whoever takes an 
 impartial retrospect of the intellectual and moral state 
 of Great Britain, and the world at large, at the period 
 of the commencement of the ministry of those great 
 reformers, — the Wesleys and Whitefield, and of the 
 favourable change which has been progressively eifected 
 by the faithful ministry of the Word ; the unexampled 
 missionary enterprise, with the formation and powerful 
 agency of the British and Foreign Bible Society, Sun- 
 day-school instruction, and their appendages, which 
 continue to bear an imposing aspect in their rapidly 
 extending influence, cannot but acknowledge that, 
 among the instruments employed, Methodism has been 
 a most powerful agent in the hands of God, by which 
 the light of his glory and grace has been diftused, not 
 only through our native land, but even through the 
 " dark places of the earth." During the progi'ess of its 
 operation, it has been supplied out of the ordinary 
 course with faithful ministers of various gifts, peculiarly 
 adapted to their great work ; some of whom, by the 
 efforts of native genius, unwearied diligence, and the 
 sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, acquired lite- 
 rary and ministerial eminence, and joyously testified in 
 the hour of dissolution the immutable truth and strong 
 consolation of the Gospel of Christ, which they had so 
 faithfully preached. Those of them who took an early 
 part in this great work, must be deemed worthy of 
 double honour and faithful record. 
 
 Of the truth of these observations, the subject of the 
 following memoir is no ordinary illustration, in the 
 bright assemblage of talents and qualifications which 
 
14 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 were so peculiarly adapted to the sphere assigned him, 
 and in which he moved for nearly half a century, with 
 much honour to himself, maintaining through the vicis- 
 situdes of life an unshaken attachment to the doctrine, 
 discipline, and institutions of the people of his choice. 
 Though often placed in very delicate and extremely 
 trying circumstances, few men have, during so long a 
 period of time, presented to the religious world so much 
 to commend and so little to blame. His chief joy was 
 in the prosperity of the Christian church, and in the 
 eternal salvation of men for whom Christ died. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas Roberts was a native of Bodmin, 
 in the county of Cornwall, and was bom May 19th, 
 1765. His father, Thomas Roberts, Avas a native of 
 the same place ; he mamed Elizabeth Best, of a re- 
 spectable family in that county, and had three chil- 
 dren, of whom Thomas was the youngest. It is not 
 generally known, but is worthy of remark, that his 
 father was a descendant of the late noble family that 
 possessed the title of Earl of Radnor. Jolm Robarts, 
 as the name was then written, was elevated by James 
 I. to the peerage, by the title of Baron of Bodmin, 
 Viscount Truro, and Earl of Radnor. Thomas was ma- 
 ternally descended from a pious family of Nonconform- 
 ists, who suffered under the persecution of Charles II. 
 though they had been most firmly attached to the royal 
 cause during the parliamentary wars. Mr. Roberts's 
 gi-eat uncle, by his zealous adherence to his sovereign, 
 often exposed himself to imminent peril, in attending 
 that monarch while in the Avest of England. The per- 
 secution of the Puritans continuing very severe, seve- 
 ral of the family, for conscience' sake, emigrated to the 
 transatlantic continent, to enjoy, in the wildernesses of 
 New-England, the divine light and spiritual privileges 
 denied them in their native land. Of this branch of 
 the family there is no furtber record. The movements 
 of the mysterious wheel of Providence sometimes retro- 
 
THE EEV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 15 
 
 grade ; and the descendants of the great and noble are 
 placed in a more humble station, for the accomplish- 
 ment of wise purposes, that they may receive the more 
 permanent and unfading honours which come from 
 above, and that their names may rise in a different 
 hemisphere, in imperishable glory and eternal honour. 
 This was the case with the father s house of my de- 
 ceased friend, some of whom have received the honour- 
 able title of " kings and priests" to God in the king- 
 dom of heaven. The pride of ancestry was not, how- 
 ever, the subject of vain-glory in him; but with 
 adoring reverence he recognised the hand of the Lord 
 which had brought him low, that in due time he might 
 be exalted among the '• princes of his people." 
 
 He was bereaved of his excellent mother when he 
 was as yet young ; and for her memory he ever indulged 
 the most tender affection. He writes of her : " She 
 was endowed Avith many amiable qualities, and was 
 much esteemed for the beauty of her person, bul more 
 for the excellencies of her mind. She possessed a 
 remarkably strong understanding, which was richly 
 adorned by divine grace, after she was brought to the 
 foot of the cross of Christ, and long and deeply in- 
 structed in the school of affliction. A little before the 
 birth of her youngest son, she was induced, through 
 the entreaty of her sister, to hear the Methodist preach- 
 ers ; when, through the influence of the Spirit of truth, 
 she was convinced of sin, and brought to the enjoyment 
 of that salvation which is by faith in Christ Jesus. 
 "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." It pleased 
 him to place her in the furnace of affliction, in which 
 she lingered for several years, at times enduring the 
 most poignant pain, which she bore with unshaken 
 faith, unwearied patience, and cheerful resignation to 
 the will of her heavenly Father. Sometimes her joy 
 and anticipations of glory were inexpressible. Jmie 
 16th, 1773, her heart and flesh failed, the power of 
 
16 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 articulation ceased. Her children being brought to her 
 bed-side, she lifted up her hands, and, raising her 
 expressive eyes to heaven, silently blessed each of 
 them, solemnly committing them to the protection and 
 blessing of God. On the following day her happy 
 spirit escaped to paradise. She left a good name, more 
 precious and fragrant than ointment. She was admired 
 and beloved by all who knew her in the neighbouring 
 societies. Her respected friend, Mr. Slade, of St. 
 Austle, improved the mournful event, by preaching her 
 funeral sermon to a deeply affected congregation from 
 Hebrews xii. 12." 
 
 His father long survived the Avife of his youth, and 
 was made a happy partaker of that sanctifying grace 
 ■which proved the support of his declining years. He 
 died in a good old age, and peacefully entered into the 
 joy of his Lord, September 13th, 1809. A funeral ser- 
 mon was preached on the occasion of his death to a 
 large congregation of mournful hearers, by the Rev. 
 Edward Milward, from Heb. ix. 27. 
 
 Mr. Roberts, young as he was, (being then only 
 eight years of age,) was deeply affected at the loss of 
 his affectionate and valuable mother. He would fre- 
 quently retire to meditate on the sorrowful event, and 
 long to be with her. By her pious tuition " he feared 
 the Lord from his youth." 
 
 It is remarked of him, " he had a great and tender 
 affection for his mother, and bore in mind through life 
 the anniversary of her death ; that he never recollected 
 but once materially offending her, which he would 
 scarcely ever mention but with tears. An anecdote is 
 related of him deserving of notice, and which shows the 
 gracious effects of inculcating religious principles on the 
 infant mind. When about three years of age he was 
 taken to church ; on taking the place assigned him 
 there, he knelt down, shut his eyes, joined his little 
 hands, and repeated a short prayer. An old gray- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 17 
 
 headed man, who stood near, observing it, was so much 
 aflfected at seeing so young a child in the devout atti- 
 tude of prayer, that he fell on his knees, and, for the 
 first time in his life, prayed with fervent sincerity, and 
 would ever afterwards say, ' By the blessing of God, 
 the praying of a child of three years old was the means 
 of my conversion to God.' " 
 
 Though juvenile vanities for a season captivated his 
 heart, the principles of piety which she inculcated had 
 a strong hold upon him, and their restraining influence 
 kept his conscience tenderly alive. He was educated 
 in a school in his native town, where, owing to the 
 severity of the master, and his culpable inattention to 
 his pupils, his learning and morals were exposed to 
 shipwreck. When his mind became more fully 
 aAvakened to the importance of heart-felt religion, 
 which was in his seventeenth year, he states that he 
 gave himself "no credit for employing his time in elicit- 
 ing scintillations of genius, instead of acquiring solid 
 intellectual culture," though it is evident he bestowed 
 great pains on the improvement of his mind ; and to 
 promote this, to him, much-desired object, he selected 
 for his companions the most intelligent persons in the 
 circle of his acquaintance, with whom he spent some 
 hours every week for the purpose of study and discus- 
 sion of philosophical and literary subjects. He was a 
 constant and enthusiastic correspondent, under various 
 assumed appellations, in the annual diaries, and other 
 periodical works. To a few pieces his name appeared. 
 Some of these were coruscations of a hopeful genius, 
 which was subsequently to become a sanctified and 
 steady flame, and shine with lustre in a more elevated 
 sphere. These pursuits Avere altogether abandoned, 
 after hearing the venerable Founder of Methodism 
 preach at the celebrated pit of Gwennap, in the year 
 1 782 ; when the gracious impressions which, from his 
 earliest recollection, had kept his heart tender were 
 
18 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 deepened and confirmed. He was prevailed upon, 
 after surmounting some painful difficulties, to join the 
 society, by which he incurred the displeasure of several 
 of his relatives ; but his whole soul being now gra- 
 ciously excited, he resolved, by the grace of God, to be 
 decided. He had before made many vows, and even 
 entered into written engagements, to devote himself to 
 the Lord ; but these were as often broken, for the 
 carnal mind had the dominion. He now, however, 
 saw Avhere his strength lay, that in the Lord alone he 
 could have righteousness and strength. Sometimes, 
 impelled by the terrors of the Lord, with godly sorrow 
 he drew nigh to the mercy-seat ; but more frequently, 
 drawn by the love of Christ, he followed on to know 
 the Lord as a sin-pardoning God and reconciled Fa- 
 ther. He thus reasoned : " If God spared not his own 
 Son, but delivered him up for us all, then I am 
 included in the covenant of mercy." The Lord, whom 
 he sought with many prayers and tears, gave him this 
 consolation, that if he had given his Son for him, he 
 would not withhold pardon, peace, and joy in the Holy 
 Ghost. This consolation he received by faith in 
 Christ, which justifieth the ungodly. His evidence 
 was bright, his joy was great, and the Spirit of adop- 
 tion sent into his heart cried, " Abba, Father." He 
 was thus prepared to sustain with patience and Chris- 
 tian fortitude those trials and persecutions which 
 awaited him, and was qualified for future usefulness by 
 those clear views with which he was favoured of Chris- 
 tian experience, and of the great doctrines of the 
 Gospel, — repentance towards God, justification by 
 faith, entire sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and that 
 practical holiness which he impressively and eloquently 
 preached through the course of his ministry to the 
 edification of thousands. He felt the force and enjoyed 
 the blessedness of that command of the Saviour, " Have 
 salt in yourselves." 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 19 
 
 Having obtained mercy of the Lord, he soon became 
 active in his cause, forming and conducting prayer- 
 meetings, and occasionally giving an exhortation. 
 By these things he greatly offended his uncle, a 
 respectable manufacturer residing at Gwennap, with 
 Tvhom he had lived from the time he left school. The 
 opposition which he met with became so violent that 
 he was under the necessity of leaving his ujicle's house; 
 for he was not to be moved, either by threats or 
 worldly considerations, from the hope of the Gospel, or 
 the good work of prayer and active exertion for the 
 conversion of sinners. This event appears to have 
 been over-ruled for the furtherance of the Gospel, lay- 
 ing a train for his future usefulness. On returning to 
 Bodmin, his native place, the Lord gave him favour in 
 the sight of the people. He soon collected and formed 
 a class, in which he had great delight ; and he entered 
 on a sphere of general usefulness, visiting the country 
 round, endeavouring to reclaim and convert sinners 
 from the error of their ways, and to build up the scat- 
 tered flock of Christ. 
 
 The preachers and people, observing his fervent piety 
 and active zeal, entreated him to devote himself to the 
 work of the ministry, believing him to be called of God 
 to the sacred office. After much persuasion, and feel- 
 ing that the Spirit of the Lord God was upon him, he 
 commenced his career as a local preacher, but not 
 without much fear and trembling ; for he says, " I was 
 but a child and a babe in Christ." However, believing 
 that a dispensation of the Gospel was given him, he 
 " conferred not with flesh and blood, knowing that the 
 excellency of the power was of God." A great and 
 effectual door being opened to him, he zealously 
 entered into it, and was greatly assisted by the counsel 
 and prayers of his pious friends, and particularly encou- 
 raged by the blessing of the Lord on his labours. He 
 was not without opposition from the adversaries of reli- 
 
20 MEMOIR OP 
 
 gion, being in persecutions often, and several times to 
 tiie hazard of his life. But the Lord remarkably inter- 
 posed in his favour, and, in some instances, to the fear 
 of his adversaries ; one of whom was removed by pre- 
 matuie death ; and another, a profligate young man, 
 who had tried every means to harass and annoy him, 
 was reduced to such a complete and melancholy state of 
 wretchedness, that he declared he had " no peace of 
 mind, since Mr. Roberts's solemn denunciations had 
 continually followed him." He begged one of the 
 pious friends to give him a corner in her house where 
 he might lie down and die ; she, recollecting the words 
 of her Lord, " Do good to them that persecute you," 
 provided a bed for him. The friends uniting in prayer 
 in his behalf, it pleased God graciously to answer ; and 
 this wretched man obtained an assurance of pardoning 
 mercy in Christ, and died. Such was the effectual 
 operation of the Divine word and Spirit in the conver- 
 sion of sinners, the unity of Christian affection that 
 subsisted in the little flock, and the spiritual refresh- 
 ment with which they were favoured from the presence 
 of the Lord, that he counted not his life dear to him, 
 but could cheerfully have laid it doAvn for the love he 
 had to Christ and the people with whom he was 
 associated. 
 
 He ever indulged a strong partiality for his native 
 town, concerning which he remarks, — " September, 
 1814, I went to Bodmin to open a new chapel. The 
 good work has gloriously prospered ; the solitary place 
 has obtained the excellence of Carmel. I preached 
 from Isaiah Ix. 7 : 'I ^^iH glorify the house of my 
 glory.' Th-8 preceding Lord's day I preached in the 
 Town-Hall, which was politely oftered to me by the 
 mayor, f om Rom. iii. 22 — 25." It is more easy to 
 conceive than express the feelings of his mind on this 
 occasion, visiting after a lapse of years the scenes of his 
 youth. His sensations Avere not unlike those of Jacob 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 21 
 
 when he returned to Bethel : it was indeed a season of 
 
 joy- .... 
 
 This rising light could not be " hid under a bushel." 
 Being recommended to the notice of Mr. Wesley by 
 that amiable servant of the Lord, — who combined such 
 a pleasing simplicity of manners with so much theolo- 
 gical and practical wisdom, — the Rev. William Myles, 
 who was at that time the assistant * preacher of the 
 St. Austle circuit, which included Bodmin, he was 
 immediately called to the itinerant work ; and at the 
 Conference held in Bristol, July, 17^6, was appointed 
 to the Londonderry circuit, Ireland. This circumstance 
 was quite unexpected by him, and became a subject of 
 such distressing reasoning and perplexity, as nearly 
 to overwhelm both body and mind. From the Rev. 
 John and Charles Wesley he received the kindest 
 expressions of affection and encouragement ; but he 
 still doubted his call to the itinerant life. He says, 
 he much feared his own insufficiency, and he dreaded 
 putting an unhallowed hand to the sacred office. Cir- 
 cumstances, however, seasonably occurred to abate his 
 scruples, he began to think he was like Gideon, seeking 
 from the Lord a sign, rather than walking by faith 
 in the all-sufficiency of Him who said, " Go and preach 
 the Gospel. Lo, I am with you always even unto the 
 end." His fears subsided, and his heart with adoring 
 submission said, " Here I am, send me." Previous to 
 his departure for his circuit, he visited his friends in 
 the western part of the county, where the Lord had 
 given him seals to his mission. His spiritual children 
 with streaming eyes " commended him to the Lord ; " 
 and the numerous congregations united in affectionate 
 fervent prayer that " the Lord would bless him with 
 the holy anointing of his Spirit ; " that " he would be 
 
 • As the Preachers were then denominated who had the charge 
 of the Circuits, — Assistants in the work to Mr. Wesley, — now called 
 Superintendents. 
 
22 MEMOIR OP 
 
 ■with him In the way he should go ; " and that the 
 " word of the Lord might run and be glorified " by his 
 instrumentality. At St. Ives, Avhere he was to embark, 
 he spent some days, during which the humble and 
 devout effusions of his mind were beautifully expressed 
 in the following lines, which he then composed : — 
 
 Lord, if thou a worm employ, 
 
 This poor heart divinely raise, 
 And my tongue, elate with joy. 
 
 Shall proclaim my Master's praise. 
 
 O ! by living faith unite 
 
 All my passive powers to thee ; 
 In my weakness prove thy might, 
 
 Manifest thy strength in me. 
 
 If thy Spirit, Lord, have moved 
 
 On my dark, chaotic mind, 
 Let its further power be proved, 
 
 Leaving not a shade behind. 
 
 In thy pure unerring light, 
 
 Give me sacred truth to see ; 
 Be my wisdom, be my might, 
 
 All my works be wrought in thee. 
 
 Fain would I myself resign 
 
 Into thy almighty hand, 
 Tread thy providential line, 
 
 Subject to thy high command. 
 
 Let me every moment feel 
 
 Present, all-sufficient grace, 
 And my raptured soul shall dwell 
 
 On thy never-ending praise. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 23 
 
 my Master, hear my cry, 
 
 Let my prayer acceptance gain, 
 Guard me ever with thine eye 
 
 And my feeble steps sustain. 
 
 Bear me as on eagles' wings, 
 
 "While terrestrial good I scorn, 
 Spuming sublunary things. 
 
 To celestial regions borne. 
 
 Soon will life's brief day be past- 
 Solemn, but delightful thought ! 
 
 With my fruitful sheaves at last 
 May I to thy feet be brought ! 
 
 At this place he was joined by the Rev. Benjamin 
 Pearce, who had laboured the preceding year in the 
 above circuit Avith Mr. Myles, and was now appointed 
 to Lisbum in Ireland. This was highly gratifying to 
 both of them, as a friendly intimacy had been already 
 formed, and not a little consoling to Mr. Roberts, who 
 had never yet travelled beyond the precincts of his 
 native county. On the morning of his departure he 
 wrote in his text-book : — " August 18th. — Farewell all 
 my friends! I am no longer of the world; I now 
 leave my friends and my country. I give up all and 
 live in eternity ! — Farewell to England ! By ten o'clock 
 to-morrow we shall set sail for Swansea." " August 
 19th. — In the evening a storm came on, but the Lord 
 brought us through, and Ave arrived at Swansea the 
 next day. On the 24th we set sail for Ireland, and 
 landed at Dunleary on the 27th, after a prosperous 
 voyage." Here they were received by preachers and 
 people with great kindness and Christian cordiality. 
 He writes : " Here we tarried five days with this 
 happy people, and were much comforted among them. 
 Thoughts of home were stripped of that afflicting power 
 they had before ; and methought it was worth my while 
 
24 MEMOIR OP 
 
 to take a voyage to Ireland to see the manners of the 
 Methodists in Dublin, and remain a week with them. 
 The Lord was pleased to administer comfort by owning 
 my poor labours, and thereby answering the request 
 of his dust before I left England. Blessed be God ! he 
 has hitherto manifested himself to be the Lord God 
 merciful and gracious, keeping me on the great deep, 
 and not forsaking me in a strange land. Here is a fine 
 society of Methodists, all truly alive to God. I would 
 gladly have spent all my days with them." 
 
 Being furnished with a horse, and such equipments 
 as were necessary for his itinerant labours, he entered 
 upon his journey to Londonderry, accompanied by his 
 friend as far as Drogheda, where they parted. This 
 appears to have produced a very painful effect upon Mr. 
 Roberts's mind, and the agitation of his spirit returned. 
 He was now alone, surrounded by a people to whose 
 manners and habits he was unaccustomed, having bad 
 roads and a dreary prospect of mountains before him. 
 His horse failing at this trying time, his heart began to 
 sink ; his reasoning relative to his call to the ministry 
 returned with redoubled force ; the ardour of his zeal 
 was chilled ; his faith became weak, and his spirit faint ; 
 but being admonished by his Divine Master, that " he who 
 setteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, is not 
 fit for the kingdom," he resolved, though faint and 
 weary, to pursue his course. Leaving his crippled horse 
 at Manorhamilton, he proceeded on foot to Armagh, 
 where he was met by that man of God, the Rev. Gus- 
 tavus Armstrong, " a kind friend and a man of high 
 moral worth." The meeting of the brethren with St. 
 Paul at Appii Forum could not be more seasonable 
 than this interview. " He thanked God and took 
 courage." The acquaintance which was then formed 
 ripened into indissoluble friendship ; their souls were 
 knit together as those of David and Jonathan. 
 
 Mrs. Richardson, of Charlemount, to whom he gives 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 25 
 
 the lionourable title of a " mother in Israel," showed him 
 great hospitality, and received him as an " angel of God." 
 Being again supplied mth a horse, he cheerfully jour- 
 neyed on to Dungannon and Cookstown, where he 
 preached, and was favoured with the gracious presence 
 of the Lord. On the 14th, he arrived at the place of 
 his destination, where he was courteously entertained 
 by Mrs. Knox, a lady of great piety and intelligence, 
 who appeared at once to recognise the tenderness of 
 his heart. She cordially adopted him as her son, and 
 her continued sympathizing attentions were a source 
 of much comfort to him in this season of painful con- 
 flict. At this period commenced his acquaintance with 
 her son, Alexander Knox, Esq., who had been educated 
 at the Dublin University, and was richly endowed with 
 a powerful genius of the highest order. He was the 
 personal friend of Mr. Wesley, and the influential pa- 
 tron of the evangelical clergy, whose interests he was 
 enabled gi-eatly to promote from his ofl&cial connexion 
 with the Government, and the high estimation in which 
 he was held. His biographer states, " that his life had 
 been a bright pattern of Christian excellence ; his con- 
 versation one perennial flower of evangelical wisdom 
 and goodness. His end was peace." This acquaintance 
 was to Mr. Roberts no small acquisition ; Mr. Knox 
 having been favoured with so liberal an education, and 
 possessing, in addition to his various reading and ex- 
 tensive knowledge, a fine taste and brilliant fancy, 
 sanctified by devotion. It may indeed be said, that it 
 was an important era in his life, as he was fitted with a 
 mind and genius capable of great culture, and thirsted 
 after the attainment of knowledge, particularly those 
 branches which, under Divine influence, might tend to 
 promote his acceptance and usefulness in the ministry. 
 He therefore thankfully, and with avidity, accepted 
 the guidance of so accomplished a preceptor, by Avhom 
 he was directed to that course of reading and study 
 c 
 
26 MEMOIR OP 
 
 which greatly added to his theological store, and refined 
 his style of composition and speaking ; and, by attention 
 to the most approved classical authors, he acquired that 
 acumen and elegance for which he was afterwards so 
 remarkable. He ever appreciated the favours he had 
 received from his highly-respected friend ; and, however 
 they might subsequently have differed in certain points, 
 which he much lamented, their esteem continued to be 
 reciprocal to the end of life. 
 
 On his arrival in Derry, he found that the Rev. Mr. 
 Leech, his superintendent, had entered on the labours 
 of the circuit soon after the Irish Conference. He 
 received, with a hearty welcome, his young colleague ; 
 and gave him such advice relative to his future labours 
 as was needful ; he prayed for him, and exhorted him 
 to be strong in the Lord, and of good courage. 
 
 Mr. Roberts entered upon his new sphere by preach- 
 ing from 1 Cor. ii. 1, 2. This text was in accordance 
 ■with the feeling of his heart, and solemn covenant 
 engagements ; and from this source he appears to have 
 received a reviving influence : " The Lord satisfied his 
 mouth with good things, so that his youth was renewed 
 like the eagle's." The preaching of the regularly 
 appointed minister had, till now, been principally con- 
 fined to the city and its vicinity. But at the previous 
 Conference, it had been proposed to send a missionary 
 to visit a large tract of country which had not as yet 
 been occupied. Nothing could be more appropriate 
 than the appointment of JNIr. Leech, who was favoured 
 with a vigorous constitution, and active, persevering 
 zeal. This was a good example for a young disciple ; 
 the nature of his work was calculated to inure him to 
 hardships, that he might bear them as a good soldier of 
 Christ. Seeing thousands sitting in the thick darkness 
 of superstition, and the shadow of death, perishing for 
 lack of knowledge, his compassion was kindled, and he 
 endeavoured faithfully to foUow the example of his 
 
1 THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 27 
 
 superintendent, though his plans were extensive and 
 arduous. He says, "We travelled through a large 
 extent of country, from Derry across the Swiily to 
 Rathmelton, Ballynagoliclough, RathmuUon, and round 
 through Donegal county, preaching in hired houses or 
 rooms wherever we could obtain them ; at other times 
 in the market-places, streets, or highways. We thus 
 struck out a circuit through Lottonbury, Raphoe, Stra- 
 bane, Dungwin, Newtownlimavady, and many inter- 
 mediate places." It is natural to suppose, that the 
 rough and unfrequented tracts through which he had to 
 pass, the constant toil, privation, and even hardship, he 
 had to endure, should cause his physical and mental 
 energies sometimes to assume a plaintive tone. He 
 observes, that, in his lonely walks, when with weeping 
 eyes he beheld the vessels passing down the river for 
 " good old England," he could not but imagine he heard 
 his friends addressing him, in the language of Thompson 
 to his friend, when residing near the same spot : — 
 
 " Lend me tlie plaint, whicli to the lonely main, 
 With memory conversing, you vtill ponr, 
 As on the pebbled shore yovi pensive stray, 
 Where Derry's mountains a black crescent fonn, 
 And 'mid their ample rounds receive the waves, 
 AVhich from the frozen pole, resounding, rush 
 Tempestuous, — though from native sunshine far, 
 Far from your friends, the sunshine of the soul." 
 
 Occasionally, in the season of depression and painful 
 discouragement, he thought of leaving the ministrv, 
 and indeed twice took the road to Belfast with the 
 design of returning to England. His purpose was 
 broken off in the first instance by imexpectedly meeting 
 a female unknown to him, who rebuking him for fleeing 
 from the work of God, in which he had been made the 
 instrument of so much good, disappeared as unaccount- 
 ably as she came. On the other occasion, when he 
 arrived at Belfast, by a strange providence as he con- 
 c 2 
 
28 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ceived it to be, there was not one English vessel in the 
 harbour. His heart smote him. He felt, that should 
 he, Jonah-like, attempt to flee from the work of the 
 Lord, the winds and waves were in hands which could 
 easily convert them into instruments of correction ; 
 and he felt more than ever persuaded, that " woe would 
 be unto him if he preached not the Gospel. " A better 
 feeling then returning, he relied on the sure word of 
 promise, " My grace is sufficient for thee : As thy days, 
 so shall thy strength be." This will appear from the 
 following extract from a letter to his aunt, Mrs. Best : — 
 " The people of this city and the circuit in general are 
 free and open-hearted. They are more so than even 
 my own country people. My God has given me favour 
 in their eyes, for which I desire to be thankful. "We 
 have great hopes of seeing bright days in this northern 
 region of Ireland. The cause of God meets with pros- 
 perity in almost every place. In this city we have a 
 new chapel, which will be opened for public worship in 
 a few weeks. There seems to be an universal stir in 
 all Ireland; and though opposed by the Romanists, 
 Presbyterians, and Calvinists, the good cause widens its 
 way, and will, it is hoped, universally prevail in the 
 kingdom. Our society is increasing, and our congre- 
 gations are very large, and altogether very respectable. 
 I experience a father in dear Mr. Leech, who does 
 everything he possibly can to encourage me ; he is a 
 free, affable man, and respected by all the city." To a 
 friend he writes : " My not writing to you before now 
 was not occasioned by any disregard to you, or any of 
 my dear friends in Bodmin, whom I love as my own 
 soul ; I judged it unnecessary, as I have recently had 
 nothing very particular to acquaint you with. The 
 winter season has been the mildest I ever saw, though 
 I dreaded the appearance of it. Glory be to the name 
 of the Lord ! who is good, and does good unto all the 
 needy children of men. He continues to do great 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 29 
 
 things for me, the un worthiest of all his creatures. I have 
 at present the enjoyment of a sound hody and the spirit 
 of health, of love, and a sound mind. Not long ago 
 I was drooping in despondency ; but now, blessed be 
 God, I rejoice in the midst of my multiplied mercies. 
 ' Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days 
 of my life. I Avill dAvell in the house of the Lord for 
 ever.' I find my heart truly athirst for those streams 
 which gladden the city of God. Glory be to his name ! 
 ' He gives me to drink of the brook by the way, 
 and lifts up the head.' I find my soul, and desire to 
 find it, more and more abstracted from the world. O, 
 to love Jesus with all the heart ! nothing less will do." 
 
 He had no reason to regret at the end of the year what 
 he had suffered for the Gospel's sake. Sinners had been 
 " brought from darkness to light, and from the power 
 of satan unto God." Societies had been formed, and 
 the moral wilderness and solitary places had begun to 
 sing for joy. Many of these societies not only continue 
 to the present day, but are become honourable branches 
 of the church of God. Notwithstanding Mr. Roberts's 
 attachment to his Londonderry friends, for special 
 reasons he could not be prevailed upon to remain Avith 
 them another year, although they petitioned Mr. Wesley 
 and Dr. Coke for his continuance, who felt rather 
 inclined to support their wishes, but he could not be 
 persuaded to yield to them. His inventive faculty and 
 store of theological knowledge had been well tried this 
 first year of his itinerancy ; it appears from his text- 
 book that he preached four hundred and eighty-six 
 sermons, one hundred and fifty-six of which were de- 
 livered to the same congregation, distinguished, it seems, 
 " more for its respectability and intelligence, than the 
 fervour of pious zeal." Mr. Wesley remarks of it in 
 his journal : " The society here has never been so well 
 established as it is now ; what is principally wanting, is 
 zeal for God, and entire self-devotion to him." On 
 
30 MEMOIR OF 
 
 account of these and his future labours in Ireland, he 
 deemed himself a missionary ; and in after years, when 
 advocating the cause of missions by eloquent appeals 
 to the sympathy and benevolence of his fellow-Chris- 
 tians, he would refer to them with feelings of much 
 pleasure. He had been proposed by Mr. Wesley and 
 Dr. Coke as a missionary to the "West Indies, and had 
 once oflFered himself for the Sierra Leone mission, but 
 in both instances was prevented by circumstances over 
 which he had no control ; in consequence, he always 
 considered himself a debtor to the Heathen, and thanked 
 God that it was still permitted him to do a little, by 
 advocating their cause at home. 
 
 His growing talents, piety, and fervent zeal, had 
 attracted attention so as to recommend him to the par- 
 ticular favour of Mr. Wesley; who well knew how to 
 form a correct judgment of character, and who was 
 ever ready to encourage and call into useful exercise 
 talents of promise. 
 
 At the Dublin Conference, 1787, Mr. Roberts was 
 appointed superintendent of the Colerain circuit. 
 Though he viewed this as indicative of the high 
 esteem of Mr. Wesley, being an office very rarely 
 conferred on so young a man, he felt tremblingly 
 alive to the responsibility which was laid upon him> 
 and earnestly entreated to be excused ; but Mr. 
 Wesley insisting upon it, he submitted. One thing 
 greatly tended to lessen the cross, for such he felt it, 
 which was, that his friend, the Rev. G. Armstrong, 
 was appointed his fellow-labourer, and cheerfully bore 
 the burden with hira. The field of their labour was 
 extensive ; they had almost incessant travelling and 
 preaching ; beside the formation of societies, and the 
 especial nurture of those which had been recently formed 
 by his indefatigable predecessor, the Rev. Walter 
 Grifiith, who Avas a burning and a shining light in many 
 dark regions of his native land. About this time com- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 31 
 
 menced Mr. Roberts's acquaintance with him, Avhich 
 ripened into friendship the most sincere and ardent, and 
 continued to the close of life. 
 
 Mr. Roberts continued steadily to pursue his holy 
 calling, and to fulfil the duties of his oflSce. Though 
 not -without much anxious solicitude and occasional 
 discouragement, he had a mixture of consolation ; as 
 will be seen in the following letter to his brother, in 
 which he gives a brief view of his extensive sphere of 
 action. : — 
 
 " I BLESS God, I have a good state of health, and 
 my soul much alive to God. I seem to be given up to 
 the great Avork more than ever; and though I meet 
 with difficulties not a few, I bless God I have them 
 beneath my feet: Our hearers in Cole- 
 rain are very sensible, even to a proverb ; indeed they 
 are the most sensible people I ever met with : but 
 they are good, as their \visdom is tempered with 
 love 
 
 " We have great opposition from Socinians, Arians, 
 and Calvinists, of whom this country is full. We have 
 to guard our doctrine in the most careful manner while 
 preaching ; and we hold private arguments with some 
 of them almost every day. I believe more good might 
 be done among the Romanists than any other sect, 
 were it not for the influence of the clergy, who make 
 them do public penance, if they are known to have been 
 at a ^Methodist's preaching, and anathematize them 
 whenever they join our society. 
 
 " Our circuit for the most part is in a pleasant coun- 
 try : a small part in the county of Tyrone, but mostly 
 in Londonderry. We are bounded on the west by a 
 ridge of lofty mountains, which look very formidable 
 and romantic ; on the south, by Lough Neagh, a beau- 
 tiful fresh-water lake, which is so wide in some parts 
 that the land cannot be distinguished on the opposite 
 
32 MEMOIR OF 
 
 side : it washes tlie feet of five different counties, and is 
 one of the finest water-pieces in Europe. The north 
 of our circuit is bounded by the sea, over which, at a 
 small distance, the islands of Scotland are seen. Cole- 
 raine is a small but handsome town in the county of 
 Derry. The Bawn, a fine large navigable river, which 
 flows from Lough Neagh, runs directly through it." 
 
 Though his spirit was willing and active, his exten- 
 sive and aiduous labours, the privations and sufferings 
 he endured in travelling so large a range of country, 
 subject often to very unfavourable accommodation, 
 proved too much for his physical strength : he was 
 seized with an affection of the chest, and became so 
 debilitated, that, though very reluctantly, he was com- 
 pelled to suspend preaching for a short season; con- 
 sumption indeed was apprehended, but by timely medi- 
 cal aid and good nursing he so far recovered as to 
 resume his ministerial labours, though still suffering 
 much from w^eakness. Concerning this affliction, he 
 writes, — " I do not know that I shall ever be what I 
 was before ; but that is nothing to me : ' Father, thy 
 will be done ! ' Blessed be God, I am tolerable, 
 though far from being what I was. What a mercy 
 that I found myself resigned to his will throughout the 
 whole ! ' For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' 
 If I had been taken away, the church might have done 
 without my feeble aid. God can work his own work. 
 At present I feel as though I had not the least desire 
 to live longer than my life is useful to the flock which 
 God hath purchased with his own blood." He had the 
 satisfaction of the cordial approbation of his brethren, 
 the approving testimony of his own conscience, and the 
 comforting assurance that many were added to the 
 societies. Notwithstanding his affliction, he preached 
 three hundred and thirty sermons during the year, and 
 one hundred and sixty of them in Colerain. 
 
THE RET. THOMAS ROBERTS. 33 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Mr. Roberts's indisposition rendering a removal from 
 the north indispensably necessary, he was stationed in 
 the city of Cork, July, 17^8, where he spent the two 
 ensuing years. Soon after his arrival he wrote to his 
 brother as follows : — 
 
 "I ACQUAINTED you, in, my last, that I supposed I 
 should be taken out of the north ; thanks to kind Pro- 
 vidence, that happy season has commenced, and after 
 two years' apprenticeship, I am removed from the 
 almost insupportable trial of travelling in those parts. 
 
 "After all the trials I met with in the north, I found 
 it hard, very hard, to part with the dear people ; they 
 are the most affectionate in the world, especially those 
 whose hearts are opened by the grace of God, and 
 warmed by his love. We had a very comfortable Con- 
 ference, at which all the preachers in the kingdom were 
 present. It rejoiced my soul to see such a company of 
 preachers called together by the word of the Lord. O 
 what can they not do through the strength of their 
 Master ! There are thirteen new champions enlisted 
 on trial, and we have more in reserve. The Lord is 
 doing great things for Ireland. We expect this year to 
 see the bulwarks of the devil like ' a bowing wall and a 
 tottering fence.' It seems impossible that any Jericho 
 in this kingdom should be able to stand while so 
 many horns are sounding through the land. O my 
 God, cast down the walls of Babylon ! Down with 
 them ! do^vn with them, even to the ground ! 
 
 " The Lord has been pleased to appoint me to labour 
 
 with the dear Rev. Mr. Rogers, in this city. O ! 
 
 it is an awful work wherein I am now engaged. We 
 
 have five hundred and fifty members in society, five 
 
 c 5 
 
34 MEMOIR OF 
 
 different places in the city for preaching in, and suffi- 
 cient labour for us both, and five or six local preachers. 
 We expect to have a glorious work this ensuing year ; 
 the fields are already white unto the harvest. This 
 city Avas never in so fair a way for prospering as it 
 
 is at present 
 
 " I have reason to believe this part of the kingdom 
 will agree with my health very well, though my con- 
 stitution is materially hurt. I think I shall never 
 again have the strength I once had. Be that as it 
 may, not my will but the Lord's be done. I have 
 found the Lord to be good, ' a stronghold in the day 
 of trouble.' His goodness and mercy have been fol- 
 lowing me, soul and body. He has given me favour 
 in the eyes of strangers, so that I may truly say, 
 ' They would have plucked out their eyes, and given 
 them to me.' At present I have much weakness and 
 trembling. A sense of the great work in this large 
 and populous city lies heavily upon me, and I have 
 only one remedy, but, blessed be God ! it is nigh at 
 hand : ]ie enables me to look unto him : I am kept 
 from being confounded. What God has for me to do 
 I know not now, nor will I desire to know. To 
 live my life by moments, is all I have to do." 
 
 The sphere in which he now moved was, in some re- 
 spects, less laborious and trying; but he had to preach fre- 
 quently to the same people, Avho were more cultivated and 
 intelligent than those he had hitherto been accustomed 
 to address. This called forth his mental energies, that, 
 as a " wise householder, he might bring out of his trea- 
 sury things new and things old." His situation being 
 more favourable for reading and study, and affording 
 greater facilities for the acquisition of knowledge, his 
 thirst for it became more intense ; but he made all 
 his attainments subservient to his theological pursuits 
 and preparations for the pulpit ; fervently praying that 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBEUTS. 35 
 
 all might be sanctified by the Holy Spirit to the in- 
 crease of his spirituality and ministerial usefulness. 
 
 In this circuit he appears to have enjoyed much 
 nearness to God, and increasing fellowship with the 
 Father and the Son. He had the high satisfaction of 
 living in the affections of the people ; the Lord work- 
 ing by him in the awakening of sinners, and the build- 
 ing up of believers in their most holy faith. To a 
 friend he writes : — 
 
 " I AM now like a sailor anchored in a safe port after 
 a storm. But, thanks be to God, I now find it a bless- 
 ing to me, and I would not have been without it. My 
 situation at present is very comfortable both for soul 
 and body. My colleague and his good wife are pre- 
 cious people ; and I can truly say, that we have one 
 heart and spirit ; and, blesssed be the God of mercy, we 
 find that the pleasure of the Lord prospers in our hands. 
 
 " The Lord has carried on the work of conversion, 
 and that very remarkably, in some Avho had heard the 
 word for a long season without experiencing the power 
 thereof. Several have been brought into perfect 
 liberty, and now have an inheritance among them 
 which are sanctified. Our watch-night, when we 
 watched-in the new year, was one of the most solemn 
 and happy seasons I can remember. I have experi- 
 enced much of the Divine presence, much comfort in 
 my own soul, and the good-will of Him who dwelt in 
 the bush. My Lord deals bountifully with me, and 
 verifies his promise to my soul's happiness : ' They that 
 water others shall be watered themselves.' I feel my 
 soul engaged in the great work more than ever, for my 
 coming to this city has been the means of stirring up 
 all my powers. what did I feel when I first came in 
 sight of the spires of Cork! But God brings me 
 through, and the dear people bear with me most asto- 
 nishingly. Surely I of all creatures have reason to 
 
36 MEMOIR OF 
 
 bless and adore tliat God Avho opened the dumb ass's 
 mouth, and used the ram's horn to throw down the 
 walls of Jericho. ' Praise the Lord, O my soul, forget 
 not all his benefits ! ' I am happy, and Christ is my 
 portion." . . . , . 
 
 During this period, in correspondence with Mr, 
 Wesley, he appears to have disclosed all the feelings of 
 his heart, especially respecting some difficulties of great 
 delicacy and interest in which he was placed, A mu- 
 tual attachment had been formed between him and a 
 highly respectable and accomplished young lady, which 
 her friends were not disposed to countenance but on 
 one condition, — that he should quit the itinerancy, and 
 enter the established church, her father having in his 
 gift a living which he wished him to accept. It is 
 natural to suppose that this produced no small effect on 
 Mr. Roberts's very sensitive mind. As he had no insur- 
 mountable objection to the church, the proposal pre- 
 sented a honourable station in the ministry, with 
 the acquisition of an object which had obtained a 
 powerful ascendancy. He could not, however, over- 
 come the difficulty that presented itself in the obliga- 
 tion under which he felt himself placed to the good 
 cause in which he was so usefully engaged. The 
 duty of continuance in the more extensive field in 
 which Divine Providence had placed, him was forcibly 
 impressed upon his mind; a severe conflict ensued 
 between affection and paramount duty ; he devoutly 
 placed the subject at the foot of the throne of Divine 
 Wisdom, fervently soliciting direction, and, under God, 
 finally determined to refer the matter to the wise decision 
 of Mr. Wesley, on whose paternal counsel he could with 
 confidence rely. After the exchange of several letters, 
 and the subject having been well weighed in the 
 balance of reason and religion, he came to the noble 
 conclusion of sacrificing personal gratification and emo - 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 37 
 
 lument to his better, high, and heavenly calling. This 
 he communicated to Mr. Wesley, and received from 
 him the following gratifying reply : — 
 
 "Dear Tommy, 
 
 " You send me good news ; I congratulate you 
 upon your deliverance ; it is not a little one. Only he 
 who is almighty was able to burst those bonds in 
 sunder. Many years ago I was exactly in the same 
 case ; and just then, when I came to those words in 
 the lesson for the day, ' Son of man, behold, I take 
 from thee the desire of thine eyes at a stroke ; ' I was 
 quite stunned, and could not just then read a word 
 more ; but afterwards I saw God was wiser than me. 
 
 " It seems to me, that you draw the right conclusion 
 from this remarkable providence. Surely God does 
 now give a loud call to devote your whole self to the 
 Lord. Commending j'ou to God, 
 " I am, dear Tommy, 
 
 " Your affectionate friend and brother, 
 
 " John Wesley." 
 
 The question which agitated his mind being now at 
 rest, he appears to have recovered the tone of his feel- 
 ing, and the fervour of his zeal, which is very cogently 
 expressed in a letter to his aunt, Mrs. Best : — 
 
 " Blessed be my indulgent Father, I enjoy peace of 
 soul and health of body. I have lately proved the faith- 
 fulness and benignity of the Lord in a most singular way; 
 after the most subtle assaults from the power of dark- 
 ness, I have the Spirit of the Lord like a standard 
 lifted up in my defence. O my dear aunt, when I 
 look back upon these last more than three years, what 
 has the God of Abraham called me unto, and what has 
 the God of Joshua brought me through ! Moses's 
 description of God's gracious dealings Avith Israel may 
 
B8 MEMOIR OP 
 
 be truly applied to my case : ' He found him in a 
 desert land, and in tlie waste howling wilderness ; he 
 led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the 
 apple of his eye.' And now, blessed be his name, 
 ' He makes me ride upon the high places of the earth.' 
 I am permitted to sit with Christ in heavenly places. 
 Preserve me, O thou Preserver of men, from acting 
 Jeshurun's perfidious part ! At present I feel my soul 
 sweetly hanging on the arm of God. Thou art my 
 Lord, my life, my all ! I had a precious season to my 
 soul this morning, while enlarging on 1 John ii. 28. 
 Father, I am but a little child, a mere babe in Christ ; 
 let thine arms of mercy hold me up to my Saviour's 
 heart, that I may grow up to a father in God's family, 
 and stand with cheerful confidence at last before the 
 judgment-seat. 
 
 " The Lord is carrying on his work in this city. In 
 visiting the classes last Lady-day we foimd a consider- 
 able increase, not only in number, but in grace. Some 
 of the dear people are growing up ' like willows by the 
 water-courses.' Many have been added to the number 
 of the faithful, and some have obtained an inheritance 
 among them that are sanctified ; and a few have died 
 happy in the Lord, and have exchanged this state of 
 mourning for a blissful immortality. The week which 
 is now just past has been a blessed season to many 
 souls, who have proved the resuixection's power of 
 Christ. I think I was never in livelier assemblies than 
 our general and band love-feasts. O may the Keeper 
 of Israel keep these precious souls of his flock, and 
 suflfer nothing to poison their simi^licity! Mr. Wesley 
 will be in Cork shortly, God willing ; he is very well, 
 and is now making his tour through this kingdom. 
 
 " It gives me great pleasure to hear that the Lord 
 has stirred up the people of Launceston once more. 
 
 I am not without hope of being with 
 
 you yet I need not request an interest 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 39 
 
 in yoiir prayers, as you have always shown so great a 
 regard for my spiritual welfare ; you will still continue 
 your much-respected admonitions, which will ever be 
 esteemed and acknowledged by me. And while you 
 pray for, and help on, the feeblest follower of the 
 despised Jesus, may the same precious Saviour water 
 your soul with the dew of his blessing ! May he grant 
 you on earth a hundred-fold reward, and in ' the world 
 to come life everlasting ! This is the prayer of, dear 
 aimt, 
 
 " Your most dutiful and affectionate nephew, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
 The preceding letters present an undisguised and 
 unadorned view of the purity and simplicity of his 
 mind; and though confidential in their original commu- 
 nication, and without intention of their appearing 
 before the public eye, their publication cannot but be 
 justified, as they present to us the " Israelite indeed, in 
 whom there is no guile ;" having a pleasing tendency to 
 edify the Christian churches, and furnishing a glow of 
 heavenly piety especially worthy the attention and imi- 
 tation of young ministers. 
 
 The pious society in Cork, with whom he had been 
 favoured with so many blessings in heavenly places in 
 Christ, were greatly endeared to him, and ever lived in 
 his affectionate remembrance. He often related, with 
 much interest, a visit which he paid them in the yeeir 
 1814, when he received a good report of some of them 
 who had died in the Lord, and entered into glory, 
 while the survivors welcomed him as the messenger of 
 the Lord, who had been to them the instrument of sal- 
 vation. It seems that some desire had been expressed 
 for his appointment to Dublin, on which Dr. Coke, 
 Mr. Wesley's representative to the Irish Conference, 
 wrote to him :— 
 
40 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " COLERAIN, June 8(k, 1790. 
 
 "My very dear Brother, 
 
 " I FEEL some desire of appointing you for Dublin 
 at the next Conference. I think, at present, it may be 
 for the glory of God. Will you give me the choice of 
 the alternative, of appointing you for Dublin or taking 
 you to England ? 
 
 " Your faithful friend, 
 
 "Thomas Coke." 
 
 Mr. Roberts bowed to the decision of Mr. Wesley, 
 on vfhich he received the following reply : — 
 
 " Douglas, Isle of Man, June 19ik, 1790. 
 " My very dear Brother, 
 
 " I have just received a letter from Mr. Wesley, 
 informing me, that he intends to station you next year 
 in London; and observes, ' I shall then have him under 
 my eye.' I shall let Mr Wesley know what you wrote 
 to me in your last. I think it is the best way to leave 
 the whole to God. If you stay in Ireland, you will 
 probably be appointed for Dublin. 
 
 " Your most faithful friend, 
 
 "Thomas Coke." 
 
 It was finally determined that Mr. Roberts should 
 return to England. He felt exquisitely at leaving his 
 Cork friends, to whom his spirit was so closely united, 
 and with whom he had enjoyed so many blessings. 
 He had been abundant in his labours ; as his text-book 
 shows, that during the two years he had preached six 
 hundred and thirty-three sermons, four hundred and 
 thirty-five of which had been delivered in the city of 
 Cork ; and he could not review his extensive labours in 
 Ireland but with thanksgiving to God, that, notwith- 
 standing the affliction he had laboured under, he had 
 been enabled to pass through so large a range of 
 
I THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 41 
 
 country, travelling so many hundred miles, and preach- 
 ing not less than one thousand four hundred and forty- 
 nine sermons during the four years. 
 
 To the first of the appointments named by Dr. Coke, 
 Mr. Roberts had a strong objection, though he felt 
 great delicacy in opposing the kind wishes of a man to 
 Avhose judgment he paid so much deference, yet he 
 urged his youth and inexperience as a sufficient reason 
 for declining so prominent a station. Mr. Wesley, 
 therefore, very kindly admitted his objections, and ap- 
 pointed him to Bristol, at the same time, with great 
 solemnity, receiving him into full connexion. This 
 was to him as the ordination of God ; he renewed his 
 covenant-engagements, and " resolved more fully to 
 devote his heart, his life, his talents, his all, to the 
 Lord, and the work of the ministry." His stay in 
 Bristol was but of short continuance. Mr. Wesley, in 
 his tour through South Wales, finding some societies in 
 Pembrokeshire in a very unpleasant state, and which 
 required " the wisdom of the serpent and the harmless- 
 ness of the dove" to set them in order, fixed on Mr. 
 Roberts to accomplish this diflicult work, and wrote to 
 him as follows : — 
 
 " Haverfordwest, August \3th, 1790. 
 
 " Dear Tommy, 
 
 " NoAV I shall make a trial of you, whether I can 
 confide in you or no. Since I came hither I have been 
 much concerned. This is the most important circuit in 
 all Wales ; but it has been vilely neglected by the 
 assistant, whom, therefore, I can trust no more. I can 
 trust you, even in so critical a case. I desire therefore 
 that, whoever opposes, you will set out immediately, and 
 come hither as soon as ever you can. I wish you could 
 meet me at Cardiff" or Cowbridge. You will see by the 
 printed plan when I shall be at either of those places. 
 If you have not notice soon enough to do this, try to 
 
42 MEMOIR OF 
 
 meet me to-morrow sennight at the New-Passage, 
 unless you can get a passage by the weekly boat to 
 Swansea. If it be possible do not fail. It may be this 
 may be the beginning of a lasting friendship between 
 you, and, 
 
 " Dear Tommy, 
 •"' Your affectionate friend and brother, 
 " John Wesley." 
 " N. B. You are to act as assistant." 
 
 This letter is expressive of the care of Mr. Wesley 
 for the welfare of the societies, and shows the motive by 
 "which he was induced to exercise an affectionate com- 
 mand over the preachers. Mr. Roberts felt himself 
 placed in a painful dilemma : from the affection of the 
 people of Bristol, and the gratifying prospect of useful- 
 ness presented to him there, he could not but feel some 
 reluctance to acquiesce in this unexpected proposal. 
 However, obedience was a paramount duty, and he 
 hastened to meet Mr. Wesley, received his direction and 
 advice, and immediately entered upon his neAv charge, 
 believing the power which ordained it to be of God ; 
 and so it proved, for on this very incident turned all the 
 events of his future earthly pilgrimage. A tide of po- 
 pularity flowed in upon" him ; all ranks of people flocked 
 to hear him, and gladly received the word of life from 
 his lips. 
 
 Having made such aiTangements as gave peace and 
 harmony to the societies, he obtained leave of Mr. 
 Wesley to visit his friends in Cornwall. On arriving in 
 his native county, he states that his feelings were inex- 
 pressible ; he involuntai'ily threw himself on the ground, 
 kissed it, then rose upon his knees, and, in the spirit of 
 devout thanksgiving, praised God, who had led him in 
 the way which he had gone, kept him from evil, and 
 crowned him with his goodness and tender mercy. He 
 rose, and hastened to his father's house, where he was 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 43 
 
 received with the joy of paternal affection, and soon 
 encircled by his relations and Christian friends, who 
 gave him a hearty welcome, and thanked God on his 
 behalf. His first text was expressive of the sentiments 
 of his heart : " What shall I render unto the Lord for 
 all his benefits toward me ? " (Psalm cxvi. 12.) After 
 this most agreeable and profitable visit, he returned to 
 Haverfordwest, where the preachers resided ; the Circuit 
 embracing the county of Pembroke and town of Carmar- 
 then. He renewed his labours under favourable circum- 
 stances. " The power of the Lord was' present to save," 
 and Zion prospered. He was much assisted in his pastoral 
 care by the wise and seasonable advice which he received 
 in his correspondence with Mr. "Wesley. It is worthy of 
 note, that, when that great man could no longer A-vTrite 
 through physical decay, his intellect Avas still clear, and 
 his spirit alive to the best interests of the people of his 
 care. He dictated the following letter, which was writ- 
 ten by the Rev. Joseph Bradford, and signed it with his 
 own hand the day before the seizure which finally termi- 
 nated his glorious career. This was one of the last, if 
 not the very last, that hand which had written so much, 
 and to so good purpose, ever signed. 
 
 " London, February 18<A, 1791. 
 
 " My dear Brother, 
 
 " "Who was it that opposed your reducing the 
 preachers in the circuit to two ? and on what pretence? 
 We must needs reduce all our expenses every where, as 
 far as possible. You must never leave off till you carry 
 this point. Foi*m bands in every large society. I am 
 glad to hear that your journey home has not been in 
 vain. My best wishes attend my friends. 
 " I am. Dear Tommy, 
 " Your affectionate friend and brother, 
 
 " John Wesley." 
 
44 MEMOIR OF 
 
 This letter was soon followed by the sorrowful tidings 
 of the death of this great man, Mr. Eoberts's beloved 
 and revered father and friend. The feehngs of his 
 mind were powerfully excited by this event, and were 
 expressed in a sermon which he preached on the occa- 
 sion, to a deeply affected congregation, at Carmarthen, 
 from 2 Samuel iii. 36 : " Know ye not that there is a 
 prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? " This 
 sermon, and the hymns which he composed for the ser- 
 vice, made an impression which is stiU remembered, and 
 Spoken of with interest by a few survivors. He also 
 wrote an elegy on the death of Mr. Wesley, which was 
 published in the December Magazine of that year : a 
 brief quotation will convey some idea of the deep emo- 
 tions of his heart. 
 
 What ardour now my trembling heart inspires ! 
 How glows my bosom with superior fires ! 
 I hear, I hear, the flaming chariot roll ; 
 The clouds drop sadness on my fainting soul. 
 See ! see, the blazing portals wide extend ; 
 He mounts! he flies ! my father and my friend ! 
 The rapid coursers gain the crystal walls ; 
 He disappears, and lo ! the mantle falls. 
 
 To thee, blest sire, shall every breast be moved, 
 And all thy children sing the saint they loved; 
 For thee shall Science drop the filial tear. 
 And sacred Virtue shall thy name revere. 
 For thee, the Muse shall pour the sorrowing lay, 
 And pure Devotion languish o'er thy clay ; 
 ' Remotest generations yet unborn 
 
 Shall breathe the deep-felt sigh o'er Wesley's urn! 
 
 His continued labours in this circuit were not only 
 attended with more than ordinary acceptance, but ex- 
 tensive usefulness ; so that he states this to be one of the 
 most agreeable and happy years of his life. Several 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 45 
 
 persons of great respectability became Lis regular 
 hearers, one of whom was Miss Wogan, of Weston, 
 near Haverfordwest, the eldest daughter of John Wo- 
 gan, Esq., a descendant of one of the most ancient and 
 respectable families in that part of the principality, 
 Mr. Roberts and this excellent lady, who was one of 
 the seals of his ministry, commenced a correspondence 
 which afterwards ripened into more than ordinary 
 friendship. It was in the summer of this year, on the 
 arrival of Mr. Roberts from Ireland to attend the Con- 
 ference, that the writer of this memoir first saw him ; 
 and he well recollects the admiration excited at his fine 
 personal appearance, and the elegance of his manners ; 
 but, above all, at the impressive strains of eloquence 
 which floAved from his lips, and the holy unction that 
 accompanied his preaching. 
 
 As the ensuing Conference was to be held at Man- 
 chester, Mr. Roberts, with two of his brethren, to save 
 expense, agreed to go by sea to Liverpool. This nearly 
 proved fatal to them. They sailed from Fishguard, in 
 a small Welsh trader; and when oif the Isle of Bury, 
 were in imminent danger of shipwreck, from a tremen- 
 dous storm that arose. Their lives were in the greatest 
 jeopardy. Prayer was made, and the Lord remarkably 
 answered. He rebuked the winds and the waves, and 
 gave them a favourable passage to their destined port ; 
 for which they praised their great Deliverer. On his 
 arrival at Manchester, Mr. Roberts found gloom and 
 anxiety depicted in the countenances of many of the 
 brethren. Their great Elijah was no more ; he had 
 finished his labours, mounted the triumphal chariot, and 
 entered into the joy of his Lord. Deprived of the wise 
 counsels and commanding influence of him Avho had so 
 long presided OA'er them with unparalleled wisdom, 
 there Avas great searching of heart relative to the best 
 line of conduct to be pursued, and mode of government 
 to be adopted. After a day of humiliation and prayer, 
 
46 MEMOIR OP 
 
 upon consulting tlie posthumous advice of their removed 
 militant head, it was resolved " to submit to each other 
 in the Lord," and to adopt that system of discipline, of 
 the efficiency and utility of which, the history of the 
 Connexion since that period records ample proof. Mr. 
 Roberts expresses himself to have been " tremblingly 
 alive " during the discussion, the result of which received 
 his cordial approbation, and undeviating concurrence 
 through life. 
 
 At the Conference of 1791 he was re-appointed to 
 the Bristol circuit, his name having stood there the pre- 
 ceding year. As the society in this city had been, from 
 its formation, under the special care of Mr. Wesley, Mr. 
 Roberts was led to hope for many advantages and spi- 
 ritual blessings. He, however, soon found that the late 
 arrangements did not accord with the sentiments of 
 several of the influential persons. This placed him in 
 circumstances of a trying nature, as he was firm in his 
 purpose of carrying those arrangements into effect. Not 
 having realized that usefulness and those consolations in 
 Christ Avhich he had anticipated, and being importuned 
 by his friends in South Wales to return to them, he 
 resolved to comply with their affectionate wishes, and 
 at the Conference of 1792 was again appointed to 
 Pembrokeshire. After remaining in Bristol, by parti- 
 cular request, to assist in opening Portland chapel, he 
 hastened once more to enjoy his beloved circle of friends 
 in Haverfordwest and the Circuit. They heard him 
 gladly, as one that played on a well-tuned instrument. 
 His natural talent was rather that of a " son of consola- 
 tion," than of a Boanerges ; yet he did not fail to lead 
 sinners to the foot of Sinai, and present to their view 
 the majesty and glory of the divine Lawgiver, with the 
 sound of the trumpet, denouncing woe, tribulation, and 
 eternal death upon every soul of man that doeth evil ; 
 calling sinners to awake from the sleep of spiritual 
 death, that they might have light, life, and salvation in 
 
THE BEV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 47 
 
 Jesus Christ. The Lord opened the hearts of many to 
 receive the engrafted word, some of whom have long 
 since fallen asleep in Christ, while others are standing 
 on the banks of Jordan, waiting to pass into the land 
 of promise. 
 
 It :has already been stated, that Miss Wogan was 
 among the seals of IMr. Roberts's ministry ; and that a 
 correspondence had taken place between them. She 
 had now for some time given proof of the sincerity and 
 fervour of her piety ; and the amiable qualities she pos- 
 sessed were rendered yet more amiable by the garment 
 of righteousness with which she was clothed. Believing 
 it to be the will of God that they should be united in 
 marriage, their happy union (for such it was, though it 
 proved but of short continuance) took place at Clifton 
 church, near Bristol, July 11th, 1793. This was an 
 union of affection, formed in the fear of the Lord, and 
 in reference to his glory, and not of worldly policy or 
 sordid lucre. Miss "Wogan's fortune, at the time of her 
 marriage, being very limited, it was not until the death 
 of her only brother, that she became co-heiress to the 
 Weston estates. But had it been otherwise, she would 
 have thought nothing too great to sacrifice for one who to 
 her had been the minister of the unsearchable riches of 
 Christ. Though her superior education and accomplish- 
 ments had prepared her to move in the higher circles, 
 she resolutely broke from the gay world, to participate 
 with her husband in his holy labours, and in the honours 
 of the cross of Christ, Avhich she esteemed greater riches 
 than all the treasures of Egypt. 
 
 The Conference being again at hand, Mr. Roberts 
 repaired to meet his brethren at Leeds. In these yearly 
 meetings, few felt a deeper sympathy with the joys and 
 sorrows of the ministers with whom he was associated 
 than he did, or was more affectionate and judicious in 
 counsel. The general business being concluded, he 
 returned to Haverfordwest, to which circuit he was 
 
48 MEMOIR OF 
 
 re-appoiated. June 16th, 1794, lie was favoured with 
 the birth of a son, whom the Rev. Dr. Coke baptized by 
 the name of John Wogan ; but this lovely first-born 
 was soon and suddenly snatched away. While playfully 
 encircled in his father's arms, he was seized with con- 
 vulsions, and almost instantly expired, March 13th, 
 1795. Thus the heart glowing with paternal aflFection 
 was, in a moment, agonized with sorrow, which is 
 affectively portrayed in a letter written to his brother 
 a few days after. 
 
 " Vain, vain, and delusive are the best of earth's en- 
 joyments ! In the short space of a few moments is 
 one of the greatest of my comforts destroyed ! O, my 
 brother, what have I felt, and how has its tender 
 mother bled, since the shaft entered into and pierced 
 through her soul also ! But shall I not have my Isaac 
 restored ? I shall receive him from the dead ! The 
 consideration of the advantages he has obtained by the 
 exchange, alleviates in a great degree the poignancy of 
 our sorrow. He knew nothing of the world's delusions ; 
 he cared nothing for its best enjoyments. He had no 
 sacrifice to make ; had nothing to sell ere he could 
 enter into life, but by a sweet apotheosis entered at 
 once into the vision of his Redeemer, his most emi- 
 nently ' all in all.' I have had a return of the hectic 
 fever ; the cause of this I apprehend to be the late 
 affliction, which I have felt very severely, and which 
 affects my spirits to a very great degree. Nothing but 
 time and Divine grace can relieve my mind. I have not 
 as yet been able to exert fortitude enough to go within 
 the door of the nursery, and my dear little fellow seems 
 every moment present with me, by night and by day. 
 I am ashamed to acknowledge the weakness of my 
 •nature; but, though distressed, I do not wish to part 
 with my affliction. However, I now begin to see more 
 clearly the gracious hand that dealt the blow. Perhaps 
 Ood, to spare the father, took the child. I bow to the 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 49 
 
 Divine will, and hope, at least in eternity, if not 
 in time, to be able to rejoice in the all- wise dispen- 
 sation." 
 
 This painful bereavement was shortly followed by 
 one yet more afflictive. His beloved wife was seized 
 with fever, and, notwithstanding the best medical aid, 
 after giving birth to an infant, which also died, in a 
 few days closed her valuable life. The affecting account 
 of this agonizing dispensation is best given in his own 
 words, in a letter to his sister : — 
 
 " For several months past she had a presentiment of 
 a speedy dissolution, and would not be persuaded to the 
 contrary. On the morning of the 19th of May, my 
 birth-day, to which I had looked forAvard with far other 
 sentiments than the fatal day presented, she was taken 
 violently ill in a moment, and shivered in such a manner 
 as to cause the bed to shake under her. She immedi- 
 ately said to me, ' My dear, I shall die.' Of this I did 
 not then think much, supposing it to be merely the im- 
 pression and language of the moment. The cold fit 
 was succeeded by a high and inflammatory fever. 
 Medical assistance w^as immediately called in ; but the 
 fever increasing, it brought on labour, and at a quarter 
 before twelve at noon the following day, she gave birth 
 to a little girl. As it was deemed probable the babe 
 would not live, I had it baptized by the name of 
 Elizabeth, at my dear Ellen's request, as a token of 
 remembrance for my mother. The fever growing more 
 violent, further assistance was called in; but the patient 
 creature, though she submitted to every thing the Faculty 
 prescribed, yet looked forward for the happy hour that 
 should set her free from the house of clay. With all 
 the composure and calmness imaginable, she desired 
 her physician to inform her of her real situation, and I 
 insisted the truth should be told her. She loved me 
 much, her heart was strongly united to me ; but on the 
 Friday morning her triumph over nature was complete. 
 
 D 
 
^ 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 While I was at prayer with her, she burst out 
 into a rapturous strain of praise and adoration ; and 
 when I arose from my knees she said, 'Now I see my 
 passage clear to the skies ! Jesus is mine, and I 
 am his ! Jesus is mine, and I am his ! ' This she 
 frequently repeated, and then with perfect composm-e 
 said she could cheerfully give me up with every earthly 
 concern. She said she had two babes in paradise, and 
 should soon join them. She exhorted me to cleave to 
 God, and to look to him for support and comfort ; for 
 that though we were now parted, we should soon meet 
 in a better world. She then quoted this stanza out of 
 the last hymn in the large collection : — 
 
 * Live till the Lord in glory come, 
 And wait his heaven to share j 
 He now is fitting up our home, 
 Go on, I 'U meet j-ou there ! ' 
 
 She then looked at me with ineffable sweetness, and 
 related all the feelings of her mind, and briefly suggested 
 all she wished me to do. The doctor, who was in the 
 next room, being called in, she expressed her hope re- 
 specting heaven, and witnessed how happily we had lived. 
 In this blessed frame she continued, till the fever rose to 
 that degree as to deprive her of the exercise of her reason, 
 and on Monday, the 25th, resigned her spirit into the 
 hands of her Saviour, and entered into the life and 
 glory she so triumphantly anticipated." 
 
 The death of this amiable woman was tmiversally 
 lamented; and, as an expression of mournful respect, 
 her funeral was attended by most of the noblemen's 
 and gentlemen's families in the surrounding country. 
 Her remains were interred with those of her ancestors 
 and of her two children, in the family vault in the chancel 
 of Weston church, where a monument was erected with 
 the following inscription : — 
 
TBE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 51 
 
 O ! IP the first embellishments of mind, 
 
 Sense highly-polish'd, judgment most refined ; 
 
 If all the powers to social feelings dear, 
 
 That prompt the transport, or impel the tear ; 
 
 If all the graces of the holy dove. 
 
 Firm faith, bright hope, and never-failing love ; 
 
 If all the ravish'd eye delighted sees, 
 
 The charms that angels or their God can please ; 
 
 If Virtue's self could have disarm'd the dart, 
 
 It had not pierced my Eleanora's heart ! 
 
 Yet greatly fell his potent arm beneath 
 
 The heaven- wing'd saint, and dying conquer d death, 
 
 Snatch'd victory from the grave ; the infernal sting 
 
 By faith reverted on the grisly king ; 
 
 Then raised the palm, bedipp'd in Jesu's blood. 
 
 And fled to Avave it on the mount of God ! 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 It is scarcely possible to conceive the poignant grief 
 to which the ver)' acute feelings of Mr. Roberts were 
 now subjected, as a bereft husband and father. In less 
 than three months deprived of all he held dear on 
 earth, hurled from the highest pinnacle of domestic 
 felicity and hopeful enjoyment into an abyss of agoniz- 
 ing sorrow, his fainting soul looked up and said, 
 " Deep calleth imto deep at the noise of thy water- 
 spouts : all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me ; 
 yet the Lord will remember his loving-kindness." Here 
 faith reposed its confidence in the all-sufficiency and 
 never- failing love of Him who had given and taken away. 
 
 But, notwithstanding the devout efforts of his mind 
 
 to resolve all into the loving, wise, and sovereign 
 
 will of his heavenly Father, and to believe " whom he 
 
 loveth he chasteneth," and that for their profit, that 
 
 d2 
 
52 MEMOIR OP 
 
 they may be partakers of his holiness, he suffered much 
 depression of mind ; and the re-iterated shocks so 
 greatly affected his physical frame as to render him 
 ever after incapable of fulfilling the whole of the ardu- 
 ous duties of the itinerant ministrj'. This was kindly 
 considered by his brethren, and his future appointments 
 were generally as an extra or supernumerary preacher. 
 Some persons, for want of better information, attributed 
 such appointments to other causes, supposing he might 
 have undertaken the full labours of his station : of this, 
 perhaps, no one could be a more competent judge than 
 the Avriter of this memoir, which he feels it his duty to 
 state for the satisfaction of those who might have 
 thought otherwise. It was in this day of sore trouble 
 that his more particular intimacy with Mr. Roberts 
 commenced ; and this grew into a friendship that knew 
 no diminution during the following thirty-eight years, 
 eight of which, at different times, they were fellow- 
 labourers together, and, during intervals, in the habit of 
 correspondence and mutual visits. His spirit was 
 always willing; the work of the ministry was the 
 delight of his soul ; and he was often deeply humbled 
 that he should so far have given way to excessive grief 
 as in any degree to paralyze his ministerial efforts : in 
 this he thought he had offended his Divine Master, and 
 was justly corrected. He made many attempts to rally 
 and regain his strength, and, what he called, his " post 
 of honour," but was always unsuccessful. It is but just 
 to bear this testimony to this rather prominent circum- 
 stance in his life and labours. It might justly be said 
 of him, that, in diffusing the sacred and fragrant oint- 
 ment of the Saviour's name, he " did what he could ; " 
 and his brethren acted well in their indulgence towards 
 him, and were amply repaid by the sincerity and con- 
 stancy of his affection, and the unremitting zeal and 
 liberality he manifested to promote the interests of the 
 Connexion. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 53 
 
 In proof of his anxious desire to retain his 
 place among his brethren, he attended the ensuing 
 Conference at Manchester, in hope the sorrows of his 
 mind would be alleviated and his strength renewed ; 
 but in this he was disappointed by severe and conti- 
 nued affliction, so that he was scarcely able to attend a 
 sitting, or enjoy any intercourse with his brethren. 
 He was appointed to Bristol as Supernumerary, and 
 his labours were divided between that city and South 
 Wales. 
 
 On leaving Manchester, he was prevailed upon to 
 take a tour through North Wales, by which his health 
 and spirits appeared to be considerably improved ; but 
 on his return to Haverfordwest, every thing tending to 
 remind him of his great bereavement, he sunk, as he 
 expresses it, " into the luxury of mournful solitude and 
 woe," till visited by his faithful and confidential friend, 
 the Rev. Dr. Coke, who hastened to his aid, and by 
 the fervour of his devout piety, the cheerfulness of his 
 manners, and spiritual and literary conversation, roused 
 him from the deep gloom of sorrow into which he had 
 fallen ; and, once more convinced of his error, he saAV 
 and felt the offence against Heaven, was laid in the 
 dust before the sovereign Arbiter of life and death, and 
 his soul said, " Arise, hope thou in God ; for I shall 
 yet praise him." Complying with the earnest Avishes 
 of the doctor, he accompanied him to Bristol, where, 
 on a change of scene, and association with his old 
 friends, he resumed his ministry, and the joy of the 
 Lord became once more his strength. On his return to 
 Haverfordwest, it required no small degree of fortitude 
 to resist the recurrence of his former depression. Being 
 solicited to preach, after some struggle with his acute 
 feelings, he consented ; and, in expatiating on the con- 
 solatory words of St. Paul, " For our light affliction, 
 which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more 
 exceeding and eternal weight of glory," his word dis- 
 
54 MEMOIR OF 
 
 tilled as the dew on an overwhelming and deeply- 
 affected congregation. While exhibiting in a vivid 
 light the scale of contrast between transitory, proba- 
 tionary suffering, and the eternal duration and great 
 weight of glory, his mind appeared largely to participate 
 of the heavenly gift, and to feel the powers of the Avorld 
 to come. This was a season to be remembered by many, 
 and can never be forgotten by him who records it. 
 
 Few persons were less formed for abstraction, or 
 were more susceptible of social enjoyment, than Mr. 
 Roberts ; what he designated " the dreadful vacuity of 
 widowhood " induced him again to form a connexion, 
 and enter into a union, which proved to him a great 
 blessing from the Lord. His late much-beloved wife, 
 a little before her departure, pressing his hand with 
 great tenderness, said, " I leave you : I entreat you to 
 think of our dear Mary : the Lord will graciously com- 
 fort you : " meaning her particular friend. Miss Ran- 
 dolph, the eldest daughter of William Randolph, Esq., 
 of Bristol, between whom and herself a spiritual union 
 had subsisted from the commencement of their religious 
 course. What is very remarkable, they were both 
 enlightened by the Spirit of truth, and convinced of the 
 necessity of a change of heart, and enjoyment of a pre- 
 sent salvation in Christ Jesus, at the same time, under 
 the same sermon, preached by Mr. Roberts, from, 
 " Turn ye to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope ; 
 even to-day do I declare I will render double to you." 
 The above was not only the recommendation of strong 
 affectionate friendship, but of wisdom ; for no person 
 could have been selected more suitable as a successor or 
 as a helpmate. To this excellent lady he was happily 
 united July 7th, 1796. The mildness of her disposi- 
 tion, the accomplishments of her mind, the elegance of 
 her manners, the fervour of her piety, and the tender 
 sympathizing interest with which she entered into the 
 recent afflictions of her friend, were to him a healing 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. o5 
 
 restorative, and he again, with renewed covenant 
 engagements, pursued his beloved ministerial labours ; 
 and when his physical strength was inadequate to 
 the public labours of earlier life, he employed his pen, 
 and through the medium of the press diffused the 
 knowledge of the Gospel of Christ. 
 
 From this period to the year 1811 he was appointed 
 as an extra preacher to Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Banwell, 
 Downend, and Carmarthen. This sort of station was 
 not only adapted to the precarious state of his health, 
 relieving him from the responsibility and anxiety of 
 the regular labours of the circuit, but enabled him 
 to visit the neighbouring circuits, and to make 
 extensive excursions to preach occasional sermons in 
 opening chapels, and to attend meetings for public 
 institutions, for which he was favoured with a special 
 adaptation of talent. He was often solicited to plead 
 in behalf of Kingswood School, — " the school of the 
 sons of the prophets," as he designated it, — of which 
 he was the warm and liberal advocate. A sermon 
 which he preached in aid of that excellent institution 
 in King- street chapel, Bristol, was published in the 
 Methodist Magazine for the year 1804, and was the 
 means of affording it pecuniary assistance. He was 
 also the powerful and not unfrequent pleader in behalf 
 of the rising and rapidly extending influence of 
 Sunday-schools, of which his affectionate and eloquent 
 address to the members and friends of the Bath 
 Sunday-school Union, delivered in Walcot chapel, and 
 published at their request, is a standing record. And 
 how much his heart was engaged in works of charity 
 relative to the education of the children of the poor, 
 will be seen in an anonymous pamphlet, published on 
 the Blagdon controversy. The applications to him 
 were numerous ; and he refused none with which he 
 could possibly comply, but frequently, considering his 
 infirmities and debility, ran great risks, often subjecting 
 
56 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 himself to temporary confinement, and sometimes to 
 severe illness, as will appear in subsequent parts of this 
 narrative. But none of these things discouraged him : 
 he thought this to be his special providential calling ; 
 and as soon as a little recovered, and not unfrequently 
 before, he would resume his ministerial labours of cha- 
 rity, in which he felt peculiar pleasure, often proving 
 that Divine strength was made perfect in human 
 weakness, and favoured with many tokens that his 
 mission was from above, and accompanied by gracious 
 effusions of the Holy Spirit. In the cities of Bath and 
 Bristol he Avas often associated with respectable minis- 
 ters of different denominations on public occasions, by 
 whom he was held in high estimation ; and with a 
 liberality of sentiment by which he was ever distin- 
 guished, but without compromise, he rendered them his 
 valuable services, not unfrequently filling their pulpits 
 with much acceptance. 
 
 Though Mr. Roberts did not appear as the author of 
 any volumes or elaborate work, he rendered his aid to 
 several respectable authors, and contributed from an 
 early period to many periodical publications : most of 
 his numerous Avritings, both prose and verse, Avere 
 introduced to the public in the form of pamphlets of 
 various sizes. As many of these are not generally 
 known, and possess considerable merit, it may be gra- 
 tifying to his finends to have some reference to the 
 chief of them, also to such particular occurrences, 
 during the following years, as this memoir will allow. 
 
 At the Conference held in Bristol in the year 1798, 
 he had the high gratification of being a principal 
 instrument in the formation of what is denominated 
 " the Itinerant Methodist Preachers' Annuitant Sociey, 
 or Legalized Fund." This institution not having been 
 placed on a legal form, the annual subscriptions of the 
 preachers and their friends had been applied to various 
 contingencies in the Connexion. However laudable 
 
THE KEV. THOMAS ROBERTS, 57 
 
 this might be in promoting so great and good a work, 
 it left the worn-out preachers and their widows in 
 painful doubt as to the permanency of their future sup- 
 port. This excited the serious attention of some of the 
 junior preachers ; and after several private conversa- 
 tions, one of them mentioned the subject to Mr. Ro- 
 berts ; his views and feelings corresponding with theirs, 
 — that, considering the growing state of the Connexion, 
 and the probable increase of annuitants, something 
 should be done to form and legally establish a perma- 
 nent fund. Such was the cordial feeling of his mind 
 for his aged brethren and their Avidows placed in less 
 favourable circumstances than himself, that he spon- 
 taneously offered a donation of fifty pounds to com- 
 mence with, and any other support he might be able to 
 give. This being mentioned to several of the brethren, a 
 meeting was convened, at which himself. Dr. Clarke, and 
 several other influential preachers attended. After much 
 deliberation, in which he bore a principal part, resolu- 
 tions were entered into, rules formed, and himself and 
 Dr. Clarke appointed treasurers. These rules were 
 registered as the law required, by his application to the 
 Quarter Sessions, held for the city and county of Bris- 
 tol, July 15th, 1799. To the accuracy of this state- 
 ment the writer can bear witness, as he received and 
 carried Mr. Roberts's benevolent proposal to his brethren, 
 with his warm and ardent wishes, that efficient measures 
 might be adopted to accomplish the much -desired 
 object. How much he appreciated this institution, for 
 his brethren's sake, was evinced by his watchful care 
 over it, and the faithful discharge of the duties of trea- 
 surer, till, through his growing infirmities, he found it 
 necessary to resign the office. His reflections on the 
 part he took were to him always gratifying and con- 
 solatory. 
 
 A circumstance which occurred but a short time 
 before his death, and which was not fully understood at 
 D 5 
 
58 MEMOIR OP 
 
 the time, excited a little temporary painful feeling ; 
 but, however lie might err in judgment, he evinced his 
 constant and ardent affection. Having sustained the 
 loss of the principal part of his property, which will be 
 more particularly mentioned in its place, he suggested 
 to a friend the idea of receiving a portion of the arrears 
 ■which might be considered due to him from this fund ; 
 but, as he afterwards privately stated to his friend who 
 records it, not for his own personal appropriation, but, 
 it not being in his power to leave any thing to the 
 fund, which he had long purposed to do, he thought by 
 this he might have the honour of expressing his regard 
 for the institution and his brethren by a bequest in his 
 last will to the amount he might receive ; but con- 
 cluded, Avith great meekness of spirit, by saying, " Per- 
 haps the desire arose from something not in accordance 
 with humility, therefore the gratification was not per- 
 mitted." The sincerity and goodness of his motive 
 cannot be doubted, and he drew even from this disap- 
 pointment a profitable conclusion. 
 
 In the year 1801-2, he published several anonymous 
 pamphlets, in reply to some aggressive and slanderous 
 misrepresentations of Methodism, by persons of literary 
 celebrity in his native county and that of Somerset, in 
 which he wielded the polemical sword with judgment 
 and ability. His opponents, feeling the keenness of the 
 edge, and sharpness of the point, retired from the field 
 with no achievement of honour to their sacred ofiice or 
 literary character. Few things would more completely 
 rouse his mind to action than slanderous misrepresent- 
 ations of Methodism and its venerable Founder. They 
 ever lay near his heart, and were deeply entwined in 
 his tenderest affections ; believing, as he did, that Mr. 
 Wesley was specially commissioned by the Lord, as one 
 of the greatest reformers the world ever knew^ ; and that 
 the doctrines preached, and system of discipline in 
 operation, if maintained in their Divine simplicity and 
 
THE EEV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 59 
 
 purity, -were ordained by the special providence of God 
 to be important instruments in the evangelization of 
 the world. 
 
 He hailed the triumph of truth in any and every 
 form. About this time he wrote a congratulatory poem 
 to his friend, the Rev. Robert Hall, then of Cambridge. 
 He greatly admired the dignified godly simplicity and 
 exalted talents of that learned and good man. The 
 insertion of an extract from the poem cannot but be 
 acceptable ; — 
 
 For thee, whose genius can each muse inspire. 
 
 The bard, the friend, assumes the hallo w'd lyre ; 
 
 Again obedient to the call divine. 
 
 Suspends the votive lay at friendship's shrine. 
 
 With living splendour, like the lucid ray 
 
 AYhich from the star of morn directs its way. 
 
 Thee Ave behold, refulgent sun of light. 
 
 Put the foul fiend of atheism to flight. 
 
 While virtue crown'd thee, while religion shed 
 
 Her brightest beams upon thy honour'd head. 
 
 Again, by duty led, the foe to meet, 
 
 In truth's impervious armour clad complete, 
 
 We see thy hand the lifted bolt sustain, 
 
 And hail thee, HALL, heaven's advocate again. 
 
 'T is thine whom Avisdom's brilliant beam directs. 
 
 Thine to portray those infidel effects. 
 
 Direful effects, that Avith infernal force 
 
 Impel the impetuous passions' onward course, 
 
 At once exciting all the ills that flow, 
 
 And deluge Europe Avith a world of woe. 
 
 Then Avill not He, the jealous God, arise. 
 
 And pour his indignation from the skies, 
 
 Give Gallic pride and Gallic power the rein. 
 
 And heaven's own righteous honours thus maintain ? 
 
 No, — if thy counsel Avisely we revere ; 
 
 Britain's endanger'd, — not in France, but here. 
 
60 MEMOIR OP 
 
 That cause (our crimes) remoYed, the foreign foe 
 But seals her glory in his overthrow. 
 
 He also wrote a poem to his particular friend, Dr. 
 Clarke, on the translation of Sturm's " Reflections on the 
 Works of God in Nature and Providence," which was 
 attached to the first volume of that edifying and useful 
 work. 
 
 He also published a poem, entitled " Carmen Secu- 
 lare" which does no small credit to the poetic powers 
 of his mind, and the devout feelings of his heart ; and 
 a sermon preached in King-street chapel, Bristol, on 
 the day of thanksgiving for the general peace. The 
 sentiments of this excellent sermon are expressive of 
 his political and loyal principles. The text, " God save 
 the king," whether considered as the announcement of 
 the joyous congratulations of loyalty, or fervent effusions 
 of prayer to the almighty King of kings for every 
 blessing of salvation, civil and religious, he hesitated 
 not to pronounce with cheerful and devout accent. 
 This he considered in accordance with, and enjoined 
 by, the Christianity of the New Testament. He not 
 only approved of the great principles of the civil con- 
 stitution of his country, but enjoined Christian sub- 
 mission to " the powers that be." And for the ecclesi- 
 astical establishment he indulged a respectful regard, 
 most cordially approving of her liturgy, which he pre- 
 ferred as part of the morning service, and which, 
 wherever introduced, he read with great devotional 
 solemnity. These principles being early inculcated 
 on his mind by him whom he deemed it his honour 
 to call " father in the Gospel," he steadily adhered to 
 them. 
 
 Mr. Roberts, from the period of his second marriage, 
 entered upon a scene the most gratifying ; liying in the 
 enjoyment of temporal afiluence, surrounded byan intelli- 
 gent, pious, and harmonious domestic circle ; moving in a 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 61 
 
 sphere adapted to, and Avhich gave full scope to, the 
 increase of ministerial talents ; held in high estimation 
 bj the most respectable of all denominations, and sin- 
 cerely loved and blessed among the people of his choice. 
 While of his abundance he devised liberal things, and 
 cheerfully rendered his gratuitous aid to the societies 
 and congregations, he received a rich reward into his 
 own bosom, and many instances of the efficacy of his 
 labours. 
 
 The only interruption he appeared to have to the 
 full tide of enjoyment and happiness, was the loss 
 of his children, who, in succession, as they entered into 
 life, were conveyed by guardian angels to the arms of 
 Him who said, " Suffer little children to come unto me." 
 Mr. Roberts had learned obedience and resignation by 
 the things he had suffered ; and though, as an 
 affectionate father, he was anxiously desirous of 
 a family, yet he bowed in submission to the Divine 
 will. 
 
 On the 15th of April, 1804, the wheel of kind 
 Providence, which had moved onward so smoothly, 
 retrograded, and he Avas once more plunged into sorrow 
 by the sudden and unexpected removal of his beloved 
 partner. The writer of this had, a day or two before, 
 spent a considerable time in conversation with her, 
 when she appeared unusually communicative, cheerful, 
 and quite as well as might be expected, being near her 
 confinement. The conversation was principally on the 
 subject of Christian experience, living by faith in Christ, 
 its influence in relation to communion with God, the 
 fulfilment of divine promises, increasing holiness, 
 spiritual consolation, and encouraging anticipations of 
 a blissful immortality. He heard no more of Mrs. 
 Roberts till the mournful event had occurred. On the 
 sabbath day, while reading prayers in Portland chapel, 
 he was abruptly informed that she was no more. Being 
 deeply affected at the afflictive tidings, he was, for the 
 
02 MEMOIR OF 
 
 moment, incapable of articulation ; tlie congregation 
 arose from tlieir knees, every countenance expressive of 
 solicitude to know the cause. After a short pause it 
 was intimated that information of the decease of a 
 much-loved friend had just been received. All the 
 family being absent, it was immediately conjectured who 
 that friend was. Every heart appeared to melt, and 
 every eye was suffused with tears. As soon as he could 
 conclude the solemn service, for such it was, (and what 
 was remarkable, he had fixed upon those words, being 
 part of the first lesson, for his text, " Let me die the 
 death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,") 
 he hastened to his friend. The scene of sorrow was 
 overwhelming : Mr. Roberts was laid prostrate in 
 agonizing grief; only convulsive groans and deep sighs 
 could be heard, though there was e\'idently, in the 
 midst of this anguish of spirit, a holy struggling of soul 
 to get to the foot of the throne of the God of help. 
 All was in solemn silence, except the responding sighs 
 of deep sympathy. AVhen he was able to articu- 
 late, he exclaimed, " O my friend ! what have 
 I done?" He fervently prayed for divine sup- 
 port and resignation to the mysterious and afflictive 
 dispensation. 
 
 What added to the poignancy of his grief was, on his 
 beloved wife being taken ill, he hastened for assistance, but 
 before he could return, the kindred spirit had fled to rest 
 and glory ; so that he had not even one valedictory ex- 
 pression from the lips which had so often consoled and 
 even instructed him. But he had this consolation, that, 
 in this afiliction, he was not, as before, bereft of all ; 
 the Lord had graciously left him a lovely boy. The 
 funeral was attended by numerous ministers and friends. 
 Her remains were deposited with her six children in the 
 family vault at Portland chapel, where a monument is 
 placed to her memory. Funeral sermons were preached 
 by the Rev. J. Pawson and others ; and a memoir of 
 
THE REV. THOJIAS ROBERTS. 63 
 
 her was published in the Methodist Magazine for the 
 year 1809. 
 
 Though much is said of her, much more might 
 have been recorded. Her natural disposition was 
 sweet and amiable. She was warm and faithful 
 in her friendship, cheerful and pleasing in her 
 conversation. She lived habitually in the exercise of 
 that faith in Christ which works by love, and purifies 
 the heart ; was assiduous in the means of grace, and 
 ever ready to do good. Her piety, devotion, benevo- 
 lence, and profiting, appeared to all ; and few persons 
 ever shared more largely in the esteem of those who had 
 the pleasure of her acquaintance, or were more sincerely 
 lamented. Such a loss was deeply felt by the bereft 
 husband ; though he remained for a season almost in- 
 consolable, he stood admonished by the recollection of 
 former circumstances, and endeavoured by devout 
 restraint to keep in subjection his strong and more 
 than ordinarily sensitive feelings ; looking by faith to 
 Jesus, that he might, out of his fulness, receive sancti- 
 fying grace, and, like the Captain of his salvation, be 
 made perfect through consecrated sufi'erings. 
 
 The domestic harmony and felicity they had enjoyed, 
 is expressed in a pathetic poem in his manuscripts; from 
 which the succeeding extracts are given : — 
 
 Come, dearest Mary, gentle fawn ! 
 Let us together walk the lawn; 
 Let us beneath the solar ray 
 Imbibe the vital breath of day. 
 The distant hills and plains explore, 
 And view the varied landscape o'er ; 
 Where ivy-clad yon tower is seen 
 Aspiring from the enamell'd green, 
 With the ranged temple-turrets near, 
 That through the ashen foliage peer, 
 
64 MEMOIR OP 
 
 The grassy mead, the glowing field, 
 Where golden harvests plenty yield : 
 Mark where the northern mountains rise, 
 And lift their pines to meet the skies ; 
 Where heaven and earth unite as friends, 
 Afar " where the bow'd welkin ends : " 
 All blooming nature seems to say, 
 " Come, dearest Mary, come away ! " 
 
 O come, sweet soother of my care ! 
 So often call'd my griefs to share, 
 So faithful to thy nuptial vow, 
 Participate my pleasure now. 
 Blest is the alchymy of love, 
 That can our ecstasies improve ; 
 Mysterious Power, dividing joy, 
 But never mixing base alloy. 
 
 Dear Mary, come, in converse sweet 
 Let our harmonious spirits meet ; 
 At virtue's shrine together bow, 
 No false, no feign'd adorer thou. 
 Let us the love of wisdom seek. 
 Of innocence and goodness speak. 
 Or let our minds, by heaven illumed, 
 On angel-wing with glory plumed, 
 The vault ethereal mounting o'er, 
 Things hid from common view explore; 
 Enraptured range the ample sky. 
 Converse of matters deep and high ; 
 Celestial Salem's towers behold. 
 And tread her streets of shining gold ; 
 Drink pleasure at the primal fount. 
 And e'en ascend the holy mount : 
 With ardent eye the living blaze 
 Behold, where trembling angels gaze. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 65 
 
 The crown of life, the radiant throne, 
 By sovereign mercy made our own ; 
 See glittering, glorious saints among, 
 And join the sweet cherubic song. 
 From heaven fresh vigour will we bring. 
 From seraphs learn to live and sing ; 
 With emulation will we rise, 
 And walk with angels in the skies. 
 
 Another extract from his elegy on the death of this 
 amiable lady is deserving of record, as expressive of his 
 mingled feelings of sorrowful bereavement and adoring 
 submission to the sovereign will of heaven. 
 
 Death's gloomy vale again I darkly tread, 
 
 Again attempt, with trembling tongue, 
 
 Some plaintive lay, some elegiac song, 
 
 To balm with holy verse my Mary dead ! 
 My weeping woes may still inspire. 
 Attune to sorrowing sounds the lyre. 
 Such as, might heavenly minds complain, 
 
 The blest ethereal powers would not disdain. 
 Hark ! from my Mary's recent tomb. 
 Breaking o'er the midnight gloom, 
 An angel- voice demands the votive strain ! 
 
 And (all a husband's kindred soul can pay) 
 Affections fervid lay 
 Shall yield the tributary theme, 
 
 With mild respect attemper'd, and with due esteem 
 
 Heaven's portraiture Avas my dear Mary's heart. 
 
 Replete with tenderness, with truth, with love, 
 The touch of skill divine did grace exert, 
 
 And drew the adornings of the holy dove. 
 Distinguish'd mark of heaven's peculiar care. 
 
 His forming hand her ductile powers express'd ; 
 Kindness angelic gave her pleasing air, 
 
 And goodness loved to dwell within her breast. 
 
66 MEMOIR OP 
 
 No cloud enveloped her illumined mind, 
 
 There blank inanity "was never seen ; 
 The free researches of a soul refined, 
 
 Eulighten'd God-like Reason's placid mien. 
 
 Ah me ! -where noAv death's dismal glooms extend. 
 What living thought, what bright expression shone ! 
 
 There spoke the -wife, the mother, daughter, friend, — 
 For all the duteous feelings "were her own. 
 
 But what avails the animated form ? 
 
 The sentimental smile ? the speaking eye ? 
 
 " Like blossom'd trees o'erturn'd by vernal storm, 
 
 Lovely in death the beauteous ruins lie ! " 
 
 ******* 
 
 I gaze, — but rolls unbless'd mine aching eye, — 
 No JMary glads my sight ! 
 Which sick'ning turns away, 
 Loathing the tinsell'd glare of day, 
 
 For these congenial glooms, and kindred shades of night. 
 
 My soul shall emulate the grace I sing. 
 
 The grace I sing ! To share his grace was thine — 
 
 Yon bleeding Lamb, that fills the throne divine ! 
 
 He view'd, complacent, on thy faithful breast 
 
 His holy image perfectly impress'd ; 
 
 In all thine intercourse with God and men. 
 
 Beheld his own resplendent walk again. 
 
 Hence all beheld, harmoniously combined, 
 Whate'er adorns and dignifies the mind, 
 Which rice might en\'y, virtue must admire, 
 Concentred, brighten'd, perfected, entire. 
 i\Ieek, humble, lowly, she was ever seen, 
 Yet how magnanimous her equal mien ! 
 That Calumny's envenora'd lip defied, 
 Alike remote from meanness and from pride. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. ( 
 
 Admiring saints beheld, with pure applause, 
 Sublime accession to Immanuel's cause ; 
 Bade angels bear the heaven-born saint on high, 
 To add new glories to her native sky. 
 
 Awhile, by heaven transmitted, some sweet rays 
 Were pour'd upon my life's uneven ways ; 
 Sweet emanations from the seat supreme, 
 This bosom visited with lovely beam. 
 
 But when these glances may no more illume, 
 When his own gifts God's righteous hands resume, 
 To his almighty mandate will I bow. 
 And, humbly bending, will his right allow; 
 His patent paths are pure " unsullied light," 
 Whate'er he does, essential Love, is right. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Mr. Roberts, ever finding a solace in the affectionate 
 sympathy, counsel, and devout supplications of his 
 brethren at the throne of grace, attended the ensuing 
 Conference in London, and received those expressions 
 of tender cordiality which soothed the anguish of his 
 soul. He preached one of the Conference sermons : 
 the subject was, " According to this time it shall be said 
 of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought ! " A 
 review of the work of God, and especially as displayed 
 in the history of Methodism, which to him, by the love 
 he bore it, was very familiar, he considered a subject of 
 grateful admiration, and a stimulus to future exertion 
 and hopeful prosperity. An unction from above accom- 
 panied the word spoken ; the sermon was highly ap- 
 proved by his brethren, and published by the request of 
 the Conference. Ilis spirit being graciously refreshed, 
 
Do MEMOIR OP 
 
 he once more took unto himself the sword of the Spirit 
 and the armour of God with renewed courage. He was 
 appointed to Bath, where, for the two succeeding years we 
 were fellow-labourers together in the word and doctrine of 
 Christ. Of his solicitous attention to that portion of the 
 work alloted to him, of his anxiety to avoid all unne- 
 cessary inconvenience, and his readiness to assist, and 
 brotherly sympathy in the season of trial and affliction, 
 the following extracts from some of his letters, addressed 
 from Bristol and elsewhere, will afford ample proof: — 
 
 " This morning I was exceedingly distressed about 
 helping you to-morrow. I had three weeks ago engaged 
 to preach in the evening for the Rev. Mr. Page, the 
 Doctor and himself being from home ; from this embar- 
 rassment Mr. Pritchard has relieved me. He will inform 
 you that the preachers press me to preach in Bristol for 
 the Kingswood school to-mon-ow week. To this I have 
 strong objections, as I think you expect me to make the 
 collection that day in Bath. If you are not fixed on that 
 point, I beg the favour of a line from you. I hope 
 your mind will be perfectly easy, and your body recruit 
 its usual energies. I feel sensibly for you ; but I believe 
 it is all of God, and sooner or later we shall be made 
 acquainted with these dispensations." 
 
 " You wished to hear from me immediately. First, 
 let me thank our gracious Lord, who has in infinite 
 compassion enabled you once more to take up the pen, 
 and who does, by his grace made perfect in your weakness, 
 enable you to shout in the furnace, ' Salvation, and glory, 
 and blessing to his precious name.' Yes, thy mighty 
 salvation is a present, pleasing, perfect salvation from 
 grief, from repining, from every thing that hath toi- 
 ment, and can keep the happy soul above, even then 
 when the mortal body sinks under the pressure of pain 
 and numberless infirmities. What a Saviour ! I bless 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 69 
 
 him that his fatherly chastisements have not been long 
 or heavy upon my flesh. Yesterday I was able to come 
 down to the drawing-room, and to-day I have walked 
 in the garden ; I gather a little strength, and it seems I 
 sliall be restored. For, what a poor blind child ! I 
 am pleased that the teaching Spirit, whose object is the 
 same in all whom he baptizes with his baptism, is 
 unfolding to you that most delightful of mysteries, — 
 the godlike salvation of God. This will be best perceived 
 when the soul is dumb, standing still, and lost in its own 
 conscious nothingness. Bodily pains, as in your case, 
 are not lost when they wean us from self and creature 
 good ; and, wrapt as it Avere in the mantle, we hear the 
 ' still small voice ! ' 0, my friend, human nature, with- 
 out these teachings of the Divine Spirit, would betray us 
 into many acts of pusillanimity, and into a maze of 
 doubts and fears ; as in the instance of Elijah, Avhen 
 Providence passes by in the whirlwind, the earthquake, 
 and the fire, but grace is not in either. Here, here 
 is the point. We expect the Lord's voice in the noises 
 and displays which affect the outward senses : they are 
 but the precursors. Our outward man is all sense : , to 
 the inward man, the spirit, does the Lord the Spirit, 
 the ' still small voice,' speak audibly and forcibly, and 
 reveal such comfort as the outward eye hath not seen or 
 the ear heard. To this end does Providence contribute 
 by disposing us to attend to grace. I beg pardon for 
 running to such a length, but have been involuntarily 
 led to it, my mind being particularly impressed with this 
 train of thought." 
 
 " You must not, you ought not to preach on Friday ; 
 no, nor on Sunday either. Yet I cannot help you, 
 being very weak indeed. Mr. Pawson, who was 
 with me when your letter came, says he will speak to 
 
 Mr. C , and something shall be done as soon as 
 
 possible. What God wills is best, because it is his will." 
 
70 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " I WRITE you a few lines to say, I entertain the hope 
 of being with you in Bath on Tuesday, to divide with 
 you the labours of the sanctuary on Christraas-day. 
 Never more, I fear and believe, must I do as I did on 
 Sunday Aveek. The laboilr of the evening injured me 
 much, from which I have not recovered; though I have 
 preached several times since, thank God. If I preach, 
 again twice I must accept the help of a friend, though 
 I was self-sufficient enough to decline your kind offer of 
 assistance. The fact is, I do not like stepping up into 
 the pulpit merely to preach. I love to pray first, to 
 whet my own axe, but I must submit in future to in- 
 firmity's necessities." 
 
 During his continuance in London the preceding 
 Conference, he attended a meeting with several ministers 
 of different denominations, and literary gentlemen con- 
 vened for the purpose of consulting on the necessity 
 and practicability of commencing a periodical Review of 
 books on theology, science, and literature in general, on 
 religious principles. It was to be denominated the 
 " Eclectic Review," and to be conducted and supported 
 by the " genuine friends of Christianity," writers of 
 piety and genius. Into this laudable project he entered 
 with his usual liberality, and Avith sanguine and ardent 
 expectation of much good resulting from it in favour of 
 religion and of advantage to the religious public. The 
 estimate formed of the value of his services appears 
 from letters he received from the parties, especially from 
 that man of piety, literature, and holy philanthropy, 
 the Rev. Samuel Greatheed, Avho was for some time the 
 principal conductor of the Avork. 
 
 " Newport-Pagnell, Ootoher 2\th, 1804. 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 
 " I HAVE longed for intercourse Avith you, especially 
 on the subject of the Eclectic Review, ever since I had 
 pleasure of mee.ting you on that business in London. 
 
THE REV, THOMAS ROBERTS. 'Jl 
 
 On my return hither I should have WTitten to you ; but 
 as ]\Ir. Butterworth was setting out for Bristol, I hoped 
 for every information respecting it from him, and have 
 only learned within a few days past that he had scarcely 
 the opportunity of an interview with you. The task of 
 engaging reviewers, which has been wholly committed to 
 me, has proved very arduous ; but it has pleased God so 
 far to succeed my endeavours. Some eminent hands, 
 and several which I hope will prove useful, have pro- 
 mised to assist. More, however, are necessary ; and I 
 hope that you, dear Sir, who have so zealously set your 
 hand to the plough, will not look back, 'when I request 
 the assistance of your pen to be added to that of your 
 advice and your property. The man that had five 
 talents would certainly have received our Lord's censure, 
 had he not employed them all. Several friends who 
 are friendly to the Review, and qualified to render 
 important assistance, have, from one or another motive, 
 rejected my solicitations and weakened my hands. Let 
 not difiiculties, nor any other obstacle, induce you to 
 add to the discouragement, but favour me with in- 
 formation of the subjects to which you will choose to pay 
 attention. 
 
 " I exceedingly regret that Mr. Butterworth's influence 
 failed to procure the invaluable assistance of IMr. Knox. 
 If, before he leaves Bristol, you can have any conver- 
 sation with him on the subject, I shall be obliged to 
 you for information what his objections precisely are, 
 should you not be able to obviate them. We are 
 greatly at a loss for an efficient correspondent in Ire- 
 land. Can you point out to us a person, whose talents, 
 zeal, and prudence might be depended on ? Is there 
 no hope of your being soon in London ? Your coxmsel 
 is greatly wanted. I should rejoice to meet you there 
 in December, when I expect, God willing, to enter upon 
 a residence of several months, jerhaps for a longer 
 period. 
 
72 MEMOIR OF 
 
 " You will oblige me by applying to Dr. Ryland, 
 and requesting to know if he would give us at least 
 occasional assistance in the Review, and in what 
 branches of literature. His help would be very de- 
 sirable ; but I fear his avocations preclude the hope 
 of it. 
 
 " I had lately a kind letter from our friend Mr. Brack- 
 enbury, Avhom I apprehend to be now at Stamford, 
 and hope to see him before I visit London. Assist me, 
 dear Sir, with your intercessions at the throne of grace. 
 I never was more sensible of the privilege of approach- 
 ing it than sinde a charge of so great responsibility has 
 devolved upon me. I bless God that he has hitherto 
 carried me through it without injury to my health. To 
 Him and to the word of his grace I commit you, and 
 remain 
 
 " Respectfully yours in the Lord, 
 
 " Samuel Greatheed." 
 
 Some time afterwards his friend Dr. Clarke writes 
 to him : — 
 
 "The work is certainly rising, and rising in 
 
 merit. AVill you make some observations on F 's 
 
 ' Letters ? ' The editor will most cheerfully receive 
 them. He has spoken to me two or three times 
 about it. How is your health ? The God of heaven 
 bless you. 
 
 " Yours truly, 
 " A. Clarke." 
 
 Though Mr. Roberts very highly approved and very 
 warmly patronized the original and liberal principles of 
 this publication, indulging a sanguine hope of its ex- 
 tensive patronage by the religious public, and most cor- 
 dially contributed to its aid, he found in process of time 
 some difficulty attendant on maintaining the liberal 
 principle of the prospectus, and plan of its commence- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 73 
 
 ment, and for reasons sufficiently satisfactory to his 
 own mind, deemed it expedient to withdraw himself 
 from it, though he still entertained the best wishes for 
 its success, so far as the first great principles were 
 recognised and practically regarded. 
 
 On his return to Bath, his never-failing friend. Dr. 
 Coke, visited him ; and, early in the year 1805, they 
 made a tour together into Devonshire and Cornwall. 
 This brought many juvenile scenes into review, espe- 
 cially in his native town and the neighbourhood. He 
 was favoured with overflowing congregations ; and the 
 fervent piety of his Cornish friends had a happy ten- 
 dency in restoring his former tone of feeling and minis- 
 teriiU energies. The following letters, written at this 
 time, may be interesting : — 
 
 "St, Ives, February 1th, 1805. 
 
 " Through the good providence of God, we are 
 got on thus far. Every where we are received as the 
 angels of God ; and so worked are we by the super- 
 solicitations of the dear people in these parts, who 
 throng about us, and spare us not a whit, that I have 
 been absolutely apprehensive that I should soon be 
 made an angel in reality. But I have taken the 
 resolution to be less engaged after the present week, 
 and this resolution I feel to be indispensably ne- 
 cessary. 
 
 " ' After the present week ! ' you say, ' ay, after this 
 week, and the next, and the next,' &c., &c., &c., for 
 when we shall get away I know not. Our full time 
 originally laid out for this county is nearly elapsed, and 
 there is full work for three weeks mote, if we only give 
 those who are most clamorous a sample. So when you 
 ■will see me I cannot determine, or, indeed, conjecture. 
 You may expect it as soon as can be. 
 
 "• In this delightful region, where Methodism is 
 beheld in its meridian lustre, we have immense congre- 
 
 £ 
 
74 MEMOIR OF 
 
 gations, •who drink in the word, and strengthen our 
 hands by their fervent prayers. In the pulpit and out 
 of it we are alike engaged ; and, except we would give 
 unpardonable offence, must yield up ourselves to the 
 solicitude and government of friendship, and all but lay 
 down our life for the brethren. We meet with the 
 greatest respect and kindness from all classes : we are 
 to dine to-day with the mayor, from whom we have 
 received a most polite invitation. From hence we go 
 to Penzance, Redruth, Helstone, Falmouth, Penryn," 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 "■ Since I had the pleasure of writing to you the 
 other day, I have received the address from the govern- 
 ess of the Female Charity School, to which I have 
 replied in language of humble acquiescence. I now 
 write to apprise you, that it is not at all probable I 
 shall be able to take my station in Bath next Lord's 
 day, though I Avant very much to leave the Doctor, and 
 be with you ; he having resumed his plan of visiting 
 Plymouth, &c. I mean, if possible, to get home by 
 Saturday night. My place perhaps can be supplied. 
 I am not quite — yet all but — dead. Preach, preach, 
 preach, loud ! long ! " 
 
 Soon after their return, he had the gratification of 
 bestowing the hand of " the pious Miss Smith," for so 
 she was justly called, on the Doctor. The happiness of 
 this union led the Doctor, who saw the liability of his 
 friend to fall into paralyzing dejection, earnestly to 
 advise him once more to enter into the marriage state. 
 Mr. Roberts, believing it would contribute, not only to 
 iis domestic comfort, which greatly required it, but 
 also to his usefulness in the church, acceded, especially 
 as a kind Providence had directed him to a lady, loved 
 and approved of all, whose piety and amiable disposi- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 7^ 
 
 tion were particularly adapted to his present circum- 
 stances. The parties having sought the Lord by so- 
 lemn prayer on the momentous subject, and having just 
 reason to believe that their intended union Avas in 
 accordance vnth the Divine will, this much-desired and 
 afterwards happy event took place between him and 
 Miss Jane Lee, the second daughter of the late Benja- 
 min Lee, Esq., of Merrion, near Dublin, in Queen- 
 square chapel, Bath, on the 1st of October following. 
 She also was the intimate friend of the late Mrs. 
 Roberts ; and in proof that this union received the 
 affectionate approval of her family, her brother, the 
 Rev. Mr. Randolph, performed the marriage cere- 
 mony. 
 
 Though Mr. Roberts's sufferings had been great in 
 the privations and bereavements to which he had been 
 subjected, he felt that he had great cause for gratitude 
 to God for these invaluable gifts ; for no one was ever 
 more favoured, or more specially blessed of the Lord, 
 in the varied and successive partners of life, and few 
 men ever more fully exemplified the Apostle's pre- 
 cept : — " Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also 
 loved the church ; so ought men to love their wives as 
 their o^tvn bodies." 
 
 Mr. Roberts's attention and interest were much ex- 
 cited in the formation of the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society ; the rules and regulations of which, with the 
 first Annual Report, were published about this time, and 
 presented the appearance of an attractive twinkling 
 star, which many bigoted opponents sought to obscure, 
 or pluck from its orbit. He was among those who 
 united their best energies, pecuniary aid, and influential 
 talents in promoting it ; and was generally found on 
 the platforms in forming auxiliary and branch societies, 
 or at the succeeding anniversaries, in almost every place 
 through the range of the sphere of his labours. None 
 felt greater interest in seeing this magnificent institu- 
 E 2 
 
/O MEMOIR OP 
 
 tion rise in splendour, extending its beneficent influ- 
 ence to the various nations of the earth, speaking in 
 their varied languages, and proclaiming the wonderful 
 works of God. He beheld with hallowed joy that 
 twinkling star rise into the splendour of a sun, as the 
 centre of conciliation and Christian union, shedding a 
 heavenly influence on its multiplied satellites, and, by 
 the instrumentality of the holy Bible, the book of God, 
 and its extensive distribution, shining on the dark 
 parts of the earth. Only those who were intimately 
 acquainted with him could know the admiration and 
 heartfelt joy with which he beheld the rapidly extend- 
 ing influence of this institution. 
 
 Mr. Roberts's mind being deeply impressed with the 
 manifold mercies of God, he preached at the watch- 
 night which closed the year 1805, in King-street cha- 
 pel, Bath, from, " He thanked God, and took courage." 
 He reviewed, with profitable interest, the all-sufficiency 
 of grace, administered in the season of affliction, and 
 the abounding goodness and mercy which had crowned 
 the year, as a ground of humble affiance in God, in 
 relation to the future ; which was responded to by the 
 congregation in the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. 
 
 On the 13th of April foUovnng he preached a funeral 
 sermon in the same chapel, on the triumphant death of 
 the venerable John Pawson, which was published in 
 the Magazine for that year, and also in a separate pam- 
 phlet. On this occasion he remarks : — " To this kind 
 father in Christ I am deeply indebted for his unwearied 
 and tender sympathies in the afflictive bereavement of 
 1804." In making this affectionate acknowledgment 
 to one he loved and venerated, he refers to the venera- 
 ble primitive fathers of Methodism, whom he ever held 
 in the highest estimation. He would often speak of 
 their athletic powers of body and mind, their natural 
 and acquired qualifications, unquenchable zeal, Hercu- 
 lean labours, and extensive usefulness, and of their spe- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 77 
 
 cial adaptation to the times in which the great Head of 
 the church had raised them up. Many of them he per- 
 sonally knew, of whom he would relate interesting 
 anecdotes in a manner which gave them yet greater 
 interest. He never was more at home in his social 
 circle than on those subjects. Indeed, "good old 
 Methodism," in its godly simplicity, was his home ; 
 under God, his heart and treasure were there. 
 
 In the month of September he was made the happy 
 father of a son, which he announced in a letter as 
 follows : — 
 
 "Bath, September 6th, 1806. 
 " I HAVE the happiness of informing Mrs. Buckley 
 and you, that, through the blessing of God, Mrs. Ro- 
 berts has been safely put to bed of a fine boy, and both 
 mother and child are likely to do well. She has had a 
 high fever, which, thank God, has owned his touch, and 
 fled. This latter circumstance prevented me writing 
 you immediately : I wished to see how it might go 
 with me. The Lord has had pity on me, lest I should 
 have sorrow on sorrow. 
 
 '• We are anxious to hear how you and family arrived 
 at Plymouth-dock ; shall be happy to hear all about it 
 at your earliest convenience." 
 
 In the latter end of this year he was visited with a 
 severe affliction ; his life was in great jeopardy ; but he 
 states that he was kept in perfect peace, and humbly 
 resigned to the will of his heavenly Father. He was 
 reduced so low that he was for some time incapable of 
 any public exercise, or even of writing ; but his mind 
 was engaged in active and profitable meditation, — com- 
 posing several pieces both in prose and verse, which be 
 dictated to ]\Irs. Roberts, who acted as his amanuensis, 
 intending them only for his own perusal and spiritual 
 benefit. 
 
7^ MEMOIR OP 
 
 The hallowing influence this dispensation had upon 
 his mind is beautifully expressed in one of his manu- 
 script sermons on Psalm cxix. 107 : — "'I am afflicted 
 very much : quicken me, Lord, according unto thy 
 word.' Christians who have not passed under the dark 
 shadow of a cloud, have never been enraptured behold- 
 ers of a rainbow : ' very beautiful it is in the brightness 
 thereof; it compasseth the heavens about with a circle, 
 and the hands of the Most High have bended it.' It 
 has been the sign of the covenant of peace and salva* 
 tion in the result of sanctified affliction. The sufferer 
 had previously felt the pelting of the pitiless storm ; 
 and trembled at the voice of the thunder uttered from 
 the cloud, and seen the lightning's arrowy fires shooting 
 around him. But the storm is over, the sky begins to 
 display its azure ; soon will the last faint cloud dis- 
 appear, and the Sun of Righteousness shine forth with 
 healing in his wings." 
 
 Having resumed his ministry on the first day of 
 1807, in acknoAvledgment of the tender mercy of God 
 in his restoration, and for the multiplied blessings of 
 the past year, he preached from, " Surely goodness and 
 mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : I will 
 dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." In reference 
 to past changes, this was an appropriate expression of 
 the effusions of his own heart for the protracted good- 
 ness and mercy of God, and which he was desirous his 
 people should unite with him in recording in the house 
 of the Lord ; and in reference to the future, goodness 
 and mercy did follow him in copious streams through 
 the succeeding year in his labours in the Downend 
 circuit, and other places too numerous to mention, the 
 streams of refreshing by the Spirit flowing into his own 
 s«ul ; for he often drank of " the brook by the way, and 
 lifted up the head," 
 
 At the Conference of 1808 he was appointed to Car- 
 marthen, but was prevented, by circumstances he could 
 
TUE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 79 
 
 not control, from attending his station till the latter end 
 of March foUomng. His friends, however, who were 
 anxious, and thought it long ere they could once more 
 give him a joyous welcome to South Wales, were 
 abundantly recompensed by his remaining with them 
 the principal part of the four following years. In the 
 autumn of this year he engaged to visit Ireland. Mrs. 
 Roberts accompanying him, they took Madeley in their 
 way, and were delighted, as he expresses it, to spend a 
 short though profitable season with that most intelli- 
 gent, pious " mother in Israel," Mrs. Fletcher, whose 
 praise is in all the churches. From thence he visited 
 several parts of North Wales, in company with the 
 Rev. Owen Davies, sowing the incorruptible seed of 
 life in every place as he passed. On his arrival in 
 Dublin, a return of his former indisposition rendered 
 him unable to preach more than a few times, which he 
 greatly regretted, but bowed to the Divine will, endea- 
 vouring to render himself useful in the domestic circle 
 of Mrs. Roberts's kind relatives. 
 
 On his return to Bristol, the place where his family 
 now resided, he opened a new chapel at Blagdon, 
 where, with others, he had fought a good fight in 
 defence and support of the doctrines of faith, and the 
 institutions by which they Avere promoted. He received 
 this as a trophy of holy victory. The plain, useful ser- 
 mon he preached on the occasion was pubHshed for 
 gratuitous distribution. In it he made honourable 
 mention of that greatly-distinguished, philanthropic, 
 and literary female, Mrs. Hannah More, whom he 
 knew ; by whose benevolent exertions a charity-school 
 had been formed, supported, and usefully carried on, in 
 this neighbourhood. He also soon after, in union Avith 
 the Rev. Joseph Benson, opened the Southwark chapel, 
 London. 
 
 During this year (1808) he published a pamphlet, 
 which he entitled " Hymnology," the object of which 
 
80 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was to call attention to, and show the necessity of, a 
 supplement to the large hymn-hook generally used in 
 the Connexion. This interesting and well-written pam- 
 phlet may he read with great interest hy all who wish 
 for information on the special design and excellency of 
 that collection, and of the obligation and profitable 
 exercise of that department of Divine worship. No 
 person indulged a higher opinion of this collection for 
 its genuine poetry, sound divinity, depth of experience, 
 and devotional sublimity. He thought Mr. Charles 
 Wesley to be the best writer of hymns of the eighteenth 
 century. " None," says he, " ever drank deeper from 
 the fountain of poetic inspiration ; " and though no 
 collection of hymns ever presented to the public was so 
 well adapted to devotional purposes, or contained so 
 clear a view of Christian experience, he thought that a 
 considerable number of them were more adapted to pri- 
 vate and select devotion, than for promiscuous congre- 
 gational worship. Under the influence of these im- 
 pressions he entered on the formation and compilation 
 of a supplementary hymn-book, and for this purpose 
 obtained by contract the manuscripts of the late Charles 
 Wesley from his venerable widow, and was in corre- 
 spondence with Mr. Samuel Wesley to revise the (Collec- 
 tion of sacred music which the venerable Founder of 
 Methodism used, and emphatically called " the good old 
 tunes." Mr. Roberts, who had some taste for music, 
 was a great admirer of them, as in strict harmony with 
 the solemnity of the services of the house of God, and 
 was jealous lest they should be superseded by light and 
 frivolous airs. He was anxious to accomplish the 
 above, Avhich he conceived to be of great importance ; 
 and for this pm-pose collected from the before-named 
 manuscripts and other approved poets a considerable 
 number of hymns, adding several of his own composition. 
 The particular reasons of his not carrying his laudable 
 design into effect have passed away from the recollection 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 81 
 
 of the ^niter, though he might be in possession of 
 them at the time. This must be regarded as an effort 
 of his unwearied solicitude as far as in him lay to pro- 
 mote, according to his judgment, any and every depart- 
 ment of usefuhiess in the religious Connexion to which 
 he belonsred. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 That Mr. Roberts was possessed of poetic genius and 
 talent, no one can doubt ; but in what class of poets he 
 ranged must be left for impartial criticism to determine. 
 Many of his published pieces, and also those in manu- 
 script, display great refinement of taste and elevation 
 of thought, beauty of figure and harmony of numbers ; 
 as his "Carmen Seculare ;" "The Inquiry," inscribed 
 to W. S. Guinness, A. B. ; several of his Odes, pub- 
 lished in the Methodist Magazines ; and the " Elegy 
 and paternal Tribute to the Memory of the late Mrs. 
 Guinness." Though he wrote numerous hymns and 
 pieces, it was rather as a matter of relaxation than 
 close study. The hymns which proceeded from his 
 pen, mostly by the request of friends, for charity and 
 Sunday schools, missionary meetings, festivals, watch- 
 nights, funeral solemnities, &c. ; and those in the 
 selection published for the use of the intercession 
 prayer-meetings, held in Bristol in behalf of the nation 
 during the war, show considerable poetic powers. They 
 embody lofty sentiments of adoration and praise; for 
 they were the glowing effusions of piety. Yet the cri- 
 tique of a judicious friend must be allowed to apply to 
 some of his pieces : " There was much of the enthusi- 
 asm of poetry in his nature ; but it was so curbed and 
 reined, by a certain precision in the manner of his 
 composition, that it sometimes failed to produce that 
 E 5 
 
82 MEMOIR OF 
 
 interest which the sentiment it contained so justly 
 merited." 
 
 February 5th, 1809, ]\Ir. Roberts observes that he 
 took a solemn leave of his dear Bristol friends at the 
 public union prayer-meeting, in an address from, " The 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, 
 and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. 
 Amen ! " He had felt great interest in this union of 
 ministers and congregations of different denominations, 
 and also in the friendly breakfast-meetings of the min- 
 isters, held at each other's houses in rotation once a 
 month, as he conceived they were calculated to break 
 down the partition-wall of sectarian prejudices, and to 
 promote conciliation among Christians in general, and 
 brotherly love among ministers of Christ. He had the 
 great satisfaction of seeing their object attained in an 
 almost unexampled degree in that city. The prayer- 
 meetings were popular, and numerously attended, and 
 not unfrequently, by the united prayers of ministers, 
 accompanied by a heavenly unction. The breakfast- 
 meetings brought the stated and other ministers visit- 
 ing Bristol, into friendly contact, which often led to 
 mutual counsel and edifying conversation, exemplifying 
 the truth of the inspired declaration, " Behold, how 
 good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
 unity ! " 
 
 On his journey to, and arrival in, Carmarthen, he 
 says, a thousand pleasing and painful recollections pre- 
 sented themselves of scenes of former enjoyments and 
 sufferings, and nothing supported him but the convic- 
 tion of his being in the will of his heavenly Master. 
 He opened his Divine commission by preaching from, 
 " That I may come unto you with joy by the will of 
 God, and with you be refreshed." Indeed here, and 
 with his beloved friends in other parts of South Wales, 
 he was truly loved and respected. Among a more 
 interesting and desirable circle of friends, — ever affec- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 83 
 
 tionately solicitous to promote his comfort and that of 
 his endeared family, — kind Providence could not have 
 placed him. Reciprocal Christian love never failed 
 with them ; he was happy, believing he had come to 
 them by the will of God. But even here affliction 
 awaited him. Soon after his arrival he visited Tenby, 
 having been desirous some years before that the nume- 
 rous EngUsh and Irish visiters, with the English part 
 of the inhabitants, should be accommodated with the 
 ministry of the word : he had built a chapel, and for a 
 time contributed to the principal support of a preacher, 
 and had long been desirous of imparting to thera the 
 word of life in person. He afterwards spent some 
 time there with much satisfaction, sowing the good 
 seed of divine truth, in hope it would bring forth fruit 
 after many days, and appear to his joy in the day of 
 harvest. He also visited his old friends at Haverford- 
 west and other places, with mingled feelings and excite- 
 ments, such as it is natural to suppose Avould arise on 
 being reminded, by the sight of persons and places, of 
 past joys and sorrows. These appear, however, to 
 have been sanctified to himself and his ministry. 
 
 What gave great additional pleasure to Mr. Roberts 
 during his residence and visits in Wales, was the great 
 revival of religion which had taken place both in the 
 north and south. The Lord had raised up a number of 
 young men as missionaries, with gifts and qualifications 
 for the work, burning with Christian zeal for the glory 
 of God and the conversion of their countrymen ; and 
 preaching with great power and success in their vernac- 
 ular tongue the unsearchable riches of Christ. Of this 
 he could not be a passive observer, but must participate 
 in their labour and joy. He accordingly took a mis- 
 sionary tour late in the autumn, through several coun- 
 ties, with his friend, the Rev. Owen Davies, the gene- 
 ral superintendent of this mission, having double lec- 
 tures, in Welsh and English, in all the principal places. 
 
84 MEBIOIR OP 
 
 This incessant labour, with crowded congregations and 
 great excitement, was too much for his feeble frame. 
 He Mas carried home very ill, in which illness he lin- 
 gered for a considerable time, and was not able to 
 preach again, till he, in union with the Rev. Messrs. 
 Treffry and Davies, held the watchnight at the close of 
 the year, and that by a special effort, as he was then so 
 weak as to be obliged to be assisted into the chapel ; 
 but the " spirit was willing." He took his part ; and, 
 as he says, was most graciously assisted. They had 
 mutually agreed to take the same text, " My times are 
 in thy hands," and each to take their pai-t. This 
 excited great interest; a holy solemnity attended the 
 service, such as will be remembered in the day of the 
 Lord Jesus. The discourses were afterwards published, 
 and concluded with a hymn, penned by Mr. Hoberts for 
 the occasion. Plis indisposition continuing, he was 
 earnestly recommended by his physician to spend some 
 time in Bath, as he had generally found the waters 
 beneficial. 
 
 During these seasons of physical insufficiency for 
 public labour, he indulged in pious and devout contem- 
 plations, which he wrote on loose papers ; the follow- 
 ing will give an idea of their profitable tenour : — 
 
 " O Thou who art being itself, who always wast, and 
 wilt never cease to be ; who wast always what thou art, 
 and wilt abide the same for ever ; possessing essentially, 
 enjoying ineffably thy own infinite self, in a manner as 
 inconceivable by the most eminent seraph, as by the 
 limited understanding of the meanest among the mortal 
 race ! O how can I, who am but of yesterday and 
 know nothing, conceive aright of thee, the Omniscient, 
 the Eternal, the Great Unknown ! But thou, the per- 
 fection of beauty, hast shined forth. Thy resplendent 
 beams, the universal emanations of wisdom, power, and 
 goodness, are glorious characters which declare thy 
 being. Thou art apprehended with astonished ravish- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 85 
 
 mont, not only by the purer, brighter, and nobler intel- 
 ligences of the celestial world, but even by spirits weak, 
 impotent, sinful, degraded, immersed in matter, imbued 
 with sin, and dwelling in houses whose foundation is in 
 tlie dust. 
 
 " O hast thou not been graciously pleased to unfold 
 the wonderful and unimagined beauties of thy nature ? 
 And has not love been manifested in all the mild 
 resplendence of newly-awakened perfections? God of 
 all grace, for whom is now exhibited this novel display 
 of thy brightest attributes? The heavenly hierarchy 
 stand in awe, or with feelings of sympathetic pleasure 
 bow down their heads, crowned with amaranthine 
 beauties, desiring to look into those things which only 
 sinful but redeemed mortals participate. Not to 
 angels is pity, is compassion, is mercy communicated. 
 They cannot taste that the Lord is gi-acious and merci- 
 ful. Enough for angelic minds that they are favoured 
 to have made known unto them, in heavenly places, 
 the manifold wisdom and mercy of God in the mighty 
 mystery of man's redemption, which they see and hear 
 in the assemblies of the ransomed sinners on earth. 
 The celestial hosts worshipped the Only-begotten, when, 
 passing by their order in the scale of being, he took not 
 on him the nature of angels, but was found in fashion 
 as a man. And their joys, even now in the presence of 
 God, are enhanced by the triumphs of Divine grace 
 among mortals. They rejoice over the repenting sin- 
 ner, they minister to the heirs of salvation, they carry 
 the emancipated and sanctified soul, when escaped from 
 the prison of the flesh, into the blooming regions of 
 paradise. 
 
 "The most insignificant and the most imworthy of 
 hximan kind are invited, entreated, and all but com- 
 pelled to taste that the Lord is gracious : ' Ho, every 
 one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters ; whosoever 
 will, let him take the water of life freely.' These are 
 
6b MEMOIR OF 
 
 the encouraging invitations which in thy blessed name, 
 God of my praise, thy righteous prophets, thy holy 
 apostles, the Spirit and the Bride are commissioned to 
 offer, to recommend, to reiterate, and to impress upon 
 poor guilty criminals, upon polluted sinners, the 
 WTetched slaves of satan, and the miseral)le heirs of 
 perdition. 0, how has thy condescending love stooped 
 to regard the lowest degree of human wretchedness ! 
 Has not thy pity regarded me, even me, in my lowest 
 estate ? And am not I permitted to sing in strains of 
 thankful joy ? — ' My soul doth magnify the Lord, and 
 my spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour.' 
 
 " Yet more, — at thy bidding, as I humbly presume, 
 my tongue, even mine, has feebly echoed, in the ears of 
 my fellow-sinners, ' the good tidings of great joy ;' even 
 I have ' preached the unsearchable riches of Christ ! ' 
 Was not this by thy authority ? And is it not thy 
 pleasure, O my heavenly Master, that after thus ' serv- 
 ing my generation by the will of God,' I should be con- 
 tent to lie down in silence before I 'fall asleep ?' So 
 be it. Thy will be done. Amen, amen." 
 
 Being considerably recovered in his health, he at- 
 tended the Conference held in London in 1810, and, 
 by the appointment of the president, gave the address 
 to the young men Avho had passed their probation and 
 examination, and were received into full connexion. 
 His mind was deeply affected in the discharge of this 
 important duty. He chose for his text, " Hold fast the 
 form of sound words ; " and observes, he felt much 
 impressed with the utility of the object he recommend- 
 ed, — a firm adherence to the good old cause, as it was 
 in the beginning. By the request of Conference the 
 address was published [in the Magazine. He says of 
 this Conference in a letter to a friend, " It has been a 
 laborious, but a delightful and profitable, season ; love 
 and unity have prevailed ; the Head of the church has 
 favoured us with his special presence ; accounts from 
 
TUB REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 87 
 
 every quarter are pleasing; Ave have had a good in- 
 crease, and the prospects are fair throughout the Con- 
 nexion." 
 
 Whenever Mr. Roberts recovered g, httle he was ready 
 for work, and sometimes rather too precipitant. The 
 little strength he had gained at Bath, he lost by a hasty 
 journey with his friends Dr. Clarke and J. Butterworth, 
 Esq., into Cornwall. He had a severe relapse, and was 
 again reduced to extreme debility. Of this affiction 
 he writes : " I am now forbidden preaching ; and when 
 it comes to this, it seems scarcely desirable to have my 
 useless life prolonged ; yet I have ties, not only those 
 that are founded on consanguinity, but I love whom our 
 Divine Master deigned to call his brother, sister, mother. 
 Well, if awhile separated fi-om them, it will not be for 
 ever, — we shall meet in the abode of the blessed, and 
 more enjoy them there." His recovery was so slow 
 that he was not able to reach Carmarthen till Christmas 
 eve. He could not, however, pass the joyous advent 
 of his Divine Lord's nativity in silence. He preached 
 the next day from " Immanuel." 
 
 In connexion with this sermon, the outline of which 
 is contained in his manuscripts, he appears to have 
 written what he denominates " Annotations on the first 
 of Matthew." The pious and devout spirit that is 
 breathed in them is worthy of notice. 
 
 "The ancient prophecies spoke of the Messiah as 
 being God as well as man, therefore it was expedient 
 that his claims to Divinity should be sound and valid. 
 Hence St. IMatthew relates likewise the adorable mystery 
 of the Divine Incarnation, its revelation by the 
 ministry of an angel, and the introduction into the 
 world of Jesus, the Divine Saviour, as that name signir 
 fies, who is the glorious Immanuel, ' God with us,' He 
 came to save his people from their sins, and he is, 
 throughout all ages, God with us, dwelling by his Spirit 
 in the hearts of all true believers. Thus he maintains 
 
QO MEMOIR OP 
 
 the virtue of his names, Jesus and Immanuel, being 
 that in reahty and virtual influence, which is indicated 
 by the names by which he is called. 
 
 " Thus, by the mysterious union of the Divine and 
 hximan natures in one person, there is exhibited to the 
 admiring view of angels and men, a proper medium 
 between heaven and earth, a Mediator between God 
 and man, — one, who lays his hands on both parties, in 
 whom God is propitious to sinful mortals, and through 
 whom they may be reconciled to him. Hence, while 
 the Mediator is sensibly touched with our infirmities, 
 as being man ; he, as God, is alive to the dignity and 
 honour of the divine character and properties, and 
 equally guards and maintains the interests of God and 
 man. Such an high priest becomes both God and us." 
 
 IMPROVEMENT. 
 
 " When I look at the whole sacred Scriptures of the 
 Old and New Testaments, I conceive them to be a holy 
 magnificent temple, the perpetual residence of the 
 Divine Majesty, the great Jehovah, the God of heaven 
 and earth, where he is high and lifted up, and his train 
 filling every apartment. I gaze with reverential awe, 
 not unlike that of the evangelical prophet, (Isaiah vi.,) 
 viewing himself in contrast with the Lord of hosts, 
 when he saw his glory, and felt his own vUeness. Yet 
 I am permitted to approach where neither Isaiah nor 
 any of the prophets could have access. In the New 
 Testament the Holy of holies is laid open to my view, 
 through the veil which is now rent asunder. The pro- 
 phets could only worship in the common sanctuary, the 
 patriarchs were only permitted to come into the porch, 
 as it were, of this sublime temple. Thus God hath 
 reserved the better things for us. No sooner do I look 
 into the New Testament, than I behold the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, the true Shechinah, the brightness of God's 
 glory, and the express image of his person ; in the very 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 89 
 
 first verse he makes his welcome appearance ; and pre- 
 sently I hear an angel announce him, in that very 
 character which is most delightful to my soul. O, let 
 my knees how at the name of Jesus ! and may I he 
 willing to he saved hy him, not in hut from my sins, 
 from all their guilt, power and pollution ! and may my 
 heart experimentally enjoy his presence as God with me ! 
 " The record of Christ's human genealogy reminds me 
 of God's faithfulness. Many generations passed away ; 
 but the promise made to the fathers was not forgotten. 
 In due time, the seed of the woman came to crush the 
 head of the infernal serpent ; the hope of Israel, the de- 
 sire of all nations, appeared. Thus, all the promises are 
 yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to those who helieve. 
 'Lord, I helieve : help thou my unbelief!' 
 
 " Let others boast of the dignity and splendour of their 
 ancestry: let me learn humility of him, who, though 
 sprung from a long line of kings, yet made no preten- 
 sions to royal grandeur. He appeared as a mean, hum- 
 ble shoot, growing out of the stem of Jesse ; yet, if he 
 had pleased, he might haA'e made an august appearance, 
 and been brighter than Solomon in all his glory. 
 Greater still was his condescension, for ' though he 
 thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet he 
 made himself of no reputation, and was found in 
 fashion as a man.' But in this genealogy, ennobled by 
 the names of holy patriarchs and powerful princes, there 
 are likewise the names of heatlien aliens, and of very 
 heinous sinners ; from which I may learn, that the con- 
 descending Redeemer will not despise those who have 
 been alienated from the life of God through blindness 
 and hardness ; nor any sinners, who penitently apply 
 to him for mercy and salvation ; being unfeignedly 
 desirous to renounce the vile bondage of satan, and to 
 serve God in newness of life. Indeed, so flir is Christ 
 from despising them, that he will graciously adopt them 
 into his family ; for he has condescendingly declared, 
 
ifU MEMOIR OP 
 
 ' Whosoever shall do the will of my Father, who is in 
 in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and 
 mother.' 
 
 " Nor let me forget, while I behold how, like the leaves 
 of a tree, one generation passeth away after another, 
 that human life is but a vapour, and that I myself must 
 soon go the way of all the earth. O, when I am no 
 longer numbered among the living, and perhaps have 
 no place in a family pedigree, may I be a partaker of 
 the greatest happiness and honour, my name being 
 found written in the book of life ! And let me not 
 deprive myself of the pleasure arising from this reflec- 
 tion : though the generations of men fleet away, like 
 shadows, in rapid succession, God, the God of the 
 spirits of all flesh, is immutably the same. He Avho was 
 the God of my fathers, is now my God, and -will be the 
 God of my children : — I will therefore commit myself 
 and them into his faithful hands ; for the goodness of 
 God is fi-om generation to generation, and his faithful- 
 ness unto children's children. 
 
 " AVhile in every part of the Scriptures, moral excel- 
 lencies are powerfully inculcated, there are likewise to be 
 met with the fairest and brightest examples, who illus- 
 trate those excellencies in their exemplary conduct. 
 May I, like Joseph, the husband of the blessed virgin, 
 be just and conscientious in my general deportment, 
 both before God who sees my heart, and before men 
 who view my life. May I be prudent towards my im- 
 mediate family connexions. And may I promptly per- 
 form every action as if an angel of the Lord had bidden 
 me, in ready obedience to the will of God, and desiring 
 nothing but to glorify him. Chiefly, blessed Saviour, 
 may I always set thy perfect example before me. 
 "When thou wast pleased to assume human nature, thou 
 didst become a little babe, the ofi'spring of a poor village 
 maiden, betrothed to a mean mechanic, though thou 
 wast heir, not only of David's throne, but of all things. 
 
' THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 91 
 
 O may I be converted, and become as a little child ; 
 and may thy humble birth ever teach me the lesson 
 of condescension and humility ! while, at the same 
 time, I cannot but be elevated to the highest degree of 
 wonder and adoration, when I contemplate the astonish- 
 ing mystery of thy being made flesh, and dwelling 
 among us ! " 
 
 The attempt which was made the ensuing spring, by 
 Lord Sidmouth's bill, to abridge religious liberty, but 
 which, as overruled by the providence of God, only 
 tended to enlai'ge it, occasioned a sermon by him on the 
 subject, from Isaiah Ixvi. 5, preached at the South 
 Wales District-Meeting, and published by the request 
 of the brethren. As the warm fi-iend of loyalty, he 
 was equally the ardent, generous friend of liberty, civil 
 and religious. 
 
 Mr. Roberts notices, in his memorandums, an event 
 which occurred about this time, which appears to have 
 had a strong effect upon him, and which may partly 
 account for his protracted affliction. "In the month 
 of September, in the year 1811, he was summoned to 
 Bristol to witness a scene which distressed him exceed 
 ingly — the last illness of his greatly beloved mother-in- 
 law, Mrs. Randolph." 
 
 To this amiable relative he was very tenderly attached, 
 and very justly so. She had many and strong claims 
 upon his high esteem and love ; in connexion with the 
 very kind,undeviating affection, her personal accomplish- 
 ments, her fervent piety, and the fruits of the Spirit 
 which abounded in her, her constant motherly affection. 
 and tender sympathy, especially when they were called 
 to drink the bitter cup of mutual bereavement, the 
 wisdom of her counsels was deeply imprinted on his 
 social heart, and interwoven in its tenderest feelings. 
 
 Attending a person so endeared, in the last scene of 
 mortal suffering, and in the solemn moments of disso- 
 lution, could not but revive many keen recollections of 
 
92 Memoir op 
 
 past endearments, and make a deep impression. Though 
 much alleviated by the consolation of seeing the dying bed 
 attended with the gracious presence of God, and to wit- 
 ness her patient endurance of suffering, AA'ith her peace- 
 ful hope and assurance, that, through the blood of the 
 covenant, she had a title to, and meetness for, the king- 
 dom of glory; she had long kno^vn by faith, and evinced 
 by a holy Avalk with God, that her Redeemer lived, and 
 that to die was life eternal; — notwithstanding these con- 
 solatory considerations, the event produced a considerable 
 effect on both body and mind ; and though, on his return 
 to Wales, he made several attempts to rally, by short 
 excursions, his health continued to suffer, and his spirits 
 were bowed down by the long continuation of affliction; so 
 much so, that his physician assured him and his friends 
 that a residence in Bath was absolutely necessary ; that 
 he could not enjoy even moderate health elsewhere for 
 any long continuance. He therefore yielded to necessity, 
 and with no small reluctance prepared to leave his Car- 
 marthen friends, who greatly regretted his removal 
 from them. He commended them to God by preaching 
 from 1 Samuel xii. 23 : " God forbid that I should sin 
 against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." Such was 
 his great weakness when he commenced his journey, 
 that it was with some ditSculty he Avas taken to the 
 carriage. He, however, commended himself and family 
 to the care and protection of Divine Providence ; and 
 in the course of a few days amved in Bath. 
 
 Some weeks after, in a letter to his friend, Mrs. Mor- 
 gan, of Carmarthen, referring to his affliction, he says, 
 " What shall I say of myself? Alas, I am the prisoner 
 of Providence. My lungs, my head, in short, my 
 whole frame, have been heavily afflicted. For the last 
 two daj'-s I have imagined myself a little better ; but 
 bad is the best : yet, it is not for me to murmur at the 
 wise, and, I doubt not, kind dispensation of Him whose 
 I am, unless my heart deceives me ; nor do I wish my 
 
I THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 93 
 
 sufferings less, till he shall be pleased to say, ' It is 
 enough.' " In another letter shortly afterwards, he ex- 
 presses the humble views he indulged of himself, and 
 his confidence alone in the efficacious atonement of his 
 great Redeemer : " Ten thousand thanks for the tender 
 interest we have in your prayers. May the God of all 
 grace grant your interceding cries to be heard for us, 
 and may your prayers return in tenfold blessings into 
 youi- own bosom. You wish to know particulai's. 
 When the pain of my last seizure subsided, it left me 
 exceedingly debilitated. I am again able to drink the 
 waters : how far I may be justified in expecting benefit, 
 I know not ; however, all is well. The infinitely wise 
 One cannot err, nor can a living man be justly permitted 
 to complain. Alas ! what am I ? It is only because 
 his compassions fail not, that I am not consumed ; 
 because I hope in his mercy, it is therefore, and there- 
 fore only, I expect to escape everlasting burnings. O, 
 what a mercy that the unsearchable wisdom of God, 
 glorifying equally both his justice and his grace, should 
 exhibit in his glorious Gospel the new and living way ! 
 And O, what a way ! Through the veil of the flesh 
 of the incarnate Imraanuel ! 0, may I incessantly 
 press by it to the mercy-seat, and obtain a satisfying 
 sense of mercy, and a rich supply of grace, to help my 
 manifold infirmities in time of need ! For the last two 
 days I have had a warm interest in the prayers of Dr. 
 and j^lrs. Coke, and Mr. and Mrs. Brackenbury, who 
 have been with us." His excessive debility precluded 
 him in a great measure from public labours or preach- 
 ing, except occasionally in the school-room, and in the 
 Penitentiary ; but it was reviving and consolatory to 
 his mind that he could still do a little for the Lord, 
 especially among the degraded and unhappy inmates of 
 the " Asylum of Mercy," whose moral degradation he 
 so much commiserated. Notwithstanding his great 
 weakness, he preached to them not less than twelve 
 
94 MEMOIR OF 
 
 sermons; and often had the pleasure of seeing them, like 
 Mary Magdalen, at the feet of the Saviour, weeping 
 under the ministry of the word, and of some he had 
 the gratifying hope that they were sinners saved by 
 grace. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 In the following May, 1812, Mr. Roberts's health 
 being a Uttle improved, he joined Dr. Coke in opening 
 the new chapel at Frome, in which he felt his heart, 
 from a consciousness of the divine presence, in accord- 
 ance with the sentiment of his text, — " This is none 
 other than the house of God, and this is the gate of 
 heaven." Soon after this he visited and preached in 
 Weymouth and the island of Portland, and assisted Mr. 
 Brackenbury in opening a new chapel at Wyehampton. 
 At the Conference, 1812, his name was put down as 
 Supernumerary for Bath, where it was continued the 
 succeeding years. In writing to a friend, he observes, 
 in reference to this : " I have been indisposed ; but am 
 at present very tolerable, and able to do a little now and 
 then in the labours of the ministry. I am admitted into 
 society," (meaning, he had received his quarterly ticket 
 as a member, which before had not been required, his 
 previous appointments having been pastoral,) " and 
 made the leader of a class. This has been, I will assure 
 you, a subject of exceeding great exercise to me : I 
 shrink from its importance ; but hitherto my flock bear 
 with me. May I be enabled to imitate the ■• good Shep- 
 herd!'" The resolution he now formed was, that, so 
 far as the Lord should give him health and strength, he 
 would be at any and every call to enter into any open 
 doors of usefulness which might present themselves ; 
 for this he considered his providential calling, to be the 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 95 
 
 servant of all for Christ's sake. In the ensuing spring, 
 1813, he accompanied his friend, the Rev. Joseph 
 Entwisle, to Bridport, Exeter, and Ploniton, to open 
 new chapels. He also attended the anniversary meet- 
 ing of the Bristol British and Foreign Bible Society, as 
 the representative of the Bath Auxiliary ; and in London, 
 those of the Sunday-school Union, and the Dissenters' 
 Meeting " for the Protection of religious Liberty ; " in 
 each of which he took part, and was received M'ith great 
 affection and Christian courtesy. 
 
 The principal occasion of his visit to London at this 
 time was the liberal and laudable effort made by Chris- 
 tians of all denominations, by petitions to both Houses of 
 Parliament, for the removal of impediments to the 
 introduction of Christianity into India. He was ho- 
 noured by being the bearer of a petition from the city 
 of Bath, one from the Methodists in Bristol, and several 
 from other parishes in Somersetshire. This business, 
 which engaged his ardent and assiduous attention, occu- 
 pied him much time and labour in obtaining the interest 
 and effective influence of members of both Houses in 
 favour of the petitions, which he accomplished much to 
 his satisfaction. 
 
 Mr. Roberts, having suffered for some time from 
 increasing weakness of sight, availed himself of this 
 opportunity of consulting an eminent oculist ; and the 
 disease was pronounced a confirmed cataract. Here he 
 met his constant friend Dr. Coke ; and he states, that, 
 for the several weeks they spent together, he witnessed 
 the Doctor's burning zeal and ardent wish to establish 
 a mission in Asia. 
 
 Though reluctant to part with his friend, and the 
 more so on account of his importance to the Missions 
 already established in various parts, he was so convinced 
 of the necessity of such a mission, that he promised the 
 Doctor to render him all the assistance in his power, 
 and also that he would attend the ensuing Conference, 
 
96 MEMOIR OP 
 
 and assist him in obtaining the consent and co-operation 
 of his brethren. He accordingly attended the Confer- 
 ence at Liverpool. Finding that some difficulty was 
 likely to attend the accomplishment of the Doctor's 
 wishes, being appointed to preach on the Lord's day 
 morning, he selected for his text, Psalm Ixxvii. 17 — 19. 
 He thus endeavoured to redeem his pledge, as well as by 
 supporting the subject in the Conference when it was 
 brought forward by the Doctor, in one of the noblest 
 and most eloquent speeches he ever delivered. Many 
 reasons, however, appeared to turn the scale against his 
 wishes ; such as the necessity of the continuance of his 
 services at home, and the hazardous nature of the un- 
 dertaking for one of such an advanced age. 
 
 Mr. Roberts observes, he felt exceedingly distressed 
 at the course the Conference appeared likely to pursue, 
 and he pleaded in behalf of the Doctor to the total 
 exhaustion of his physical strength. The Rev. Messrs. 
 Reece, Bunting, and Atraore were also nobly firm. 
 The latter, the next morning, moved a revision; and 
 the Conference at length agreed, on certain condi- 
 tions, to which the good Doctor acceded, professing 
 himself satisfied with the limited permission he had 
 obtained. 
 
 Thus was a gi-eat and effectual door to the eastern 
 world opened to Wesleyan Methodism, throhgh which 
 many (though very disproportionate to the extent of the 
 field) have entered to successful labour. Mr. Roberts 
 never reflected upon this, and on the part he had taken 
 in procuring legal permission for the residence of Chris- 
 tian missionaries in India, without joyous satisfaction, 
 and much gratitude to God ; of which no language 
 could be more appropriate or expressive than the sub- 
 lime sentiments he had selected on the above occasion, 
 and to which his heart ever responded : " Blessed be 
 the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth won- 
 drous things, and blessed be his glorious name for ever, 
 

 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 97 
 
 and let tlie whole earth, be filled with his glory. Amen 
 and amen ! " 
 
 The following autumn he visited Ireland ; which he 
 had been the more anxious to do because of the short- 
 ness of his former stay, and of his indisposition most of 
 the time he was there. This visit he prolonged with 
 great acceptance to the people, and much satisfaction 
 and profit to himself. He observes, he commenced what 
 might be called his year in the Dublin Circuit, Septem- 
 ber 19th, 1813, by preaching at Whitefriar-street chapel 
 from John i. 3, and the following Lord's day at AVesley 
 chapel, from Habakkuk iii. 2. Winter coming on with 
 more than usual rigour, he was prevented from making 
 those excursions into the country Avhich he had in- 
 tended ; but he had constant opportunities of preaching 
 in Dublin, and of lecturing in Mr. Guinness's family. 
 
 In the spring he visited Drogheda and TuUamore, 
 assisted in opening "a new chapel in each place, 
 and at the former held a missionary meeting. He 
 also visited Moate, Portaferry, and Athlone, and as- 
 sisted in forming a Missionary Society for the district 
 at Tullamore. These visits brought into review the 
 early part of his ministry, when it was the day of small 
 things with them ; and he could not but devoutly ex- 
 claim, " What hath God wrought !" He expresses the 
 great pleasure he had in meeting his Irish brethren in 
 the Conference, which was held in Dublin; observino- 
 their fervent zeal and piety, and the improving position 
 in which they were placed, with the hopeful prospects 
 of extending usefulness, especially their missionary zeal, 
 which he expressed in a public meeting held in the city 
 for the purpose of forming a JMissionary Society for that 
 district, Arthur Keene, E:sq., being in the chair : — . 
 
 " Sir, I rise to perform a duty not more pleasing than 
 important, which has been assigned me on the present 
 interesting occasion. But such aH ample and luminous 
 
 F 
 
98 MEMOIR OF 
 
 discussion of the subject has been made by the respect- 
 able person who so ably opened the business ; such an 
 ingenuous appeal has been made by the second speaker 
 to this numerous assembly, on the Christian liberality 
 by which the Society is actuated, recommending itself 
 to all who have the same God and Father, the same 
 Lord, the same faith and hope, and desirous to hold the 
 unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ; and my 
 respected friend who followed, entered into such a tho- 
 rough investigation of the origin and state of religion in 
 early times, and at the present period, tending to excite 
 and justify our exertions, that I feel it unnecessary to 
 offer many additional observations. 
 
 " It may, however, be remarked, that Christianity is 
 a missionary cause ; it was introduced and propagated 
 by missionaries throughout the east. By missionaries, 
 at a very early period, it was introduced into this coun- 
 try, which then justified its character as ' the island of 
 saints.' No, Sir, as my respected and learned friend, 
 who is so well read in the remotest history of his native 
 land, has clearly and satisfactorily stated, the Christian- 
 ity of Ireland did not originate in the dark supersti- 
 tion of the later ages. Almost as soon as the glorious 
 Sun of righteousness arose in the eastern horizon of 
 the church, he poured forth speedily and directly his 
 refulgent beams upon these western regions. Our reli- 
 gion is not a novelty ; our religion is built upon the 
 foundation of the apostles and prophets, JesUs Christ 
 himself over all, God blessed for ever, being the chief 
 comer- stone. 
 
 " To extend, even to the ends of the earth, the 
 blessings of Christianity, is our important object ; and 
 we, as a people, are peculiarly called to missionary 
 .exertions. JMethodism is entirely a missionary work. 
 The venerated Wesleys, the Whitefields, and their 
 blessed associates, were missionaries. In this character 
 they appeared in this countrj^, proclaiming the glad 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 9.9 
 
 tidings of salvation through the blood of the cross. 
 When, indeed, Mr. "Wesley preached free salvation, 
 when he declared we are justified by faith only, and not 
 by the merit of Avorks, he was charged on all hands 
 with maintaining tenets which ^led to licentiousness ; and 
 when, with the consistency of the sacred Scriptures, he 
 as strenuously insisted that Ave must be sanctified as 
 well .ns justified, be holy as lie who hath called us is 
 holy, then he was gravely told, he was a legalist, and 
 kucAv not the Gospel ! But Avell did he know it ; Avell 
 did he knoAv its gracious influence, and triumph in its 
 divine support both in life and death. His expiring 
 words were, ' The best of all is, God is Avith us ! ' Ah, 
 Sir, the God of these illustrious missionaries did not 
 forsake his faithful servants at the final hour : ' they 
 ran their course of shame and glory ; ' they lived doAvn 
 reproach ! Descending to the Avest, these brilliant 
 luminaries burst forth through every cloud. Their orbs 
 expanded, their splendour became more luminous, they 
 set amidst resplendent glories to rise again in celes- 
 tial regions, where their smi shall no more go down, 
 nor their moon Avithdraw its shining. 
 
 " To the great missionary labours of these A^enerable 
 servants of the Most High was this country early in- 
 debted. Yet, Sir, I have heard strange lamentation. I 
 have, in another part of the united kingdom heard it 
 affirmed in a public meeting similar to this, ' Ah, poor 
 Ireland ! No money has been raised for Ireland ! No 
 Missionary has been sent to Ireland ! ' Sir, full Avell 
 you know otherAvise. IIoav did I feel at hearing this 
 statement, Avho tv»enty-seven years before visited Ire- 
 land in that character; a child, indeed, unAvorthy of 
 that sacred epithet. Yet let me magnify mine office ; 
 I speak as a man, as a fool. Does not that very pulpit 
 confronting us, bear testimony that even by the Aveakest 
 instrument something Avas attempted for Ireland ? Many 
 years previously, Avhen I Avas a child, and spoke and 
 f2 
 
100 MEMOIR OF 
 
 understood but as a child, you, Sir, who now present to 
 our A'eneration ' a croAvn of righteousness,' not only 
 knew by happy experience, but were actively engaged 
 in maintaining the interests of the glorious Gospel of 
 the blessed God. 
 
 " It is worthy of particular remark, that Methodism 
 has an essential peculiarity which eminently fits it for 
 prosecuting the immediate object of this meeting. All 
 our members are brought into action, each has some- 
 thing to do ; we cannot, therefore, suffer from a defi- 
 ciency of instruments. We behold in Great Britain 
 five hundred and eighty itinerant preachers, in Ireland 
 one hundred and twenty, — on foreign missions fifty, all 
 zealously engaged in missionary labours. In the United 
 Kingdom there may probably be reckoned three thousand 
 seven hundred * local preachers, and in the United 
 States an equal number of bo'h of these descriptions. 
 In the whole Connexion may be reckoned not less than 
 twenty-one thousand persons sustaining the characters 
 of leaders and exhorters. These are already in action, 
 in zealous action. Their labours are wholly gratuitous ; 
 the itinerant alone has a pecuniary remuneration, — food 
 and raiment ; the others receive not a farthing, but per- 
 form their labour of love for the Lord's sake. Surely 
 we shall never mourn the want of instruments. We 
 see a vast machine, like that presented in a vision to the 
 
 * It is pleasing to observe tte increase since the above period. 
 In 1836, the nnmber of preachers in Great Britain, including 130 
 Supernumeraries, &c., 998. In Ireland, including 24 Missionaries, 
 158. In the Foreign Missionary Stations, incliiding 74 in Upper 
 Canada, 359. In the United States of America, 2,758, making a 
 total of 4,273. The members in society in Great Britain, 293,132. 
 In Ireland, 26,434. In the Foreign stations, including Upper Ca- 
 nada, 77,895. In the United States of America, 662,528.— Making 
 a total of 1,049,989. 
 
 The number of Local Preachers and Class-Leaders must have in- 
 creased in the same ratio. 
 
 " By this time it shall he said, "What hath God wrought ! " 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 101 
 
 prophet, with all its Avheels in motion ; and, however 
 various and seemingly retrograde, their movements are 
 all united, all are full of eyes, all are animated and im- 
 pelled by the innate instructive Spirit of God ; and 
 without any deviations to the licentiousness of antino- 
 mianism on the one hand, or of the feignedness of 
 legality on the other, the machine moves straight 
 onward in its grand undeviating course. 
 
 " We shall have means and instruments ; nor are we 
 projecting an untried scheme with which Ave are unac- 
 quainted. Many years we have had our missions at 
 home and abroad. Missionaries, it has already been 
 mentioned, have preached in this country in the ver- 
 nacular lauffuafje. Our foreign Missions are established 
 in Europe, Africa, and America. At this moment, our 
 missionaries on the bosom of the great ocean are urging 
 their way to the Cape of Good Hope, to Ceylon, and 
 even to the remote island of Java and continental India, 
 To raise pecuniary means for promoting this great work, 
 and to administer to the immediate concerns of this 
 society, it is necessary to appoint a committee, which 
 is the object of the motion I have to make, and I would 
 take the liberty of addressing, in cheerful confidence, to 
 each member of the proposed committee, the generous 
 encomium passed by the divine apostle on his beloved 
 Gains, not doubting they will each exemplify the pro- 
 priety of its application : ' Beloved, thou doest faith- 
 fully whatsoever thou doest to the Heathen and to 
 strangers, Avhicli have borne witness of thy charity 
 before the church ; whom if thou bring forward on their 
 journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well, because 
 that for his namesake they went forth, taking nothing 
 of the Gentiles ; we therefore ought to receive such, 
 that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.' " 
 
 After the Conference he visited the west of Ireland. 
 He states that he was happy once more to behold the 
 
104 MEMOIR OP 
 
 nessed ; but in few instances more strongly marked 
 than in his constant friendship to the Doctor, and that 
 in paying the last tribute of respect to this great and 
 good man of God, to whose memory they were ap- 
 pointed by the Conference to place a monument, in 
 connexion with those of his relatives, in the parish 
 church of Brecon, his native town. 
 
 Mr. Roberts, notwithstanding his complicated afflic- 
 tions, hazarded two or three journeys from Bath to that 
 toAvn, in order to co-operate in accomplishing the de- 
 sired object ; which being executed to the satisfaction 
 of all parties, he expressed himself highly gratified at 
 the completion of this last tribute of honourable respect 
 to his greatly-beloved and much-lamented friend ; and 
 the more so, as it Avas raised by the special request of 
 the brethren, and the expense defrayed by their private 
 contributions, as an expression of their individual affec- 
 tion and veneration. 
 
 Mr. Roberts had been for many years placed by kind 
 Providence in circumstances of considerable affluence, 
 so that he had little care or anxiety about the things of 
 this life. But in temporal ease, he was not unmindful 
 of the poor, especially those of the household of faith. 
 He was ever ready to administer to their necessities ; 
 and to contribute to those institutions of Christian 
 charity which had for their object the amelioration of 
 human suffering, or the mental and moral impi'ovement 
 of mankind, by the diffusion of Divine knowledge, and 
 the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ in the con- 
 version of sinners. And it will not be forgotten by 
 many, that that humane institution which combines 
 both of these benevolent objects, on the most impartial 
 and extended scale of operation, the " Strangers' Friend 
 Society," received his liberal patronage as well as com- 
 mendation by several pathetic addresses to Christian 
 sympathy. His heart and his house were ever open to 
 hospitality ; he delighted in the entertainment of those 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 105 
 
 wTio excelled in A'irtue, and of tlie ministers of Christ, 
 especially those with whom he laboured in the Gospel. 
 
 With his colleagues he was ahvays cheerful, commu- 
 nicative, and edifying in conversation. He would 
 enter with feelings of interest into all the minutiae of 
 pastoral care, was ever ready to every good word and 
 work, and ever most solicitous to promote the comfort 
 and happiness of his brethren. Where he found con- 
 geniality of mind he would often enter with great free- 
 dom into the subject, manner, and most useful mode of 
 preaching, of which few were better qualified to judge. 
 His general inquiry on the first meeting after the Sab- 
 bath would be, " What did you preach from ? and 
 what the plan of discussion ?" On which he would 
 give a most ready communication in reference to him- 
 self. Or, on the Saturday, in preparation for the Sab- 
 bath, " What is your intended text and subject ? I 
 
 have fixed upon . , if it does not interfere with 
 
 yours." This was the more convenient, as he and some 
 of his brethren adhered to the good old Wesleyan plan 
 of selecting their test from one of the lessons, psalms, 
 or epistle for the day. It was also profitable, their 
 labours being so much intermixed, and applied to the 
 same congregations. It need scarcely be added, he 
 was a most agreeable companion and fellow-labourer. 
 
 Of his deeds of benevolence and Christian charity 
 little comparatively will be known until that day when 
 every man's work shall be revealed, and he that had 
 sown plenteously shall reap plenteously. It was inti- 
 mated, when speaking of the Preacher's Fund, that he 
 had suffered great loss in his temporal circumstances, 
 and that at a time when he could the least bear it, 
 having a large family, and being himself a subject of 
 great affliction. It was his failing, — and it must be 
 acknowledged that most good men have their infirmi- 
 ties, — not to be sufficiently attentive to his own pecu- 
 niary aftairs, but to place too much confidence in others. 
 
 F 5 
 
106 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 He liad for many years put the principal part of his 
 property in the hands of one in whom he had un- 
 bounded confidence ; the companion of his early days, 
 who appeared distinguished for piety and intelligence, 
 and who possessed great influence in the church, and was 
 admired and loved for his amiable manners by all who 
 knew him. To the surprise of every one, and the 
 great distress of many, he became a bankrupt, and so 
 involved Mr. Roberts with himself, that he lost nearly 
 all, besides being subjected to many painful difficulties 
 and expenses. He might truly say, " Yea, mine own 
 familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which ate of my 
 bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." This would, 
 to many, have been overwhelming ; and that he felt it 
 keenly for a short time, cannot be wondered at ; but he 
 was soon borne above the flood, and maintained the 
 cheerfulness of one who did not live by bread alone, 
 but by every word that proceedeth from God. The 
 feelings of his heart are most strikingly and ingenu- 
 ously expressed in a letter to his friend, Mr. Bracken- 
 bury :— 
 
 " My very dear Sir, 
 
 '• So kind, so tender, so great is the interest you 
 take in every thing concerning me, that I hasten to tell 
 you, that, through the good hand of God upon me, I 
 have been wonderfully upheld and comforted in my 
 unremitting labours ; and I still long, if possible, more 
 than ever for full employment. O, I have lived to no 
 purpose ! "Would I could retrieve the past years ! 
 But there is an atoning Sacrifice ; this is all my salva- 
 tion, and all my desire ; and here I rest my hopes and 
 fears, my all. What I felt the morning you left us 
 was an agony not unmixed Avith some feelings of the 
 consoling kind. I was not so lost to all feeling of gra- 
 titude, as to forget that your kindness brought you to 
 us, and you had given me such inexpressible ease in 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 107 
 
 permitting me to make your heart tlie repository of my 
 sorrows. Let the days of darkness be ever so many, 
 ' God is light, — God is love ! ' What glorious news 
 from the four quarters of the globe ! Now it begins to 
 appear what an instrument our late friend, Dr. Coke, 
 was in the hands of the Lord, as the great missionary 
 leader ; and now is fulfilled, ' But they shall see,' and 
 now all acknowledge it. As to myself, Avhat mercies 
 are mingled mth all my trials ! I am all wonder ; I 
 can draw no conclusion ; for, in truth, I am puzzled at 
 every thing, and can see nothing but what blinds me 
 the more; but soon I shall 'see out of obscurity;' 
 after all, ' the Lord reigneth.' I shall add no more, 
 only to beg earnestly an interest in your breathings 
 before the throne, that my faith may not fail, that I. 
 may 
 
 * True in tlie fiery trial prove.' 
 
 With a thousand sentiments of faithful affection, 
 " I remain, my dear Sir, 
 
 " Your ever devoted friend, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 The thick clouds of providential darkness whicli 
 totally eclipsed the objects of vision, led Mr. Roberts 
 into a further trial of his faith, for which the premoni- 
 tory admonition of his Divine Lord had prepared him : 
 " I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction," not as 
 a mark of Divine displeasure, but of paternal wisdom 
 and love, which will appear when God becomes his 
 own interpreter in the light of eternity. This was the 
 sure anchorage of his hope and patient endurance, 
 while passing through the furnace of a more than ordi- 
 
108 MEMOIR OF 
 
 nary heat, knowing that the trial of his faith was more 
 precious than that of gold, though tried in the fire, that 
 it might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory at 
 the appearing of Jesus Christ. 
 
 It has been already intimated that he had for some 
 time suffered from a diminution of sight : during his 
 late visit to Ireland he entirely lost the sight of one 
 eye, and the other was considerably affected. In the 
 beginning of ?the following year (1816) it totally failed. 
 Being encouraged by the gentlemen of the faculty to 
 undergo an operation, he proceeded to London for that 
 purpose, and engaged the skilful aid of J. Travers, 
 Esq., an eminent oculist. The 7th of March was the 
 day fixed upon, when public meetings for prayer were 
 held in his behalf in Bristol, Bath, and Carmarthen ; 
 beside which he was remembered by many of his 
 friends in their special approaches to the throne of 
 grace. So true it is that " the fervent and effectual 
 prayers of the righteous avail much," and that "the 
 prayer of faith shall save the sick." The support he 
 received during the operation was most extraordinary, 
 as he who records it can testify, being with his friend 
 in this time of suffering and of need. He sat with 
 calm placidity and amazing firmness during this painful 
 trial, without so much as an expression of hesitance 
 or suffering, and with an unshaken confidence in Him 
 who gives sight to the blind, that he would bless the 
 means employed to the restoration of his sight. It was 
 done to him according to his faith ; for in sixteen 
 weeks he returned to Bath, to the joy of his friends, 
 and appeared again in the pulpit of King-street chapel, 
 where, with thanksgiving to God, he read, " The Lord 
 openeth the eyes of the blind. The Lord raiseth them 
 that are boAved down. The Lord loveth the righte- 
 ous ; " from which he preached a most appropriate, 
 affecting, and, it may be added, eloquent sermon, which 
 was afterwards published. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 109 
 
 In reference to this he records in his text-book : — 
 "July 7th. — Bath, King-street chapel ! Psalm cxlvi. 8 ! ! 
 Glory be to God ! Ebenezer." 
 
 On this gracious manifestation of Divine Providence 
 he wrote several pieces of poetry, part of which were 
 dictated to Mrs. Roberts, while confined to his bed. 
 An extract or two may be gratifying as expressive of 
 the grateful feelings of the source from whence they 
 flowed : — 
 
 My dear amanuensis, 
 
 Best gift of Heaven benign, 
 Whose soul's and body's senses 
 
 Are more than ever mine ! 
 Thine eyes and hands are taken 
 
 Alone to serve my Avill, 
 For eyes and hands forsaken 
 Their knowledge and their skill. 
 
 Reluctantly pursuing 
 
 The dictates of my heart, 
 Thy tears the sheet bedewing. 
 
 Oblivion would impart ; 
 Yet think not, though I languish, 
 
 My suffering soul complains ; 
 Nor are these sighs of anguish, 
 
 Though wrung from penal pains. 
 
 Thy tender sympathizing, 
 
 AVhich oft my spirit hears. 
 Gives greater agonizing 
 
 Than aught besides it bears. 
 Forbid not, my beloved. 
 
 These beamless orbs to weep ; 
 "WTien once my heart is proved, 
 
 These weary lids will sleep. 
 
 The season this of sadness ; 
 The harrow must move on ; 
 
110 MEMOIR OF 
 
 The seed of liglit and gladness 
 
 Is in the furrow sown. 
 The gloomy clouds, imperding, 
 
 Shall fall in fertile showers ; 
 And genial sunbeams, blending, 
 
 Wake pleasure's vital powers. 
 
 And hark ! the certain presage — 
 
 The Avhispering drops — I hear ; 
 From Heaven they bear a message 
 
 Of copious blessings near. 
 And, lo ! bright beams, combining, 
 
 Their testimony bring : — 
 So April, showering, shining. 
 
 Leads on the blooming Spring. 
 
 Hither come ! spectators, view 
 
 A miracle of grace ! 
 Come, receive my record true, 
 
 And justify my case. 
 Jesus, pitiful and kind, 
 
 Perform'd the mighty deed in me : 
 "This I know, — I once was blind, 
 
 But now I clearly see." 
 
 Knew ye not my doleful plight, 
 
 Unblest by beam benign ? 
 " Darkness," like Egyptian night, 
 
 " Which might be felt," was mine. 
 Now, were seen bright moons, combined. 
 
 They could not shine with like degree 
 " This I knoAV, — I once Avas blind, 
 
 But now I clearly see." 
 
 What the things my sight perceives ? — 
 
 The great Invisible, 
 All the facts that faith believes, — 
 
 Death, judgment, heaven, and hell ; 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. Ill 
 
 Grace and truth in Jesus join'cl 
 
 Pardon, peace, and purity : 
 " This I know, — I once was blind, 
 
 But now I clearly see." 
 
 O tliat all who hear me speak 
 
 Would judge upon my case, 
 Go themselves to Christ, and seek 
 
 The light and life of grace ! 
 O that ye were now inclined ! 
 
 And soon ye would exclaim with me, 
 " This we know, — we once were blind, 
 
 But now we clearly see." 
 
 In the commencement of the following year he had 
 to mourn the loss of Mrs. Roberts's greatly beloved 
 sister, Mrs. Guinness. He wrote an affectionate me- 
 morial of her, the first part of the elegy entitled 
 " Fraternal Tributes," inscribed to her bereft and sor- 
 rowing husband, A. Guinness, Esq. In less than two 
 years after, the second amiable sister died, the Avife of 
 B. Guinness, Esq., to whose memory he addressed 
 the second part of the above elegy, and inscribed it 
 to her mourning husband. How deeply he partici- 
 pated in their sorrows, and mingled his tears with 
 theirs ; how solicitous he was to console and admi- 
 nister a healing cordial to the wounded heart ; and 
 how highly he appreciated the eminent virtues, fer- 
 vent piety. Christian benevolence, patient endurance 
 of affliction, and believing submission to the will of 
 the Lord, and finally, their triumphant exit into the 
 glory and paradise of God ; v.ill be sufficiently evinced 
 in the above-named monumental record. 
 
 From these families Mr. Roberts had received ex- 
 pressions of more than relative kindness while on his 
 visits to Ireland, and had enjoyed greatly their happy 
 and harmonious circle, in which he had the pleasure 
 
112 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of exercising his talents of usefulness. He appears 
 to have indulged a particular predilection in favour of 
 the pleasant residence of the latter, \vhich is expressed 
 in a poetic effusion addressed to " Mrs. Guinness, 
 Brookville, near Dublin." 
 
 Sweet the spot where Avildly wanders 
 
 Culock's little limpid brook ; 
 Gently glide her mild meanders 
 
 Bordering friendship's fancy nook. 
 
 Ne'er Ambition's pining wishes 
 Moved her silvery trouts to mourn. 
 
 Live serene, ye happy fishes, 
 Sipping bliss from Culock's urn. 
 
 Wide the Avorld's immense expansion, 
 Where the maddening many roam ; 
 
 Peace, preferring Brookville's mansion, 
 Makes that bless'd abode her home. 
 
 Noisy riot, frantic folly, 
 
 Never find admittance there ; 
 Pride and envy, guests unholy. 
 
 May not breathe that purer air. 
 
 Love and innocence perennial 
 
 Plant their ever-blooming flowers ; 
 By a fostering hand congenial 
 
 Nursed they are in Brookville's bowers. 
 
 She who trains her blushing roses, 
 
 Who her honeysuckle twines. 
 Who her floral suite disposes, 
 
 Frees the pink, the pea confines ; 
 
 She can touch the soul benignly, 
 She can twine around the heart : — 
 
 So an angel all divinely 
 
 Looks, and speaks, and acts his part. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 113 
 
 Who, ye orphans, soothed your anguish, 
 
 House and home to you assign'd ? 
 Ye no more in misery languish, 
 
 Refuge in her arms ye find. 
 
 Who will pity thy affliction, 
 
 jMeath's sick inmate, child of pain ? 
 Soon beneath her benediction 
 
 Health shall bloom on thee again. 
 
 I beheld in Brookville's bosom 
 
 Two fair fruit-trees twine their arms ; 
 
 Heaven allow'd them one sweet blossom, 
 Radiant in its opening charms. 
 
 Pure the dews of heaven distilling. 
 
 Fair the flower of Erin's fields. 
 Sweet the strain the bosom thrilling. 
 
 Bright the splendour morning yields : 
 
 Pure are dew-drops, fair is Flora, 
 
 Sweet is music's thrilling strain, 
 Bright the splendour of Aurora, 
 
 Gilding yon ethereal plain : 
 
 Purer, fairer, sweeter, brighter 
 
 May that lovely blossom be ! 
 Hence, ye mildews ! dare not blight her, 
 
 Guarded by each parent-tree ! 
 
 Lo, they fly, the mists malicious ! 
 
 Heaven the darling embryo spares. 
 Hail, reviving boon auspicious. 
 
 Pledge of Brookville's future heirs ! 
 
 I beheld, but poet's vision 
 
 May not beam on other eyes ; 
 Time shall mark with due precision 
 
 Future glories as they rise. 
 
114 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 The residence and labours of Mr. Roberts during 
 the following years Avere in Bath and Bristol, as might 
 be most agreeable to domestic convenience, or as he 
 conceived he might be most useful in his public la- 
 bours. Continuing his residence in the former place, 
 we once more, and our mutual friend, the Rev. The- 
 ophilus Lessey, became fellow-labourers together during 
 the three succeeding years : the happy seasons of re- 
 ciprocal social enjoyment, mutual labours, and tbe 
 gracious manifestations which accompanied them, must 
 ever be a subject of pleasing and grateful recollec- 
 tion, the fruit of which will only fully appear in the 
 great day of harvest. 
 
 A considerable part of the above period he was fa- 
 voured with an improvement in health, a cheerfulness 
 and vivacity of spirit, Avhich enabled him to preach, 
 according to his text-book, more frequently than he 
 had done for many preceding, or did in any succeed- 
 ing years. His health, he states to a friend, July 5th, 
 18 17, speaking of himself and family, was greatly im- 
 proved. " Though we have known sore and heavy 
 affliction, we have much cause for gratitude to the 
 Father of mercies, who, though he has cast us down, 
 has not destroyed us. My health, during the past six 
 months, has been better than for many preceding 
 years, so that I am constantly employed in the good 
 work of the Lord, which is prospering among us." 
 
 He had many calls, and sometimes made extensive 
 excursions to preach occasional sermons, and to attend 
 missionary anniversaries, in which his soul delighted. 
 In connexion with these, a variety of incidents, 
 both pleasing and edifying, might be recorded ; but it 
 ought not to be omitted, that, in proof of the esti- 
 mation in which his talents were held, he was ap- 
 pointed by the committee of the parent missionary 
 society to preach one of the preparatory sermons at 
 the general anniversary meeting held in the City-road 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 115 
 
 chapel, May 4th, 1818. His text was from Nehemiah 
 ii, 20 : " The God of heaven, he will prosper us ; 
 therefore Ave his servants will arise and build." This 
 sermon Avas published. It displa3rs great ingenuity, 
 and glowing, fervid missionary zeal. In its applica- 
 tion it does credit to the inventive faculty of the 
 mind that conceived it, to the piety of the heart 
 from whence it flowed, and the ability of the pen 
 which indited it. He most cordially entered into the 
 plan of the formation of Missionary societies by public 
 meetings. From the commencement he, and his friend 
 who records it, travelled many hundred miles together 
 in this delightful enterprise ; and often did he Avitness 
 the persuasive and impressive eloquence Avhich flowed 
 from his lips, both in the pulpit and on the platform, 
 and that Avith pleasurable surprise, knoAving his great 
 physical debility. It must be admitted, however, and 
 indeed could hardly be supposed to be otherwise, con- 
 sidering his great personal feebleness, that, in the latter 
 part of life, notwithstanding his pulpit excellence, his 
 sloAv delivery and low cadence sometimes rendered the 
 pathetic part of his sermons less efi'ective, especially 
 Avhen led to a protracted length. The latter he Avould 
 lament, from a conviction, that long sermons not only 
 exhaust the speaker, but tend to deteriorate the qua- 
 lity and paralyze the effect in the estimation of hearers 
 in general ; but Avith him habit had obtained too great 
 an ascendancy always to counteract or correct Avhat 
 he disapproved. 
 
 As this is the last of his publications which will 
 be mentioned, it is remarked Avith regret, that the 
 limits of this memoir do not alloAv more especial 
 notice of their particular merits, or of such extracts 
 as might have been to the edification and spiritual 
 profit of the reader. It is also much to be lamented, 
 that the Avhole of his various publications, both in 
 prose and in poetry, and his manuscripts, are not 
 
116 MEMOIR OP 
 
 collected and published, which would have been no 
 small acquisition to the theological treasury of that 
 section of the church of Christ of which he was so 
 long an active member and zealous minister. 
 
 To give prominence and notoriety to passing domes- 
 tic events, and to combine joyous congratulations with 
 seasonable admonitions and pious instruction, he Avould 
 draw their attention to them by poetic effusions and 
 epistolary addresses, particularly on their returning and 
 succeeding birth-days: a selection from which cannot 
 but present to parents a worthy example of excellence, 
 while it displays his tender paternal aifection for his 
 children in infancy, and his anxious solicitude for their 
 personal, mental, spiritual, and eternal interests. 
 
 LINES ADDRESSED TO BENJAMIN ON HIS 
 BIRTH-DAY. 
 
 Little Ben, my lovely boy, 
 Mother's darling, father's joy. 
 Five short years are fled away 
 Since you first beheld the day ; 
 "When adorn'd in infant charms. 
 First you fill'd your parents' arms. 
 "What more years may yet be given, 
 That remains with righteous Heaven ; 
 Be they many, be they few, 
 May they be enough for you ; 
 May I see your op'ning mind 
 To the will of heaven inclined ! 
 May I see your generous breast 
 With those sentiments imprest, 
 "Which the wise and good approve, 
 Such as God and angels love ! 
 "Wise your duty to discern. 
 May you only live to learn, 
 Learn what knowledge can bestow. 
 Practising the good you know ; 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 117 
 
 Ever keeping in your view 
 Him Avho loved and died for yon J 
 So shall pleasure fill my breast, 
 While to heaven I leave the rest. 
 
 TO ELIZABETH. 
 
 Twice has yon resplendent sun 
 Through the ethereal zodiac run. 
 Since to bless her parents' arms 
 Bess display'd her lovely charms; 
 May in each revolving year 
 Charms more beautiful appear ; 
 And, with beauty's bloom combined, 
 All that beautifies her mind. 
 
 TO SUSAN JANE. 
 
 " My dearest Susan Jane, 
 
 " I RISE from my knees to congratulate you on the 
 return of this day. My soul has been imploring the 
 God of all grace to bless you in soul and body, to keep 
 you from evil, and to crown you with loving-kindness 
 and tender mercy. With what emotions I now address 
 you, none but God and myself can tell. Dear to me 
 from your natal hour, still dearer this moment ; so fre- 
 quently given me back when my heart had bled at the 
 apprehension of your being taken from my arms. 
 
 " But my gratitude to that Divine Being who deli- 
 vered you from death, is enhanced in proportion as I 
 have the pleasing conviction of your devoting your life 
 to Him. Thi-ough grace, you have, after the example 
 of your excellent sister, been enabled to choose the good 
 part. IMay it never be taken away from you ; — nor can 
 it be, if you be found faithful ! 
 
 " Next in order, or rather in connexion with your 
 advancement in religious knowledge and piety, I hope 
 my darling Susan Jane will attend to the cultivation of 
 
1 1 8 MEMOIR OP 
 
 her mind. Let not irresolution hinder your most ardent 
 eflForts to acquire and constantly seek an augmentation 
 of intellectual treasures. Profit and pleasm-e ■will be the 
 certain result : Profit beyond all that can be calculated 
 by the value of gold, — pleasure only relished by the 
 wise and virtuous. Those who early enter into the 
 ways of wisdom, and steadily prosecute their object, 
 shall in the pursuit certainly find their path to be 
 strewed with roses, and they shall not fail to obtain 
 possession of the splendid prize. My Susan Jane wiil 
 try the subject, and be herself the proof of the fact. 
 
 " At the present time, on this auspicious day, I would 
 not yield to a momentary shade of fear. No, no. My 
 brightest hopes shall not be nipped by a blighting appre- 
 hension of the future. ]\Iy eyes, already half closed, 
 may not behold the maturity of excellencies yet in 
 embryo. But they will bloom, they will beautify my 
 Susan Jane. I too shall see it, but not nigh : when I 
 have died the death (through the mercy of my Eedemer) 
 of the righteous, the righteous in him, ' the Lord our 
 righteousness,' shall I not see the blushing honours on 
 the sainted spirit of my child, when it shall be my 
 felicity to welcome her to Paradise ? J\Ieantime I cheer 
 ray heart with the consolatory persuasion, that God will 
 be your guide and guardian through life, and xmto 
 death, and into glory. 
 
 '• I meant not to fill this sheet with admonitions, but 
 let me mention my warmest wishes, wishes in reference 
 to you, prayers in Reference to God. O may my beloved 
 child be blessed with every blessing ! May food and 
 raiment be supplied, — every necessary for the present 
 life be hers, — every spiritual blessing to qualify her for 
 the enjoyment of everlasting happiness ! While she 
 lives, may it be to get good ; and when she is translated 
 to her higher sphere, may she transcend tlie seat of her 
 most faithful friend, and most affectionate father, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 110 
 
 The following is selected, being one of the last poetic 
 productions of his pen : — 
 
 TO ELLEN MARIA. 
 
 Ellen ! — From this world retiring, 
 Nature's last faint gleam expiring, 
 Let me, ere I hence depart. 
 Gently whisper to thy heart ; 
 But in weakness sunk, and pain. 
 How can I the theme sustain ? 
 Cease, O cease, thou tuneless tongue, 
 Venture not a hirth-day song ; 
 Ellen will thine effort spare, 
 While God attends the silent prayer ! 
 
 TO MARY ANNE. 
 
 " My dear Mary Anne, 
 
 " With affection known only to Him who has the 
 prerogative of searching the heart, does your most loving 
 father present congratulations on the return of your 
 birth-day. As the holy Sabbath opens just now in its 
 beautiful morning radiance, even so may your life's 
 morning be cheered by the lustre of health, wisdom, 
 innocence, and goodness, giving promise of a cloudless 
 day, till it shall close in the seiene evening of age, — old 
 age ! Thus, too, may the Sua of righteousness arise 
 upon your illuminated mind, and shed immorti,d healing 
 and health from his celestial Avings ! O Lord, grant this 
 mercy to my darling Mary Anne ! Amen. 
 
 " HoAV many an idea is awakened in my mind, how 
 many an emotion is enkindled in my heart ! I look 
 back to your first day. I run my eye along the time 
 already elapsed, and I look towards the future and even 
 the final. Why should I sink my spirit, and permit 
 painful forebodings to agitate my mind ? Is not my 
 child the child of her Father who is in heaven ? Has 
 
120 MEMOIR OF 
 
 not the blessed Saviour taken her up into his arms? 
 Has he not laid his precious hands upon her, and have 
 not his holy lips pronounced a blessing on her? Let 
 me then fear no evil. God will be her sun to cheer, 
 and her shield to defend. The Lord will give her. grace 
 here, and glory hereafter, nor withhold any good thing, 
 while, through his sufficient aid, she shall be enabled 
 to walk uprightly. 
 
 " All who know you and me, speak of our likeness 
 to each other. If any lineament of intellectual, moral, 
 or spiritual excellence be visible in me (alas, how imper- 
 fect !) my ardent wish is, that it may appear with higher 
 lustre in you. This morning I have been reading in St. 
 Luke's Gospel. Somehow, perhaps, from the occasion 
 of your possessing much of my thought and feeling, I 
 was led to associate you with your two namesakes, — the 
 blessed mother of our Saviour and pious Anna. I could 
 fancy an angel, deputed from the heaven of glory, thus 
 saluted my youngest daughter : ' Fear not, Mary ; for 
 thou hast found favour with God.' And my imagina^ 
 tion has shadowed forth an aged saint arrived to matu- 
 rity of holiness, — my Anne ' departing not from the 
 temple, but serving God (with prayers and fastings, 
 when expedient) night and day.' May you be like 
 them, and my soul shall magnify the Lord ! I would, 
 could the comparison hold, be like another personage 
 described and associated with those pious females. I 
 would embrace the Lord Jesus in the arms of faith, 
 and say, ' Lord, noAV lettest thou thy servant depart in 
 peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' But I 
 must shut up, and away to the sanctuary. 
 " I am, my dear Mary Anne, 
 " Your most loving Father, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 121 
 
 TO ARTHUR HENRY. 
 
 Fondly smiling, for this day 
 Arthur hegged a votive lay; 
 And, to favour his request, 
 Kisses on my cheek imprest ; 
 Let me not his suit disdain, 
 And bear a father's name in vain. 
 
 Welcome be the annual morn 
 
 When my blooming boy was born ; 
 
 May my Arthur from this day 
 
 Love to read, and love to pray, 
 
 Love his parents, love the Lord, 
 
 All that 's naughty be abhon-'d ; 
 
 Shun the evil, seek the good, — 
 
 That be hated, this pursued. 
 
 Then, through every future year, 
 
 When his birth-day shall appear, 
 
 Growing virtues will arise, 
 
 And speak him holy, good, and wise. 
 
 Thus the youthful Jesus grew ; 
 
 So, my Arthur, so may you. 
 
 Object of their anxious care, 
 
 This your parents' daily prayer; 
 
 And may Heaven, in mercy mild. 
 
 Receive their prayer, and bless their child ! 
 
 From their tender years he endeavoured, from an 
 adaptation of instruction and the selection of suitable 
 books, to facilitate the improvement of his children in 
 knowledge, and to impress their minds with the restrain- 
 ing and hallowing influence of religious principles. 
 That word of the Lord which he venerated, he assidu- 
 ously inculcated on their minds, observing the Divine 
 injunction, " These words which I command thee shall 
 be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently 
 
122 MEMOIR OF 
 
 to tliy children, and talk of tliem when thou sittest in 
 thine house, and Avhen thou walkest by the way, and 
 when thou liest down, and Avhen thou risest up." 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BcTT Mr. Roberts Avas soon given to know that the 
 stream of domestic enjoyment must be interrupted ; 
 that " all flesh is grass, and the beauty thereof as the 
 flower of the grass :" that, though " their sons might 
 be as plants gro^vn up in their youth," they should be 
 cut down as a flower. Of this two mournful instances 
 occurred, (the latter of which will be mentioned in its 
 place,) which appear greatly to have affected Mr. Ro- 
 berts's health, and to have contributed to shorten his 
 pilgrimage. 
 
 In his early domestic life he was very desirous of 
 having a family, but the Lord saw it meet to take his 
 children to himself. One only was left to console him, 
 who was much endeared to him in increasing years, by 
 the amiableness of his disposition and manners, as 
 well as by his dutiful and affectionate deportment ; and 
 not only to him, but also to Mrs. Roberts, under whose 
 maternal tender care he was early placed by a kind Pro- 
 vidence, and in whom he found a mother who watched 
 over him with all the affection which her own children 
 received, and which he always gratefully acknowledged 
 and repaid vdih filial duty and respect. This son, 
 who bore his maternal family name, Randolph, after 
 receiving a liberal education, was put to the medical 
 profession, in which, a near relative states, he made con- 
 siderable proficiency ; but, in consequence of his close 
 application to study, his lungs became afi'ected, and this 
 affection terminated in pulmonary consumption. Not- 
 withstanding his amiableness, and the religious advan- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS RORERTS. 123 
 
 tages he enjoyed, he had never experienced that change 
 of heart which is necessary to salvation, nor became 
 decided in his religious character, till attending a watch- 
 night, at the close of the year 1819, when he heard the 
 Rev. Joseph Taylor preach a sermon particularly to 
 young people, under Avhich the Holy Spirit deeply con- 
 vinced him of sin, and the necessity of an interest in. 
 Christ by faith. An affectionate letter, written to him 
 by Mrs. Roberts, greatly tended to strengthen those 
 convictions, and encourage him to look to Jesus, as the 
 only Saviour of sinners, by whom he might be justified 
 by faith, and have peace with God. Following the ad- 
 vice thus given him, he sought, and soon found, the 
 blessing which he felt to be necessary both to his com- 
 fort and safety, and from which he derived consolation 
 in affliction, and peaceful triumph in death. Previous 
 to his departure, he addressed his weeping parents, and 
 brothers and sisters, giving to each a token of remem- 
 brance, with suitable advice ; and, looking affectionately 
 at Mrs. Roberts, said, " You are my spiritual mother." 
 His feeble strength was then quite exhausted; and, after 
 lying for some time in great composure, he calmly fell 
 ajsleep in Jesus, having attained the twenty-third year 
 of his age. 
 
 In reference to this mournful event, a lady, a confi- 
 dential friend of Mr. Roberts, states in a note : — 
 
 " Our respected friend gave a solemn and affecting 
 charge, that, in case his Life was written, his beloved son 
 Randolph should not be passed over in silence. In con- 
 formity with that wish, I forward to you a few extracts 
 from his own letters, -written during his son's last illness'; 
 but I very much regret the want of that particular 
 letter which describes the happy exit of his precious 
 child : a letter of deep import, affording the consolatory 
 assurance that death was swallowed up in victory." 
 
 G 2 
 
124 MEMOIR OP 
 
 " Grosvenor-place, Bath, April lAth, 1820. 
 
 " We were thankful to that blessed Being who con- 
 ducted us safely to our habitation, after a journey per- 
 formed in circumstances, at the prospect of which ray 
 soul was ready to faint within me. AVhat His design 
 may be in this distressing case, is known to Himself 
 only. I am involved in darkness ; I see no foundation 
 for human hope; but I believe in His love and power, to 
 whom all things are possible. At some moments, when 
 my mind can make a realization of his presence and 
 tender sympathy, I seem to expect the accomplishment 
 of my heart's desire ; but, generally, fear preponderates 
 against hope. In the midst of this gloomy night of 
 sorrow, I have consolation derived from one cheering 
 beam ; the affliction, I believe, is sanctified to the suf- 
 ferer. I trust it is a messenger of mercy to my dear 
 Randolph. He is fully apprized of his perilous situation : 
 may he be enabled to testify, ' It is good for me that I 
 have been afflicted.' O ! my dear friend, through 
 what chequered scenes have I been led in this journey 
 of life ! 
 
 ' I hold by nothing here below.' 
 
 Yet my Lord is good ; I have comforts. More than all, 
 he is my portion ; my portion for ever ! Let me 
 earnestly beg you will give me a continual interest in 
 3^our most fervent addresses at the throne of yom* 
 Father and my Father, your God and my God." 
 
 " Bath, May ist, 1820. 
 
 " He who has dealt the blow is not unseen by my 
 poor afflicted, emaciated, debilitated son. He affords 
 me occasion for conversing in the freest manner, being 
 candid and ingenuous. God has done great things for 
 him. At first, he felt a strong attachment to life, from 
 which he is now entirely set free, being only desirous 
 to live, that he might evince his love to God, and to 
 glorify him by a devotedness to his service. He is 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 125 
 
 panting and longing for the joys of salvation. His 
 inquiries are frequent, open, and fervent. my God ! 
 be pleased to reveal thyself to the full satisfaction of his 
 soul ! I cannot bear the retrospect of the past. "What 
 is become of the thousand sanguine hopes, the thousand 
 trembling solicitudes, once awakened in my soul, and in 
 the sovd of my sainted Mary ? O pity my sorrows, and 
 cease not to bear me on your heart ! " 
 
 " Bath, May 8th, 1820. 
 
 " I SPEAK on no other subject to him, nor, if I can 
 help it, do I permit any person visiting him to divert 
 his mind from the immediate prospect of that eternity 
 which is daily opening more and more before him. 
 Indeed, blessed be God, the whole intensity of his soul 
 is to its salvation. All in him is peace and comfort 
 not fallacious. I really, impartially, undoubtingly believe, 
 that he longs, and prays, and groans for the clear, full, 
 and satisfactory manifestation of the Comforter. He 
 has reasoned at every step in regard to the nature, 
 operation, power, and effects of faith ; but I have felt it 
 my painful duty to keep him braced up to that distinct 
 point. 
 
 " Saturday, the Lord gave him clear vieAvs of the 
 necessity and adaptation of f;iith to the case of every 
 guilty sinner — to his case particularly. A series of 
 providential circumstances occurred in such a simul- 
 taneous manner as to strike him powerfully. The Rev. 
 T. Lessey had been elucidating to him the nature of 
 personal faith on the Son of God, and urging him to 
 the act of faith in full expectation of now obtaining 
 redemption in the blood of Christ. My reading to him 
 some passages on the subject marked by his late blessed 
 mother in her ' Saints' Rest,' and the second and third 
 chapters of Ephesians, and first and third of Phi- 
 lippians, were followed by a letter from a pious friend 
 pressing the same point ; and then came your pathetic 
 
126 MEMOIR OF 
 
 and fervent admonition. All together have removed, as 
 I piously believe, every doubt, if any doubt did remain, 
 as to the power and efficacy of faith ; and O ! how has 
 he been longing for all the redemption which faith only 
 brings into the soul of a sinner ! This is now my com- 
 fort, my only comfort. He says, ' I have peace and 
 comfort continually, but I am thoroughly convinced I 
 may enjoy a full assurance. Lord, bless me with 
 it!'' 
 
 "From what I have said, you may see, my dear 
 friend, I have given up the last shade of hope as to his 
 recovery." 
 
 ''May\2th. 
 
 " I HAVE growing consolation arising from what I 
 thankfully perceive the good Lord to be furthering in 
 the mind of my beloved child. Weak as his poor 
 emaciated body is, I see his inner man renewed daily. 
 But my soul's impassioned desire and fervent prayer is, 
 that his happy spirit may rejoice in God his Saviour. 
 His pious and judicious observations please and gratify 
 me ; they are delivered in a whisper, for he has had no 
 voice from the time we left London, and he still looks 
 forward in hopes of pressing into glorious liberty. 
 Lord ! grant it him I Amen. 
 
 " After what I have before stated, you will begin to 
 think my poor timid mind has somewhat acquired 
 a measure of strength and tranquillity, and surely I 
 would not Avillingly lessen the pleasurable emotions. 
 But what, if this be the ominous stillness, the certain 
 presage, of the tremendous tornado preparing to scatter 
 with irresistible fury my remaining few fondly cherished 
 hopes ! But why should my soul shrink from the 
 imagined howling of the coming storm ? That awful 
 God is mine, 
 
 ' ^Yho rides upon tlie stormy skies, 
 And calms the roaring seas ! ' 
 
TUE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS, 127 
 
 And hatli he not said, ' No evil shall befall thee ? ' O 
 God, let my heart be fixed, let my heart be fixed ! " 
 
 To another friend he writes : — 
 
 " My DEAR Friend, 
 
 " I AM unprepared to give you a particular account 
 of the character and death of my beloved Randolph, 
 except a few mere hints. He was from infancy a sweet 
 and amiable child, remarkable for the vigour and acute- 
 ness of his parts ; always attached to the service and 
 servants of God ; Avas possessed of a sound, sober mind ; 
 remarkable for correctness of thinking, and was a good 
 scholar; always amiable, and disposed to virtue and 
 goodness ; and, therefore, beloved by all. 
 
 " But Avith the commencement of this year his piety 
 became decided. He enjoyed for a good while a calm 
 sense of peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 But we were anxious he should aspire to his Christian 
 privilege of holy personal triumph. We urged it on 
 him ; he saw it before him ; Ave prayed incessantly for 
 it, and the Lord granted the desire of our hearts. He 
 frequently replied to our strictest inquiries, that he had 
 no doubt, no fear. He said, 
 
 * I the cliief of sinners am, 
 But Jesns died for me. 
 
 ' I knoAv in Avhom I have believed, and am persuaded 
 that he is able to keep that Avhich I have committed 
 unto him against that day.' He frequently admired the 
 adaptation of the divine economy in our redemption to 
 the circumstances of our fallen, helpless condition, &c. 
 He was meek and patient throughout. He calmly 
 breathed his last in his father's embrace." 
 
 A much-respected friend observes in a note accom- 
 panying various extracts of letters : — 
 
128 MEMOIR OP 
 
 " Many a martyrdom did Mr. Roberts endure ; for 
 it is probable tbe rack but seldom called forth the pains 
 and anguish which tortm-ed his spirit. How he bore it, 
 or, rather, how deep and lowly and reverently his sub- 
 missions were, the accompanying letters will testify; 
 being written to a confidential friend, to whom he was 
 accustomed to disclose the feelings of his inmost soul in 
 all their variety of joy and grief; often giving evidence 
 that he bowed under the incumbent load ; mortal firm- 
 ness being incapable to sustain such heavy and reiterated 
 strokes without physical depression and decay. Yet, 
 when his health and strength failed, he witnessed a 
 good confession, declaring that God was his strength 
 and his salvation, to whom he unceasingly ascribed 
 adoration and praise." 
 
 " Bath, February \7th, 1821, 
 
 " I HAD longed to visit the courts of the Lord's 
 house ; but have been convinced my duty is to sit in 
 silence, and patiently endure his blessed will. Here 
 then I am, the prisoner of Providence, a mourner, but 
 not a complainer. Let my Divine Master do by me as 
 he judges fit. Frequently it appears to me as if the die 
 were cast : my debility is inconceivable by any person 
 who has not witnessed it. Sometimes, (I might almost 
 say, continually,) I feel as if I were wholly incapacitated 
 for the resumption of my ministerial work. My last 
 attempt was on the 7th ult., the first sabbath in the 
 year. At the time, though I was suffering considerably, 
 but not extraordinarily, from bodily indisposition, 
 I experienced much liberty in preaching on, ' Prove me 
 now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not 
 open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless- 
 ing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' 
 
 " Even then it appeared to me God was preparing my 
 mind for sustaining some severe trial ; and this heavy 
 affliction commenced as in the tmnkUng of an eye the 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 129 
 
 follomng morning. I hope its important and glorious 
 design has not been wholly lost upon me, but in some 
 degree accomplished ; though, alas ! I confess myself" to 
 be a dull scholar in that best of schools into Avhich my 
 ti-uant heart has been so repeatedly driven, and where, 
 under the rod of affliction, the most beneficial wisdom 
 is generally obtained, by such as know how to acquire 
 spiritual improvement. 0, when shall those grievous 
 afflictions yield all their fruits of righteousness ! My 
 all-wise Master may perhaps deem it expedient to put 
 new lessons into ray hands ; if so, may his will, not 
 mine, be done ! How dear that appellation, ' The God 
 of all grace ! ' and O, how pregnant its connexion : 
 ' After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, 
 stablish, strengthen, settle you.' 
 
 " When all this is effected, the glorious Lord will 
 justify the expedience and propriety, the wisdom and 
 kindness, which employed and directed the means to- 
 wards its accomplishment. If, through the mercy of 
 heaven, we meet together, where in their bright result 
 they rise, and where we shall behold him in the light 
 of eternity, we shall be enabled to review them clearly, 
 and speak of them in terms of certainty ; and, in strains 
 of adoring gratitude, ' praise him for all, but most for 
 the severe.' " 
 
 " March 2-ith. 
 
 " ! this contaminated atmosphere of mortality is 
 inflated, is filled, is loaded with the pestiferous influence 
 of flattery and falsehood. It will not bear the com- 
 munication of a mind that has been visited by and 
 retains the light, love, and life of the celestial sphere. 
 Follow me up to the heavenly abode of truth, simplicity, 
 and purity, where all is lovely and of good report ; 
 where soul is unveiled to soul ; where we know as we 
 are known, and intuition shall tell all we know and all 
 we feel. At the pearly gate I lately appeared ; my spirit, 
 nearly disentangled from the mortal veil, seemed in a 
 a 5 
 
130 MEMOIR OF 
 
 struggle for entrance into the Xew Jerusalem, but it 
 has been sent back for a short season ; perhaps some 
 defiling stain rendered it unfit for the inheritance of the 
 saints in light. O precious blood of the Lamb ! forbid 
 it should be excluded among the unclean and the 
 abominable. By whatever process infinite wisdom 
 pleases, let every spot be purified ; let me be taught 
 by briers and thorns, only lead me to thy holy hill ! 
 
 " Now, my good friend, you will say I have given 
 enough of myself; but let me add, my body is strength- 
 ening, though far from being what it was previous to 
 my recent illness. After some time despairing I should 
 ever again be permitted to elevate the banner of the 
 cross, I am not without hope of appearing in the 
 militant ranks, and not 'as a standard-bearer that faint- 
 eth.' But I have been practising the duty of a soldier 
 at his silent midnight post, where perhaps the Captain 
 of our salvation may see it proper to detain me in pas- 
 sive service until the day of eternity dawns, and the 
 shadows of time and mortality for ever flee away. 
 
 '• But the future I leave to Him who holds all times 
 at his disposal. Faintly, but I would fain hope not 
 ineffectually, am I endeavouring to live free from all 
 anticipations of every kind, good and evil, or I would 
 say, pleasui-able and painful, intent to improve the pre- 
 sent moment ; for, to me, life appears the merest 
 vapour. Eternity is all ; and whether acting or suffer- 
 ing, during a moment of existence, is really of no con- 
 sequence. I cannot but review the past. My poor 
 lacerated heart has dropped its sanguine life, staining 
 every footstep in my flinty path. — 
 
 ' Many an lioiu', siu'cliarged with woe, 
 Has cost me many a groan.' 
 
 But what are all I have suffered, the stroke after stroke, 
 the breach after breach ? O shall not all detach my 
 affections from the objects to which they have clung 
 with too much if not too criminal tenacity ? And shall 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 131 
 
 not I hasten away to the bosom of infinite felicity ? O 
 Avhen shall I come and appear before God !" 
 
 "Bath, May \st, 1821. 
 
 " "We are invited to launch away ; but ah ! stop my 
 dear friend ! If such indeed be the blessed invitation, 
 why this repulse ? Yet why do I require a solution, 
 which my own experience can supply ? Did I not 
 recently hear the heavenly call ? A voice from the 
 skies said to me, ' Come away.' In my feeble attempt 
 to obey the summons, while struggling to free my pin- 
 ions, I felt myself in the fleshly dungeon. But that was 
 comparatively no captivity to me. I felt, it is true, I 
 had a body, but I was susceptible of ties which, stronger 
 than the evil that might easily be shuffled off, bound 
 me close to this condition of my being. I felt myself 
 a husband, a father, a friend. How strange, you ex- 
 claim, that I should be sensible of these entwining 
 bonds ! I who have bitterly known each of these to 
 have been snapped asunder, and in the most afflictive 
 manner, just at the moment I presumed on their 
 strength, and fancied the sheai-s of fate itself could 
 scarcely touch one twine of my threefold cord ! 
 
 " You speak sweetly of the nearness of our disem- 
 bodied friends. It was in the season of my suffering, 
 when life seemed ebbing fiom the vital fountain, and 
 the wheel broken at the cistern ; it was then, with the 
 mind's eye, filled with the light of eternity, I beheld 
 those celestial friends as waiting around, as prepaied to 
 receive me in their fond embrace, and ready to intro- 
 duce their kindred spirit, come up out of great tribula- 
 tion, into the everlasting habitations. But my poor, 
 dim, weeping orbs of flesh saw around me, and my 
 friendly affections associated Avith objects of time. So 
 that with one better than myself I could say, ' I am in 
 a strait.' But, amid it all, my fluttering spirit obtained 
 the ability, through the aid of omnipotent grace, to say, 
 
132 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ■\vitb. hiimble submission, tliougli sometimes witli 
 trembling accents, ' Father, not as I will, but as tbou 
 Avilt ;' for, blessed be God, I knew wbose soul had 
 travailed for mine." 
 
 The above bereavement, the loss of a son of so much 
 promise, was not only most acutely felt by Mr. Roberts 
 at the time, but its effect was of long continuance, 
 it was long before he could recover in a tolerable 
 degree his mental and physical energies. Indeed, a 
 relation observes : " He felt it so severely as never 
 apparently to recover it." He, however, made a devout 
 surrender of himself and his offspring to God, as will 
 appear from an extract from his reflections on the anni- 
 versary of this mournful event : — 
 
 " Thou alone whose name is Jehovah art Most High 
 in all the earth. Thou art God, and there is none 
 besides thee. Thou who hast so many times corrected, 
 chastened, scourged, and wounded my proud spirit, 
 O teach me how to humble myself under thy mighty 
 hand ; let me find my level among the meanest of thy 
 ci'eatures ; let me sink into the deepest degrees of self- 
 annihilation, be nothing, less than nothing, before thee. 
 Never let me arrogate the sovereignty ; never, no, not 
 for a moment, deem myself to be independent of thee. 
 Yet permit me, thou high and lofty One, who inhabit- 
 est eternity, whose name is holy, permit me to present 
 before mine eyes thy own most gracious and conde- 
 scending declaration : ' To this man will I look, even to 
 him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth 
 at my word.' 
 
 " But how, in what manner, in what terms, shall I 
 express the conflict of my feelings, when reflecting on 
 the melancholy circumstance that presses upon my 
 heart this returning day of grief and mourning? 
 Surely it was my earnest desire, my fervent prayer, that 
 the afllictive dispensation might not be lost upon me, 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 133 
 
 but that I might derive from it all the gracious benefit 
 that was possible to be extracted by the most judicious 
 and prudent exercise of my devotional feelings and 
 faith. But how lamentably have I failed ! My ener- 
 gies have sometimes seemed almost paralyzed, and my 
 wounded, bleeding heart seemed to possess no sensation 
 for any subject but one. 
 
 " O my son, my son ! thou wast to have been the 
 pride of my declining years, the nurse of my heart, the 
 stay of my house, the guardian of my dear boys and 
 girls ; in thee every mental and moral excellence was 
 anticipated. Thy morning orient glowed vdth. beauty 
 and glory, and presaged an auspicious day ; delightful 
 anticipations seemed to have beheld thy evening, after a 
 long day of virtuous greatness, closing with an increase 
 of celestial glories. But, alas ! thy sun is gone down 
 while it was yet day ! 
 
 " My spirit has frequently failed when the recollec- 
 tion of this day's sad occurrence has returned and 
 impressed my memory with all its agonizing minutiae. 
 But when I have mourned the loss of my first-born 
 sundving son, in whom I had so many reasons to 
 expect my most ardent parental wishes to be completely 
 realized, in every object connected with human life, I 
 have never felt my sorrows enhanced by any doubt of 
 the safety and happiness of his precious soul. Viewing 
 and reviewing his case in the light of the inspired 
 Scriptm-es, and according to the most sober and correct 
 experience I have had in the case of others, I have 
 always felt my bosom glow with gratitude to the Lord, 
 for the evident displays of the riches of his grace. I 
 doubt not the redeemed spirit fled firora my arms to the 
 Divine embrace of the Lord Jesus. And shall I not 
 meet him among those who have washed their robes, 
 and made them white through the blood of the Lamb ? 
 Shall I not soon meet liim ? 
 
 " And now, Lord, .what wait I for ? My hope is in 
 
132 MEMOIR OF 
 
 with humble submission, though sometimes with 
 trembling accents, ' Father, not as I will, but as thou 
 Avilt ;' for, blessed be God, I knew whose soul had 
 travailed for mine." 
 
 The above bereavement, the loss of a son of so much 
 promise, was not only most acutely felt by Mr. Roberts 
 at the time, but its effect was of long continuance, 
 it was long before he could recover in a tolerable 
 degree his mental and physical energies. Indeed, a 
 relation observes : " He felt it so severely as never 
 apparently to recover it." He, however, made a devout 
 surrender of himself and his offspring to God, as will 
 appear from an extract from his reflections on the anni- 
 versary of this moui-nful event : — 
 
 " Thou alone whose name is Jehovah art Most High 
 in all the earth. Thou art God, and there is none 
 besides thee. Thou who hast so many times corrected, 
 chastened, scourged, and wounded my proud spirit, 
 O teach me how to humble myself under thy mighty 
 hand ; let me find my level among the meanest of thy 
 creatures ; let me sink into the deepest degrees of self- 
 annihilation, be nothing, less than nothing, before thee. 
 Never let me arrogate the sovereignty ; never, no, not 
 for a moment, deem myself to be independent of thee. 
 Yet permit me, thou high and lofty One, who inhabit- 
 est eternity, whose name is holy, permit me to present 
 before mine eyes thy own most gracious and conde- 
 scending declaration : ' To this man will I look, even to 
 him that is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth 
 at my word.' 
 
 " But hoAv, in what manner, in what terms, shall I 
 express the conflict of my feelings, when reflecting on 
 the melancholy circumstance that presses upon my 
 heart this returning day of grief and mourning? 
 Surely it was my earnest desire, my fervent prayer, that 
 the afflictive dispensation might not be lost upon me, 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 133 
 
 but that I might derive from it all the gracious benefit 
 that was possible to be extracted by the most judicious 
 and prudent exercise of my devotional feelings and 
 faith. But how lamentably have I failed ! My ener- 
 gies have sometimes seemed ahnost paralyzed, and my 
 wounded, bleeding heart seemed to possess no sensation 
 for any subject but one. 
 
 " O my son, my son ! thou wast to have been the 
 pride of my declining years, the nm-se of my heart, the 
 stay of my house, the guardian of my dear boys and 
 girls ; in thee every mental and moral excellence was 
 anticipated. Thy morning orient glowed with beauty 
 and glory, and presaged an auspicious day ; delightful 
 anticipations seemed to have beheld thy evening, after a 
 long day of virtuous greatness, closing with an increase 
 of celestial glories. But, alas ! thy sun is gone down 
 while it was yet day ! 
 
 " My spirit has frequently failed when the recollec- 
 tion of this day's sad occurrence has returned and 
 impressed my memory with all its agonizing minutiae. 
 But when I have mourned the loss of my first-bom 
 surviving son, in Avhom I had so many reasons to 
 expect my most ardent parental wishes to be completely 
 realized, in every object connected with human life, I 
 have never felt my sorrows enhanced by any doubt of 
 the safety and happiness of his precious soul. Viewing 
 and ro-iewing his case in the light of the inspired 
 Scriptm-es, and according to the most sober and correct 
 experience I have had in the case of others, I have 
 always felt my bosom glow with gratitude to the Lord, 
 for the evident displays of the riches of his grace. I 
 doubt not the redeemed spirit fled from my arms to the 
 Divine embrace of the Lord Jesus. And shall I not 
 meet him among those who have washed their robes, 
 and made them white through the blood of the Lamb ? 
 Shall I not soon meet him ? 
 
 " And now, Lord, what Avait I for ? My hope is in 
 
134 MEMOIR OP 
 
 thee. It was not a token of thy displeasure. let me 
 not sink acain into that most frightful condition of 
 mind, when T could not or Avould not see my provi- 
 dences but as demonstrations of thy punitive justice. 
 Be it so, that I am wounded for my transgressions. 
 O let me never, never, never, forget that thy Beloved 
 One was the expiatory sacrifice for my sins, that he was 
 wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniqui- 
 ties, and bore my sins in his body on the tree ! 
 
 " Here then let me repose my weary spirit. I have 
 lost my son, but I have the Son of God ; vnth him all 
 thmgs are freely given to me; nothing can therefore 
 with propriety be said to be lost by me. I cannot 
 doubt thou hast my dear child in thy immediate posses- 
 sion, who expiring said, ' I know whom I have believed, 
 and am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have 
 conunitted to him against that day.' I cannot complain 
 of my loss, especially when I have a good hope through 
 grace that I shall soon rejoin him, where sorrow will 
 not be known, even in thy presence, where is fulness of 
 joy for evermore." 
 
 It being judged that a country excursion might be 
 a relief to his mind, and contribute to his health, he 
 spent two months during this summer with his excel- 
 lent and sympathizing friend at Raithby-Hall, in Lin- 
 colnshire. As he was ever desirous of connecting, with 
 personal gratification and advantage, public usefulness ; 
 as his strength increased he called it into exercise. He 
 not only preached at Raithby, but attended missionary 
 meetings at Louth, Boston, and Spilsby, and preached 
 on the occasion. He also preached an anniversary ser- 
 mon for the British and Foreign Bible Society at 
 Homcastle, besides preaching at several other places. 
 He speaks of this as peculiarly refreshing to his spirit, 
 particularly the delightful and consoling hours he spent 
 at Raithby-Hall. He frequently visited a favourite 
 
THE REV. THO.MAS ROBERTS. 135 
 
 alcove, now a beautiful spot but where formerly foxes 
 had burrowed, planted with trees where the wai-bling 
 birds had buUt their nests, and entertained him with 
 their cheering notes. On this retreat, Avhose beauties 
 had awakened the sweetly-sounding lyie of the Sheffield 
 bard,* he wrote the following lines : — 
 
 Lo, the birds have nests in air, 
 
 The fox his buiTow'd bed ; 
 But, Son of man, thou hadst not where 
 
 To lay thy hallo^v'd head, 
 
 O can I but thy love admire, 
 
 When herb, and flower, and tree 
 
 Vv'ith humble confidence inspire 
 To speak, my Lord, of thee ? 
 
 In every vale, on every hill, 
 
 Where'er my footsteps rove, 
 All objects, dear Redeemer, still 
 
 Remind me of thy love. 
 
 Delightful, through creation's scenes 
 
 To see thy love impress'd, 
 Where natvure scarcely intervenes, 
 
 But God appears confess'd. 
 
 The change of air, scenery, and society, proved in 
 some degree salutary to his feeble frame, and restored 
 cheerfulness to his mind. On his retmning home he 
 removed to Bristol, on account of his second son, where 
 there was a providential opening to place him in the 
 medical profession. He was again among old and 
 beloved Clnistian friends, who knew the way the Lord 
 had led him ; and Avho could render him their kind 
 sympathy and friendly aid. By this he was consoled 
 and encouraged to labour, which he did not fail to do 
 according to, and often beyond, his strength. Still 
 
 • See the last edition of " Montgomeiy's Poetical 'Works," vol. iii.,. 
 rage 14. 
 
136 MEMOIR OP 
 
 considering himself at public command, he would often 
 make his philanthropic excursions, and when quite 
 exhausted in his heavenly Master's work, he had heart- 
 felt pleasure in saying, " The zeal of thine house hath 
 eaten me up." 
 
 At the time of his son's finishing his education at 
 Kingswood school, he wrote a poem, which his son 
 recite 1 on the public day previously to his leaving that 
 seminary, of which the subjoined is an extract : — 
 
 As some new planet 'mid the gloom of night 
 
 Sheds through the ethereal vault his sudden light, 
 
 Who, when thick darkness overspread the laud, 
 
 Beam'd forth resplendent at heaven's high command, 
 
 Pour'd living light upon the mental deep, 
 
 And roused the waters from their torpid sleep ? 
 
 Say, sacred Muse, and touch the sounding string : 
 
 Heaven will inspire thee Wesley's name to sing, 
 
 While Kingswood's classic bowers, to him so dear, 
 
 Suspend their echoes, and delighted hear. 
 
 Or fears the Muse such mighty themes to raise, 
 
 And shrinks she timid from the full-orb'd blaze ? 
 
 What single beauty, what peculiar beam 
 
 So precious to the bard as Kingswood's theme ? 
 
 Be Kingswood, then, sweet scene of youthful joy, 
 
 The theme selected by the Kingswood boy. 
 
 Thou Kingswood, once " a solitary place," 
 
 Thy gardens, dress'd, now bloom with flowers of 
 
 grace : 
 Not SAveeter fragrance through their spicy coast, 
 Might Sharon's vale or Carmel's mountain boast ; 
 Nor lofty Lebanon, waving high in air 
 His cedar plume, co-equal glory shaie. 
 The way of holiness, the King's highway, 
 Was open'd in the place where dragons lay ; 
 In dens obscene, among narcotic weeds. 
 Green herbage there spontaneously succeeds. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 137 
 
 The white-robed lily, and the crimson rose, 
 
 Each floral beauty in thine Eden blows. 
 
 There dwelt thy pristine progeny of grace ; 
 
 Another generation fills their place ; 
 
 And fiiture generations yet unborn 
 
 Shall crowd thy temple, and thy train adorn. 
 
 Wesley's strong faith, like great Amphion's lyre, 
 
 With voice instructive bade these walls aspire. 
 
 Heaven smiled propitious, while, beneath his care. 
 
 The dome arose in answer to his prayer ; 
 
 Till the high topstone, towering in its place, 
 
 Appear'd the votive monument of grace. 
 
 And each spectator view'd, with eye elate. 
 
 The benefit confen-'d on chm-ch or state. 
 
 And, fired with thankful transport, every tongue. 
 
 By heaven inspired, " Jehovah- Jireh " sung. 
 
 Here to Pieria's ever-living spring 
 
 Their sons the prophets for instruction bring. 
 
 Here may they sip bright learning's classic wave. 
 
 And in salvation's nobler fountain lave. 
 
 Not only mtiy^ for some with thirsty soul 
 
 Have drunk where learning's deepest currents roll ; 
 
 And many a holy youth, plunged in the tide 
 
 Of gi'ace, has risen renew'd and sanctified. 
 
 Here still, as wont, thine academic shades 
 
 Rehgion's holy influence pervades ; 
 
 And youthful minds, like spring's awakening 
 
 flowers. 
 Shed sweet perfumes and beautify thy bowers. 
 O Kingswood, ever may thy walls contain 
 A learned, pious, wise, and holy train ! 
 And O may I attain the boon Divine, 
 If not the brightest, not the least to shine ! 
 
 At the close of the meeting his revered father affec- 
 tionately addressed the boys, and, repeated a piece he 
 had -written for the occasion, entitled " The Voice of 
 
138 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Wisdom," consisting of twenty- three verses, from whicli 
 the four following are selected : — 
 
 What angel-warblings greet mine ear ? 
 What seraph sings in yonder sphere ? 
 'T is Wisdom speaking from the skies, 
 Intent to make the simple wise. 
 
 My pupils, who would knowledge gain, 
 Must first from self-conceit abstain, 
 That proud impediment remove. 
 And then the sweets of knowledge prove. 
 
 With vvisdom would your soul accord ? 
 Begin betimes to fear the Lord ; 
 For wisdom only then begins, 
 When you renounce and cjuit your sins. 
 
 Let revelation's holy page 
 Your study and your prayer engage ; 
 And be your inexperienced youth 
 Conducted by the lamp of truth. 
 
 Mr. Roberts's Avarm attachment to, and high esti- 
 mation of, this institution, with his constant solicitude 
 to promote its interest, has already been referred to, as 
 well as expressed in the above appropriate lines. It 
 may be here added, that a circumstance occurred in 
 1826 which he mentioned as highly gratifying to him. 
 On Mr. Wesley's birthday he preached to a large con- 
 gregation under the sycamore -tree beneath which that 
 holy man opened his mission in Kingswood, as record- 
 ed in his Journal, June 26th, 1739 : where he says, " I 
 preached near the house we had a few days before 
 begun to build for a school, in the middle of Kings- 
 wood, under a little sycamore tree, during a violent 
 storm of rain, on those words, ' As the rain cometh 
 down from heaven, and returneth not thither, but 
 
'' THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 139 
 
 watereth the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and 
 bud ; so shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth ; 
 it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish 
 that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing 
 whereto I send it.' " Mr. Roberts's text on the occa- 
 sion was John i. 6, 7 : " There was a man sent from 
 God whose name Avas John. The same came for a 
 witness, to bear Avitness of the light, that all men 
 through him might believe." The outline of this ser- 
 mon will be found in his manuscripts ; it displays no 
 small power of genius in its adaptation, and ability in 
 its execution. The scene was peculiarly interesting 
 and affecting, not only to himself, but to the assembled 
 congregation, who with one consent could reiterate 
 with the voice of praise the language of the venerable 
 Founder : " The best of all is, God is Avith us." Mr. 
 Roberts Avas no superstitious observer of times and sea- 
 sons, or saints' days ; but he did think, and it AA'as in 
 accordance Avith his general practice, that days of 
 remarkable occurrence ought to be regarded to the 
 Lord by a profitable improvement, both by private me- 
 ditation and public observance. The state of his mind 
 at this time might be further delineated by the extracts 
 from his letters to his confidential, much-esteemed, and 
 highly- valued Lincolnshire friend : — 
 
 '' September 4th, IS21. 
 
 " Selfish as I am, I would not Avish to live another 
 moment merely to gratify myself. From social life my 
 best and most genuine comforts have ever sprung. I 
 speak of those flowing within the human boundary. 
 Those indeed Avith which the celestial Spring of joys 
 has indulged me have most of them been communicated 
 through social channels ; nor Avere they AA^orse for that 
 mode of communication. But O, to lose myself in that 
 pm-e, essential, infinite Fountain ! "When shall I go to 
 appear before God, — 
 
140 MEMOIR OP 
 
 * To drink the pure river of bliss, 
 With, life everlariting o'erflow'd ! ' 
 
 But I frequently fear lest tlie many sudden disruptions 
 of my comforts through bodily sufferings and other 
 trials, heavier to be borne, should induce a too anxious 
 wish to be ' unclothed.' May I patiently wait my 
 appointed time till at the Lord's sovereign bidding my 
 change shall come." 
 
 " September 21th, 1821. 
 " I SPENT some hours in meditating on Isaiah 
 sxvi. 3. Ah ! why am I not kept in perfect peace ? 
 You will tell me, because my mind is not permanently 
 stayed on God, and I do not illimitably and entirely 
 trust in him. It is even so. But how shall I attain ? 
 My cry, my simple and I hope sincere cry, to the God 
 of all grace is, 
 
 ' Teach me the happy art, 
 In aU things to depend 
 On Thee ! ' 
 
 He heareth prayer ; and this great thing may therefore 
 be done for, to, and in even me." 
 
 "Bath, November 26th, 1821. 
 
 " Here will we hold : if passive virtue be now 
 indispensable, so that the continually-occurring ills of 
 human life may be sustained by us, and the gracious 
 designs of the Almighty in his mysterious providence 
 may be accomplished in our moral perfection, we have 
 no just cause to murmur, because we have occasions, 
 many and heavy occasions permitted, or rather granted, 
 to us for the employment of patience, more than any 
 other Christian grace. Patience, I have long been con- 
 vinced, tends to the perfectibility of ovur character as 
 creatures in a state of penal probation. So the Scrip- 
 ture seems to intimate : ' Patience works experience.' 
 By its practical process it exceedingly tends to promote 
 our experience of all the good, and acceptable, and 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 14] 
 
 perfect will of God, as wrought in us, and with us, and 
 by us. 
 
 " But if I thus go on, I shall put your patience to 
 the test. 
 
 ' There is a land of pure delight, 
 Where saints immortal reign.' 
 
 Immanuel's land to you seems not far off. I do not 
 mean you are just about to take possession of your 
 celestial inheritance. I only think you greatly delight 
 to employ your most ardent thoughts in contemplating 
 the glory that shall hereafter be revealed to you and iS 
 you. The valley of Baca you do not allJw to limit 
 your expansive views ; you climb by faith and love the 
 heights of Nebo ; and with Divine ravishment you 
 ' view the landscape o'er ' well : while I dwell in the 
 valley, and am thankful, at least would be, that there 
 is set before me in Baca 'a door of hope,' I sing 
 there. _ Before he shall say to me, ' Die,' I trust he will 
 first bid me 'go up to the mountain, and there die.' 
 
 ' O blessed bliss-inspiring hope I ' 
 
 And poor Mrs. has gone down the mountain-side. 
 
 Her feet, you say, are dipped in the brim of Jordan • 
 but this is her mercy; for death's cold flood frio-hts 
 not her timid feet from the shore; and the ransomed of 
 the Lord Avill soon pass safely over." 
 
 " Bath, Becemher 2Ath, 1821. 
 
 " My heart was and is most certainly touched by 
 that affecting description of the heaven-winged angels 
 Death ! What an a^^^ul subject ! How mere nature 
 shrinks from its contemplation ! But how mighty the 
 triumph of Divine grace, that exultingly 
 
 ' asks the Monster,— Where's thy sting ? 
 
 And Where's thy victory, boasting Grave ?' 
 
 The wife, the mother, so detached; the beauteous 
 maiden so willing to be dissolved, so anxiously saying 
 to coiTuption, 'Thou art my sister and mother' 
 
142 MEMOIR OP 
 
 But sucli are the victories acliieved by mortals, tlirough 
 the all-triumphant energies of Him Avho was once 
 dead, but is alive again, and has the keys of death and 
 the grave. Such are the realized effects of the religion 
 of Him ' who hath abolished death, and brought life 
 and immortality to light by the Gospel.' O may my 
 last end be like theirs ! 
 
 " We have recently been much afiFected by tidings 
 of the death of a relation, under very peculiar and try- 
 ing circumstances. May the heavenly Comforter apply 
 his babn to the hearts which profusely bleed by this 
 poignant and most afflictive stroke of Providence ! 
 Well, the night of suffering and sorrow is far spent, 
 and the day of endless felicity is at hand ; for now is 
 our salvation nearer, — the final, complete salvation is 
 nearer, — approaching on the rapid wing of every flying 
 moment. O ' come, Lord Jesus, come quickly ! ' " 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 In 1822, beside his frequent preaching and other 
 labours in Bristol, and Bath, and the circuits, he visited 
 Stroud, Melksham, Clapham, London, Exeter, and 
 several parts of Devonshire, and the East of Cornwall, 
 preaching occasonal sermons, (principally missionary,) 
 and attending anniversaries. At Clapham he preached 
 in the chapel of the Rev. Mr. Phillips ; in the very 
 respectable congregation were Dr. O. Gregory and two 
 Persian princes, the latter of whom appeared to be ear- 
 nestly inquiring after the truth, to whom he held forth 
 the word of life with persuasive and impressive elo- 
 quence, preaching from 2 Peter i. 3 : " Hath called us 
 to glory and virtue," of which an interesting outline 
 appears in his manuscript sermons. 
 
 Into West Cornwall and several places in Devonshire 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 143 
 
 the writer accompanied him, and was not more sur- 
 prised than thankful to the God of help, to see that 
 his friend, after passing through so hot a furnace of 
 trial, possessed a more than ordinary share of physical 
 and spiritual cheerfulness and energy in all his public 
 efforts. He had long, in these excursions, rendered his 
 services gratuitously ; and though his circumstances 
 had now a strong and just claim for the expenses of 
 travelling, he always felt a secret repugnance to it, as 
 if it deprived him in some degree, if not of his glory, of 
 the consolation of not being chargeable to any. His 
 friends in Plymouth, being aAvare of this from his former 
 visit, secretly placed in his travelling trunk a small token 
 of their affection, and appreciation of his valuable ser- 
 vices, which elicited the following letter, expressive of his 
 courtesy and disinterestedness : — 
 
 " "Was it speedily to secure to you a letter from me, 
 or unwillingness in your Plymouth flock to submit to 
 any thing looking like obligation, or finally was it that 
 3^ou and they kindly determined to overrate and overpay 
 such feeble service as I could render to their zealous 
 exertions in the blessed cause of God, that on unfolding 
 my dressing-case at Exeter, should lead to such an inter- 
 esting but unexpected discovery? I am willing to impute 
 it to the best design ; and, that being done, I beg to offer 
 them and you the assurance of my grateful love. Had 
 I not such a valuable memento, surely I should be 
 deemed wholly deficient in fi-iendly and pious feeling, 
 were I not frequently to reflect on the delights of the 
 Plymouth and Dock ^Missionary Anniversaries, with 
 the preliminary and subsequent services of the sanctu- 
 ary, not forgetting our few pleasurable excursions 
 amidst the unparalleled beauties of the surrounding 
 scenery of land and water. 
 
 " Through the blessing of Divine Providence, I 
 retm-ned to my house in peace on Saturday evening. 
 
144 MEMOIR OP 
 
 Matters move on tolerably here, as far 
 
 as I can learn. O Lord, be thou great in the midst of 
 thy Zion. My family unite in best love to you and 
 yours, -with, my dear brother, 
 
 " Yours, very truly, 
 
 "Thobias Egberts." 
 
 A floating chapel having been opened in Bristol 
 for that long-neglected and useful race of men, the 
 sailors, and some time afterwards the ark at Clifton, he, 
 with his usual readiness, patriotic and Christian zeal, 
 rendered his ministerial services, and joined, so far as 
 his circumstances would allow, in aiding this noble deed 
 of maritime and national charity. The following hymns 
 he composed for the opening of the latter : — 
 
 THE ARK OF SALVATION. 
 
 Sinners, prepare to meet your God, 
 
 The day of punishment is nigh : 
 "Vengeance collects her fiery flood, 
 
 Commission'd from the fi-owning sky ; 
 O flee for refuge ! and embark 
 Your all on board Salvation's ark ! 
 
 No other refuge can ye find 
 
 Beneath the wide expanse of heaven ; 
 
 God's boimteous Gift to all mankind, 
 Jesus, that only name is given ; 
 
 The cross of Calvary be your mark, 
 
 And flee into Salvation's aik ! 
 
 The soul that sins shall surely die ; 
 
 Hell is the ling'ring sinner's doom. 
 The drops bespeak the deluge nigh, 
 
 The universal flood will come : 
 The clouds appear, the heavens grow dark , 
 Flee, sinners, to Salvation's ark . 
 
TUE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 145 
 
 By hope inspired, or moved by fear, 
 
 Belie^ang in the Saviour's name, 
 To touch the olive branch draw near, 
 
 While now his heralds peace proclaim ; 
 Hark ! 't is the Gospel trumpet ! Hark ! 
 ■Come, sinners, to Salvation's ark ! 
 
 See mercy's bow in heaven appears ! 
 
 Now seek and find the gi'ace ye need. 
 Ye weeping mourners, dry your tears, 
 
 Christ will not break the bruised reed ; 
 He will not quench the glimmering spark ; 
 Then turn ye to Salvation's ark ! 
 
 THE NAUTIC TEMPLE. 
 
 O THOU great Teacher sent from God, 
 
 To make men truly wise ; 
 The mount, the main, the fields, the flood. 
 
 Thou didst not, Lord, despise. 
 
 Thy hallowing presence bless'd the ship, 
 
 By thee a temple made ; 
 When on the bosom of the deep, 
 
 Thy banner was display'd. 
 
 The thronging multitude received 
 
 The counsels of thy grace. 
 Many with aU their hearts believed, 
 
 And holy was the place. 
 
 And holy is this hallow'd place ; 
 
 We meet in thy great name ; 
 Or few, or many, seek thy face. 
 
 Thy promise, Lord, to claim. 
 
 H 
 
146 MEMOIR OF 
 
 May we thy promised presence find 
 
 Within our humble bark ; 
 The tongue of fire, the rushing wind, 
 
 Shall consecrate " the ark." 
 
 At the close of this year he writes, relative to Bath, 
 
 " Now are ended eleven years spent in this city. How 
 mingled with lights and shade ! My God, accept my 
 most sincere thanks for all thou hast done to me and 
 mine. Most wise and most merciful in all thy dispen- 
 sations, pardon the past, assist for the futui'e ! I now 
 go to my old sphere " (meaning Bristol). " for thy 
 Divine light and heat ! " 
 
 He had divided his labours, as has been stated, the 
 preceding years betAveen Bath and Bristol, residing 
 principally in the former place. The ensuing year, 
 1823, he devoted his labours principally to Bristol and 
 the circuit. At the commencement, he appears to have 
 suffered from an inflammatory tendency in one of his 
 legs, to which he refers in a letter to his friend: — 
 
 " The short of the matter is, my leg is in a weak and 
 ominous condition ; but there is a truth not less certain, 
 that my leg, my body, my soul, are all in His hands 
 whose omnipotence is the stay and support of the uni- 
 verse, and (what adds even to this conviction) 
 
 ' Whose love is as great as his power.' 
 
 ' Why then art thou cast down, my soul? ' O yes, 
 I shall yet praise him ; praise him for all his infinite 
 wisdom designed : for all his unfailing faithfulness will 
 effectuate. The ultimate object, rich in eternal bless- 
 ing, Avill soon appear : 
 
 ' Rise, my soul, and stretck tliy wings, 
 Thj' better portion trace." 
 
 " It is time I should assure you how sensibly my very 
 spirit sympathizes in those recollections of the past. 
 
THE RET. THOMAS ROBERTS. 147 
 
 those emotions excited by the present, and all those 
 glowing anticipations of the future, which the island 
 with its sanctuary, its household mansion, its cottages 
 and its saints, awaken in your kindred mind. I could 
 almost presume to entertain a wish, (and, indeed, the 
 utmost effort of thought can go no farther than a wish,) 
 to taste the sweets, the divine sweets, of your paradise. 
 But the commissioned cherubim wave their flaming 
 swords athwart the entrance. Here then affliction con- 
 fines me, that patience, as well as the active graces, may 
 have her perfect work. Let me, O my God, bow with 
 meek submission, nor beg thine angel to sheath up his 
 sword." 
 
 It has been stated, Mr. Roberts noted times and 
 seasons as they presented profitable subjects for contem- 
 plation and improvement. Of this, his reflections on 
 Mr. Wesley's birthday may be adduced as an instance : — 
 
 "Bristol, Junp 28th, 1823. 
 
 " My mind has this day been led to meditate on the 
 peculiar circumstances which mark this brilliant era, 
 when God is eminently taking to himself his great 
 power, and extending his dominion throughout the world. 
 The 28th of June, in the year 1703, just noAV 
 one hundred and twenty years ago, gave birth to 
 the honoured Founder of Methodism. That highly 
 qualified and eminently successful instrument, God 
 was pleased to employ in commencing the present revival 
 of religion, which, we trust, will eventually usher in the 
 latter-day glory. I believe his blessed Avork has suf- 
 fered no declension. Comparing the present with the 
 past, we feel warranted to say with the Psalmist, ' As 
 we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord 
 of hosts, in the city of our God ; God will establish it 
 for ever. Selah.' Psalm xlviii. 8. 
 
 " The Christian church is the true Mount Zion, the 
 place of God's special residence, where he dwells in the 
 h2 
 
J 48 MEMOIR OP 
 
 hearts of his people, and manifests himself to men, as 
 he does not unto the world. This is the city of our 
 God. God will establish it for ever. We believe he 
 will not forsake the place where his honour dwelleth. 
 Have we not the tokens of his presence ? Is not the 
 Holy One of Israel great in the midst of us ? If to us 
 he sends forth his light and truth, and shows his glory, 
 as to our fathers in their day, we may infer and pre- 
 sume he will extend his favour to succeeding genera- 
 tions. Let us, in a few instances, review the past, and 
 contemplate the present. ' O God, we have heard with 
 our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the 
 noble works thou didst in their days, and in the old 
 times before them.' Yes, they not only told us what 
 thou didst by them, but carried back our view to 
 primitive Christianity. They made primitive Christi- 
 anity the pattern of their work, as it was the tune of 
 their song, when they exulted, 
 
 * His Spirit revives His work in our lives, 
 
 His wonders of g^race, 
 So miglitily wrought in the primitive days.' 
 
 God be praised, we are witnesses of these things. But 
 let us inquire what we have heard, and what we have 
 seen. 
 
 " I. We have heard from the lips and from the pens 
 of our fathers, that their Divine call was to revive 
 and spread scriptural Christianity. They said that 
 notions and forms were not religion ; that the truth 
 might be received not in the love of it ; that orthodox 
 opinion in the head was not to be substituted for the 
 kingdom of God in the heart ; that the best forms of 
 godliness might be punctually attended to, while, at the 
 same time, the power of godliness be denied, contemned, 
 and blasphemed. Tliey said the ministerial call Avas, to 
 preach repentance to sinners; faith in Christ to awakened 
 penitents ; and holiness of heart and life to believers ; 
 and that their pastoral labours were to edify and build 
 
THE PEV. THOMAS ROBERTS. ] 49 
 
 up those who had first given themselves to God, and 
 then to them by the will of God ; that this, the whole 
 of this, nothing less nor more, was their object. 
 
 " ' As we have heard, so have we seen.' Their suc- 
 cessors are men of the same principles, spirit, and zeal, 
 walking by the same rule, and minding the same thing ; 
 in their ministerial and pastoral labours, endeavouring 
 to promote experimental and practical religion ; living 
 and labouring only for this important end, and only 
 satisfied in proportion as it is attained. 
 
 " II. We have heard how the Lord was with our 
 fathers, and cro^vned their labours with success. 
 
 " First. In the conviction and conversion of sinners- 
 When the revival of religion commenced, we have heard 
 how our fathers in cities and fields, (in this city and 
 vicinity especially,) went forth preaching the word with 
 all boldness. Sinners, as at first in Jerusalem, Avere 
 pricked in their hearts, and cried out, ' Men and bre- 
 thren, what shall we do ? ' whom our fathers exhorted to 
 repent and be converted, that their sins might be blotted 
 out, when the times of refreshing should come from the 
 presence of the Lord. Sinners did repent, penitents 
 did believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and seasons of 
 Divine refreshing were granted from the presence of 
 God. 
 
 " ' As we have heard, so have we seen' — awakenings 
 and conversions. 'Ye are our witnesses, ye are our 
 epistles.' ' Of Sion it is still said. This and that man 
 was born there.' Now one is wounded by the sword 
 of the Spirit, and now to another the Lord sends his 
 word and heals him. Still the preaching of Christ 
 crucified is the enlightening wisdom of God. The word 
 is still attended with more spiritual signs. 
 
 Secondly. We have also heard how the Lord ox^nied 
 our fathers in promoting the communion of saints. 
 Hence their formation of classes and bands, and hence 
 the restoration of the ancient agapce. With them, 
 
150 MEBIOIR OF 
 
 primitiye Christianity arose as from the gi-ave. The 
 admiring worid again said, ' See how these Christians 
 love one another;' and this spirit Avas universal, it 
 made them one and indivisible. Not unlike those first 
 believers who were of one heart and soul. ' Then they 
 that feared the Lord spake often one to another ; and 
 the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of re- 
 membrance was written before him for them that feared 
 the Lord, and that thought upon his name.' 
 
 " ' As we have heard, so have we seen ' — the unity 
 of the Spirit maintained in the bonds of peace. The 
 enemy, it is a melancholy truth, has frequently sown his 
 tares ; and those who coidd no longer love us, may try 
 to love each other as well as they can. But we have 
 not lost the badge of discipleship ; we ' love the bre- 
 thren,' and are still disposed to sing unitedly, — 
 
 ' Make us into one Spirit drink, 
 Baptize into thy name, 
 And let lis always kindly think 
 And sweetly speak the same,' &c. 
 
 " Such being the comparative view of our Zion, we 
 may, under the Divine blessing, presume to hope and 
 pray, that God will establish it for ever. Nor need we 
 doubt; for, let us be led by the Psalmist : ' Walk about 
 Zion, go round about her;' survey the whole of this 
 city set on a hill, and built as a city that is at unity with 
 itself; ' tell the towers thereof, mark well her bul- 
 warks.' Babylon was not so well defended with her 
 walls and towers as our Zion with her simple but unde- 
 capng discipline, not walls daubed with untempered 
 mortar. ' Tell,' — count one by one, — ' mark well her 
 bulwarks.' Let your discipline be dear to your hearts. 
 ' Consider her palaces ' — the abodes of her inhabitants ; 
 where they dwell, find a home, and enjoy the commu- 
 nion of saints. ' Consider.' (Hebrew, Raise up.) Build 
 on and raise up more palaces for the increasing inhabit- 
 ants, where hundreds and thousands may m.eet together 
 
' THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS, 151 
 
 to worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ 
 Jesus. ' That ye may tell it to the generation follow- 
 ing,' — may recapitulate, recommend, that your children 
 may perpetuate. 
 
 "Finally. The gi'ound of encouragement is twofold : 
 1. Our interest in our fathers' God : ' For this God 
 is our God, for ever and ever,' immutably and 
 faithfully. 2. His auspicious guidance : ' He will be 
 our guide even unto death.' He was the guide of our 
 venerable Founder, who sang, ' Till glad I lay this body 
 do'^^^l,' &c. His request was granted ; and, expiring, he 
 made this declaration, leaving it as a legacy to his sur- 
 vivors : ' The best of all is God is with us.' " 
 
 As the summer approached he became sufficiently 
 recovered to visit Cheltenham ; and, the latter end of 
 August, Raithby-Hall, and various parts]^of Lincolnshire, 
 where he attended several missionary meetings, and 
 preached introductory sermons, which appeared to have 
 a resuscitative effect upon his constitution. This he 
 expressed in a letter to his son Benjamin for whose 
 welfare he was anxiously solicitous during his absence. 
 
 " To succeed in any profession, especially yours, 
 which brings the professional man into verbal connexion 
 with every person Avith whom he has any thing to do, 
 how much depends on due pronunciation and a good 
 address ! Let not its importance, its absolute necessity, 
 escape your mind, no, not for a moment. 
 
 " Neglect not your cadence or enunciation ; and 
 there is, so to speak, a cadence in manners and beha- 
 viour. Attend to it in everything, even the minutest. 
 Cultivate propriety in speaking and acting ; even Avhen 
 alone, pay an habitual respect to yourself. Not that I 
 wish you to be finical. And the best way to avoid the 
 overweening pimctilios which hold and enslave some 
 petty minds, is to exercise a free, frank, yet unobtrusive 
 carriage towards every person, yet a carefully discri- 
 
152 MEMOIR OF 
 
 minating manner, in respect to those with whom yon 
 have to do, — superiors, equals, friends, strangers, oldj 
 young, &c. 
 
 " One principle after all, my dear boy, is the best 
 and unfailing directory ; I mean that which should 
 influence us in oxir conduct towards God. Be sure that 
 •will best regulate our deportment towards all. Besides, 
 let us never forget its important efi'ects upon our own 
 selves. I despair of seeing you either a man or a gen- 
 tleman, either a good man or a happy man, independent 
 of that blessed principle. But its direct operation (let 
 the uninitiated say what they will) is the production of 
 peace and satisfaction in the bosom of its possessor, and 
 of amity and benevolence toward others, mth the 
 daily accumulating blessings laid up in store for the 
 future exigences of life, and the inconceivably blessed 
 result which extends into eternity itself. I pray that 
 God may be the guide of your youth, and direct your 
 progress in the acquisition of every excellence ; so that 
 you may be a wise man, a skilful surgeon, a useful 
 citizen of the world, a good Christian, and a holy, happy 
 saint in glory everlasting. 
 
 " Thank God, I am on the whole in a way of im- 
 provement, though I have felt a little exhaustion from 
 my extra labours for a week or ten days past. We 
 have had missionary meetings at Coningsby, Spilsby, 
 Wainfleet, and Alford ; so I have had preaching and 
 speeching enough. We were at Louth on Sunday, 
 from which we returned yesterday, instead of going 
 on to Lincoln, where we pm-posed attending the Bible 
 meeting." 
 
 He also writes to his friend in Lincolnshire, on his 
 return to Bristol : — 
 
 " Blessed be God, whose conduct and safeguard we 
 have truly witnessed in our long journey by day and 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 353 
 
 night. I have at last the happiness of dating from dear 
 home, Avhither Divine Providence brought us last night, 
 without experiencing the least accident by the way. 
 
 " Now I feel, (shall I say, self-satisfied ?) that the 
 autumn did not pass away unblessed. We have spent no 
 little time in the company of our esteemed friend, and 
 in that paradisiac bower, where, above all other places 
 on this side the celestial abodes, we might really enjoy 
 the sweets of pious intercourse. Imagination will fre- 
 quently send back its retrospective glances on those lucid 
 seasons from which future hours, even should they be 
 tinged with gloom, will not fail to catch some splendid 
 reflections. How kind has Heaven been, therefore, in 
 the construction of human spirits, so that they may 
 felicitate their faculties in the re-enjoyments of the 
 past, as well as in the realities of the present, and the 
 hopes of the future." 
 
 During the year 1824, he appears to have enjoyed an 
 improved state of health, preaching and attending pub- 
 lic duties more frequently than he had done for several 
 preceding years. He writes to his good and kind friend 
 in Lincolnshire : — 
 
 " Bristol, May 1st, 1824. 
 
 " Could my timid spirit maintain a permanent evi- 
 dence, that my religious energies were kept alive and 
 obtaining accession of vital heavenly influence for their 
 further support under the devastations of mortality, that 
 indeed would limit my utmost wishes, as it would cer- 
 tainly bring home to my bosom the enjoyment of the 
 unrivalled good which I sometimes seem to seek with 
 a prospect of attainment. My flesh and my heart fail : 
 but wilt not thou, O God, be now the strength of my 
 heart, and hereafter my portion for ever ? 
 
 " Pain of body is as the infliction laid on by an 
 extraneous enemy. I can bear it. But there is a friend, 
 h5 
 
154 MEMOIR OF 
 
 a companion of tlie bosom ; my only peace is wlien his 
 heel is not lifted up against me. Amidst much mental 
 depression, it is possible, the evil one, who was a liar 
 from the beginning, may have deep measures of diaboli- 
 cal subtlety beyond our ordinary comprehension. Surely 
 it is possible for him to suborn the conscience to bear 
 false witness against God, and to deny the reality of his 
 saving work in the human soul ; even that soul which, 
 notwithstanding its moral desolations, he yet owns to be 
 his temple ; nor has yet had the character of reproba- 
 tion, the fatal Ichabod, imprinted upon its mouldering 
 walls, if they yet stand,— stand iipon the sure Foun- 
 dation. 
 
 " Once more to visit the hallowed scenes of Raithby, 
 — the thought of such a desideratum would give me all 
 the ecstasy I dare wish for on this side paradise. But if 
 I may not, while the present state of being exists, have 
 that permission, perhaps the time is not very distant 
 Avhen, an unseen guest, I may visit you, and experience 
 heightened delights in its groves and arbours. 
 
 " The time will come, perhaps, (but death must come 
 first,) when you will be able to visit them without either 
 danger, trouble, or expense ; and when the contempla- 
 tion of those well-remembered scenes will awaken in 
 you emotions of gratitude and praise surpassing all you 
 could possibly sustain at present. In this sense, I sup- 
 pose, there is a heaven upon earth at all times, and that 
 the disembodied spirit may find a peculiar joy arising 
 from the contemplation of those places it was formerly 
 conversant with ; and so far, at least, be reconciled to a 
 world it was once so weary of, as to use it in the delight- 
 ful way of thankful recollection." 
 
 " Bristol, May 29111, IS24. 
 
 " More than ever I now look out and around, if by 
 such, means I may but bring in some few aids to support 
 my drooping spirits. Alas ! I experience how insuffi- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 155 
 
 cient the generality are ; and you Avill tell me the special 
 few cannot be substituted in place of the All-sufficient 
 One ! This I do not deny ; nor am I, God be praised, 
 content at heart without looking up, though my weak- 
 ness induces me to cast my eyes around. 
 
 " To Clapham I must look no more ! My dear 
 Phillips has taken his flight, — my long-beloved, — my 
 ever-esteemed friend. He knew my soul in adversity, 
 he "wiped away many a tear from those eyes whose 
 imperfect remains shed now drops of gi'ief because my 
 limited sphere of friendship is not merely contracted, 
 but irreparably rent asunder. I have not another 
 Phillips ! " 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Roberts became 
 acquainted soon after his first marriage, when residing 
 at Haverfordwest ; and on the death of his wife, largely 
 participated in his afllictive bereavement. He possessed 
 that piety of mind and wisdom in counsel which at that 
 season proved so beneficial to Mr. Roberts, and a strong 
 and indissoluble friendship was fomied. He afterwards 
 became the Minister of an Independent congregation at 
 Clapham, of which he remained the faithful Pastor, till 
 he gave up his charge to the great Bishop and Shepherd 
 of souls. He was a man of strong mind, of extensive 
 learning, and of useful ministerial talents, but which 
 were often in some degree paralyzed by a nervous diffi- 
 dence. He was much esteemed by the late Rev. Robert 
 Hall, and other distinguished ministers, and finished his 
 earthly course in honour and peace, and was much 
 lamented by his friend, as suggested by the preceding 
 notice of his death. 
 
 Mr. Roberts attended the Conference at Leeds, and 
 preached to his brethren, and a crowded congregation 
 from Psalm Ix. 4 : " Thou hast given a banner to them 
 that feared thee, that it may be displayed because of the 
 truth." The Conference being concluded, he returned 
 
156 MEMOIR OP 
 
 tlirougli Lincolnshire, but was able to make only a veiy 
 short stay at the place where he had had so much plea- 
 surable enjoyment the previous autumn, as he proposed 
 visiting London, where he preached in Queen-street 
 chapel, and attended a missionary anniversary in Hinde- 
 street. 
 
 He entered upon the following year, 1825, with a 
 gratifying prospect of being more effective in the work 
 of his Divine Master. His heart appeared largely to par- 
 ticipate in the sentiment of his first text, " Through the 
 tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from 
 on high hath visited us." In one of his memorandums he 
 states : "On Sunday, Jan. 16th, the organ was oj)ened in 
 Portland chapel. The hymns and appropriate tunes were 
 selected the previous week from the Sacred Harmony, 
 with particular reference to congregational singing. 
 The morning service was conducted by the Rev. James 
 Wood, who preached from Psalm ciii. 1 — 4 : ' Bless the 
 Lord, O my soul ; and all that is within me, bless his 
 holy name,' &c. I preached in the afternoon from 
 Psalm cl. 4 : ' Praise him with organs,' and the Rev. J. 
 Stanley in the evening from 1 Cor. xiv. 15 : ' "What is 
 it then ? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray 
 with the understanding also : I will sing with the spirit, 
 and I will sing with the understanding also.' 
 
 " The Rev. AV. Toase assisted in the services ; the 
 people were much pleased, particularly as the instrument 
 •was well supported by the voices of the congregation, 
 and, I trust, profited. The organ is not intended to 
 supersede, but to assist, the singing; and we hope there 
 will be a new and improved era in this department, as 
 it is not unlikely that other chapels may have the benefit 
 of an organ." 
 
 Mr. Roberts was a gi-eat admirer of this part of congre- 
 gational worship : he considered it contributed much to 
 the spirituality, holy fervour, and devout solemnity of 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 157 
 
 the sanctuary, when properly conducted ; and conceived 
 it to be an important part of ministerial duty to attend 
 to it, and make such arrangements as should contribute 
 to the harmonious and high praises of God. 
 
 Though he had enjoyed a degree of improved health, 
 affliction still awaited him. In the month of March, 
 he paid a visit to London, where, instead of the plea- 
 sure of active service, he was called to patient endurance, 
 and passive submission to the will of his heavenly 
 Father ; he was seized with a severe illness, which con- 
 fined him nearly a month. Relative to this he states in 
 a letter to his eldest son : — 
 
 " The Almighty has graciously strengthened me. 
 We left London at nine o clock, and were safely set 
 down here (Newbury) at six. I felt fatigued, but am 
 
 amazingly benefited by the journey 
 
 ' Bless the Lord, O my soul,' who healeth, as by 
 a miracle, my disease, and redeemeth my life from 
 destruction. He was pleased to bring down my 
 strength, and prostrate me to the margin of the grave. 
 
 But whatever God might think 
 
 proper to do with my body, a good hope through gi-ace 
 sustained the Divine conviction that all Avould be well 
 with the soul. The subject which pressed momentarily 
 upon my heart, was the spiritual and everlasting interest 
 of my dear children. With what good-will would I 
 have quitted this world of sin and sorrow, nor hav-e 
 cast one lingering look behind, only so far as half-a- 
 dozen attractions drew me back ! " 
 
 His reflections on this dispensation, and the state of 
 his mind, is recorded in one of his papers, as follows : — 
 
 " ' The Lord hath need of him.' And does the Lord 
 of the universe need ' the colt of an ass ? ' Has he not 
 declared, 'Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle 
 upon a thousand hills ?' How then should he now need 
 this poor, despicable quadruped ? O thou, in whom is the 
 
158 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 fulness of wisdom, thou knowest when to arrest the 
 sun in his career, when to make the clouds thy chariot, 
 to walk on the wings of the v\and, to ride on the wings 
 of cherubs, to ride on the heavens, and in thy excel- 
 lency on the sky ; and yet thou wast pleased to assure 
 thy disciples that their Loud needed the ass's colt. I 
 see one reason ; it Avas by thus humbling thyself, thou, 
 the King of Sion, entering into thy capital, wouldst 
 show thyself to be meek, and having not a temporal 
 but a spiritual salvation, therefore thou wouldst thus 
 make thy lowly triumph into Jerusalem. And may I 
 learn of thee to be meek and lowly in heart, so shall I 
 find rest and refreshing to my soul ! 
 
 " But I see what an honour thou conferrest on that 
 meanest of the animal creation. Such splendour never 
 glowed on the neck of the war-horse, though it be 
 clothed vnih. thunder. Such majesty never adorned 
 the prancing steeds employed in draAving the magnificent 
 car of a Pompey or a Vespasian, in an imperial triumph. 
 With the exulting disciples, permit me to hail thee, 
 ' Thou Son of David, who comest in the name of the 
 Lord, Hosanna ! ' Save me, Lord, I beseech thee ! 
 
 " I admire the literal and exact fulfilment of the 
 prophecies which spoke of thee. In the contingencies 
 of this thy public entry into Jerusalem, I see such a 
 combination of circumstances, that, were there scarcely 
 another fulfilment of prophecy throughout thy whole 
 life on earth, I should condemn myself for infidelity, 
 did I not confess that Zechariah spoke of Jesus. But 
 this is not a solitary instance. To thee, my bles-ed 
 Lord, give all the prophets witness. 
 
 " While I hear the children reciprocating and repeat- 
 ing the shouts of the multitude, and listen to thy com- 
 mendation of them, and behold thy application of the 
 Spirit's testimony, that thus ' out of the mouth of babes 
 and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, and perfected 
 thy praise,' let me mingle among them. Let me then 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 159 
 
 find, in the spirit and disposition of a little child, I 
 have received thy kingdom into my heart ; and let me, 
 free from hypocrisy and pride, exult in thee, and shout 
 thy adorahle praise, insensible to all persons around 
 me.. Especially may I thus appear in thy sight, in thy 
 holy temple. 
 
 " And is it thus by ordaining strength out of the 
 mouth of babes, that thou ' stillest the enemy and the 
 avenger ? ' O my Lord, my Master, what shall I say ? 
 Shall thy infernal enemy, the proud avenger, overwhelm 
 my soul, and silence my tongue ? shall fear paralyze my 
 spirit ? shall shame seal my lips, because I am a 
 mere infant, because I understand only as a child, 
 and think and speak as an infant of days ? If 
 thou canst use such a feeble babe, and if thou wilt or- 
 dain strength in my Aveakness, lo ! here I am, send me. 
 Only let the woman's conquering Seed put forth his 
 almighty energy in me and by me, and I will tread 
 upon the lion and adder ; the young lion and the dragon 
 will I trample under my feet. 
 
 " Now then I can perceive how the Lord may have 
 need of me, even me. Absolute necessity there is none. 
 He can send by whom he will send. If he deputes a 
 Paul to plant, or an Apollos to water ; ' neither is he that 
 planteth anything, nor he that watereth.' But if the 
 powers of darkness may be chased by an infant ; if the 
 devils are made subject through the name of Jesus, 
 when but feebly stammered by an infant tongue ; and 
 if the excellency of the power be thereby made evi- 
 dently to appear that it belongs to God, then let the 
 great high priest sound the ram's-horn trumpet, let the 
 mighty Gideon smash to pieces the earthen vessel, so 
 that it may thereby send forth the light of the glory of 
 God. Let his omnipotent arm roll the barley cake into 
 the enemy's camp. May even I but hear my heavenly 
 Master declare, ' The Lord hath need of him 1 ' Though 
 no grandeur be in my deportment, no music in my 
 
160 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 voice, no splendour in my intellects, let me be meek 
 and lowly, even as tlie despised animal which the Prince 
 of glory honoured in his triumph, and I will go forth at 
 his bidding. Has my Divine Lord again brought me 
 back from the gates of death, because he hath thus 
 need of me ? Then, 
 
 ' A spectacle to fiends and men, 
 'i'o all their cool or fierce disdain, 
 
 Witli calmest pity I submit : 
 Detennin'd noiiglit to know beside 
 My Jesus, and Mm cmcified, 
 
 I tread tbe world beneath my feet. 
 
 " Lord, in thee have I trusted ; let me never be 
 confounded ! 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
 He writes again : — 
 
 '' May 22nd, 1825. 
 
 " I CAN truly affirm I have experienced much im- 
 provement, though ray weakness is still very great. 
 But here I rest: 'Abba, Father, Avith thee all things 
 are possible.' Should not this conviction, this acquies- 
 cence, teach me habitually to look beyond the sphere 
 of what mortals call probability ? Sometimes I think 
 I have attained, that probabilities have no manifest 
 existence in my view This I take to be walking by 
 faith, and not by sight. Lord, increase my faith ! " 
 
 In the month of June he was able once more to visit 
 his friends in South Wales. After spending fifteen days 
 at Carmarthen and iu Pembrokeshire, his strength was 
 so far restored as to enable him to return to Bristol, and 
 on the 28 th, to preach at Kings wood, being Mr. Wesley's 
 birthday, to which circumstance reference has already 
 been made ; and by a favourable continuance of health, 
 he was able to pursue his ministerial labours the remain- 
 ing part of the year, and the succeeding one, Avith little 
 intermission, paying occasional visits to various places. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 161 
 
 About the middle of the month of January, 1827, 
 he was again cast into the fiery furnace ; and, what to 
 him was a greater affliction than any corporeal sufterings, 
 he was under the necessity of remaining in silence and 
 inactivity, till the month of May. A letter to his confi- 
 dential friend will convey some idea of the state of his 
 mind, which occasionally appeared to be under more 
 than ordinary depression and discouragement. 
 
 " March 24th, 1826. 
 
 " For myself, what shall I say ? a miserable theme 
 at any time, but never worse than now. The shell has 
 suffered several shocks, constant pains, and indescribable 
 weakness. The interior, what can be said of it ? My 
 mind has been harassed and excruciated by most over- 
 whelming and distressing matters of various kinds, in- 
 somuch that I feel at times unmanned, and almost 
 unchristianized ; but I have frequently brigliter and 
 better moments, and hope upon the whole I am hurried 
 onward by the blast, pursuing the right course to the 
 fair haven. But enough of self." 
 
 It being judged that a journey and voyage to Ireland 
 might contribute to the recovery of a degree of health 
 and strength, and being very desirous of once more 
 seeing his much-beloved relations there, he undertook 
 it, and arrived at Beaumont, the mansion of A. Guin- 
 ness, Esq., May 3rd ; which he memorializes in the fol- 
 lowing stanzas : — 
 
 THE MEETING SCENE AT BEAUMONT, 
 
 MAY 3rd, 1827. 
 Let bards who fly on fiction's wing 
 Of fairy elves their visions sing ; 
 To me is fancy's spell unknown. 
 Who but respond pure nature's tone. 
 'T was nature's instinct pointing o'er 
 The ocean stretch'd to Erin's shore, 
 
162 MEMOIR OP 
 
 Who moved the mind, the wish inspired, 
 And crown'd the rapture Avhen acquired. 
 What pageant led from fiction's bower. 
 Intended to beguile the hour, 
 Could shed such splendour on the heart 
 As that bright moment did impart, 
 When Beaumont's princely hall sent forth 
 Tlie fairest forms that grace the earth ; 
 Their arms enfold, their lips of bliss 
 Ecstatic press the Avelcome kiss ; 
 And nature pours without control 
 The purest incense on the soul. 
 Such moments to enjoy again. 
 Who would not brook the billowy main, 
 And deem his sick'ning toil o'erpaid, 
 By every smile from every maid ? 
 
 The social vivacity of his mind appears in this poetic 
 eflFusion, notwithstanding his complicated and often 
 overwhelming afiSictions. He commenced preaching on 
 the 13th at Beaumont, to Mr. Guinness's family and 
 others, from Ephes. iii, 14:" For this cause I bow my 
 knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 He preached frequently, principally between Beau- 
 mont and Dublin, and attended the Conference at 
 Belfast ; on which occasion he was much affected, re - 
 viewing the years that were past ; not one being present 
 who was in the ministry when he first visited that king- 
 dom, and more particularly when some of the brethren 
 addressed the throne of grace in his behalf, as their 
 " venerable father in Christ." 
 
 After a prolonged visit to Ireland, he took an affecting 
 leave of his beloved Irish friends, devoutly " commend- 
 ing them to God, and to the word of his grace, which 
 was able to build them up, and to give them an inherit- 
 ance among all them that are sanctified ; " in which 
 heavenly inheritance he hoped to meet them in the 
 
' THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 163 
 
 Dirine fruition, where their friendship should be 
 renewed and perfected in the harmony of eternal love. 
 
 On his retui'n to England he Avi'ote to his son Benja- 
 min, who was at that time stud)ang in London, which 
 shows that domestic moved in unison with ministerial 
 duties : — 
 
 " We were all pleased with the good report you 
 gave in your letter to your dear mother. With due care, 
 which Ave hope you will prudently bestow on yourself, 
 we doubt not, through the blessing of God, your health 
 will not suffer from your many and constant employ- 
 ments. I have confidence in you, that, seeing you have 
 such an important stake at issue, your all of temporal 
 good, your means of passing honestly and respectably 
 through life, you will assiduously employ your time, 
 and exert your utmost efforts to acquire, I will not say 
 reputation, but an essential acquaintance with every 
 thing belonging to your profession. 
 
 " Let your aim be high, and your pursuit unremit- 
 ting. Between the various lectures and the duties of 
 the hospital, I am aware your moments will be fully 
 occupied. Let me beg they may be well improved. 
 Now is your golden opportunity ; see, therefore, you 
 give no cause for future regret, in consequence of neglect 
 or misimprovement. 
 
 " While I am sanguine on the subject of industry 
 and labour of your weekly avocation, I feel not less 
 desirous, that you should give your Lord's day to the 
 Lord. Consecrate that day to Him Avho has benignly 
 instituted it a holy daj^, for the comfort and moral 
 improvement of his creatures. 
 
 "And, once for all, I beseech you, and, as your parent, 
 I charge you, beware of the two great evils to which 
 members of your profession are, if possible, more than 
 any other people exposed : I mean infidelity and sen- 
 suality. Guard yourself, your Avhole self, body and 
 
164 MEMOIR OF 
 
 mind, against these radical evils. Destruction and 
 misery are their certain attendants. Beware of forming 
 any intimacy with those Avhom you even suspect to be 
 the unhappy votaries of these demons. In this instance 
 especially, ' evil communications corrupt good manners.' 
 From one kind relative, Surgeon Morton, whose expe- 
 rience and talents in the profession rank so high, and who 
 knows so much of the Avorld, and with all connects 
 true piety, you cannot fail to derive incalculable benefit. 
 " And now, my dear Ben, let me conclude by ex- 
 pressing my hope that you will mind yourself, and forget 
 not your God, nor 
 
 " Your very affectionate father, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A FAVOURABLE Opening presenting itself in Bath for 
 the professional practice of his son, Mr. Roberts was 
 induced to return to that city in 1828, to contribute to 
 his convenience and comfort, and to promote his interest. 
 Providence having blighted his hopes relative to his 
 first son, he became the more solicitous that he might 
 realize them in one Avhose prospects were not less 
 favourable, and who, from the cheerfulness of his dis- 
 position, the urbanity of his manners, as well as his 
 medical knowledge, met with a kind reception from 
 those who knew him, and whose prospects became 
 increasingly favourable. He, as all young practitioners 
 ought, in the commencement of his career, became 
 decided in his religious character. Solemnly devoting 
 himself to the service of God, he sought the special 
 blessing and direction of the great and good Physician, 
 and relied on the fulfilment of his faithful promise : 
 " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteous- 
 ness, and all these things shall be added unto you." 
 
I THE BEV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 165 
 
 He also made choice of a pious and amiable companion, 
 the daughter of the late John Morton, Esq., to whom 
 he was married ; these flattering prospects were highly 
 gi'atifyiug to Mr. Roberts's parental feelings, and tended 
 to soothe a heart which had so often been pierced by the 
 sword of sorrow. 
 
 In the month of August he again visited his favourite 
 retreat, Raithby-Hall, preaching at several places in 
 Lincolnshire. One circumstance particularly evinces 
 that the fervour of his missionary zeal had suffered 
 no diminution. Though the flesh was weak, the spirit 
 was willing, and anxiously solicitous to carry the Gospel 
 of salvation to those who had it not, but sat in the 
 region of darkness and shadow of death. His friend 
 Mrs. Brackenbury — feeling great commiseration for a 
 place called Corby, where, on inquiry, she found there 
 was neither Sunday-school, Bible Society, nor even the 
 Gospel preached to the people, but that they were as 
 sheep without a shepherd — took Mr. Roberts to preach 
 to them ; and not being able to get a more convenient 
 place, they were allowed by the courtesy of the landlord 
 of the inn to occupy a part of his house, where a large 
 concourse of people assembled, to whom he preached 
 with the simplicity adapted to their circumstances, from 
 Romans iii. 24, 25 : " Being justified freely by his 
 grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus : 
 whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through 
 faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the 
 remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance 
 of God." The word was received gladly ; and, after 
 distributing a variety of tracts and Bibles, they pro- 
 ceeded to Colsterworth, where he preached at six 
 o'clock the next morning, and in the evening at Sleaford. 
 It was no small gratification to him to learn, that this 
 little missionary excursion was succeeded with a Divine 
 blessing. A relation, who accompanied him, states: 
 " This was not an end of Corby and its interests. 
 
166 MEMOIR OP 
 
 Through Mrs. Brackenbury's exertions, and chiefly at 
 her expense, a young man, who is since gone out as a 
 missionary, -was induced to take up his residence there ; 
 he foiTued a society, and in the list of the members was 
 soon found reckoned our landlord, and the person be- 
 longing to the first cottage w^e visited. 
 
 " A Sunday-school was formed, a Bible Society estab- 
 lished, and a chapel was soon after erected. It is now 
 regularly supplied by our ministers; and the last I 
 heard of it, was, that it Avas in a flourishing condition." 
 Thus the little mustard-seed planted in Corby grew up, 
 and spread its benign branches to the surrounding 
 country. 
 
 Mr. Roberts appears to have had a presentiment that 
 this was his last earthly visit to this oft consolatory 
 retreat, as he Avrites in his text-book : " September 
 7th, arrived in Bath ! — last stage ! " 
 
 His social enjoyment in his family circle has been 
 several times referred to ; and it ought not to be omitted, 
 that, on the anniversary of his Avedding-day this year, 
 Mrs. Roberts and himself, having presented to them by 
 their children a present, expressive of their filial love 
 and congratulations, it called forth from ]Mr. Roberts a 
 poetic expression of his paternal acceptance and appro- 
 bation : — 
 
 Where breathes the bard who boasts a muse 
 
 And can a willing lay refuse, 
 
 When beauty's voice invokes the lyre, 
 
 The herald of the household choir. 
 
 And on this nuptial morn demands 
 
 The tribute of a father's hands ? 
 
 Receive, then, darlings of my soul. 
 The sti-ain that flows Avithout control ; 
 Permit the pure parental tide 
 Within your tender hearts to glide, 
 
I THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 167 
 
 And, like a humble tinkling rill, 
 Your gentle breasts with pleasure fill. 
 
 Accept, then, objects of our cares, 
 Of all our hopes and all our prayers, 
 Accept your parents' grateful strain 
 Of thanks, and thousand thanks again, 
 For all the duteous love you pay 
 On our auspicious wedding-day. 
 
 And may you at some future time, 
 Amidst domestic scenes sublime, 
 See, like yourselves, a lovely race, 
 Endow'd with innocence and grace. 
 Your sons and daughters, to return 
 The thanks ^ve owe this bridal morn ! 
 
 In the month of October he attended missionary 
 meetings at Brecon and Carmarthen, and preached on 
 both occasions ; where the writer of this joined him in 
 this delightful labour of Christian zeal for the salvation 
 of the Heathen and the world. This appears to have 
 closed his missionary career, being the last excursion 
 recorded by him. That this hallowed fire still burned 
 with pristine and undiminished fervour, which had led 
 him to attend at least one hundred of these and similar 
 meetings, from the time of their formation, through the 
 extensive range of England, Wales, and Ireland, a 
 hymn he composed, and had translated into the Welsh 
 language, is a sufficient proof: — 
 
 Lo, He comes, the world's Creator ! 
 
 From his creatures long conceal'd , 
 Soon the ills of human nature 
 
 Shall in every soul be heal'd. 
 Hallelujah, 
 
 God appears on earth reveal'd. 
 
168 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Flee, expell'd, the powers infernal, 
 Witli the bloody rites obscene ; 
 
 Beams the light of life eternal. 
 
 Where the shades of death had been. 
 
 Hallelujah, 
 Shines the Sun of truth serene ! 
 
 Lo ! He comes, the world's Redeemer ! 
 
 Hark, the trumpet speaks him nigh ! 
 Wide unfurls the crimson streamer, 
 
 Where the Gospel heralds fly ! 
 Hallelujah, 
 
 Lift the sacred ensign high ! 
 
 Every people, every nation, 
 Every tribe, and every tongue. 
 
 Hail the chariot of salvation, 
 Rolling rapidly along ! 
 
 Hallelujah, 
 Shout the Conqueror's victor song ! 
 
 Lo ! He comes, the world's Renewer! 
 
 AVide the Spirit's influence flows ; 
 Truth celestial, graces pure. 
 
 Bud and blossom like the rose. 
 Hallelujah, 
 
 Gifts and graces Heaven bestows ! 
 
 BaiTen wilds and deserts dreary, 
 Change to Eden's blooming bowers, 
 
 Earth, no longer solitary. 
 
 Yields her fruits, and strews her flowers. 
 
 Hallelujah, 
 God on all his Spirit pours ! 
 
 May the Father's love, in union 
 With the grace of Christ the Lord, 
 
 And the Spirit's full communion, 
 Be to Adam's race restored. 
 Reign, Jehovah ! 
 Tri-une God, by all adored. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. IQCy 
 
 During the year 1829 liis labours were principally 
 confined to the city of Batli, with the exception of a 
 short excursion into Devonshire. On the 6th of Sep- 
 tember, he writes : " From this time to the end of the 
 year, much afflicted." This affliction had so completely 
 prostrated his strength as to render him incapable of 
 attending the watch-night at the close of the year ; in 
 which he not only always felt great interest, butrecei'ved 
 much spiritual profit. His heart, however, was there ; 
 and while his family were uniting in public worship 
 on the solemn occasion, he composed the followino- 
 lines :— - ° 
 
 I CHARGE my soul, this day, O Lord, 
 Thy bounteous blessings to record ; 
 How manifold, immense, and free 
 The benefits bestow'd on me ! 
 
 Not aught of merit can I boast, 
 A criminal condemn'd and lost, 
 A sinner in the sight of heaven, 
 Who only sues to be forgiven. 
 
 Not doom'd to drink the cup of woe, 
 My respite to thy grace I owe : 
 By mercy spared another year, 
 For mercy I again appear. 
 
 Among the saints within thy house. 
 Permit me soon to pay my vows ; 
 There let me to thine altar bind 
 The sacrifice by thee assign'd. 
 
 Accept, my God, on whom I call. 
 My heart, my tongue, my life, my all ; 
 I count myself no longer mine, 
 But Thine entirely, always Thine, 
 
170 MEMOIR OF 
 
 My Maker, my redeeming Lord, 
 Whose mercies I this day record, 
 Appoint or life or death for me, 
 To Thee I live, I die to Thee ! 
 
 His public labours now became very limited : he 
 was capable of occupying the pulpit only six times 
 in 1830. April 7th, he writes to his particular 
 friend : — 
 
 "Bath, April 7th, 1830. 
 " You congratulate me on my attempts to speak in 
 public. I have tried, but suffered so much, I am com- 
 pelled to commit myself in silence to my blessed 
 Master's will, and am imprisoned in my house, incapable 
 of going to the house of the Lord." 
 
 <'Ma7/ IQth, 1830. 
 " I AM dying, not merely daily, but hourly. I am all 
 debility in mind and body ; at times it would seem im- 
 possible for me to survive a moment. Such faintings, 
 I imagine, as are felt by those who are in the article of 
 death. Such I had on Sunday, the sad anniversary of 
 my ovra Randolph's removal ; but I am strangely 
 brought back again and again. Yet I hold myself 
 (rather would I say the good Lord holds me) in readi- 
 ness to obey the final call, which ■will probably be given 
 at a sudden moment." 
 
 On the 26th, he writes to his much- esteemed niece. 
 Miss Sibly : — 
 
 ["Bath, Mai/ 26th, 1830. 
 " My dear Betsy, 
 
 " Before your ead this letter, I beg you will dismiss 
 every alarming apprehension, lest the worst of the case 
 be kept back, for you shall be made acquainted with 
 my case to its utmost extent. The sovereign Dispose^ 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 171 
 
 is in all ; and the issue, he it what it may, will justify 
 his wisdom and goodness. 
 
 " Having premised thus much, I must now inform 
 you, that to forbear Avriting Avould he the imposition of 
 a task to he borne with greater difficulty than I can 
 apprehend to be the result of writing. 
 
 " Let me then tell you, my dear Betsy, that the de- 
 clining state of my health calls me to a sense of duty 
 which I judge it but right to comply with, by making 
 this communication. From the commencement of the 
 disease, which has afflicted me during the last eight 
 months, I have continued to feel increasing weakness, 
 and to suffer almost daily diminution of flesh, insomuch 
 that, according to human appearance, I am swiftly 
 hastening to the house appointed for all living. If my 
 Divine Master deems me no longer qualified to perform 
 his kind Avork, which Avas once my delight, shall I not 
 resign myself in meek submission to his sovereign will ? 
 If I may no longer act, why should I not bear ? Let 
 my sole desire be then to sustain the burden of the 
 Lord, if it be indeed a burden ; let me sit in silence at 
 his feet, as becomes a redeemed sinner, supported by his 
 mighty hand, to the praise of the glory of his grace. 
 This is now my only remaining desire ; and I fear not 
 even my own weakness, for he hath said, ' My grace is 
 sufficient for thee.' 
 
 " During the progress of disease, I have endeavoured 
 to withold the indulgence of hope on one hand, and 
 despondency on the other, in regard to a restoration of 
 health. My constant prayer has been for passiveness 
 of Avill, so that for me to live might be to serve and 
 glorify Christ, or that death might put me in possession 
 of that infinite gain which the blessed Saviour procured 
 by his sufferings unto death, and ever lives to bestow 
 on redeemed rebels, even me also ! 
 
 " Latterly my strength has prodigiously failed, and 
 my flesh, as it were, vanished. I exhj.bit something of 
 
 I 2 
 
172 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 a resemblance of my poor brother not long before his 
 death. But though at first I suffered severely, I feel 
 now entirely free from pain. I can take almost any 
 kind of food ; but such is the Aveakness of my whole 
 internal structure, I derive no nourishment, and the 
 tokens of decay increase continually. 
 
 " Ben is as attentive as can be wished in the way 
 of his profession, and has called in the assistance of 
 others. From my dear wife and children I receive the 
 tenderest sympathy and attention. Every thing is done 
 for me that the creature can do. I take it thankfully 
 from their hand. Yet I dare not lean upon these reeds, 
 nor even accept their aid, without the paramount con- 
 viction that God alone is our refu2;e and strength, a 
 very present help in the needful time of trouble. His 
 immutable word and oath I endeavour to realize as the 
 foundation of my faith, and the anchor of my hope. 
 His promises in Christ Jesus I wish to claim for my 
 heritage. 
 
 " The retrospect of my life would flush ray cheeks 
 with guilty shame. Alas ! to how little purpose has my 
 life been spent, just now extended to half the last 
 decade of years allotted to mankind ! But for the 
 glorious atonement, my spirit would sink overwhelmed 
 "with fearful apprehension at the thought of entering 
 into the eternal world. While I cling to the cross as 
 the only means of all my salvation, and the one object 
 of all my desire, I have but this petition, * God be 
 merciful to me a sinner, and let the sprinkled blood of the 
 all-meritorious Lamb of God take away the iniquity 
 of my holy, my holiest things ! ' 
 
 " Why should I speak of the mental anguish I have 
 felt in relation to those dear objects of my love whom I 
 leave behind in this wilderness of sin and sorrow ? 
 Must I not have suffered severely when reflecting on 
 my beloved wife and children, on my poor sister, and, 
 let me add, yourself, with others. This, taking into 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 173 
 
 account my almost ruined fortune, would wring my 
 heart Avith anguish, did I not feel persuaded there is a 
 God, who embraces you all in the arms of his paternal 
 love, and will certainly prove himself worthy of his 
 peculiar character under covenant-engagements, as the 
 Lord your God ! " 
 
 Such was his ardent and continued affection for 
 Kingswood School, that notwithstanding his great weak- 
 ness he was resolved to visit that highly favoured and 
 favoui-ite place on Mr. Wesley's birth-day. He states, 
 " I addressed the scholars, and read the elegy on Mr. 
 Wesley." This was the final close, and indeed, the last 
 public effort but one of his multiplied visits to that 
 seminary Avhich had ever received his liberal support 
 and Avise counsels : nothing could be more appropriate 
 than the manner in which he closed his valuable 
 services. 
 
 One circumstance, however, had greatly consoled Mr. 
 Roberts in his affliction ; that in his domestic circle all 
 appeared to move on in harmony and happiness ; and, 
 what was the most pleasing to him, so far as he could 
 judge, all growing in grace, and in the knowledge of 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was bowed down 
 by increasing infirmity, he Avrites :— • 
 
 " The last sabbath day I occupied the pulpit at Wal- 
 cot chapel ; for I wish to be doing a little in my Lord's 
 vineyard ; the audieuce heard me with no great difficulty, 
 though my voice was exceedingly weak. Benjamin 
 and his wife love the Lord ; the rest of my family are 
 all well." 
 
 Alas ! this season of blissful calm was suddenly in- 
 terrupted by the affliction of his much-beloved son, 
 who, having taken a severe cold, it soon so affected his 
 lungs as to baffle all medical skill. He lirigered about 
 
174 MEMOIR OP 
 
 nine montlis, perfectly aware of his danger, but fully 
 prepared to bear this dispensation with patient resig- 
 nation, and for the glory which should be revealed by 
 that grace which had abounded toward him, and was now 
 revealed in him, in pardon, adoption, and sanctification, 
 by the Spirit. Of this he bore a constant and pleasing 
 testimony. When father and son were so reduced as to 
 be incapable of mutual visits, and when verbal com- 
 munication in a great measure failed, they encouraged 
 and comforted each other in the Lord, by a written 
 coiTespondence, of which the foUoAving letters are not 
 more interesting than affecting : — ■ 
 
 "Norfolk Buildings, Oct. 7tk, 1830. 
 "^My dear Son, 
 
 " The Divine goodness enabling me to take the pen 
 in hand once more, to whom should I present my first 
 effort but to you ? To have had the opportunity and 
 ability of visiting you yesterday, afforded me an inex- 
 jjressible degree of comfort. It is true, I perceived you 
 were oppressed -with weakness ; but, on the whole, I was 
 considerably gratified, and my mind was cheered with 
 i.ope that your pains will by and by be alleviated, and 
 yoiu: constitutional vigour be soon restored. More than 
 all, my beloved Ben, my heart-felt joy, which had pre- 
 viously been increased by what had been told me by 
 dear Augusta, was greatly augmented when I beheld 
 the blessed tokens of the grace of God so evidently 
 dwelling in you. You have seen the gracious design 
 of your heavenly Father in this visitation. 
 
 " You kiss the rod, and adore the wisdom and mercy 
 which direct it. Hold fast, therefore, the conviction 
 impressed on your judgment and conscience; never 
 forget that the hand of God is in this providential dispen- 
 sation, and will certainly direct the issue to secure your 
 (perhaps temporal, but absolutely) spiidtual and ever* 
 lasting good. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 175 
 
 " I send you herewith a copy of some verses, which, 
 in the season of darkness and distress fourteen years 
 since, I dictated to your mother. I hoped it might 
 peld you some comfort, now that you are passing the 
 ordeal. 
 
 " That the Almighty may abundantly hiess her 'and 
 you in soul and body, is, my dear son, the earnest 
 prayer of, 
 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 "THOMAS ROBERTS." 
 
 " Christmas-day. 
 
 "My DEAREST Ben, 
 
 " Custom teaches friends to offer their mutual com- 
 pliments on the return of this social season. But how 
 can I, from my couch of weakness, congratulate you, 
 the subject of pain and debility ? you, who are, in your 
 afflictive condition, more than a son, even a brother in 
 adversity ! Yet why should a living man complain ? 
 Let us be dumb, nor presume to open our mouth before 
 him who hath done it. Rather let us open our lips to 
 show forth his praise, who, I doubt not, is preparing, in 
 this mournful moment of affliction, a glorious theme for 
 our everlasting joy. Though his sovereign interposition 
 forbids our embrace, he Avithholds not his blessed bene- 
 diction. In his holy name, and, I trust, under his 
 Divine influence, I cordially present my paternal blessing 
 to you, my dear daughter Augusta, and Octavia. Hea- 
 ven bless you for ever, prays 
 
 Your affectionate father, 
 
 "THOMAS ROBERTS." 
 
 " January 2nd, 1831. 
 
 " My DEAR Benjamin, 
 
 " Most cordially do I thank you and Augusta for 
 your united congratulations so feelingly expressed in 
 your note of yesterday. Yes, mine eyes have seen, 
 
176 MEBIOIR OP 
 
 even to the end of one year more, and, at tlie commence- 
 ment of another new year, the goodness of the Lord, 
 in the light and land of the living. So hath he done ahove 
 all I durst ask, or presume to think, when in so many 
 a suffering season he greatly overwhelmed my spirit, and 
 plunged my emaciated body into the depth of, as it 
 were, dying debility. The icy hand of death seemed 
 sometimes to have grasped his prey, and quenched the 
 vital spark ! 
 
 " But I was not alone. He who once in his own 
 person combated and vanquished the king of terrors, 
 deigned to lay underneath the everlasting arms of Al- 
 mighty aid. His rod and staff supported me, — yes, even 
 -while I felt as entering into the valley of death. All 
 thanks to the Prince of life and glory ! 
 
 " Yet am I now nearer the bourae of that eternal 
 world, from which I was so frequently brought back to 
 the sight and enjoyment of my beloved wife and oux 
 dear children. I could then satisfactorily leave you all to 
 the protection of Him who, in his holy habitation, is the 
 Father of the fatherless, and the Judge of the widow". 
 But that was not achieved till after the severest struggles 
 with all that is of nature ! I did hope, you, your 
 partner, and each of your sisters, and our dear 
 Arthur, were all, through grace, determined for Christ, 
 for his cross on earth, his crown in heaven. And are 
 ye not? And shall not our darling 'wee one' of the second 
 generation be given to our prayers, and finally associated 
 with us all in the family of heaven ? 
 
 " The circumstances to which your note so imme- 
 diately alludes are indeed highly calculated to enhance 
 the value of our mercies. God has heretofore been 
 merciful to us ; his benefits have been renewed 
 recently. What therefore shall we render to him ? 
 Our hearts — our lives — our all ! May he be pleased to 
 remove your present sufferings and sorrows ! May you 
 serve hitn better than your father has served him ! be 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 177 
 
 blessed witli every temporal and eternal blessing ! and 
 Augusta and her sweet daughter mutually enjoy their 
 portion in earth and heaven ! So prays, with paternal 
 affection, 
 
 " Your very faithful and affectionate father, 
 
 "Thomas Roberts." 
 
 His muse was still alive, and profitably energetic, as 
 will appear in a hymn composed while one of his 
 daughters was playing Martin Luther's beautiful piece. 
 He entitles it, 
 
 THE EXIT OF EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND 
 THIRTY. 
 
 As if an angel spoke, 
 I feel tlie solemn sound. If known aright, 
 It is the knell of my departed hours. 
 Where are they ? With the years beyond the flood. 
 
 (to martin Luther's hymn.) 
 
 What means that awful midnight bell, 
 
 On heedless mortals calling ? 
 "Why tolls that solemn funeral knell, 
 
 In tones the heart appalling ? 
 It sounds the knell of dying year. 
 Borne off-on Time's oblivious bier, 
 
 To pass away for ever. 
 
 Another year will pass along. 
 
 Its fleeting moments various, 
 Or dew'd with tears, or charm'd with song, 
 
 All transient and precarious. 
 But who shall hear that midnight bell 
 Proclaim its end, and wing its knell, 
 
 "When pass'd away for ever ? 
 
 Still other years Avill come and go, 
 Advancing and retiring, 
 I o 
 
178 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Their moments fiU'd with weal or woe, 
 
 Expanding or expiring : 
 And bards unborn through ages tell 
 The records of that midnight bell, 
 
 When pass'd away for ever. 
 
 Beside. his lyre Avill many a bard 
 
 In peaceful grave be slumbering ; 
 
 Nor more the annual bell regai'd, 
 Its generations numbering : 
 
 In silent sleep he there shall dwell 
 
 Till Death hath rung Time's funeral knell, 
 Then rise, and live for ever. 
 
 This poem introduces the last complete year of his 
 earthly course ; the solemnity of the occurrences of it, 
 and the affecting scenes of the abodes of affliction and 
 mortality, cannot be entered upon but with that serious 
 awe which becomes the valley and shadow of death, 
 while a glory is shed upon it at the triumphant gate of 
 heaven. His state of mind during this eventful and 
 Solemn season is best delineated by extracts from his 
 iiotes and letters. To his son he says : — 
 
 *^ January 2nd, 1S31, 
 
 " Let me call on you to rejoice with me, by giving 
 you to learn that, inl my lowest moments, around me 
 and beneath were spread the everlasting arms. O yes ! 
 be it known that all was peace within — peace, peace, 
 through the blood of the cix»ss, even quietness and 
 assurance for ever ! ! ! " 
 
 " iVarch 7th,lS31. 
 
 " ' And God said. Let there be light, and there was 
 light.' Thus, Abba, Father, with thee all things are 
 possible. This day I raise a new Ebenezer in the sight 
 of thy resplendent sun and surrounded with the glo- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 17^ 
 
 rious manifestation of thy Divine Majesty. And is it 
 so ? Am I enabled, this fifteenth anniversary of my 
 deliverance from the horrors of darkness, to direct the 
 pen in making this record of Thy ahnost miraculous 
 interposition ? " * 
 
 "3farch 19th, 1831. 
 
 " And now, my beloved friend, let me assure you, I 
 am fully vrarrauted, by the distinguishing mercy of 
 Heaven so eminently manifested towards me, to adopt 
 the angelic announcement : ' Behold, I bring you good 
 
 tidings of great joy ! * yes, my dear M , ' good 
 
 tidings of great joy!' deliverance from bodily suffer- 
 ings, lost strength regained, — my appearance the object 
 of astonishment to every beholder ; — but, above all, and 
 beyond all, my mind, once so frequently dejected and 
 sick unto death, (if mind could expire,) no longer sink- 
 ing, fainting, dying, but raised by the merciful interpo- 
 sition of Omnipotence to the peaceful enjoyment of 
 light, life, and liberty, both mental and Divine ! O 
 praise my great Deliverer ! Hear it, and be glad with 
 me and for me." 
 
 Bristol and Bath had enjoyed a considerable portion 
 of his valuable ministerial labours during forty years, in 
 which he had preached in those cities more than a thou- 
 sand sermons. April 29th, he made the last entry in his 
 text-book, after an intermission of twelve months : — 
 " Ebenezer, New King-street chapel. Job xiii. 15 : 
 ' Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' " This 
 was the language of believing confidence in relation to 
 himself; though encompassed with troublous clouds, he 
 stood firmly fixed on the immutable Rock of ages, the 
 sure foundation; and faith, mighty faith, said, "Though 
 after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my 
 flesh shall I see God." " For I know that if this earthly 
 • Referring to tlie restoration of I1L3 sight. 
 
180" MEMOIR OP 
 
 house of my tabernacle be dissolved, I have a building 
 of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the 
 heavens." To this effect he writes : — " God is good, 
 and only good ; and I am satisfied of his favour, which 
 is better than life, and stronger than death ; yet my 
 faith and patience have been greatly exercised by weak- 
 ness and sufferings, by temptations and satanic con- 
 flicts ; but the Captain of the host of the Lord appears 
 in my behalf, and arms my weakness with his might. 
 I yet stand my ground, and do believe I shall be 
 more than conqueror, even over the final enemy. I 
 have a good hope through grace all wiU be well with 
 me." 
 
 During this time Mr. Roberts was tremblingly alive 
 to the sufferings and the increasing disease of his much 
 endeared son. After many prayers and tears, all 
 human hope vanishing, he freely surrendered him to 
 God. A little more than a fortnight before his dissolu- 
 tion, his beloved wife being engaged with him in fer- 
 vent prayer, he ruptured a blood-vessel ; it was thought 
 he was dying ; but, recovering a little, though unable to 
 speak so as to be heard, he wrote many sentences 
 expressive of his unshaken confidence in Christ, and 
 Christ alone : of this, the calmness with which he con- 
 templated his departure was pleasingly indicative. Mr^ 
 Hoberts, writing to one of his daughters, who had been 
 called from home, says :— 
 
 ''May 17 th. 
 
 " 1 WRITE these lines, which will inform you how 
 matters are at present with our beloved Benjamin. 
 His mind enjoys perfect peace, and relies in the most 
 comfortable manner on the truth of God, and his 
 tedeeming mercy in Christ Jesus. Lest the hemorrhage 
 should again recur, he is kept in silence ; but has 
 frequently written with pencil, which he has repeated 
 this day ; and all is calculated to yield us much com- 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 181 
 
 fort. He is on the Rock of ages, and in full expecta- 
 tion of Ills departure to the Lord. He begs his love to 
 you, in case he should not see you again in this life. 
 We have now no prayer but for his easy dismissal, and 
 tlie gracious presence of the good Shepherd while pass- 
 ing through the valley and shadow of death. He sinks 
 rapidly, but may hold out some time, if the blood-vessel 
 does not give way. 
 
 " Your mother is AVonderfully supported in the midst 
 of her trials and afflictions. AVe hope Augusta rallies 
 in some degree ; but she has been overwhelmed. God 
 speaks loudly to us. IMay we hear his voice, and 
 embrace his intended design, — our everlasting good ! 
 May He bring you speedily and safely to our arms, and 
 finally to the arms of Him who loved you, and gave 
 himself for you ! Amen and amen ! So prays your 
 most loving father." 
 
 On the morning of his death he was enabled to 
 address his assembled family in an affecting and hea- 
 venly manner, speaking separately to each, and request- 
 ing that he might die with his hand in that of his 
 beloved wife; and that the Testament in which he 
 had written the name of his infant daughter, with a 
 short address, might be the subject of her tuition, 
 that she might meet him in heaven ; then calmly 
 bidding them all farewell, he entered into the rest and 
 joy of his Lord. 
 
 This very sorrowful bereavement and heavy stroke 
 made a deep impression on Mr. Roberts's whole frame, 
 which had for a considerable time been declining. But 
 his mind continued to be kept in peace, his joy in the 
 Lord was sometimes interrupted by great physical 
 depression and powerful assaults from the adversary; 
 yet supported by the omnipotence of grace, as he 
 >vrites : — 
 
182 MEMOIR OJ* 
 
 " Bath, August 23rd, 1S31. 
 
 " Ere long I shall be fully gratified to mention my 
 acknowledgments in the nobler terms employed in the 
 celestial world, disburdened of the oppressive weight of 
 all mortal and moral infirmities. 
 
 " These expressions flow not indifi'erently, as things 
 of course. I have shaken hands with life, and am brac- 
 ing on ray sandals for my final stage. Through Divine 
 mercy I fear not to enter the valley of death ; but I 
 have not the triumph I felt three months ago. On this 
 account, I go mourning, but still cry on, ' when wilt 
 thou come unto me ? ' I am honoured with transient 
 visits while I pray with Herbert unceasingly, — 
 
 ' O show thyself to me, 
 Or take me xvp to thee ! ' " 
 
 He still tenderly cared for the surviving part of his 
 family, and appeared to suficr no moments to pass 
 imemployed for their edification. His conversation was 
 spiritual, communicating to each at seasonable oppor- 
 tunities such instruction and advice as he deemed 
 appropriate, and also made several efibrts with his pen. 
 August 2nd he WTites to one of his daughters :— 
 
 " My dear Child, 
 
 " Amidst great pains and inexpressible weakness I 
 transcribed those few portions of the sacred Scripture on 
 the accompanying sheet. I pray the Lord to inscribe 
 them on your heart ! They may be instructive in 
 life, and a cordial in those melancholy circumstances 
 when (as with me) your heart and flesh shall fail. May 
 you be found washed, through the precious blood of the 
 Lamb once slain, when we meet in the eternal world ! 
 
 " My theme assumes a gloomy aspect, such as might 
 not have been anticipated for the second of August ; 
 but this must be imputed to my ardent regard for your 
 best interests in this world and the next. 
 
 " ' A time to be born, and a time to die.' — Solomon. 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 183 
 
 " ' Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy 
 youth, while the evil days come not.' — Solumon. 
 
 •' ' For what is your life ? It is even a vapour tliat 
 appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.' — 
 !St. James. 
 
 " ' Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon 
 him while he is near.' — Isaiah. 
 
 " ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all accep- 
 tation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save 
 sinners.' — St. Paul. 
 
 " Believe, love, obey. 
 
 " My dying blessing be on my dear IMary Anne ! 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
 To his much endeared and now only son, he 
 "writes : — 
 
 " September \3th, 1831. 
 
 "Ix a condition of bodily weakness and complete 
 exhaustion of physical vigour, my mind still recurs to 
 you, my youngest, and if not best, yet surely my ecjually 
 and tenderly beloved child. 
 
 "The effort I now make, in the midst of inde- 
 scribable weakness, is to summon forth my utmost 
 energy to congratulate you upon your approaching 
 birth-day. I thank my God you were ever born. May 
 you truly know what it is to be born again, and be the 
 child of God by adoption and grace. May you be 
 richly endowed with heavenly grace, to qualify you to 
 be a holy, happy, and useful Christian. May you, 
 through grace, be an upright and consistent example 
 of all that is lovely and of good report, a close follower 
 of the Lamb wheresoever he goeth. Adieu ! 
 
 " Your affectionate father, 
 
 " Thomas Roberts." 
 
184 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 . Being convinced, from increasing weakness, that the 
 time of his departure was drawing nigh, Mr. Roherts 
 resolved, notwithstanding his great debility, to remove to 
 Bristol, where he had long desired to finish his course, 
 that his remains might be more conveniently deposited 
 £bt Portland chapel, a place he had ever manifested 
 a strong partiality for, and which had been increasingly 
 endeared to him as the sacred deposit of his dead. 
 After this remove, which took place in October, he 
 sank rapidly, and was soon confined to his bed. The 
 opinion he had formed of his state, his devout resigna- 
 tion to the will of God, and the consolations of hope, 
 he enjoyed in reference to the near approach of eter- 
 nity, are further expressed in one of the last letters he 
 ever penned, Avritten to the writer of this memoir ; of 
 which the following is a short extract : — 
 
 " My dear Friend, 
 
 " My heart, with warmest emotions of gratitude 
 and esteem, offers its best thanks for your aflfectionate, 
 sympathizing epistle. Assured you will be pleased to 
 have a few lines written by my own hand, let me tell 
 you truly I have equal pleasure in making the attempt 
 to gratify you. The good Lord hath done great things 
 fot*me, whereof my friend will be glad. My debility 
 is very distressing, and though my pain is slight and 
 unfrequent, I am greatly reduced. The conclusion 
 of the whole is, in a word, I think the die is cast for 
 death. I dare not say ray wish elevates or depresses 
 the beam ; my prayer is, ' Father, thy will be done.' 
 He leaves me not. I cling to the cross. ' For me to 
 live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Mrs. Roberts is 
 divinely upheld ; my children most assiduously admin- 
 ister to my comfort ; they are close, but I hope not so 
 close as my blessed Lord." 
 

 \y''/',wt^/r^l^/-/%? It^w^. 
 
THE REV. THOJIAS ROBERTS. 185 
 
 To friends, and his brethren in the ministry, who 
 visited him, he gave a satisfactory expression of the 
 hope that was in him of eternal life ; his articulation 
 often became difficult, so as to prevent his entering into 
 much conversation. 
 
 The following account of the closing scene is fur- 
 nished by his beloved wife and children, his constant 
 and assiduous attendants : — 
 
 " He had at one time been troubled with distressing 
 doubts and fears ; but towards the close he was entirely 
 free from them ; he would sometimes request some of 
 liis favourite hymns to be read to him, especially, and 
 often, that which begins, 
 
 ' Jesii, lover of my soiil ; ' 
 
 of which he said, ' That is my favourite hymn ;' the last 
 lines he would several times repeat, concluding with a 
 fervent 'Amen, amen.' The one being read to him 
 which commences with, 
 
 ' Come, O tliou traveller luiknown,' &c. ; 
 
 when those parts were read which he thought to be 
 applicable to himself, he would say very emphatically, 
 ' Yes, my soul, yes, yes, I shall, I shall.' 
 
 " He would sometimes express surprise that he con" 
 tinued, that he was still living. He said to his daugh- 
 ter, Susan Jane, ' How is it I am still here ? ^Vhy 
 will you not give me up?' She replied, 'My dear 
 papa, we have given you up ;' at which he appeared 
 satisfied. He afterwards said to Mrs. Roberts, ' What 
 is it that detains me on earth ? I am still here in 
 answer to your prayers and those of my children ; why 
 will you not let me go?' She answered, 'My love, we 
 have given you up to God ; we have no hope of your 
 recovery, and do not now pray for it.' 'Then,' he replied 
 with emphasis, ' Thank God, I shall soon be gone home, 
 I shall soon be in heaven.' 
 
186 MEMOIR OP 
 
 " The last time tis eldest daughter, who had been 
 married a short time previously, and resided in Bath, 
 went over to Bristol with her husband to see him, he 
 blessed them both, and prayed that they might be 
 blessed in and through each other. 
 
 " He was for some days nearly speechless, but per- 
 fectly collected and sensible to what passed, quietly 
 waiting Avith great tranquillity and peaceftd expectation 
 for the coming of his Lord ; when on the 10th of 
 January, 1832, he entered into the kingdom and glory 
 which he had so long anticipated; joined the general 
 assembly who had washed their robes, and made them 
 white in the blood of the Lamb, to share the fulfilment 
 of the word of promise, with all the triumphant minis- 
 ters of his grace. ' They that be Avise shall shine as the 
 brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many 
 to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.' 
 
 leaving a greatly bereft and sorrowing widow, one 
 son, and four daughters, to lament the loss of a much, 
 endeared husband, and kindly affectionate father. His 
 funeral was attended by all the preachers, both travel- 
 ling and supernumerary, in the Bristol and Bath cir- 
 cuits ; and his remains deposited in Portland chapel, 
 with those of his beloved wife and eight children. 
 Funeral sermons were preached by the Rev. James 
 Wood, at Bristol ; the Rev. Jacob Stanley, at Bath ; 
 and the Rev. Robert Smith, at Kingswood. 
 
 "His removal was much felt and deeply lamented 
 in the cities and their vicinities, where his labours had 
 been so long and so abundantly useful. Many mourned 
 the loss of a spiritual father, and thousands that of an 
 able and faithful minister of Christ, by Avhom they had 
 been instructed, and under whose word they had often 
 sat as in heavenly places ; Avhile many in the blissful 
 mansions of glory would await and hail his triumphant 
 spirit into the transcendent joy of his Lord, to receive 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 187 
 
 the crown of life, ' and sliine fortli as the sun in the 
 kingdom of his Fatiier.'" 
 
 The writer of this might have said much more of 
 this great and good man of God, from long and inti- 
 mate acquaintance with him ; but has refrained, lest, 
 in attempting fm-ther to delineate his many excellen- 
 cies, he should be suspected of undue partiality to a 
 much-loved and justly- valued friend. He has indeed to 
 lament the insufficiency of what he has written, to give 
 an adequate delineation of his manifold virtues and 
 pleasing qualities ; and, above all, of the grace which 
 so richly abounded in him, — the grace of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. Having attempted to record but little 
 more than a simple narrative of facts, with extracts 
 from his manuscripts and letters, he subjoins the follow- 
 ing testimonies out of many, from persons of respect- 
 ability and veracity, who had for many years known the 
 subject of this memoir in private and public life. 
 
 The first is that of a lady of no ordinary intelligence, 
 piety, and just discernment of character : — 
 
 " Of Mr. Roberts it may be justly said, his intelligence 
 and his intellectual powers were gi-eat, of higher rank 
 than was generally apprehended : but he wanted firmness 
 of nerve to employ them with that commanding energy 
 which would have given an efficiency of equal effort and 
 success. His imagination had a richness and variety 
 which threw around an irresistible charm of improve- 
 ment and delight. His feelings were very acute : — 
 ' tremblingly alive all over,' he mourned and sympa- 
 thized to an almost vmheard-of extent. 
 
 " As to his own suflFerings and sorrows, they were 
 too numerous, severe, and complicated, not to require 
 a pen of more than ordinary delicacy, in attempting 
 to give but the slightest sketch of them, as they affected 
 him ; so that whatever belongs to the interior character 
 will be with difficulty delineated, because so few have 
 
188 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 trodden the same path -with fellow-feeling and close 
 sympathy. Every-day characters are seen, understood, 
 and forgotten ; but where rare and variegated combina- 
 tions are met with, (in some sort sudden,) no small 
 skill is required to analyze and adjust them, so as to 
 "give proportionate merit to each separate excellence. 
 This is peculiarly applicable to Mr. Roberts. There 
 was in him so much talent and worth, as only became 
 discoverable by a minute knowledge of the possessor ; 
 and even then the developement was not clear and full, 
 unless to minds in unison with his own. This did not 
 arise from any reserve or concealment on his part, but 
 from that generous expansion of soul which instanta- 
 neously and imperceptibly joined itself to a kindred 
 spirit, and expatiated in all the luxury of high and pure 
 ■communication. To such a mind, but to be understood 
 was a luxury of no ordinary kind. 
 
 " ' Thought meeting thought,' in social intercourse, 
 he felt to be a joy transcending any earthly good. He 
 was no stranger to the philosophy of M. Malebranche; 
 but dreaded, and on all occasions avoided, throwing 
 the veil of obscurity oyer the simplicity of truth. 
 Neither did he invest religion %vith a mysteriousness 
 beyond what is natural to a subject so far beyond the 
 cognizance of mere human reason. Far from it ; truth 
 from his lips or pen was Christ and his Gospel ; and 
 the theme flowed with an ingenuous eloquence from a 
 •heart that felt the hallowed fire, and its refining saving 
 power !" 
 
 The following is from " the Bath and Cheltenham 
 Gazette," Avritten by a gentleman of literary celebrity, 
 who had been favoured with a long personal knowledge 
 of Mr. Roberts, and sat under his ministry in Bristol 
 Bath, and elsewhere : — 
 
 " This amiable man and respected minister, whose 
 decease we recently announced, had been during many 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 183 
 
 years a resident alternately of this and of the neigh- 
 bouring city, and powerfully promoted the religious 
 interests of both, as well by his labo\xrs in the pulpit, 
 as his influential co-operation in various charities, and 
 by the uniform consistency of his private character. 
 Under any circumstances, the narrative of such a life 
 could not fail to be instructive ; and we the more re- 
 gret the present scantiness of our means of gratifying 
 public curiosity in this instance, because the tenor of 
 such information as we possess indicates a passage 
 through an ordeal unusually varied and unusually try- 
 ing. Mr. Roberts's comparatively permanent residence 
 in these parts commenced a fcAv years before the termi- 
 nation of the last century, at Avhich time he was an 
 object of very general attraction, partly for his talents 
 as a preacher, which were then becoming matured, and 
 partly, we must presume, for the novel spectacle of a 
 Wesleyan itinerant surrounded with the appendages of 
 worldly affluence, and distinguished by an elegance of 
 mind and of accomplishments which would have been 
 an ornament to the highest fortune. It was no obscure 
 proof of the solid quality of his mental constitution and 
 spiritual gifts, that, in a situation exposing its tenant so 
 directly both to invidious and seductive influences, he 
 maintained both the aficction and esteem of his brethren. 
 " Hospitable, affable, and simple in his private con- 
 duct ; laborious, steady, and zealous in his ministerial 
 and other duties ,• he exerted himself with equal energy 
 and acceptance among colliers and peasants, as before 
 the opulent and refined, and was a valuable servant' of 
 the itinerancy in departments Avhere the union of talent 
 and worldly respectability is sought for. No surer cri- 
 terion of the state of his heart during the period of 
 external prosperity need be cited, than the fact of his 
 intimate union of sjwrit with two men of so decided 
 character as the late Dr. Coke and Robert Carr Brack- 
 anbury, Esq., who were more attached to hiui than^ 
 
190 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 perhaps to any other man. It will be in the recollec- 
 tion of man}^ that, when the former died in 1813, on 
 his voyage to introduce the Wesleyan mission into 
 India, his friend was selected to preach his funeral ser- 
 mon in King-street chapel in this city; when the 
 intense interest of the occasion was manifested hy the 
 concourse of the most dense assemblage ever collected 
 within those walls. 
 
 " But the ' palmy' state of fortune was not the only 
 probation through which this ' servant of Jesus Christ ' 
 had to pass ; nor was it unvaried while it lasted. In 
 the earlier years of an itinerant ministry, commencing 
 about forty-nine years ago, he appears to have 'endured 
 hardships' with the hardiest of the ' good soldiers' of 
 that day, and was encouragingly distinguished by the 
 venerable "Wesley. The frequent visitations of death 
 in his domestic circle, or circles, (for he was twice a 
 widower, and often bereaved of children,) were, to 
 feelings acute as his, most trying. The vicissitudes of 
 what is called 'fortune' were apparently much less so. 
 
 " But, indeed, the equanimity with which the com- 
 plicated afflictions of his latter years were undergone 
 was a continual occasion of sober surprise and useful 
 reflection to his friends. Broken health, gradual ex- 
 tinction of sight ; its partial restoration by a painful 
 operation on both eyes ; misplaced confidence ; the 
 death of a son, about to enter professional life, with 
 cherished and promising expectations ; more recently 
 the death of another son in the bloom of wedded and 
 parental felicity and professional hopes ; — these were 
 severe trials, sustained by this excellent man with a 
 serenity quite inexplicable but on Christian principles, 
 and the more remarkable for standing in contrast with 
 an almost fastidious delicacy of feeling, and an ardent 
 and not unaspii-ing temperament. To these must be 
 added an affliction which to a minister zealously de- 
 voted to his Master's business, must appear less tolerable 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 191 
 
 than any other, — the tediousness of protracted decay,, 
 and comparative uselessness, while the heart and intel- 
 lect are unimpaired. The whole manner of his last 
 re-appearance at the sacramental table, several months 
 ago, is said to have been deeply affecting. The mani- 
 festation of his feelings at that time, and on a few 
 other public occasions, gave intimation of the quality 
 of that support which ^he required and obtained in his 
 constrained seclusion. 
 
 " Unconnected with character, the consideration of 
 talent in a preacher is a light thing, even while he lives ; 
 so vital in regard of the sacred orator is the dependence 
 of the hearer's acquiescence upon the speaker's consist- 
 ency; but how much more so, when he is gone to 
 render up his account ! In other cases, talent varnishes 
 over defects of private conduct : in this, that which is 
 lovely and of good report in the life veils the imper- 
 fections and the beauties of intellectual structure ; and, 
 like a well adapted dress, at once hides the one and 
 enhances the other. During the vigour of his physical 
 and mental powers, Mr. Roberts enjoyed some of the 
 most enviable requisites for giving effect to pleading in 
 any cause ; that superior beauty and graceful dignity 
 of person and countenance, which it is more easy to 
 depreciate afterwards, than to withstand at the time ; a 
 memory minutely tenacious ; a perfectly ready recollec- 
 tion ; a pleasing and diversified range of fancy ; a 
 natural facility of utterance, and variety of intonation. 
 To these his exemplary industry supplied the materials 
 for ample elucidation of whatever subject he undertook 
 to unfold. He enforced the Christian doctrines with 
 the authority of one who had not only examined them 
 laboriously as a theologian, but as a scholar, philosophi-^ 
 cally ; and Avho felt not only their truth, but their 
 beauty and fitness. 
 
 " Grace, rather than poAver, was his characteristic ; 
 but he was often poAverful, and his gracefulness was 
 
192 MEMOIR OF 
 
 neat and manly. In liis exordiums lie used a veiy low 
 tone of voice, which imposed on his hearers a necessity 
 of breathless attention. His main explication was some- 
 times prolix ; the natural effect of his accurate retention 
 of an elaborate scheme, and his readiness to yield to 
 impulse in elucidation. In application, bis manner was 
 at once fervid and correct. In week-nigbt lectures also, 
 and on occasions Avhen he had levied a less severe tax 
 than usual upon his industry in the study, the eloquence 
 of his heart, his piety, his knowledge, and cultivation, 
 edified and gratified every hearer. 
 
 " In the pulpit, in society, and no less so at home, he 
 appeared to have disciplined himself to recommend that 
 which he regarded as the truth of Christianity, by every 
 amiable adjunct; and, did the limits of a sketch allow, 
 it would be a pleasing task to dilate upon his Christian 
 liberality and amenity, compromising no principle, yet 
 affronting no honest predilection ; the delicacy of his 
 hospitable attentions ; his wonderful powers in conver- 
 sation, animated, intellectual, playful, abounding in the 
 most accurate and diversified information and the 
 happiest allusions ; his kindness to the young ; the 
 warmth of his discriminating friendship ; his tender- 
 ness as a husband ; his indulgence and providence as 
 a parent. His excellencies were many ; and his de- 
 fects siich as, perhaps, could hardly be detected by 
 an eye strong enough to Anew his entire character." 
 
 From the Rev. Theophilus Lessey, who enjoyed the 
 intimate friendship of Mr. Roberts : — 
 
 " My dear Sir, 
 
 " My compliance Avith your request does not pro- 
 ceed from the presumptuous idea of adding any thing 
 Avorthy of notice to your valuable account of his life. 
 But, having bad the pleasui-e of a long and intimate 
 
THE REV. THOMAS EGBERTS. 193 
 
 acquaintance with that eminent man, and cherishing a 
 high esteem for his memory, I am induced to subjoin 
 to the preceding narrative a few observations on his 
 character : — 
 
 " To analyze the elements of character, and give a 
 just and luminous delineation of the materials of which 
 it is composed, is a delicate and difficult task. No 
 subject can be more interesting to a contemplative 
 mind, than the history of a human being in his passage 
 through time to eternity ; and if the lights and shades 
 are so justly displayed, and the excellencies and defects 
 so faithfully exhibited, as to enable the reader to form 
 an accurate estimate of the individual whose portrait is 
 before him, his knowledge will be enlarged, and his 
 heart improved, by the contemplation. 
 
 " The first and most important part of the character, 
 because that which is the only true key to the whole, is 
 religion. The religious character of our late invaluable 
 friend, Mr, Roberts, is strongly marked in the preceding 
 narrative. The divine grace, which in early life sepa- 
 rated him to the service of Christ, became the great 
 master-principle of his conduct ; and continued to be 
 the guide, and the stay, and the ornament of his truly 
 Christian life ; so that his religious course, as he 
 advanced, became more extended and refulgent, 
 ' shining more and more unto the perfect day.' He did 
 not frequently introduce his own spiritual joys and 
 sorrows into religious discourse ; and, perhaps from 
 constitutional temperament, refrained from even making 
 the interior exercises of his mind on divine subjects the 
 topic of ordinary conversation. His religion, however, 
 could not be hid. It was made manifest in its fruits, in 
 gentleness, humility, benevolence, and a uniform holi- 
 ness of life. Indeed, the foundation of all these virtuf s 
 which adorned his character, was laid in Christian 
 piety. It was this which originated his motives, ani- 
 mated his affections, regulated his pursuits, and formed 
 
 K 
 
194 MEMOIR OF 
 
 the plastic soul of his entire conduct. It •will be evident 
 to those who, by the perusal of the preceding pages, 
 are become sufficiently acquainted with this part of his 
 character that he was ' a faithful man, and feared God 
 above many.' During a considerable portion of his life 
 he was prevented by the feeble and delicate state of his 
 health from enjoying the full Avork of the ministry. 
 This distressed him ; and though he bowed with sub- 
 mission to the mysterious dispensation of his heavenly 
 Father, he was occasionally liable to gi'eat depression 
 of spirits. Under these afflictive visitations, religion 
 was his only support and consolation, and led him to be 
 more fervent and incessant in his supplications at a 
 throne of grace. 
 
 " Thus his afflictions, though they occasionally disqua- 
 lified him for the discharge of his ministerial functions, 
 proved a source of great spiritual improvement ; and 
 brought him to a more profound knowledge of himself, 
 and a more deep and humble confidence in the veracity 
 and faithfulness of God, as pledged in the atonement of 
 Christ. His personal character derived its complexion, 
 whether of gloom or of brightness, from the interior 
 conflicts with which he was exercised ; and, as none 
 but his bosom friends were permitted to know the state 
 of his mind, or to share his secret joys and sorrows, 
 they only could fully understand and appreciate his cha- 
 racter. It "vvill, however, be acknowledged by all who 
 were acquainted with him, that it consisted of a combi- 
 nation of amiable and pleasing qualities. The gentleness 
 and amenity of his private manners, and the sincerity 
 and tenderness of his friendship, secured to him the 
 warm esteem and attachment of the various circles in 
 which he moved. Candom* and liberality were conspi- 
 cuous in his intercourse with the church. 
 
 " He was ardently devoted to the interests and 
 prosperity of Wesleyan Methodism ; but his affection 
 was extended to all wiio ' love oux Lord Jesus Christ in 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 195 
 
 sincerity,' with many of wliom he maintahied Christian 
 friendship. His conversation Avas rich and edifying, 
 and happily exempt from those eccentricities of genius, 
 and those sallies of wit, which give pain to the tender 
 and susceptible mind. 
 
 " He possessed formidable powers of satire ; and it 
 was obviously a work of considerable difficulty, and 
 requiring incessant watchfulness, to restrain those 
 powers within the bounds of kindness. With him 
 character was sacred. However brilliantly the flame of 
 his humour might burn, it was gentle and lambent. 
 No one Avas injured by it. Often, very often, have I 
 been struck with this pleasing trait in the social charac- 
 ter of our beloved friend. I witnessed, with delight, 
 the exhilarating influence of his conversation, seasoned 
 with the salt of wisdom and piety, ministering grace to 
 the hearers. 
 
 "•' The literary and intellectual character of Mr. Ro- 
 berts will be perceived in those fragments of his writings 
 which are now presented to the public. 
 
 " At a very early age he engaged in the earnest pur- 
 suit of Christian truth, and continued till the close of 
 his valuable life to increase his literary and theological 
 stores, by careful study, and persevering diligence. He 
 was endowed with a capacity for high attainments in 
 science, and might, had he so determined, have arrived 
 at literary eminence ; but his powers of mind and body 
 were consecrated to the sole purpose of doing good. 
 Few men, however, in similar circumstances, have -more 
 extensively availed themselves of those sources of in- 
 formation on moral and religious subjects, which are 
 furnished by the learning and industry of the wise and 
 good of all ages. He gave himself to reading and 
 meditation, extending his inquiries beyond the circle of 
 his own profession, and enriching his mind with the 
 stores of general literature. 
 
 " But theology, in its various branches, was his 
 k2 
 
196 MEMOIR OF 
 
 favourite study. He viewed things not so much in tlieir 
 separate existences, as in their mutual relations and 
 remote connexions. With him truth was one and 
 undivided, — ' the truth as it is in Jesus.' The various 
 doctrines of the Gospel were not, in his discourses, dis- 
 united or warped to serve the peculiarities of a system, 
 but exhihited in their beauteous harmony and collective 
 glory, as the grand central luminary by whose rays the 
 path of peace is illuminated from age to age, and from 
 generation to generation ; till all the nations of the 
 earth shall walk in its expansive light. In studj'ing 
 the sacred Scriptures, it is peculiarly desirable that 
 we should on no occasion depart from the just and 
 natural import of the phrases which there occur ; or, for 
 party purposes, disjoint and isolate the great doctrines 
 they reveal ; but employ them according to the will of 
 their great Author, in the relation and proportion of 
 their several parts, as the instrument which we are to 
 apply to the instruction and salvation of man. 
 
 " The ministry of Mr. Roberts was replete with sound 
 and scriptural instructions. He belonged to that class 
 of minds which may be denominated ' imaginative.' He 
 possessed, in a very eminent degree, the power of ima- 
 gination, and could illustrate his subject by felicities of 
 figure, and the splendour of imagery ; yet in his public 
 discourses there was much more of Avhat he valued far 
 higher, in both himself and others, and what must, by 
 all the best judges, be regarded as the highest of mental 
 and ministerial endowments, — intellectual power, nou- 
 rished and strengthened by the word of God, and 
 consecrated to spiritual usefulness. In the preaching 
 of our departed friend, the fli'e of genius occasionally 
 appeared, glowing and shining in the most striking and 
 beautiful imagery, but always pregnant with vital qua- 
 lities, and employed for the purpose of illustrating 
 important truth. He never attempted by any arts or 
 tricks to secure admiration to himself. He had, in 
 
' TUB REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 197 
 
 one single view, the great object for Avliicli lie entered 
 the pulpit ; and with a mind deeply imbued with the 
 Spirit of Christ, and animated with an intense desire to 
 save souls, he advanced straight for^A'ard to its accom- 
 plishment. His whole style, and manner, and address, 
 produced an instantaneous conviction of his sincerity. 
 
 " The wisdom of this eminent and venerated minister 
 of Christ was displayed in the evangelical character of 
 his preaching. To him may be applied, in a subordi- 
 nate sense, as one of the under shepherds of the flock, 
 the descriptive language of the prophet concerning the 
 great Shepherd and Bishop of souls : ' He stood and fed 
 the flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of 
 the name of the Lord his God.' But he always stood 
 beneath the cross, and employed, with impressive and 
 fervent eloquence, the attractive influence of its hallow- 
 ing doctrines to draw sinners to Him who hung upon it. 
 Redemption was his favourite theme, and his ministry 
 was enriched with pure evangelical truth, directed to 
 every purpose for which the Christian ministry was 
 instituted, and accompanied with the gracious unction 
 of the Holy Spirit. The impression produced by his 
 sennons during their delivery would, in all probability, 
 have been more powerful and intense, had he not in- 
 dulged in a too minute series of divisions ; a mode of 
 preaching more favourable to beauty of an'angement, 
 and accm'acy of language, than to copiousness of ex- 
 pression. He was seldom excited to ardour of emotion 
 and utterance, and never became impetuous ; but the 
 absence of vehemence was amply compensated for, by a 
 certain tone of kindness and a milder pathos, more ex- 
 pressive of benevolence to his hearers. To the sancti- 
 fying and saving efiicacy of his ministry, hundreds, hoAv- 
 ever, can bear testimony, who will be his joy and crown 
 of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at 
 his coming." 
 
198 MEMOIR OP 
 
 Extracted from the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine 
 for February, 1832, under the article " Recent Deaths." 
 
 " Jan. 10th. — At Bristol, the Rev. Thomas Roberts, 
 A.M. Mr. Roberts was called to the work of an itine- 
 rant preacher in the Methodist Connexion, by the Rev. 
 John "Wesley, in the year 1786. He was first stationed 
 four or five years in Ireland, where his ministerial 
 labours were owned of God, and highly approved by 
 the people ; and afterwards he travelled, and preached 
 ' the unsearchable riches of Christ,' with great accept- 
 ance and usefulness, about fifteen years, principally in 
 Bristol, Bath, Downend, Banwell, and the principality 
 of Wales. At length, being much afflicted, he became 
 a supernumerary preacher, and resided sometimes in 
 Bristol, and sometimes in Bath. But though he did 
 not take a Circuit, his heart was in the work, and he 
 was ever ready to preach the Gospel of Jesus when his 
 health was sufficient for public duty. Mr. Roberts was 
 a steady and uniform advocate for Methodism, both in 
 its doctrines and discipline ; and the preachers, most of 
 whom he esteemed and loved, were his constant friends 
 and companions. He was a man of sound judgment, 
 and of a fine imagination. The former appears in the 
 sermons that he published ; and the latter in his poetical 
 compositions. For many years he was aiflicted with 
 violent spasms, and his sufferings in those attacks were 
 extreme. But his last illness, which Avas a gradual 
 decay of nature, was of a mild character, and his last 
 moments were calm and tranquil. To his friends and 
 family he expressed entire confidence in the merits of 
 Jesus, his God and Saviour ; but he saw and felt, as he 
 observed to me, that ' it is an awful thing, indeed, to 
 pass out of a state of probation into an unchangeable 
 state in the eternal world.' The last time I visited him 
 I put this question to him : ' Is all well ? and are your 
 prospects of heaven bright and cheering ? ' He replied 
 
THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 199 
 
 in a feel)le tone of voice, ' O yes, O yes ! ' Once, after 
 a short slumber, he said to his family, ' Am I here yet ? ' 
 and, thinking that their prayers kept him back from his 
 heavenly home, he begged that they would not pray for 
 his life ; and when he was assured that they had given 
 him up, and were resigned to the Divine will, he seemed 
 quite satisfied. He was so extremely exhausted for 
 some time previous to his death, that he could not often 
 speak so as to be heard ; and his departure was so calm 
 and quiet, that no one knew, though several were 
 watching around him, when he breathed his last. Mr. 
 Roberts was a man of considerable literary attainments ; 
 an able minister of the Gospel ; a sincere follower of 
 Jesus Christ ; an affectionate husband ; an indulgent 
 parent ; a faithful friend ; a pleasant companion ; and 
 a man of honour and integrity. His manners were 
 those of a gentleman ; his conduct that of a genuine 
 Christian ; and he will long be remembered, with warm 
 affection, by his numerous friends. J. E." 
 
 Extracted from the Minutes of the Wesleyan Con- 
 ference in 1832, from the brief record of the Ministers 
 who had died that year : — 
 
 Thomas Roberts, M.A. He sought the Lord and 
 obtained mercy in early life ; and, believing he had a 
 Divine call, began to preach the Gospel when he was 
 very young. In the year 1786, the Rev. John Wesley 
 sent him out as an Itinerant Preacher, and appointed 
 him to travel in Ireland, where he laboured about five 
 years with considerable success, and with the entire 
 esteem of the people. Afterwards he travelled in 
 Bristol, Bath, Banwell, Downend, and some of the 
 Circuits in South Wales, greatly beloved, and generally 
 useful. About twenty years ago, being much aiHicted, 
 he became a supernumerary preacher, and remained on 
 that list to the end of his life ; but he still laboured 
 diligently in the work while he was able and had oppor- 
 
^ 
 
 200 MEMOIR OF THE REV. THOMAS ROBERTS. 
 
 tunity. For many years he was a great sufferer ; and 
 his last illness was a gradual and gentle decay, in which 
 he was graciously supported and kept in perfect peace. 
 Relying on the all-sufficient merit of his Saviour, and 
 rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, he quietly fell 
 asleep in Jesus, January 10th, 1832, in the sixty-seventh 
 year of his age, and in the forty-sixth year of his minis- 
 try. Mr. Rolierts had a superior mind, well cultivated, 
 and richly stored with useful knowledge. He had also 
 a generous heart, and a liberal hand ; and his general 
 conversation was such as became the Gospel of Christ. 
 To him the words of the Psalmist may be appropriately 
 applied : " Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
 right, for the end of that man is peace." 
 
SERMONS, 
 
 SKETCHES OF SERMONS. 
 
 K 5 
 
SERMONS, 
 
 SKETCHES OF SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON I. 
 
 SERMON PREACHED AT THE SOUTH WALES DISTRICT 
 MEETING, JUNE 12TH, 1811; IMMEDIATELY AFTER 
 THE REJECTION OF LORD SIDMOUTH's BILL FOR 
 LIMITING THE TOLERATION ACT. 
 
 Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his ivord ; your breth- 
 ren that hatsdyoii, that cast you out for my narne'isake, said, Let 
 the Lord be glorified : but he shall appear to your joy, and they 
 shall be ashamed, IsaiaK Isvi. 5. 
 
 " Man," says the Roman orator, " is distinguished 
 from the brute, by possessing a capacity for religion." 
 To cultivate the moral principle, is man's greatest glory 
 and highest interest. His indispensable duty requires 
 him to employ all the means heaven has favoured him 
 with, that he may make this improvement. For the 
 proper use of those means, he must be accountable at 
 the final judgment ; and woe unto him if he has 
 either neglected them, or permitted any created power 
 to deprive him of their exercise, thereby merging the 
 man in the brute. When the accuser of the brethren 
 affirmed, " Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will 
 
204 SEKMON 1. 
 
 he give for his life," he spoke in character ; he con-' 
 sidered man as a mere animal, or, if possessing any 
 portion of religion, as being that degree, which (to use 
 the expression of Dr. South) " is only skin-deep." 
 The faithful and true Witness adopts another language : 
 "He that loveth his life, shall lose it; and he that 
 hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life 
 eternal." JMyriads in the Christian church have " loved 
 not their lives unto the death," rather than prostitute 
 their consciences, or suffer truth to be dethroned in her 
 sovereign empire of the mind. For the dominion over 
 conscience, the Seed of the woman, and the seed of 
 the serpent, from the time of their first encounter in 
 Paradise, have been ever since contending. Those 
 who have impiously committed the government of 
 their consciences to the brood of the serpent, have, it 
 is true, avoided the "pains and penalties" of persecu- 
 tion ; those who have preferred a loyal adherence to 
 Christ, have sometimes been differently circumstanced ; 
 but always, in the result, their God, whom they served, 
 made them more than conquerors. Nor, mean time, 
 during the arduous conflict, does he fail to animate the 
 faithful by encouraging promises of present aid, and 
 inviolable assurances of future triumph. Among 
 these, the important address in the text is to be 
 ranked. Its discussion will lead us to examine, by the 
 light of his word, and the assistance of his Spirit, 
 the subjects — and the nature of the address — with the 
 sentiments it is calculated to inspire. 
 
 I. The subjects of the address are described as 
 those who "tremble at the word of the Lord." — The 
 Word of God may be considered, as both written, 
 and ministerial. The written word is the di- 
 vinely inspired volume. Holy men of God penned 
 it under the plenary inspiration and immediate 
 guidance of the Spirit. This word, contained in 
 
SERMON I. 205 
 
 the Old and New Testaments, is diA'ided into the 
 law, and the Gospel. The law proclaims the 
 will and authority of the Supreme Being, as the 
 legislator and gorernor of the universe. " Where- 
 fore the law is holy, and the commandment is just 
 and good." It is the unspotted mirror of the 
 Divine nature, the full manifestation of the moral 
 perfections of the Deity, the permanent rule which 
 binds to perfect, undeviating obedience, all the rational 
 beings in existence. " By the law is the knowledge of 
 sin." Its essential purity and comprehensive require- 
 ments give us to see how that " all have sinned, and 
 come short of the glory of God." It is the office of 
 the law to judge and condemn. But it is not in the 
 nature nor province of law, whether human or divine, 
 to proceed on any other principles than those of rigor- 
 ous judicial rectitude. Law knows nothing of clemenc}'. 
 " Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no 
 flesh be justified." Hence is perceived the infinite 
 benefit of the Gospel, the second part of the wri'.ten 
 word. It is significantly styled, "the glad tidings." 
 The gracious display of God's incflJable love, in the 
 gift of his only-begotten Son, for the redemption of 
 the world, is there exhibited to the view of admiring 
 men and angels. There, through the Saviour's atoning 
 sacrifice, mercy, consistent Avith justice and propriety, 
 is seen illustriously glorified in the pardon of sin ; and 
 there, through his prevailing advocacy, grace, attended 
 with omnipotent power, is beheld eftectually operating 
 in the renovation and eternal redemption of all "• who 
 obey the Gospel." — The ministerial vrord is more 
 ancient than the written. Among the antediluvians, 
 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, was a minister of the 
 word ; and Noah was a preacher of righteousness, who 
 preached one hundred and twenty years, to those 
 disembodied human spirits, that are now imprisoned in 
 the invisible world. The ministerial word was main- 
 
206 SERMON I. 
 
 tained throughout the subsequent ages. In the fulness 
 of the time, the great Preacher himself, " who spake 
 as never man spake," made his long-expected appear- 
 ance ; and by him, as the Head of the church, provi- 
 sion is made for the continuance of the ministry until 
 the consummation of all things. " When he ascended 
 up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto 
 men, for the work of the ministry," as the ordinary 
 means of maintaining the interests of religion among 
 mankind. The "written word of God is justly denomi- 
 nated " the sword of the Spirit." But it is drawn from 
 the scabbard by the experienced preacher ; and, 
 wielded with an unerring hand, proves itself to be 
 " sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to 
 the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and is a 
 discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 
 
 "The word of the Lord," both written and 
 ministerial, is designed, in the striking figure of 
 prophecy, to " take hold " of us. But many disre- 
 gard it entirely. Some despise it through specu- 
 lative, others through practical, infidelity. " When 
 I called, none did answer : when I spake, they did not 
 hear." (Isai.lxiv. 4.) Some will not search the Scrip- 
 tures. Others, if they read the Bible, do not consider 
 themselves interested in its contents. Their indifferent 
 conduct justifies the truth of that ancient complaint, 
 which Avas made by the prophet in the name of the 
 Almighty : " I have vnritten to him the great things of 
 my law; but they were counted as a strange thing." 
 The most terrible threatenings awaken no serious con- 
 cern in such a character, though " the devils believe 
 and tremble." Many reject the ministerial word, by 
 contemning, persecuting, and, if they can, silencing its 
 preachers, and prohibiting its propagation. Yet are 
 there some " who tremble at the word of the Lord." 
 The Scripture describes principles by effects. Trem- 
 bling is an involuntary motion of the body, occasioned 
 
SERMON I. 207 
 
 by a poAverful excitement of tlie passions, chiefly those 
 of the unpleasant kind, such as fear, dismay, terror. 
 Sometimes, in Scripture, trembling is likcAvise con- 
 sidered as indicating the sentiment of reverence 
 towards God. In each acceptation, as importing 
 both fear and reverence, it is descriptive of the 
 subjects of this address. 
 
 "They tremble at the word of the Lord," through 
 fearful apprehension of the awful threatenings de- 
 nounced against sin. — They tremble on account of 
 themselves. Believing the Divine testimony, filled 
 with godly sorrow, impelled by anxious fear, and at 
 the same time evangelically encouraged by the precious 
 promises, " they flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope 
 of the Gospel." Thus Saul of Tarsus, when " appre- 
 hended " by the Lord Jesus, trembling, inquired, " Lord, 
 what wilt thou have me to do?" and was led to the 
 knowledge of Christ crucified : thus the Philippian 
 jailor cried out, trembling, " What must I do to be 
 saved?" and was directed to believe in the Lord Jesus 
 Christ : and thus, when " Paul reasoned of righteous- 
 ness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trem- 
 bled ;" though, like too many, he unhappily AA-ished to 
 defer repentance to " a more convenient season." These 
 people are described in the context, as " poor " and 
 " contrite ;" the genuine character of all who have 
 truly repented. Nor is this disposition of a mere 
 temporary duration ; it is Avrought into the very habit 
 of their minds ; it is uniformly evinced by their " work- 
 ing out their OAvn salvation vdtli fear and trembling." — 
 They tremble on account of others. Religion awakens 
 all the sensibilities of the human heart ; it leads us to 
 love our neighbour as ourselves, to strive by all the 
 means in our power to promote his salvation. Religion 
 also excites to sorroAv, on account of the impiety and in- 
 corrigibleness of sinners. Hence St. Paul passionately 
 exclaimed, " My heart's desire and prayer to God for 
 
208 SERMON I. 
 
 Israel Is, that tliey miglit be saved. I say the truth in 
 Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me Avit- 
 ness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness 
 and continual sorrow in my heart for my brethren, my 
 kinsmen according to the flesh." In like manner, 
 religion produces ingenuous fear and dread, at the 
 prospect of the inevitable doom awaiting the impeni- 
 tent: The devout Psalmist felt this fearful apprehension 
 when he declared, " I am hon-ibly afraid for the un- 
 godly that forsake thy laAV." Yes, religion inclines its 
 sympathizing votaries to entertain serious alarm for the 
 infatuated " fools who make a mock at sin," to shud- 
 der for the vile ingrates who despise the riches of 
 mercy, to tremble for the presuming rebels who insult 
 the JMajesty of heaven ! Secure themselves in the ark 
 of salvation, they fear the flood which is about to be 
 brought on " the world of the ungodly." With dread- 
 ful emotion, they hear the terrible denunciation that 
 flows from the lip of the Eternal. Well do the right- 
 eous know the certainty of its fulfilment in the pun- 
 ishment of the wicked, if it be not averted in time, by 
 their believing it, and trembling for themselves. 
 
 They " tremble at the word of the Lord," through 
 awful reverence of the purity and holiness, of the 
 majesty and grandeur, of the Deity. "Holy and 
 reverend is his name." They are aware that " angels 
 tremble while they gaze " on his unapproachable glories. 
 To the word, whether the inspired volume, or that 
 ministry which is " according to the oracles of God," 
 good m6n feel a reverend regard, being sensible that 
 every promise has its counterpart in an opposite threat- 
 ening, every plaudit its opposite reproof, every encou- 
 ragement its opposite caution. Therefore they "rejoice 
 with trembling." Although " the spirit of glory rests 
 upon them," they " fear the Lord and his goodness." 
 Even while reviewing the complete perfection of their 
 Christian privileges, though they "rejoice with joy 
 
SEUMON I. 
 
 209 
 
 unspeakable," yet tliey say, with the primitive hch'evers, 
 " Wherefore avc receiving a kingdom which cannot ho 
 moved, let us have grace Avhereby we may serve God 
 acceptably, with reverence and godly fear, for our God 
 is a consuming fire." Such are the subjects : Let us 
 examine, 
 
 II. The nature of the address. 
 
 This is to be obtained by analyzing its terms. 
 Behold the prophet filling the office of a herald, 
 and requiring this people to attend to the word of 
 Jehovah, who, by his eternal Spirit, thus addresses 
 them : " Hear the Avord of the Lord, ye that trem- 
 ble at his word ! " He proceeds, in the name of 
 Jevovah, to deliver his important message : " Your 
 brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my 
 name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified ; but 
 he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." 
 Here are four parts : the description of the enemies ; 
 their imperious conduct ; their seemingly pious pretest ; 
 and the final issue of their persecution. 
 
 ] . The enemies are not such as commonly rank under 
 that character ; they are not a foreign hostile people ; 
 they are not professors of another religion, for Hindoos 
 and Mohammedans do not persecute Christians. The 
 Jews indeed were cruel persecutors of their brethren, 
 who embraced Christianity ; but they did it ignorantly, 
 belie^-ing that the acknowledgment of Jesus as the 
 JMessiah, and the consequent renunciation of the Levi- 
 tical ceremonies, could only be considered as impious 
 apostasy fiom the institutions they knew to have been 
 established by heavenly appointment. To bring this 
 interesting matter home to "our own busmess and 
 bosoms :" the enemies are not aliens, but your bre- 
 thren. You must look for them at home, among 
 Protestants ! among those who profess the same re- 
 formed religion with yourselves ! that very Protestant- 
 
210 SERMON I. 
 
 ism which is founded on freedom of thought ! This 
 cruel incongruity it is, that aggravates the mischief, 
 that extends the intolerable evil to the greatest possible 
 degree of endurance ; but which elevates the agents to 
 the highest eminence of egregious celebrity. The Re- 
 deemer himself, when he spoke by the Spirit of pro- 
 phecy, made a similar circumstance the subject of 
 sorrowful complaint. He thought it the bitterest in- 
 gredient in his own cup of Avoe. " For it was not an 
 enemy that reproached me, then I could have borne it ; 
 but it was thou, my companion, and mine own familiar 
 friend." 
 
 2. The conduct of these enemies is described, first, in 
 in its origin, Avhich is " hatred : " " Your brethren that 
 hated you." Hatred is a passion generally excited by 
 evil, real or imagined, in its object ; othermse, this pas- 
 sion, at the best unreasonable, becomes perfectly absurd. 
 Such is the present case, wherein absurdity has attained 
 its acme. For here, with Avhat evident propriety may 
 the sympathizing remonstrance of the afflicted king of 
 Israel be appropriated ! — " These sheep, what have they 
 done ? " Why, they presumed to " tremble at God's 
 word ! " This is all ! Truly, to be hated for such a 
 crime, would be marvellous, if the Bible had not previ- 
 ously solved the paradox, by saying, " Marvel not, if the 
 world hate you." 
 
 The conduct of these enemies is described, secondly, 
 by their actions : They " cast you out for my name's 
 sake." The pious in every age have met with this un- 
 worthy treatment. The great Master of the family 
 never palliated the difficulties to which a faithful 
 attachment to him would inevitably expose his servants. 
 He prepares them to relinquish the comforts of domes- 
 tic life : " I am not come to send peace, but a sword ; 
 a man's foes are they of his own household." He pre- 
 pares them to forego the pleasures of social life : " They 
 shall hate you, and separate you from their company, and 
 
' SERMON I. 211 
 
 sliall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for 
 the Son of man's sake." He gives them to understand 
 they will he deprived of church privileges : " They shall 
 put you out of the synagogues ; " and when you are 
 driven away, be strangely censured for going, and, Avith 
 eminent perversion of logic, be calumniated as schis- 
 matics and separatists, by the authors of schism and 
 separation. He forewarns them, that, under a cloak of 
 juridical authority, they will be treated with most ini- 
 quitous inhumanity : " They shall bring you before 
 kings and councils," not to " execute justice," nor to 
 " maintain truth," but to cast you out of the protection 
 of the law ; or, when the principle of the law does not 
 exclude you, they will strive to wrest its provisions to 
 their purpose ; or, if it be found inflexible, they will 
 probably seek to obtain other statutes, capable in their 
 administration of accomplishing their injurious design. 
 
 3. And the reason of this conduct, so flagrantly mani- 
 fest, is here declared by the Lord himself, to be hostility 
 to him. " For my name's sake, they cast you out " of 
 their houses, out of their synagogues, out of the protec- 
 tion of the law ; because you conscientiously and loyally 
 adhere to me, believing and obeying my Avord. " The 
 world hath hated them," says the Saviour, "because 
 they are not of the world, even as I am not of the 
 world. All these things will they do unto you for my 
 name's sake, because they know not Plim that sent 
 me." 
 
 Far diff'erent is the pretext they assign for their con- 
 duct. "They say, Let the Lord be glorified." They 
 gravely declare, that it is for no ill purpose they let slip 
 the demon of persecution. It is from pure devotedness 
 to God's glory, that they afflict his rational offspring. 
 No motive impels them, but such as righteous heaven 
 most honourably sanctions. They are especially in- 
 spired by " zeal without innovation," for the credit of 
 Christianity. They are solicitous to "maintain the 
 
212 
 
 SERMON I. 
 
 purity of tlie Gospel." No object under lieaven is pur- 
 sued, but to " preserve religion from degradation ; " that 
 " ignorant and immoral persons," presuming, " unau- 
 thorized," to explain tlie Bible, and pray for their king 
 and country, may be gently restrained, and the due 
 order of things restored, as it was before the present 
 melancholy era, in which the exercise of private judg- 
 ment, and the free discussion of religious topics, have 
 nearly supplanted all the sober maxims of wisdom and 
 prudence, transmitted to us by our enlightened ances- 
 tors. AVhat a pretext ! " Ignorant and immoral per- 
 sons ! " Where are they to be found ? Will the 
 calumniated flinch from a comparison with the calum- 
 niators ? T trow not. " Unauthorized teachers ! " 
 What mean they ? Unauthorized by the Holy Ghost ? 
 What better evidence do they themselves give of a 
 Divine call ? Unauthorized by the Bible ? The proof 
 is dared. Unauthorized by the law of the land ? The 
 assertion is denied. Unauthorized by them ? So are 
 they by the others. 
 
 Yet it is not unlikely, that the occupiers of the front 
 ground, Avho avowedly support those measures, may 
 have sincerely said, " Let the Lord be glorified." St. 
 Paul informs us, he verily thought, in the days of his 
 ignorance, that he " ought to do many things contrary 
 to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." Fired by zeal with- 
 out knowledge, he accepted the commission of the 
 chief priests ; and the execution of affairs being left to 
 his prompt fidelity, he judged it, not merely harmless 
 ofnciousness, but a deed of godly heroism, extremely 
 meritorious, to " hale men and women to prison," who 
 presumed to attend the preaching of poor ambulatory 
 apostles, retainers of the itinerant Galilean. Him too 
 they had wantonly aspersed : " Whence hath this man 
 learning ? Is not this the carpenter's son ? " The com- 
 mon people hear him gladly : " But this people, who 
 knoAV not the law, are Cursed ; " that is, " They are the 
 
SERMON I. 213 
 
 canaille : vulgar, ignorant fanatics ; wliosc opinion is 
 not wortliy of" our regard." This " trial of cruel niock- 
 ings, ' hoAvevcr, comes infinitely short of the treatment 
 our Saviour has given his disciples to expect : " The 
 time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that 
 he doth God service." 
 
 4. But mark the final issue of persecution, in the in- 
 terposition of Jehovah himself for the joyful deliverance 
 of his people, and the shameful discomfiture of their 
 foes : " He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be 
 ashamed." Behold, God arises to plead his own cause ! 
 He will convince the adversar}', that " the apple of his 
 eye " cannot he touched with impunity. " AVho would 
 set the briers and thorns against me in battle ? I 
 would go through them, I would burn them together." 
 
 Sometimes, the Lord quickly appears. Mark the 
 case of the apostles. Their beloved Master was about 
 to leave them, and at the soul-rending prospect of their 
 orphan condition, "sorrow filled their hearts ;" but he 
 tenderly consoled them with the assurance of his re- 
 appearance, to their unspeakable comfort, and to the 
 utter confusion of their foes. " Ye noAv therefore have 
 sorrow, and the world rejoiceth ; but I will see you 
 again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no 
 man taketh from you." How strikingly was this veri- 
 fied Avithin the space of a few days only, when Christ 
 arose from the dead ; and yet more fully after the lapse 
 of a few weeks, when, at the Pentecost, he plenteously 
 '• endued them Avith power from on high," and filled 
 them Avith the richest consolations of the blessed Com- 
 forter ! 
 
 Frequently, the Almighty sees it proper to defer his 
 intervention. He suflFers his people to be involved in 
 imminent dangers. He leaves them to almost insuper- 
 able woes. NoAv their thorny path becomes altogether 
 impenetrable : noAV the dilemma is inexplicable : and 
 now the critical moment is advanced : Avhcu lo ! it is 
 
214 SERMON I. 
 
 astonishingly seized by the finger of God, and made the 
 signal opportunity of his immediate interposition. Dur- 
 ing the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt, the God of 
 their fathers seemed totally to discard their descendants. 
 But had he violated the oath he sAvare unto Al)raham ? 
 No ! At length he descends. From the burning but 
 inconsumable bush, the emblem of the persecuted 
 church, he declares, " I have surely seen the affliction 
 of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their 
 cry, by reason of their task-masters ; for I know their 
 sorrows ; and I am come down to deliver them." Ere 
 long, he subjected them to another trial; and when 
 there appeared no way to escape, he inverted the very 
 laws of nature, to open a passage for his people. Con- 
 ducted by him, they marched through the channels of 
 the deep ; and the pursuing foe he overwhelmed with 
 the mighty waters. To this remarkable phenomenon, 
 to this stupendous miracle, we are frequently referred 
 by the omnipotent Author, as if, not only to remind us 
 of the power employed at all times in behalf of his peo- 
 ple, but also to intimate the similarity of their situation. 
 The literal event is typical of future circumstances. In 
 every age, the Israel of God may look up to him for a 
 similar, evident, and triumphant deliverance. The 
 song of the Lamb is the counterpart of the song of 
 Moses. In effect, have not even we heard it said, " Fear 
 not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, 
 which he mil show to you this day?" Even for us, 
 too, the miraculous rod hath divided the yielding 
 waves ; Ave, too, have securely passed the Avatery deep ; 
 we, too, ha\'e seen hoAV " the Lord looked through the 
 pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the Egypt- 
 ians, and took off their chariot wheels, that they ch-ove 
 on heavily;" Ave have seen hoAv " the Lord overtlipeAV 
 the EgA'ptians in the midst of the sea," where they sank 
 like lead to the bottom of the ocean, " so that there 
 remained not so much as one of them." We, too, have 
 
I SERMON T. 215 
 
 cause to say, " Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath tri- 
 umphed gloriously ; the horse aiid his rider hath he 
 throAATi into the sea ! " 
 
 On some particular occasions, God eminently ap- 
 pears, to the joyful deliverance of his people, and to the 
 shameful discomfiture of their enemies, hy turning 
 their hostile Aveapons against the persecutors them- 
 selves. Heaven seems to glory in the administration 
 of a retaliating providence, hy taking the wise in their 
 own craftiness, by involving them in such a manner, 
 that they mar their owai plots. " He that sitteth in the 
 heavens holds them in derision," while, by the instru- 
 mentaUty of their o^vn hands, they entirely defeat their 
 ill-concerted schemes, and fall ignominiously into the 
 pit they digged for the innocent. How plainly may 
 this be perceived in an instance which occurred in the 
 latter period of the Jewish history ! Hainan, a favoured 
 courtier, conceiving he had cause for being offended 
 ■mth one poor captive Jew, Avho, though in bondage, 
 possessed an independent mind, obtained from the 
 sovereign of the ]\Iedio-Persian empire, an irreversible 
 decree, that all the Jews in his dominions should be 
 put to death. Over poor Mordecai, the innocent cause 
 of Haman's abominable design, the triumph was in- 
 tended to be pre-eminent. A gallows, fifty cubits high, 
 ■was erected by the special orders of Haman, on which 
 to hang him. As to the Jewish people in general, be- 
 ing no otherwise implicated but as belonging to the 
 same nation, there were no particular directions issued, 
 no mode specifically appointed for their massacre. In 
 their case all the subjects in the " one hundred and 
 twenty seven provinces, from Ethiopia to India," were 
 merely commissioned by post letters, " to destroy, to 
 kill, and to cause to perish all Jews, both young and 
 old, little children and women, iu one day, and to take 
 the spoil of them for a prey. The posts Avent out ; and 
 the king and Haman sat doAvn to drink ; but the city 
 
216 SERMON I. 
 
 Shushan was perplexed." " Perplexed, but not in de- 
 spair," is tlie motto of the church of God. And now 
 behold his finger ! The loj'al fidelity of Mordecai, 
 evinced in a particular case Avhich happened some time 
 previously, is providentially brought to the monarch's 
 notice ; in consequence of which, the extirpating de- 
 cree is immediately superseded by another of an import 
 its very reverse. The whole train of providence is 
 changed. The assassins fall beneath the hands of the 
 Jews ; Ilaman hangs on the gallows erected by liim- 
 self; and Mordecai is "the man whom the king 
 delighteth to honour ! " In like manner. Heaven 
 turned the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness ; Avho, 
 presently " saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him 
 home to his house, to his city, and put his household in 
 order, and hanged himself," — " to save the executioner 
 the trouble," as was quaintly remarked by an ancient 
 episcopal commentator. 
 
 But the Supreme Being does not deem it projrer 
 always to interpose in an ob-\aous way, for the deliver- 
 ance of his people, and the punishment of their perse- 
 cutors. Consistently with his moral government of the 
 world, he sees it expedient to defer the principal part 
 of his retributive acts till the day of general judgment, 
 when " the many Avho sleep in the dust of the earth 
 shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to 
 shame and everlasting contempt." The lamp of the 
 wicked will then be put out in eternal darkness ; but 
 " the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the king- 
 dom of their Father." Then, indeed, " the Lord vdll 
 appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed !" "What 
 unutterable bliss will be the portion of the righteous ! 
 What inconceivable horror the lot of the Avicked ! The 
 joy of the former, immense, perfect, eternal, communi- 
 cated from the fulness of essential felicity, in the 
 beatific presence and immediate fruition of the Deity ! 
 The shame of the latter, as abundant, as complete, and 
 
SERMON I. 2J7 
 
 O ! equal in its duration, to be suffered in the infernal 
 company of " the devil and his angels ! " 
 
 Review, my brethren, the vast import of this address. 
 Is it not worthy of the Infinite Being by whom it is 
 given ? If he please to accompjish it in the present 
 life, he possesses suflficient ability. His omnipresent 
 eye surveys all circumstances ; his omnipotent hand 
 embraces all means ; his sovereign will operates on all 
 instruments ; his directing finger can turn the current 
 of all events. " The wrath of man shall praise him, 
 and the remainder of wrath he will restrain." But if 
 he delays the vindication of his friends, and the punish- 
 ment of his foes, yet " the day of vengeance is in his 
 heart, and the year of his redeemed will come." Does 
 not revelation assure us, that, to effect the purpose of 
 this important address, the justice and truth of " God, 
 who cannot lie," are immutably pledged ? What is the 
 Bible, in fact, but the history of God's moral empire ? 
 Avhat, but an authentic narrative of his conduct, for his 
 friends, and against his foes ? Be it admitted, that the 
 administration of Providence is partial and incomplete ; 
 will this concession afford a plea for infidelity ? Rather, 
 there is greater cause to believe, that a general judgment 
 will fill up the chasm. And that thiswill unquestionably 
 be the case, the striking instances of providential inter- 
 vention which Ave sometimes perceive, yield to every re- 
 flecting mind a very convincing and consoling intimation. 
 Struck by remarkable events, we have been led to ex- 
 claim, " Verily, there is a reward for the righteous ; 
 verily, he is a God who judgeth in the earth ! " "We 
 must therefore believe, that, sooner or later, either during 
 the process of time, or when time shall be no longer, 
 " the Judge of all the earth, will certainly do right." For 
 the improvement of this subject, let us examine, 
 
 HI. The sentiments which this address is calculated 
 to inspire. 
 
 L 
 
218 SERMON I. 
 
 We must, I think, feel the warmest sentiments of 
 delight and admiration, arising from the conviction of 
 God's faithfulness, and care of his people. We have 
 seen how they may, for a while, he " destitute, afflicted, 
 tormented;" hut even then they are not abandoned 
 by their heavenly Friend. His consolatory promise 
 can calm every rising fear, and give them to " rejoice in 
 tribulation." 
 
 We are justified in maintaining confidence in the 
 Lord for the future. Is it said, " He will appear to 
 your joy ? " In every possible circumstance, faith Avill 
 repose itself upon this immutable promise. Moreover, 
 when, in addition to his faithful engagements, we have 
 been repeatedly favoured with tokens of his manifest 
 performances, we may well adopt the exulting language 
 of apostles and prophets : " He hath delivered, he doth 
 deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 
 Behold, God is my salvation : I will trust, and not be 
 afraid ; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my 
 song, he also is become my salvation. If God be for 
 us, who can be against us ? " We may confidently 
 depend on that promise, which is given to the church 
 as a right of inheritance : " No weapon that is formed 
 against thee shall prosper ; and every tongue that shall 
 arise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn. 
 This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord." 
 
 Have we, at any time, experienced a signal and am- 
 ple fulfilment of the text ? Has the Lord appeared to 
 our joy, and to the shame of our adversaries ? Then, 
 let us learn to enjoy our triumph TA-ith Christian mo- 
 deration. As, I hope, we felt at no time a vindictive 
 temper ; so let us guard against that pride of conquest 
 which generally characterizes the worldly victor. Re- 
 member, the conquest was not achieved by your 
 prowess. The Almighty who "appeared to your joy," 
 he obtained the victory ! And remember likewise, the 
 vanquished foes are " your brethren." If they disown 
 
SERMON I. 219 
 
 I 
 
 you, and " cast you out," think not that their unkind 
 renunciation of fraternal feeling exonerates you from 
 discharging the duty of Christians towards them. Were 
 their conduct so flagrant, that the utmost stretch of 
 Christian candour would not permit you to say, with 
 your dying Lord, " They know not what they do ; " yet 
 you can pray, with Stephen, " Lord, lay not this sin to 
 their charge ! " 
 
 If, hy God's timely interposition, we have heretofore 
 obtained a singular deliverance, let us hereafter main- 
 tain a holy jealousy over ourselves, lest our sins should 
 provoke him to give us over as a prey to the teeth of the 
 enemy. JMay we never forget the peculiar character of 
 the people who are the subjects of this address ; they 
 " tremble at his word." Therefore, let us be humble 
 and circumspect. The same power that has been won- 
 derfully employed for us, may, in a manner equally 
 unexpected, be enlisted against us ; and probably will, 
 if we walk not humbly with our God. To the author- 
 itative voice of revelation, may we therefore continue 
 to pay a devout and conscientious respect. Do we 
 affirm, that the Sacred Scriptui-e alone has authority to 
 enjoin religious duties ? that it prescribes the only 
 proper motives to moral actions, pointing out the only 
 manner of rightly performing them ? and urging their 
 performance by irresistible arguments, in their nature 
 essentially just, in their influence uniformly effectual ? 
 Then let our general deportment exhibit a perfect cor- 
 respondence with the revealed rule of duty. Let us 
 evince that undeniable fact, that the religion recom- 
 mended by the Bible never fails to lead all real Chris- 
 tians to the practice of " whatsoever is lovely and of 
 good report ; " teaching them to " render unto all their 
 dues : fear to whom fear is due, honour to whom ho- 
 nour." Let us prove to the conviction of every candid 
 spectator, how that genuine religion founds loyalty on a 
 moral and sacred principle, insti-ucting us to " render 
 L 2 
 
220 SERMON I. 
 
 unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's," as we render 
 " unto God the things which are God's ; " and, on the 
 same inviolable principle, to discharge the duties of 
 justice, benevolence, and charity, towards every child 
 of man. 
 
 If, in any instance, we have been rescued from hos- 
 tile attacks, we should be shamefully criminal were we 
 not henceforth to exercise prudent Avatchfulness ; espe- 
 cially over those interests which have been the objects 
 of assault. Perhaps, the enemies do not slumber ; per- 
 haps, they only shut their eyes. Do they affirm, that 
 their ill success was not the result of defective mea- 
 sures, nor of deficient influence, but merely because the 
 attack was " ill-timed ? " Then, undeniably, it will 
 become you to be sober and vigilant for the future. 
 Granted, that " except the Lord keep the city, the 
 watchman waketh in vain ; " yet, if the Lord keep the 
 city, it is the watchman's duty to be awake, and at his 
 post. God's promise does not supersede man's duty. 
 To exemplify the propriety of this prudent watchful- 
 ness : have we, to instance in one case, beheld our 
 religious liberties, as legally secured at the glorious 
 Revolution, lately exposed to imminent peril, but most 
 opportunely rescued and maintained by an act of Provi- 
 dence ? How imperative then is our duty to keep a good 
 look out in future ? a duty impressed upon us by a 
 thousand motives of the greatest moment ! Do we 
 venerate the sacred memory of our forefathers, who so 
 nobly struggled to obtain those liberties for us ? Have 
 we due regard for posterity ? Do we love our king and 
 countr)'^, whose honour and prosperity are blended with 
 our religious freedom ? Do we desire to see the caiise 
 of religion promoted ? mankind made universally hap- 
 py ? and the empire of the Redeemer extended " from 
 Indus to the pole ? " Then, beware of inattention to 
 those interests which were confided to you by the 
 Divine mercy, and which the jealous eye of Providence 
 
I SERMON I. 221 
 
 lias always Tratched over intently, as the most distin- 
 guished blessings that Heaven has bestowed on man. 
 
 Finally : the subject is calculated to excite in us the 
 sentiment of heartfelt gratitude to our great Deliverer. 
 We have seen his word fulfilled ; fulfilled in a man- 
 ner so evidently demonstrative, so signally conspicuous, 
 that the evidence of the fact, and the admiration it 
 awakens, are equally felt by all spectators : friends and 
 foes alike are penetrated -with conviction, and lost in 
 ■wonder ! " When the Lord turned again the captivity 
 of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our 
 mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue Avith sing - 
 ing. Then said they among the Heathen, The Lord 
 hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done 
 great things for us, whereof we are glad." Gratitude is 
 likewise due to those illustrious instruments whom the 
 Almighty employed to vindicate his righteous cause. 
 But their glories, howsoever transcendent, their assist- 
 ances, however opportune, are derived from the great 
 " Father of lights." To him, therefore, shall our 
 praises for ever aspire. " Not unto us, O Lord, not 
 unto us, but unto thy name give we glory. Our soul is 
 escaped, as a bird out of the snare of the fowler ; the 
 snare is broken, and Ave are escaped." 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 " The Swansea and Glamorgan Committee for pro- 
 tecting liberty of conscience," voted their thanks to his 
 Grace the archbishop of Canterbury, his Grace the 
 duke of Norfolk, the most noble the marquis of Lans- 
 downe, the right honourable earls Stanhope, Grey, 
 Moira, and Rosslyn, and lords Erskine and Holland, 
 
222 
 
 SERMON I. 
 
 for the distinguislied maimer in wliich tliey maintained 
 tlie cause of religious liberty, in the House of Peers, on 
 Tuesday, the twenty-first of ]\Iay. The follomng letter 
 from lord Erskine, in reply to the secretary of " the 
 Swansea Committee," was read towards the close of 
 the preceding discourse. By his lordship's permission, 
 it is now printed, with another letter to the secretary, 
 from earl Stanhope. 
 
 London, June \Qth, 1811. 
 Sir, 
 
 My business for some days in the country has 
 prevented me from sooner receiving and acknowledging 
 the honour of your obliging communication, from the 
 Swansea and Glamorgan Committee. They, and every 
 denomination of Christians, may always depend upon 
 every effort in support of religious liberty, which my 
 station in the country may enable me to employ. So 
 far from its being fit for the legislature to abridge the 
 Acts of Toleration, it ought to be matter of deep regret, 
 that the laws of any Christian country should at any 
 time have sanctioned a penal system of restraint, in 
 manifest repugnance to the origin, and destructive to 
 the progress, of the Gospel; and that a Reformed church, 
 so long persecuted, should ever have consented to ac- 
 cept the aid of persecution for its support ! 
 I have the honour to be. 
 
 Your faithful, humble servant, 
 Erskine. 
 Mr. La Beatjme, Secretary^ 8)X. 
 
 Berner-Street, June \Oth, 1811. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I HAVE received your obliging letter of the 4th 
 instant, enclosing the Resolutions of the Committee at 
 Swansea for protecting Libei-ty of Conscience, and I 
 request you to communicate my most cordial thanks to 
 those gentlemen, for the favourable notice they have 
 
SERMON I. 223 
 
 taken of the manner in wliich I liave merely discliarged 
 my duty. My very soul revolts at the idea of tolera- 
 tion, which seems to imply the right to be intolerant ; 
 and I never, for one, mil grant even religious liberty ; 
 which ought not to be granted, but to be recognised, as 
 an unalienable right of all mankind. 
 
 I have the honour to be. Sir, 
 
 Your most faithful servant, 
 
 Stanhope. 
 Mr. La Beaume, Secretary^ c^-c. 
 
 To these excellent letters must be attributed the 
 publication ef the preceding discourse. The author, in 
 fact, when he reluctantly occupied the pulpit, enter- 
 tained no reference to the press. Nor could the ser- 
 mon, in his opinion, have excited in the minds of those 
 ministers and others, who patiently listened to its 
 delivery, the most distant desire to see it survive its 
 hour. But they heard those letters ; they saw the 
 imalienable right of religious liberty maintained, in 
 terms the most cogent and most perspicuous ; main- 
 tained, too, in the face of the world, by the most re 
 spectable authorities of this enlightened age. An 
 association of ideas, it is presumed, must have combined 
 the interest of the general subject discussed by the 
 preacher, with those pleasurable feelings which were 
 poAverfuUy awakened by the sentiments so admirably 
 expressed in the letters. For what appeal, more 
 rational and animating, could be made both to their 
 judgments and feelings, as men and as Christians ? 
 If, indeed, it had been intended to print the sermon, 
 the preacher might, and probably Avould, have judged 
 it expedient to make something more than incidental 
 allusions to the important subject, which has lately 
 occupied the public mind. He might have deemed it 
 his duty, to bring it forward in the most explicit man- 
 ner. He might have given his thoughts on Christian 
 
224 SERMON I. 
 
 freedom ; in what degree he conceived the late pro- 
 jected legislative interference to have intrenched on the 
 principle of the toleration, and on the sacred liberty 
 of the Gospel ; what are the unparalleled benefits 
 resulting to societ}^ from the free and unshackled exer- 
 cise of religion ; what injurious effects, fatal to Christi- 
 anity itself, as well as to the wholesome laws of the 
 land, must necessarily flow from the paramount inter- 
 dict of the civil magistrate, in employing discretional, 
 instead of ministerial, authority. These, and other 
 points, essentially connected, would, perhaps, have 
 undergone an extended investigation But, as in the 
 occupancy of the pulpit, the author's deference having 
 obliged him to bow submissively to the wishes of his 
 respected brethren, in bringing forth his sermon a 
 second time, he could conscientiously, and with 
 becoming regard for truth, present only the same sub- 
 ject they requested him to publish. When he says, 
 " the same," he means not verbally, but as near as he 
 can recollect, not being in the habit of "v^Titing his dis- 
 courses prior to their delivery. This must account, 
 likemse, for the style. Without adventitious refine- 
 ment, it is literally transferred from the pulpit to the 
 press ; which circumstance, it is hoped, will be admit- 
 ted as a sufficient apology for using " great plainness 
 of speech." 
 
SERMON II. 
 ILLUMINATION, HELP, AND COMFORT. 
 
 PREACHED AT BATH, JULY 7th, 1816. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The following discourse was delivered at tlie time of rendering 
 public thanksgiving to GoD, for the Divine blessing on an operation 
 performed the preceding 7th of March, by which the preacher was 
 restored to the enjoyment of sight. It was delivered under an im- 
 pression of mingled feelings, of which the preacher only can form 
 any just conception; and the only design in printing is, to gratify 
 some near and dear connexions, who will feel deeply interested in 
 reviewing this humble attempt to raise a grateful memorial inscribed 
 to the glory of Him " who only dooth woadrous things ; and blessed 
 be his glorious name for ever." 
 
 The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind : the Lord raiseth thetn 
 that are bowed down : the Lord loveth the righteous. Psalm 
 cxlvi. 8. 
 
 The constant communications of Divine goodness, in 
 the dispensations of Providence, we participate in com- 
 mon with all the human family. Were those favours 
 duly estimated, they would enkindle sentiments of 
 gratitude in every bosom, and inspire every tongue 
 with strains of devout thanksgiving. When the Psalm- 
 ist, contemplating the general diffusion of the Creator's 
 bounty, uttered that expression, " The Lord is good to 
 all, and his tender mercies are over all his works," he 
 immediately subjoined, "All thy works shall praise 
 L 5 
 
226 SERMON II. 
 
 thee, Lord ! and tliy saints shall bless thee," The 
 persons thus characterised, besides sharing those com- 
 munications of the universal Father's benevolence, are 
 the distinguished partakers of peculiar favours, to which 
 they attach a higher value than to his temporal gifts ; 
 they are " blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ 
 Jesus." " By him, therefore, should they offer the 
 sacrifice of praise to God continually, giving thanks to 
 his name." To the performance of this delightful duty 
 the sweet singer of Israel, in the commencement of 
 this Psalm, proposes to lead them, and becomes him- 
 self the precentor of the choir : " Praise ye the Lord, 
 Praise the Lord, my soul : while I live, will I praise 
 the Lord : I mU sing praises unto God, while I have 
 any being," 
 
 But in addition to the general effusion of temporal 
 mercies, enjoyed by us as creatures; and likewise those 
 spiritual blessings enjoyed by Christian believers ; the 
 people of God have sometimes been favoured >vith 
 extraordinary manifestations of his goodness. Even 
 we, " who are not worthy to be called saints," may have 
 known seasons when his intei^position was signally ap- 
 parent. Do not some of us remember scenes of suf- 
 fering, when, in the eye of every spectator, our condi- 
 tion appeared most afflictive ? Fainting under the 
 weight of our woes, no effort of our own could free us 
 from its pressure ; and neither lover nor friend, how- 
 ever tender their sympathy, could find means to miti- 
 gate our sorrow. Then it was that God undertook for 
 us, " In his love and in his pity he redeemed us, and 
 the angel of his presence saved us," "He delivered 
 our soul from death, and our eyes from tears," by seiz- 
 ing the moment of our necessity, and making it the 
 moment of his opportunity. 
 
 Is it possible such a signal interposition should ever 
 be forgotten ? A circumstance of this kind indelibly 
 imprints itself upon the memory. It presents to the 
 
SERMON II. 227 
 
 I 
 
 vivid remem"brance all its prominent features ; and the 
 retrospect fails not to impress the heart powerfully and 
 permanently. Sooner will a whole year of umningled 
 satisfaction be obliterated from the tablet of memory, 
 than the consolation obtained in one lonely night of 
 grief. We think of the time when, benighted and be- 
 wildered, we were solitary wanderers in a pathless wil- 
 derness ; we remember every timid step we took in the 
 dark ; we recall to mind our ardent wishes, which would 
 have compounded for the least comfort, if it were 
 but the glimmering of a taper upon our desolate path. 
 We review the welcome appearance of the taper, 
 and can paint it out more passionately than we can 
 describe any of the recent three hundred and sixty- 
 five revolutions of the glorious sun. 
 
 My brethren : it is not however to the retrospect of 
 a glimmering taper — No ! it is to the striking interpo- 
 sitions of " the God of all grace and consolation," that 
 I would fain direct your view : I would point out those 
 manifestations of his pity and power, wliich peculiarly 
 require the thankful recognition of his wonder-working 
 hand. I therefore call upon you, and, with special cause, 
 upon myself, to contemplate the three instances pre- 
 sented by the text : — " The Lord openeth the eyes of 
 the blind : the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : 
 the Lord loveth the righteous." 
 
 I. " The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind." 
 God is the source of illumination. The act here 
 ascribed to him, he is pleased to perform, first, provi- 
 dentially, in respect to the eyes of the body : sometimes 
 by giving efficacy to heahng remedies ; sometimes by 
 miracle, as recorded of our blessed Saviour, who, on 
 many occasions, miraculously restored sight to the 
 blind ; — blending one of the most affecting instances 
 of his benevolence, with one of the most convincing 
 proofs of the divinity of his mission. And sometimes 
 
228 SERMON II. 
 
 sight is restored through the instrumentality of human 
 mechanical skill, a kind of secondary miracle, by which 
 the cause of obstructed vision is removed from the 
 organ of sight ; and even in some cases, by a portion 
 of its delicate machinery being removed, and its ser- 
 vice supplied by superinducing the external aid of a 
 simple artificial instrument.* Now, whosoever, through 
 any of these means, whether by healing remedies^ or 
 by pi'imary or secondary miracle, has obtained the 
 blessing of restored vision, is laid under obligation to 
 praise " the Lord, who openeth the eyes of the blind." 
 
 For how inestimable is the blessing of sight ! Truly 
 is it esteemed one of the chief senses, if not the very 
 chief sense, in that organization, the whole of which is 
 so curiously formed as to be an incontrovertible proof 
 of its being the workmanship of God, to the conviction 
 of the atheist, and the confirmation of the believer.t 
 But the organ of vision is, perhaps, more wonderful in 
 its conformation, than any other part of our frame. How 
 curious ! how beautiful ! how useful ! What would the 
 possession of all the other senses avail, if there vrere 
 no sight ? What were the magnificent universe, this 
 boundless manifestation of the Deity in the produc- 
 tions of his wisdom, goodness, and power, had there 
 not been an eye to behold it ! Were man void of a 
 capacity for seeing, he had never said with transport, 
 " Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for 
 the eye to behold the sun." It is the eye that embraces 
 an immensurable portion of space ; without laborious 
 effort, it wanders forth amidst imnumbered worlds ; or, 
 
 * TTie lens of the eyes being removed by coucbing, and its office 
 supplied by spectacles with a double convex lens, siuTounded by a 
 broad dense rim. 
 
 t Galen is said to have been convinced of tbe existence of God, by 
 conteniplaring a bmnan skeleton ; and Dr. Paley Las beantifolly 
 illustrated the evidences of the Divine BiUl and goodness in the 
 animal economy. 
 
SERMON II. 220 
 
 concentrating its poignant vigour, inspects, with the 
 nicest precision, tlie minutiae of every thing subjected to 
 its scrutiny ; and summons every faculty of the soul to 
 celebrate that blessed Being, who combines with his 
 bounty the tokens of his complacency; — not merely 
 satisfying us with good things, but delighting us with 
 the beautiful ; by decorating with the most resplendent 
 scenery the theatre of his operation. Indeed, to all 
 our senses there are presented appropriate objects 
 whose office is to administer pleasures to us. This is a 
 superadded favour, conferred on us by our Creator, to 
 be looked on, in some respects, as purely advenient, and 
 not of indispensable necessity to the maintenance of 
 our being. But so it is, because He "rejoices in the 
 habitable parts of the earth," and delights in the com- 
 munication of pleasure to his rational offspring. Hence, 
 the organs of hearing are charmed with harmonious 
 sounds ; those of smelling with exquisite odours ; whUe 
 the taste is gratified with delicious viands ; and the feel- 
 ing affords its fine sensation. But chiefly is the sense of 
 seeing indulged with an endless variety of beautiful ob- 
 jects. Above, is seen the expanded firmament, 
 stretched out by the hands of the Almighty, as the 
 curtain of his ethereal tent, spangled with millions of 
 glowing gems ; beneath, the beauteous earth, with her 
 mighty continents and million isles, in their variegated 
 scenery of mountains, hills, and plains, valleys, forests, 
 fields, and floods. And the eye affects the heart. — 
 Hence the spectator, like our jirimitive parents in 
 Eden, is led to exclaim in strains of admiration, — 
 
 " Tbpse are tliy glorious works, Parent of good, 
 Almigbtj- ; thine this universal frame. 
 Thus wondrous fair : Thyself how wondrous then !" 
 
 But, more than all these, — there is a sweeter, lovelier 
 scene, which does not require the eye of a philosopher 
 
230 SERMON II, 
 
 to appreciate its beauty, a scene most delightful to the 
 view of man in the exercise of his best feelings. Whose 
 heart does not anticipate the preacher's tongue ? How 
 precious the objects of social and domestic life, — " the 
 human face divine," the dear countenance of those to 
 whom God and nature, and ten thousand endearing 
 cares, and solicitudes, and loves, and pleasures, have 
 tenderly attached every feeling, emotion, and sympathy 
 of our heart, and in whom our life has been bound up ! 
 The tear of sensibility, and the smile of joy, yield ample 
 remuneration for all the toils, and all the anxieties, that 
 can possibly be occasioned by connubial life : that tear 
 is richer than the purest diamond Asia ever produced ; 
 that smile sheds radiance on the soul more refulgent 
 than a meridian sun-beam ! 
 
 But, ah ! how painful to contemplate one who once 
 beheld and once appreciated all these delights, but who 
 perceives a dimming veil drawn athwart his vision ! 
 The obscurity continually thickens, like the closing twi- 
 light, till at length vain, alas ! is the most strenuous 
 attempt to recognise one of those beloved objects ; and 
 the eye, whose only business now left is to weep, finds 
 they are each shut out, and hidden in impenetrable 
 darkness. Perhaps, without being subject to the charge 
 of murmuring against Heaven, he may sometimes be 
 thus heard, in the lonely indulgence of his melancholy 
 musings : — 
 
 " With the year 
 Seasons retnm ; but not to me returns 
 Day, or the sweet approach of even or mom, 
 Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 
 Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine ; 
 But cloud, instead, and ever-dm-ing dark 
 Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men 
 Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair 
 Presented with a universal blank 
 Of nature's works, to me expunged and rased, 
 And Tvisdom, at one entrance, quite shut out." 
 
SERMON II. 231 
 
 If lie have been previously instructed in the school of 
 sacred wasdom, perhaps we shall hear him, in his pious 
 endeavour to seek some amelioration of his mournful 
 condition, thus breathing forth his soul towards the In- 
 finite Som-ce of spiritual light and consolation, — 
 
 " So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 
 Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 
 Irradiate : there plant eyes, aU mist from thence 
 Purge and disperse." 
 
 Blindness is a calamity which is of a nature strongly 
 to dispose its subject, unless he maintain an habitual 
 reciuTence to the wisdom and goodness of the Divine 
 Being, to indulge a train of gloomy reflections, tending, 
 not only to enfeeble the mind, but most imrighteously 
 to dishonour God. How needful then is the inward 
 celestial visitation ! 
 
 Should the blessing of sight be restored, whether 
 through the salutary influence of medicine, or by the 
 skill of the oculist, a pious mind will ascribe the efi'ect 
 to the finger of God, as much as if it had been per- 
 formed by miracle ; and will, with pleasure, employ the 
 language of the text, " The Lord openeth the eyes of 
 the blind." With what emotions of transport is the 
 face of nature once more beheld ! How intently gazes 
 the re-illuminated eye upon the dear objects of domes- 
 tic bliss, now rendered doubly dear by the previous 
 moumftJ exclusion ! How ravishing again to " see thy 
 goings, O God, even the goings of my God, my King, 
 in the sanctuary!" again to' behold those fellow- 
 worshippers whom it recognises in the participation of 
 pious gratitude, as they once sympathized in sorrow, 
 when they " ofiiered up prayers and supplications, with 
 strong crying and tears, — and were heard in that they 
 feared." * The sun seems to look down with glowing 
 
 • A meeting for prayer was held by some pious friends, in Bath ; 
 and another was held in Bristol, on the 7th of March, at the hour 
 when the operation was performed in London. 
 
232 
 
 SERMON II, 
 
 sympathy ; the very light seems to assume new splen- 
 dour, as its radiance fills the house of God, this beau- 
 tiful sabbath morning. 
 
 " Hail, ]n)ly Ligbt, offspring of heaven first-bom ; 
 Or of th' eternal co-eternal l)eam, 
 May I express thee unblamed ? since God is Light." 
 
 And not only by his providence does the Lord open 
 the natural eyes of the body, but, secondly, this he 
 does graciously in respect to the eyes of the mind. To 
 this appropriation of the text, I beg to call your atten- 
 tion. How does the Scripture depict the moral condi- 
 tion of mankind ? It represents them as being totally 
 dark, and even without the capability of discerning spi- 
 ritual objects. " The natural man receiveth not the 
 things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness 
 unto him ; neither can he know them, because they are 
 spiritually discerned." Is not this description con- 
 firmed by fact ? Alas ! how blind are the unregene- 
 rate both to the relative situation in which God stands 
 towards them, and they towards him ? As to him — 
 they have no just conviction of the spotless purity of his 
 nature, the perfect rectitude of his will, and the spirit- 
 uality and extent of his law, which requires the entire 
 devotedness of the whole heart, and mind, and soul, 
 and strength, in the exercise of supreme love to God, 
 in all the modifications of that ruling passion. As to 
 themselves — in their relation to God, they have no just 
 apprehension of their accountability, as those Avhom He 
 will bring into judgment. And, to heighten this pic- 
 ture, they are described as not more insensible of their 
 peril, than of the only means by which their deliverance 
 can be obtained. The human mind, unenlightened by 
 the Spirit of Truth, is the just emblem of those 
 
 " Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 
 And rest can never dwell ; " 
 
SERMON II. 233 
 
 with this only exception, that hope is not finally ex- 
 cluded. 
 
 From whence, and from whom, can effectual relief 
 be obtained ? from earth ? from man ? An apostle, 
 indeed, informs us, that he received a commission from 
 the Lord Jesus in these terms : " I send thee now to 
 the Gentiles, to open their eyes, and to turn them from 
 darkness to light." The same apostle declares : " God, 
 who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath 
 shincd in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of 
 the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." But does 
 St. Paul, therefore, assume to himself the power and 
 influence of the essential Cause ? As well might a 
 mere reptile pretend to exercise the almighty fiat, 
 " Let there be light." No ! For though the ministry 
 of the Gospel be the means, it is but instruraontally 
 operative. The administration of the word is honoured 
 by being made the medium through which the Holy 
 Spirit pours his enlightening beams into the human 
 soul. In cases of this kind, sometimes conviction of 
 the guilt and evil of sin flashes like a beam darted 
 from the tribunal of the Almighty. " The word of God 
 is living and powerful ;" and proves itself to be a judicial 
 " disccrner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." It 
 inscribes, in flaming characters, the sentence against the 
 criminal, and appears in the act of committing him over 
 to the punishment due to sin, which is — eternal death ! 
 In other cases this conviction of sin is as the first faint 
 gleam of the morning daA^Ti. But whether it be like 
 the instantaneous glance of lightning; or like the 
 scarcely perceptible rays which streak the orient ; it is 
 soon afterw^ards attended with the cheering beams of 
 Gospel day. Thus Bartimeus was told that Jesus of 
 Nazareth passed by; and, emboldened to make per- 
 sonal application, the compassionate Son of David gave 
 him to find in himself the effect of that gracious word, 
 " Receive thy sight." The believer, following llim who 
 
234 
 
 SERMON II. 
 
 is the Light of the world, no longer walks in darkness, 
 but in " the light of life." 
 
 It is now he is capacitated to discern spiritual ob- 
 jects through the medium of the sacred Scripture, and 
 under the tuition of the Spirit of Truth. With the eye 
 of faith he sees the things of God, in their connexion 
 with eternity. They appear in his view, — a they really 
 are, — all-interesting, all-important ; while, on the other 
 hand, every object merely connected with time is 
 beheld in its relative condition. He sees that human 
 life, even with its legitimate duties, and necessary con- 
 cerns, and best enjoyments, is only so far important, 
 and in no degree farther, than as it stands connected 
 with the ultimate object of our probationary existence 
 — the acquisition of heaven : and every other pursuit, 
 not corresponding Avith the lawful duties of life, but of 
 a still lower character, is seen to be, what in truth it is, 
 a mere delusive phantom, a destructive evil, whose end 
 13 death and perdition ! 
 
 With such new and convincing views of things, is it 
 possible there should not be an indubitable evidence 
 in the mind, that nothing less than a supernatural 
 influence has produced the spiritual — what shall I call 
 it ? — the spiritual miracle ? Can one, who is sensible 
 that in his own person he has been the subject of this 
 gracious work, be persuaded by an objector, that he is 
 still blind? WiU he not rather, feeling the liveliest con- 
 viction of the blessed reality, confidently affirm ? — "One 
 thing I know — whereas I was once blind, now I see." 
 
 There is another illustration of the text given by the 
 Scripture. We might refer it to the introductory part 
 of this discourse, but judge it deserving particular men- 
 tion. A person "walks in" providential "darkness, 
 having no light." He is involved in perplexing cir- 
 cumstances, and sees no way of extrication. The cloud 
 of Providence presents its dark side, and totally 
 eclipses the mind. So circumstanced was the ancient 
 
SERMON II. 235 
 
 patriarch, ^eno■^^^led for his unparalleled patience, when 
 even he could not forbear expressing himself in these 
 lamentable terms, — " that I knew where I might 
 find him ! Behold I go forward, but he is not there ; 
 and backward, but I cannot perceive him : on the left 
 hand Avhere he doth Avork, but I cannot behold him : 
 he hideth himself on the right hand that I cannot see 
 him." If at such a juncture, the Almighty, in an extra- 
 ordinary and unanticipated manner, effects a complete 
 deliverance, this distinguishing intervention is charac- 
 terised by liis " causing the eyes of the blind to see out 
 of darkness and obscurity;" he opens a vista, and 
 " leads the blind by a way they knew not, in paths 
 they had not known, and makes darkness to become 
 light before them." 
 
 The case of a person who is the subject of this pre- 
 vious darkness and subsequent illumination, is not un- 
 like that of the prophet's servant in Samaria, who saw 
 no deliverance, the city being so closely besieged by the 
 enemy. But when, in answer to the prophet's prayer, 
 " his eyes were (supernaturally) opened," he beheld the 
 mountains filled with their celestial protectors. Or, 
 like the desolate wanderer in the wilderness of Shur, 
 the desponding one is brought to the extremity of an- 
 guish, when the Lord opens his eyes to behold the 
 fountain of consolation springing up before him. Such 
 a person is led to exclaim, with mingled emotions of 
 awe and dehght, " Surely God is in this dispensation, 
 and I knew it not. Thou, God, seest me." 
 
 Frequently have we, in this manner, witnessed the 
 hand of Divine Providence evidently interposed, so as 
 to justify the appropriation of the terms expressed in 
 the text. In the instances alluded to of natural and of 
 spiritual blindness, so also in the present case, which 
 may be termed " circumstantial blindness," the subject 
 of this peculiar dispensation will not fail to acknowledge, 
 that " the Lord openeth the eyes of the blind." 
 
236 SERMON II. 
 
 And here Ave miglit conclude, satisfied with the 
 review of those Divine illuminations : but the text 
 records other acts of the Supreme Being. These we 
 shall briefly touch. See then the procedure of his 
 goodness. 
 
 II. " The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down." 
 God is the source of all effectual help. Let us be- 
 hold this act of gracious power. 
 
 Is a soul sinking, weary and heavy laden, beneath 
 the load of guilt ? so pressed by the burden, as to be 
 " bowed," — " bowed down," dovnx to the dust of de- 
 spondency and death ? But, though bowed down, it is 
 in humble contrition ; and surely the Lord will " revive 
 the spirit of the contrite ones." They are " humbled 
 under the mighty hand of God, and he shall lift them 
 up." They are fainting at the footstool of that merciful 
 Being who " will not break the bruised reed." It is 
 the pleasure and the prerogative of our blessed Saviour 
 to " heal the broken-hearted," as well as to " open the 
 eyes of the blind." " He raiseth" them, perhaps at 
 first to the feeble exercise of desire ; then to lively and 
 still livelier anticipation of his promised help ; and then 
 by the consoling application of the pardon, sealed on 
 the heart by the Spirit of adoption, attended with its 
 blessed effects and evidences, particularly by " the love 
 of God shed abroad in the heart." He raiseth them in 
 their condition, — by lifting them (to apply the language 
 of the Scripture) " from the dunghill, and setting them 
 among the princes of his people," investing them with 
 the honour which comes from God. Will they not 
 exult with the apostle ? — " But God, who is rich in 
 mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even 
 when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together 
 with Christ ; and hath raised us up together, and made 
 us sit together in heavenly places in Jesus Christ ! " 
 And this can be contemplated as only the earnest of 
 
SEHMON ir. 237 
 
 that fruition of felicity which awaits them. The ever- 
 lasting arms ■will ere long raise them far above this 
 region of sorrow and sin, to the mansions, the thrones, 
 the glories, of their heavenly inheritance. 
 
 " If needs be," (and God himself is to judge the 
 case,) he may sometimes permit his children to be " in 
 heaviness through manifold temptations." But have 
 they, therefore, cause for complaint ? Most certainly 
 not. In the firm conviction of the wisdom and faith- 
 fulness, the power and love, of their heavenly Father ; 
 and in the exercise of faith and hope in their Almighty 
 Saviour, they may "glory in tribulation also:" and 
 have the distinguished honour of " glorifying God in 
 the fires." If to Plim it appears right, Avithout whose 
 permission there can be no burden from any quarter 
 whatever laid upon his children, he can at once remove 
 the load. But if he sees the removal not to be proper, 
 he will do what is equally as good ; he will do what 
 they shall prove to be better than the obtainment of 
 immediate release ; — he will strengthen them to bear the 
 burden. And is not his strength, when made perfect 
 in weakness, sufiicient to cheer, to elevate, and to bear 
 them aloft, even in the endurance of the severest trials ? 
 But if unerring wisdom deem it most conducive to 
 their benefit and his glory, that the burden should be 
 very heavy, and continued very long, so as to " bow" 
 them — so as to how them "down" low, so exceeding 
 low, that they feel their " heart and flesh fail," (for 
 he may try them to this extremity,) then will he 
 appear as "riding on the heaven to their help, and in 
 liis excellency on the sky; he will lay underneath the 
 everlasting arms;" and thus evidently furnish a com- 
 plete comment on the text; and by lifting his despond- 
 ing children above all their trials and depressions, 
 demonstratively prove that " the Lord raiseth them 
 that are bowed dow n." 
 
 Having proceeded thus far in contemplating the dis- 
 
238 SERMON II. 
 
 plays of the Divine goodness, let us venture anotlier 
 step, and glance at a farther manifestation. 
 
 III. " The Lord loveth the righteous." 
 
 God is the only source of genuine comfort. " God 
 is love." They whom He has illuminated hy his truth, 
 and raised hy his power, are treated by him as righte- 
 ous ; justified hy his grace through the redemption 
 which is in the blood of Christ, they have obtained 
 " the righteousness which is of faith," being freely for- 
 given, and "justified from all things." They have also 
 been endued with the principles of righteousness, 
 through the regenerating influence of the Holy Spirit, 
 — and these principles, implanted within them, produce 
 their effects, in a conduct "unblamable and irre- 
 proachable," such as " adorns the doctrine of God our 
 Saviour in all things." 
 
 But however holy and useful they are, they may 
 not expect an exemption from the common calamities 
 of human life. No ! In some respects, they should 
 rather calculate on meeting peculiar trials, to which 
 their character and circumstances will expose them ; for 
 " many are the afflictions of the righteous." Yet they 
 may rejoice in this conviction, supported by the testi- 
 mony of God himself, that, whatever they suffer accord- . 
 inw to his will, their sufferings are only the fruit of his 
 parental love, — his chastening for their profit, the evi- 
 dence of their sonship, — and, however painful, yet bene- 
 ficial, in conducing to their present and eternal welfare.^^^ 
 Are they afflicted, destitute, tormented ? In all their 
 afflictions, he is afflicted. His skilful band, over -ruling 
 and leading to results worthy of himself, and illustrative 
 of his glory, directs all things so as " to work together 
 for their good." This will appear in the final issue, 
 when it will be seen, that whatever their heavenly 
 Father himself immediately did to them, or in any 
 instance remotely permitted, was intended to make a 
 
SERMON II. 239 
 
 deeper and wider cliannel in wliich his love should for 
 ever flow forth to " the righteous." Precisely -with this 
 view, the great apostle, in nothing greater than the tri- 
 umph of his faith, exultingly challenged the whole uni- 
 verse, — all finite beings, human "and diaholical, and all 
 possihle circumstances, present and future : — "Who 
 shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Shall tribu- 
 lation ? or distress ? or persecution ? or famine? or na- 
 kedness ? or peril ? or sword ? — Nay, in all these things 
 we are more than conquerors, through him that loved 
 us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, 
 nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things 
 present, nor things that are to come, nor height, nor 
 depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate 
 us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our 
 Lord." 
 
 The love of God is the never-failing fountain of conso- 
 lation. When Moses said, " Yea, the Lord loved his 
 people;" then he said every thing. The Lord con- 
 stantly cared for his people ; he bountifully provided 
 for their wants ; he securely defended them from their 
 foes ; he safely preserved them in their perils ; he affec- 
 tionately pitied them in their grief; he completely 
 extricated them out of their difficulties; he tenderly 
 noui-ished them as a nurse doth her infant ; he gathered 
 them with his arms, as the shepherd his lambs, and 
 can'ied them in his bosom ; — he did all that a God could 
 he expected to perform for a people whom he professed 
 to love. And all this he will do, for " the Lord loveth 
 the righteous." 
 
 But the complete exihition of his love to them is not 
 to he seen in their present low terrestrial state of exist- 
 ence. He never designed to make a full discovery of 
 his love to them in this transitory world of ours. Im- 
 mersed in mortality, encompassed -with infirmities, we 
 could not sustain the view of his unveiled love ; still 
 less could we support that exceeding weight of beatific 
 communication. We can only express our astonish- 
 
240 SERMON II. 
 
 ment, by adopting tlie language of the ecstasied apostle : 
 " Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestow- 
 ed upon us !" But as it doth not yet appear what we 
 shall be, so it is now inconceivable what his love will be, 
 when it shall be fully displayed, — when, through the 
 interminable lapse of endless ages, the love of God, from 
 the transcendent zenith of its infinite effulgence, shall 
 blaze forth in everlasting manifestation. Then will be 
 unfolded to their clear and capacious view, all those 
 wonderful results, most worthy of God himself, and 
 illustrative of his every perfection, in all the characters 
 he has been pleased to sustain relative to the righteous. 
 What a developement, when the final issues of creating 
 and redeeming love shall be unveiled ! Will not each 
 transported spirit overflow with abounding joy ? Will 
 not every melodious tongue be inspired with the hea- 
 venly theme ? And will not the impetus of rapture 
 burst forth in the song of Moses and of the Lamb: — 
 " Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Al- 
 mighty : Just and true are thy ways. Thou King of 
 saints!" "Unto Hira that loved us, and washed us 
 from our sins in his own blood, be glory and dominion 
 for ever ! " 
 
 Having successively noticed the display of the Divine 
 goodness in the instances mentioned in the text, we 
 might make many practical inductions ; but your atten- 
 tion shall be directed to two considerations only, which 
 shall be treated as, 
 
 IV. The improvement of the subject. 
 
 First. God is the Author of all our blessings. Hence 
 the emphatic repetition of his adorable name Jehovah, 
 as some divines have noticed, in the passage Avliich has 
 been reviewed : " the Lord" — " the Lord" — " the Lord." 
 Need we help in any of the cases thus enumerated ? 
 We see, then, to whom Ave should apply for relief. Are 
 we, for instance, enveloped with the gloom of guilt ? or 
 surrounded by the darkness of a mysterious Providence ? 
 
SERMON II. 241 
 
 Are we dejected and depressed under accumulated trials ? 
 or are we in the school of suft'erlng, undergoing the 
 peculiar and painful tuition which God bestows on his 
 beloved children for their greatest profit, refining them 
 in the fiercest ordeal, to make them the distinguished 
 partakers of his holiness ? We here see, that the Lord 
 is a very present help in trouble. We behold him, the 
 resplendent Illuminator — the almighty Helper — the 
 everlasting Lover. — His aid, then, should be sought ; 
 his only. ' For the encouragement of our faith and hope, 
 let us seek to have our minds impressed, powerfully 
 and eftectually, with this cheering conviction, arising 
 from the character and conduct of our heavenly Father, 
 that as his omnipotence can with ease efiect our relief, 
 so his benignity is equal to his ability ; and if, in the 
 all-comprehensive view of his omniscience, he perceives 
 a possibility in connection with our real benefit, his 
 power and pity may be piously and sciipturally expected 
 to work our deliverance. May we never forget this 
 imperishable inscription in the eternal volume of inspi- 
 ration — Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind : Jehovah 
 raiseth them that are bowed down : Jehovah loveth the 
 righteous. " These are the true sayings of God." 
 
 But is this only an abstract speculation on the nature 
 and character of Deity ? Or is it only the solitary 
 declaration of the text ? I ask, Is this only speculative ? 
 or is at best but mere Scripture testimony ? Have the 
 facts never been realized ? Who then is this illustrious 
 personage presenting himself to the view of the world ? 
 and what the wondeiful deeds his hands achieve ? His 
 form, is it like the Son of God? 0,yes! He it is, employed 
 in the exercise of Divine benevolence ! O, listen to the 
 melting accents which drop from his lip : — " The Spirit 
 of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me 
 to preach the Gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to 
 heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the 
 captives, and recovering of sight to the blind ; to set at 
 
 M 
 
242 SERMON II. 
 
 liberty tliem that are bruised, to preacb the acceptable 
 year of the Lord." Luke iv. 18, 19. O ! hear him, 
 thou whose misery mores his pitying heart, and needs 
 his helping hand. Arise ; he calleth thee : " What wilt 
 thou that I shall do unto thee?" Lord, that my eyes 
 may be opened — that I may be raised up from the dis- 
 mal deep of distress — that I may enjoy the ineffable 
 fruition of thy love for ever ! 
 
 Lastly. God is to be praised for all the good he has 
 done to us. And have we, then, in any of those in- 
 stances mentioned in the text, obtained help from the 
 Lord ? Let us return and give glory to God. We may 
 Lave employed means — may have had recourse to the 
 help, the skill, the kindness of those whom we judged 
 capable, through the blessing of heaven, of administer- 
 ing relief: and these vv^ere legitimate measures. Without 
 their prudent adoption, if put in our power, we could 
 not consistently pray for the help of the Almighty. We 
 are not permitted to presume on unwarrantable expec- 
 tations of miraculous interposition. But while we em- 
 ploy the means, let us remember that God jealously 
 maintains his own prerogative. He will not give his 
 glory to another ; neither will he permit us to tender 
 it, no, not even to the means of his own providential 
 appointment, nor to the instrument he chose to employ. 
 These are not our light, our support, our consolation. 
 Let not, then, the sacrifice of thanksgiving be dese- 
 crated, but sacredly offered up on the holy altar of the 
 Most High. Especially, should those who have obtained 
 extraordinary tokens of his providence, and peculiar 
 instances of his strengthening, or consoling, or deliver- 
 ing grace, sink down in humble prostration before him, 
 and solemly charge all their powers to unite in a thank- 
 ful hymn of praise : — " Bless the Lord, O my soul ; and 
 forget not all his benefits ; who forgiveth all thy iniqui- 
 ties, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy 
 life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving- 
 kindness and tender mercies." 
 
SERMON III. 
 
 CONFIDENT EXPECTATION OF THE 
 DIVINE BLESSING, THE GROUND 
 OF ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE CAUSE 
 OF RELIGION. 
 
 PREACHED IN LONDON, MAY 1st, 1818, AT THE FOURTH 
 ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESLEYAN MISSIONARY 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 The God of heaven, he will prosper us ; therefore we his servants 
 will arise and build. Nehemiah ii, 20. 
 
 Confident expectation of tlie Divine blessing is the 
 ground of encouragement to exertion in the cause of 
 religion. A consideration less invigorating than the 
 text employs, cannot convey an impulse to the mind, 
 sufficient to stimulate our energies in the Missionary 
 department, whose final object, — Ave speak tremblingly, 
 but not with despondence, — is the conversion of the 
 whole world unto God. May the appropriation of the 
 text to that important object be justified by our re- 
 newed effi)rts, with the blessing of heaven manifestly 
 succeeding them ! 
 
 All the works of God with which we are acquainted, 
 present the character of continuous analogy. This cha- 
 racter, perceived by the philosopher in the construction 
 of the material world, is clearly traced by the Christian 
 in the history of the church of God. Coincidences 
 M 2 
 
244 SERMON III. 
 
 appear through its successive dispensations, as face 
 ansAvers to face in a mirror. The description of the 
 past is the representation of the future. Such analo ■ 
 gies are frequently brought forward by the inspired 
 writers in both the Old Testament and the New. Ne- 
 hemiah records a circumstance in the history of the 
 Jewish people, namely, the re-building of their metro- 
 politan city, after their return from the captivity in 
 Babylon, wherein, perhaps, we might, upon examina- 
 tion, find an evident correspondency with matters oc- 
 cuiTing at the present period, especially in that depart- 
 ment whose claims we are called upon at the present 
 time to advocate. Their undertaking was great and 
 good, — ^they met with many discouragements, — they 
 however persevered, — and their labour was finally 
 crowned Avith complete success. From their history 
 we mean to illustrate our subject ; and in its discussion 
 we shall, 
 
 I. Propose our design. 
 
 II. Expose the discouragements which might tend 
 to impede its prosecution. And, 
 
 III. Oppose to them our sources of encouragement 
 to perseverance for its ultimate completion. 
 
 I. Propose our design ; which is to assist with our 
 iitraost ability in promoting the interests of the Chris- 
 tian church : " We vnW arise and build." 
 
 Jerusalem of old has been long since demolished, 
 and the Levitical economy vanished away. The sha- 
 dowy types have receded before the spiritual antitype, 
 as the stars disappear before the risen sun. Christian 
 believers, in their better dispensation, are come to the 
 true Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, 
 the heavenly Jerusalem, whose walls are salvation, and 
 her gates praise. JMore sul)lime than her ancient material 
 type, she assumes an appellation over which no veil is 
 drawn. She is not the mere vision of peace; her 
 
, SERMON III. 245 
 
 name is Jeliovali-Shammah, " The Lord is there ! " the 
 royal residence of tlie true Melchizedek, the King of 
 righteousness and King of peace. Such is the hea- 
 venly Jerusalem, the mother of us all, whose important 
 interests make more than maternal claims on our reve- 
 rence and affection. 
 
 But the Christian church is not yet completed, ex- 
 cept in the prescient design of her great Architect. 
 We see her future millennial splendour sketched by 
 the pencil of prophecy. Nay, more : already her 
 twelve foundations are laid in the imperishable doc- 
 trines of the holy apostles, more beautiful and valuable 
 than precious stones ; her crystal walls of Divine truth, 
 continually rising, will soon aspire to their loftiest 
 height ; — her pearly gates are set wide open day and 
 night ; — and the kindling glories of God and the Lamb 
 shine refulgent upon her battlements. Ere long, not a 
 few" individuals, one of a city, and two of a family, but 
 whole nations of those which are saved, shall walk in 
 her light, and exult in her immunities. And thus, by 
 that faith which " passes through the years between" 
 — may we obtain a glimpse of her destined perfection ; 
 and, with joyful anticipation, adopt the language of our 
 own poet, — 
 
 " By faitli we already behold 
 That lovely Jerusalem here ! " 
 
 This is the magnificent object of our faith. 
 
 Alas ! when we look around this Avorld lying in the 
 wicked one, how very different at the present time 
 appear the objects of sight ! We see indeed a city that 
 would impose upon the spectator, by presuming to call 
 herself " the New Jerusalem : " but her real name is 
 " Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and 
 abominations of the earth." She is the blasphemous 
 rival of the true Jerusalem, extending her tyrannic 
 domraation, and shedding her foul influence, over the 
 
246 SERMON III. 
 
 greater part of Christendom. But the souls of the 
 martyrs from under the altar invoke the vengeance of 
 the Almighty upon her. She is doomed to fall, and 
 rise no more. 
 
 If we look beyond this Babylon, through the many- 
 peopled world, alas ! all is seen lying in Mohammedan 
 delusion or Heathen desolation, dark places of the earth 
 filled with the habitations of cruelty. The Arabian 
 imposture is beheld dominant in the eastern parts of 
 Europe, — in large portions of the vast continent and 
 islands of Asia, — and throughout the whole extent of 
 Africa. We admit, there are to be seen some few faiat 
 rays caught from the sun of truth, and reflected by the 
 glimmering of the Mohammedan crescent : we allow 
 the jejune Koran exhibits some light collected from 
 Divine revelation ; but it is only like that pallid and 
 sickly lustre of the moon in the nights of her waning, 
 just sufficient to make darkness visible. The heart 
 bleeds when we contemplate those countries Avhere the 
 banner of the cross Avas first elevated ; there the insult- 
 ing ensign of Mohammed is seen flying, and the abo- 
 mination of desolation standing even in the holy place. 
 Do we look beyond this lunar sphere ? All is heathen 
 darkness, the nocturnal empire of those cruel confede- 
 rates, — ignorance, crime, and misery ; — the gloomy 
 abodes of the dragons and the owls of midnight super- 
 stition ; — the dreary haunts of the powers of darkness ; 
 " regions of sorrow, doleful shades," unvisited by the 
 holy light of revelation, uncheered by the healing 
 beams of the Sun of righteousness. There, under the 
 transforming influence of falsehood, they put darkness 
 for light, and light for darkness ; under the polluting 
 influence of sin, they put evil for good, and good for 
 evil ; under the illusive sophistry of the old murderer, 
 even he himself is worshipped and adored, and his 
 obscene and bloody rites are performed by more than a 
 moiety of mankind ; — all of them under demoniac pos- 
 
SERMON III. 247 
 
 session, dwelling among the tombs of moral and spirit- 
 ual death. 
 
 But, shall we therefore despond ? Shall Ave entertain 
 a doubt of being, through Divine assistance, instrumental 
 in re-edifying the Asiatic and African tabernacles that 
 are fallen down, and raising the walls of the city of our 
 God upon the ruins of Mohammedan mosques, Chinese 
 pagodas, and Budhist and Brahminical temples ? — This 
 is our design, in Avhich, like those mentioned in Nehe- 
 miah's narrative, we keep two things distinctly in 
 view : — 
 
 1. A conviction of the certainty of success: "The 
 God of heaven, he will prosper us ; " and 
 
 2. A determination founded on this conviction : 
 " Therefore we his servants Avill arise and build." The 
 former without the latter would be enthusiastic folly : 
 and the latter without the former would be impious 
 presumption. It might serve for building a Babel, but 
 not for those master-builders employed in raising the 
 walls of the Christian church. 
 
 1. In the conviction of our certain success, behold 
 Him whom we expect to render our efforts prosperous, 
 — " The God of heaven ! " Not the gods of earth. I 
 said, " Ye are gods ; but ye shall all die like men." 
 " The God of heaven ! " Avho spreads out the heavens as a 
 curtain, who upholds all things by the word of his 
 power. " The God of heaven ! " who dwells in the high 
 and lofty place, who sends forth the efficient energy of 
 his infinite perfections throughout all the regions of the 
 • universe. 
 
 Behold, likewise, the grounds of our confidence in 
 Him. He can prosper us. As his omniscience and 
 omnipotenccj are exercised over all persons and 
 circumstances, so the issues of all are in his sovereign 
 hands. But more : "He will prosper us." We enter- 
 tain no doubt ; for the decree of the God of heaven is 
 gone forth, that Jerusalem shall be built ; that the ful- 
 
248 SERMON III. 
 
 ness of the Gentiles shall be brought in, and all Israel 
 be saved. " I will declare the decree : Thou art my 
 Son, this day have I bogotten thee. Ask of me, and I 
 shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and 
 the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." 
 " And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste 
 places ; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many 
 generations ; and thou shalt be called the repairer of 
 the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in." Moreover, 
 the providence of the God of heaven is in apparent 
 operation. Providence is the harbinger of grace, whose 
 voice is heard in the heathen wilderness, crying, " Pre- 
 pare ye the Avay of the Lord." God is risen up out of 
 his holy place. He shakes, not the earth only, but the 
 heavens also. The Desire of all nations shall come, and 
 shall not tarry. Besides, more than any other circum- 
 stance, the Spirit of the God of heaven is poiu-ed out 
 from on high, without whose influence nothing can be 
 effected, but which is fully effectual to the accomplish- 
 ment of our design. By an extraordinary effusion of 
 this holy influence, we see the builders stirred up. 
 Zealous Missionaries, whose lips have been touched by 
 a coal from the altar, press forward, saying, '* Here we 
 are ; send us : " and the Heathen solicitously cry, 
 " Come over and help us." Who can doubt the raising 
 of the Christian church ? The angel, extending his 
 golden reed, is laying out the length and breadth of the 
 city, and adjusting the height of her walls. Nay, her 
 walls are even now extending east, west, north, and 
 south ; and her gates are thrown open towards Europe, 
 Asia, Africa, and America. From these considera- 
 tions, we confidently conclude, that the time for the 
 Lord to have mercy on Sion, yea, the set time is come : 
 " Therefore we his servants will arise and build." 
 
 2. Let us express our determination, founded on the 
 certainty of our success. We commenced A^-ith directing 
 oar eyes to Him whom we expect to render our work 
 
SERMON III. 249 
 
 prosperous. " But who," it may be said, " are the per- 
 sons presuming to he workers together with God i 
 Who and what are they ? " We reply, We are his 
 servants. We aspire to no greater honour; but will 
 not abandon our duty. We, though unworthy, believe 
 ourselves to be employed by Him. We commit our- 
 selves to the rule and guidance of his Spirit and provi- 
 dence, and submit, in this great work, to be directed 
 and employed in Avhatever manner, and in Avhatever 
 station, he shall be pleased to place us : nor would we 
 criminally forget our awful responsibility, when he 
 shall summon us to the final account. 
 
 " We, his servants," who have formed the determina- 
 tion, we "will arise," — will engage our hearts in the work. 
 Not sleep as do others ; not stand all the day idle ; but 
 strenuously put forth our energies. We " will arise and 
 build ;" not only will we engage our hearts, but likewise 
 employ our hands in the work. There is sufficient 
 labour for all hands — to collect materials, to set them in 
 their proper place in the building, to labour each in his 
 own station, ' every man building opposite his own 
 house.' Thus will we build carefully; lay the good 
 foundation, Jesus Christ, — for other foundation can no 
 man lay ; use proper materials, not wood, hay, stubble ; 
 and finish the work well ; so that admiring beholders 
 may "walk about Sion, and go round about her, tell the 
 towers thereof, mark well her bulwarks, and consider 
 her palaces, that they may tell it to the generation fol- 
 lowing." Tlius have we proposed our design, which is 
 to assist with our utmost ability in promoting the ad- 
 vancement of the Christian church. Let us, 
 
 II. Expose the discouragements which may tend to 
 impede its prosecution. 
 
 If we still follow the parallel in Nehemiah's narrative, 
 we shall find these discouragements arise from two 
 classes of people : — 
 
 M 5 
 
250 
 
 SERMON III. 
 
 1. Absolute enemies ; and 
 
 2. Unprofitable friends. 
 
 1. We begin with those who are enemies to us and 
 our design : Men of infidel minds, aliens and foreigners, 
 like their predecessors, Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah 
 the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, who both 
 contemn and oppose. 
 
 These enemies contemn our design. They despise 
 the insti-uments on account of their weakness and ina- 
 bility. "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard 
 that we builded the wall, he wtiS ^yi-oth, and took gi-eat 
 indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake 
 before his brethren and the aimy of Samaria, and said, 
 What do these feeble Jews ?" Neh. iv. 1, 2. "Enthu- 
 siasts ! fanatics ! " cry our contemptuous foes, " Avith 
 feeble heads, Avith feeble hands, weak and inefficient, 
 and feeble resources; no treasures, no purse, no scrip!" 
 " A few young, raw heads," said the Bishop of London, 
 " what can they pretend to do ? " " They pretended," 
 said Mr. Wesley in reply, "to be that in the hand of 
 God that a pen is in the hand of a man. They pur- 
 posed to do the work whereunto they were sent ; to do 
 just what the Lord pleased. And if it be his pleasure 
 to throw down the strongholds of Satan — not by the 
 engines of Avar, but by the blast of rams' horns — who 
 shall say unto Him, What doest thou ? " 
 
 These enemies deride our expectation of final suc- 
 cess. " Will they make an end in a day ?" Neh. iv. 2. 
 No, we do not anticipate quite so much. Rome Avas 
 not built in a day, neither Avill Jerusalem. Yet one day 
 with the Lord is as a thousand years. Infidels may query, 
 " Who hath heard such a thing ? shall a nation be born 
 in a day ?" Yes ! if God make bare his holy arm. 
 '• Is any thing too hard for me ?" saith Jehovah. No ! 
 The Omnipotent can raise up the AA'alls of Sion Avith 
 greater facility than Avere raised up the Avails of Thebes. 
 He can inspire dead stones with life. He has more 
 
SERMOX III. 251 
 
 than an Ampliion's lyre, more than an Amphlon's theme. 
 He can quicken, move, attract, collect the stones, 
 where 
 
 " Scatter'd o'er all the eartli they lie ; 
 Draw by the music of his name, 
 And charm into a beauteous frame." 
 
 "Whether immediately or more remotely, the walls of 
 Jerusalem shall he built, be the times ever so troublous. 
 And for this assurance, have Ave. not the engagement of 
 Him who is called the True and Faithful ? "0 thou 
 afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted ! 
 behold I will lay thy stones Avith fair colours, and lay 
 thy foundations Avith sapphires. And I Avill make thy 
 windoAvs of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all 
 thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children 
 shall be taught of the Lord ; and great shall be the 
 peace of thy children." 
 
 These enemies despise what Ave have already per- 
 formed. " NoAv Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and 
 he said. Even that Avhich they build, if a fox go up, he 
 shall even break down their stone AvaU." Neh. iv. 3. 
 
 One cannot but remark in this instance the effect of 
 association: "If a^ox go up;" he meant to intimate 
 the physical Aveakness of that animal. But if it Avere 
 to give the notion of feebleness, why not say a lamb, 
 Avhose weakness forms the apt exemplification of an 
 universal adage, — "As feeble as a lamb?" But no, 
 Tobiah can think of no animal but a fox, and their 
 stone Avall he shall even break doAvn, by his strength, or 
 by — his cunning. But presuming to adopt the words 
 of our Divine Master, Ave Avould say, " Go and tell that 
 fox, Ave Avork to-day and to-morroAv." 
 
 And is ours then a stone Avail? not a mud wall 
 daubed Avith untempered mortar ? Then the virgin, the 
 daughter of Sion, hath despised thy taunts ; she hath 
 shaken her head at thee, Tobiah the Ammonite ! If 
 
252 SERMON III. 
 
 thou hadst said, we have done but httle, that were true ; 
 but surely, as we proceed with the work, we use the 
 very best materials, both of stone £md cement. Remus, 
 to shew his contempt of his brother's undertaking, 
 leaped over the moat ; but Romulus was commencing 
 " the eternal city." " So we built the wall ; and all 
 the Avail was joined together unto the half thereof, for 
 the people had a mind to work." Neh. iv. 6. 
 
 Tliese enemies not only contemn, but oppose our 
 design. 
 
 By violent hostilities : " But it came to pass that 
 when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the 
 Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls 
 of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches 
 began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, and 
 conspired all of them together to come and to fight 
 against Jerusalem, and to hinder it." Neh. iv. 7, 8. 
 
 By secret machinations: "Now it came to pass, 
 when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, 
 and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded 
 the wall, and that there was no breach left therein, 
 (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon 
 the gates,) that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, 
 saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the 
 villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do 
 me mischief, and I sent messengers unto them, saying, 
 I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down ; 
 why should th(^ work cease, whilst I leave it, and come 
 down to you ? Yet they sent unto me four times 
 after this sort ; and I answered them after the same 
 manner." Neh. vi. 1 — 4, 
 
 Captious enemies >vish to prevail on us to waste, in 
 arguments with them, the time and strength we should 
 bestow on our labour. But how acted prudent Nehe- 
 miah in such a case ? He said, " I am doing a great 
 work, so that I cannot come down : why should the 
 AYork cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?" 
 
SERMON III. 253 
 
 Neh. vi. 3. The time and strength were employed 
 where they should he, on the work, so that " in fifty-two 
 days the walls Avere raised;" whereas " fifty-two weeks 
 spent in wordy altercations Avould not have forwarded 
 the work in the least degree. 
 
 By lying accusations : " Then sent Sanballat his 
 servant unto me, in like manner, the fifth time, with an 
 open letter in his hand ; wherein was written. It is 
 reported among the Heathen, and Gashmu saitli it, that 
 thou and the Jews think to rebel : for which cause thou 
 buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, ac- 
 cording to these words. And thou hast also appointed 
 prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying. There is 
 a king in Judah : and now shall it be reported to the 
 king according to these words. Come now therefore, 
 and let us take counsel together. Then I sent unto 
 him, saying. There are no such things done as thou 
 sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. 
 For they all made us afraid, saying. Their hands 
 shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done." 
 Neh. vi. 5—9. 
 
 2. We have looked abroad for the first class, absolute 
 
 enemies, let us now look among ourselves for the second. 
 
 These are "unprofitable friends," who are of four kinds; 
 
 the false-hearted, the half-hearted, the faint-hearted, 
 
 the fearful -hearted. 
 
 (1.) The false-hearted. Among the Jews there were false 
 prophets and prophetesses, who pretended to inspiration; 
 but as to inspiration, their only wish Avas to inspire 
 Nehemiah with fear, and thus paralyse him. "Afterward 
 I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, 
 the son of Mehetabeel, who Avas shut up, and he said. Let 
 us meet together in the house of God, within the tem- 
 ple ; and let us shut the doors of the temple ; for they 
 Avill come to slay thee ; yea, in the night Avill they come 
 to slay thee. And I said, Should such a man as I flee ? 
 and Avho is there that, being as I am, would go into the 
 
254 SERMON III. 
 
 temple to save liis life ? I will not go in. And, lo, 
 I perceived that God had not sent him ; but that he 
 pronounced his prophecy against me : for Tobiah and 
 Sanballat had hired him. Therefore Avas he hired, that 
 I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, that they might 
 have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach 
 me. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat 
 according to these their works, and on the prophetess 
 Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets that would have 
 put me in fear." Neh. vi. 10 — 14. 
 
 (2.) The half-hearted : "And nest unto them the Te- 
 koites repaired ; but their nobles put not their necks to 
 the work of their Lord." Neh. iii. 5. Not many mighty, 
 not many noble, have at any period been disposed to 
 labour with much effect in the Lord's service. But 
 God has chosen those reputed by a despising world as 
 weak and base, that no flesh should glory in his pre- 
 sence. But, alas ! among the people there were found, 
 
 (3.) The faint-hearted : "AndJadah said, The 
 strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there 
 is much rubbish ; so that we are not able to build the 
 wall." Neh.iv. 10. All this we see through. Instead there- 
 fore of replying to these splendid arguments, we would 
 say, This language would be unbecoming in any tribe, but 
 is most reprehensible in Judah. Judah's name is praise; 
 but for this I praise you not. Judah should have been 
 the principal in the work. If the distant inhabitants of 
 Dan, Zeuulun, or Issachar, had thus spoken, it might 
 have been palliated, because their residence was so 
 remote, that they had less interest than Judah in the 
 capital. Judah was honoured by having the metro- 
 polis in — what shall we call it ? — their tribe, their dis- 
 trict ? But we might reply, " If the strength of the 
 bearers of burdens is decayed, try to rally; employ 
 more bearers. If there be much rubbish, this demands 
 your gi'eater exertion : therefore this is an argument, 
 not for, but against, you ; labour harder, longer." 
 
SERMON III. 255 
 
 (4.) The fearful-hearted : these are a kind of rene- 
 gade friends. " And it came to pass, that -when the 
 Jews Avhich dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten 
 times, From all places whence ye return unto us, they wdll 
 be upon you." Neh, iv. 12. These came up from differ- 
 ent parts of the land to Jerusalem, with frightful alarms, 
 repeated " ten times," of numerous and mighty foes. 
 " There saw we the sons of Anak, that are giants, and 
 we were as giass-hoppers in their eyes. We saw three 
 hundred millions of gods in Hindostan, with Shasters 
 and Yedas, and cities of idols walled up to heaven by 
 ancient superstitions ! AYe saw the great empire of 
 China surrounded by its impregnable barrier, which 
 none can sap or scale ! We saw Africa enforested in im- 
 penetrable ignorance ! We saw — Avhat did we not see ? " 
 Ye did not see the directing finger ! — the uplifted 
 hand ! — the out-stretched aim of Jehovah ! 
 
 Such are the discouragements from both foes and 
 friends, which might tend to impede us in the prosecu- 
 tion of our design. We have stated them fully, and 
 presented their front, that we may be apprized of their 
 number and strength. We Avould look at them, and 
 contemplate their utmost influence ; but we need not be 
 dispirited : which will appear when we, 
 
 III. Oppose to them our sources of encouragement 
 for the ultimate completion of our design. 
 
 Still referring to the historical narrative, — we have 
 means of defence and incitements to continued exertion. 
 
 1. We have means of defence. 
 
 The first, and indeed the chief of our means, is the 
 one to which pious Nehemiah continually recurred, 
 namely, prayer. If any one might ever dispense with 
 prayer, surely Nehemiah might be justified in acting 
 upon the plea of self-sufficiency. Power, influence 
 talent, pmdence, zeal, courage, fortitude, — all those 
 transcendent equalities which adorn station and dignify 
 
256 SERMON III. 
 
 character, Avere possessed by this eminent man, 'who 
 may well be said to have been the brightest star in the 
 constellation of the fourth century before Christ, so 
 renoA\Tied for philosophers, poets, historians, statesmen, 
 heroes, &c. But this great person was nothing in his 
 own eyes. He depended not on his OAvn wisdom or 
 might. He refen-ed every thing to God. In which 
 particular instance, as well as his general undertaking 
 to build the Avails of Jerusalem, he was a striking type 
 of Christ, the Builder of the Gospel-church. Nehe- 
 miah appears to have been a man of all prayer. From 
 first to last, he made every thing the subject of prayer. 
 How cheering and invigorating to follow him in his 
 pious course ! Has he received the melancholy account 
 of the dilapidation of Jerusalem, and the misery of the 
 province ? He is immediately found at the throne of 
 mercy, pouring forth his soul in closet prayer : " And 
 it came to pass, Avhen I heard these words, that I sat 
 down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, 
 and prayed before the God of heaven, and said, I 
 beseech thee, Lord God of heaven, the great and ter- 
 rible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them 
 that love him and observe his commandments : let 
 thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that 
 thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I 
 pray before thee now, day and night, for the children 
 of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the chil- 
 dren of Israel, Avhich we have sinned against thee : 
 both I and my father's house have sinned. Lord, I 
 beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the 
 prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, 
 who desire to fear thy name : and prosper, I pray thee, 
 thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight 
 of this man. For I was the king's cup-bearer." Neh. 
 i. 4 — 6, 11. Do Ave see him discharging his office in the 
 royal presence of Artaxerxes, and meanwhile medi- 
 tating the restoration of beloved Jerusalem ? He first 
 
SERMON III. 257 
 
 lifts up his soul in mental prayer, and then makes 
 known to the monarch his patriotic request. "Then 
 the king said unto me, For what dost thou make 
 request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I 
 said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy 
 servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou would- 
 est send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' 
 sepulchres, that I may huild it." Neh. ii. 4, 5. Did he 
 afterwards detect the foul design of the enemies, who 
 formed a conspiracy against him and his people ? AVhat 
 was his resource ? Public imited prayer. " Neverthe- 
 less, we made our prayer unto our God." Neh. iv. 9. Do 
 the enemies endeavour to make him afraid, that his 
 hands may be weakened ? TVe hear him in fervent 
 ejaculatory prayer. " Noav therefore, God, strengthen 
 my hands." Neh. vi. 9. And with reference to his devo- 
 tional habit of prayer, it is even delightful to read the 
 conclusion of the interesting narrative. The design 
 which occupied his whole mind, after long labour, 
 amidst most distressing circumstances, he at last beheld 
 completed. And now we hear him, with simplicity, 
 and cordial yet reverential confidence, committing 
 himself to the Divine remembrance : " Remember me, 
 O my God, for good." Neh. xiii. 31. Let us then follow 
 this man of prayer. The effectual fervent prayer of a 
 righteous man availeth much. Prayer may be said to 
 be almighty, for it engages Omnipotence in our assist- 
 ance. Prayer will sanctify all our endeavours. And 
 the universal spread of religion is the warranted object 
 of prayer. Our blessed Lord commands us, when we 
 pray, to say, " Our Father which art in heaven, hal- 
 lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be 
 done in earth, as it is in heaven." 
 
 Our instruments of warfare likewise are means of 
 defence. We have mighty weapons ; the armour of 
 righteousness, on our right hand and on our left. Thus 
 the people, while prosecuting their work, were armed : 
 
258 SERMON III. 
 
 " Every man had liis sword girded by his side : with one 
 hand he wrought in the work, with the other lie held a 
 weapon." Neh. iv. 17, 18. Let us then take to ourselves 
 the whole armour of God, that we may be able to with- 
 stand the Aviles of the devil, and the fiery darts of the 
 wicked. And while Ave pray without ceasing, let us 
 still have on our armour, and continue to watch against 
 the enemy. In this view precisely, the apostle to the 
 Gentiles connects the panoply of God " with all prayer 
 and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto 
 with all perseverance." Eph. vi. 13, 18. 
 
 Our implements of labour may be thus employed. 
 These, to be useful means of defence, should be con- 
 stantly used. It was sufficient, among the Jews, that 
 one hand merely grasped the weapon, not employed it ; 
 but not sufficient that with the other he should merely 
 hold, but laboriously employ, the implement of labour : 
 " With one hand he held a weapon, and with the other 
 he wrought in the Avork." 
 
 2. We have incitements to continued exertion. An 
 incitement is derived from the imbecility of the efforts 
 employed by absolute enemies and unprofitable friends, 
 to prevent the accomplishment of our design. Con- 
 tumely and scorn, open hostilities, disg-uised machina- 
 tions, and false accusations of enemies, are not irresisti- 
 ble. Nor need the unfaithfulness and timidity of 
 friends prove a hinderance. JSTehemiah and his people 
 met all these, yet they went on and prospered. Let us 
 remember, that great minds surmount difficulties by 
 daring them. 
 
 Another incitement is derived from the increasing 
 attachment of the people in general to the church of 
 God, and their disposition to labour in the Avork. 
 
 Such is their zealous attachment, that every counte- 
 nance appears impressed Avith sympathetic concern for 
 desolate Jerusalem. Do Ave inquire of a Christian 
 brother, as did Artaxerses of Nehemiah, " Why is thy 
 
' SERMON III. 259 
 
 countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick ? tliis is no- 
 thing else but sorrow of heart;" we might expect Ne- 
 hemiah's reply, " Why should not my countenance be 
 sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres," 
 the residence of my fathers' God, " lieth waste ?" 
 
 The woful condition of the perishing millions in 
 Heathen lands, — indeed, the guiliy, polluted, and miser- 
 able state of the whole world, lying in the wicked one, 
 might fill the direful record of every clime. Like the 
 prophet's roll, it would be written, within and Avithout, 
 with lamentation, mourning, and Avoe. Surely, none 
 can reflect^ without great sorrow of heart, on the miser- 
 able myriads, Avho, by our common nature, must be 
 recognised as members of the human family, perishing 
 for lack of knowledge, and desecrated to sensual and 
 diabolical abominations ! Every Bristish Christian 
 may well indulge the melancholy strain of the weeping 
 prophet : " 0, that my head were waters, and mine 
 eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and 
 night for the (morally and spiritually) slain of my 
 people ! " 
 
 Some there are who mourn over this moral desola- 
 tion, and, to lessen the evil, are industriously employed, 
 according to the order of Providence, every one in his 
 proper station. 
 
 And such is their disposition for labour, that we 
 may say of them, in the language of Nehemiah, " The 
 people have a mind to work." Nor is it merely in 
 their mind; they have been employed ; portions of the 
 walls are up in many places ; they have " laid the 
 beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks 
 thereof, and the bars thereof." 
 
 Another, indeed our principal incitement, is derived 
 from God's promise of our final success. " As I live, 
 saith the Lord, the Avhole earth shall be filled with my 
 gloiy." Thus, as God was our Alpha in our design, so 
 must he be our Omega in the result. Confidence in 
 
260 SERMON III. 
 
 his attendant blessing, engaged by his faithful promise, 
 must be our grand incitement to exertion. " The God 
 of heaven, he will prosper us ; therefore we his ser- 
 vants will arise and build." 
 
 Thus have we proposed our design ; exposed those 
 discouragements that might tend to impede its prosecu- 
 tion ; and opposed to them our sources of encourage- 
 ment to perseverance for its ultimate completion. 
 
 Is there any thing more to be done ? The word of God 
 is characterised by completeness ; perhaps we may find in 
 the narrative a plan for our imitation. This, then, shall be, 
 
 IV. The improvement of the subject. 
 
 We find in the plan a list of names inscribed by 
 the sacred historian in the true temple of honour; 
 renowned names of those worthies, who exerted them- 
 selves in the good work. This list begins w^ith the 
 priesthood : " Then Eliashib the high priest rose up, 
 with his brethren the priests, and they builded the 
 sheep-gate ; they sanctified it by thanksgiving and 
 prayer." Neh. iii. 1. This is the proper method of com- 
 mencement. The ministers of God should be prompt 
 and foremost, and commence in a holy manner, conse- 
 crating their work to God. 
 
 Succeeding the priests, families arranged themselves 
 in their departments ; the rich and the poor ; none too 
 great ; none too mean : the carrying on the work was 
 made a family-concern. 
 
 Pious females exerted themselves, who are honour- 
 ably mentioned : not indeed by their names, for the 
 sacred penman paid all due deference to the retired 
 virtues of the softer sex. But their father's name, and 
 his rank in society, are specified, which is deemed 
 sufficient honour for the daughters : " And next unto 
 him repaired Shallum, the son of Halohesh, the ruler of 
 the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters." Neh. 
 iii. 12. Our own Tirshatha in the Mission department, 
 
SKRMON III. 261 
 
 remarks in Lis Commentary upon this place, " Shal- 
 Imn's daughters are honourably mentioned as assisting 
 in this good work. Though they could not themselves 
 handle the trowel, they could hire assistance, and 
 provide materials. Good women," he adds, "in every 
 age have been great helpers in the cause of God." — 
 JDr. Coke's Commentary. 
 
 Here is also in their plan a list of donations. 
 
 The Tirshatha's donation stands at the head : " The 
 Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of 
 gold" (according to the bishop of Peterborough's table, 
 drams, value each £1. 0^. 4t?., £1,016. 13*. Ad. sterling,) 
 "fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' gar- 
 ments." Nell. vii. 70. A handsome donation of money, 
 utensils, and apparel, becoming the dignity of the donor. 
 
 The chiefs' donation : they " gave to the treasure 
 of the work twenty thousand drams (or darics) of gold," 
 (£20,336. Qs. 8d.,) " and two thousand two hundred 
 poimds " (ininas, value each £7. 1*. 5(/.) "of silver," 
 (£15,555. 16*. 8(/.,) making together, £35,892. 3*. Ad. 
 Neh. vii. 71- 
 
 The last, but not the least, is the donation of the 
 people : " And that which the rest of the people gave, 
 was twenty thousand drams of gold," (they made up the 
 exact sum of gold given by the chiefs, namely, £20,336. 
 6*. 8f?.,) "and two thousand pounds' weight (mi?ias) 
 of silver.'" Neh. vii. 72. In the silver they came not up to 
 the chiefs, who gave two thousand two hundred pounds, 
 that is, two hundred pounds (miiias) more than the 
 people. But they were not outdone by their superiors ; 
 perhaps they had not more than £14,141. 13*. Ad., in 
 money, but they added " threescore and seven priests' 
 garments," which I suppose to be worth £1000, 
 and made up their donations equal to that of their 
 chiefs ! 
 
 The grand total of donations is, 
 
262 SERMON III. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Basons 50.. Gold 41,689 6 6 
 
 Priests' garments, 5975.. Silver 29,697 10 
 
 £71,386 16 6 
 
 Some scholars value tlie dram or daric of gold at 
 £1. 5*., and tlie pound or mina of silver at £9. Ac- 
 cording to tins valuation, the amount of the 
 
 £ 
 
 Tirshatlia's 1,000 drams of gold is 1,250 
 
 Chiefs' 20,000 drams of gold 25,000 
 
 Chiefs' 2,200 minus of silver 19,800 
 
 The People's 20,000 di-ams of gold 25,000 
 
 The People's 2,000 minas of silver 18,000 
 
 Total £89,050 
 
 Such were the donations of a people just returned 
 from captivity, the total number of whom was only 
 42,360 ; not a twentieth of the population of London, 
 reckoned at the round number of a million. The par- 
 ticular numbers mentioned by Ezra in his catalogue, 
 amount only to 29,818; and Nehemiah's particulars 
 make only 31,031 ; though both set do^^Ti the same 
 total, namely, 42,360. To complete this sum, there- 
 fore, we think, with bishop Pearson, dean Prideaux, 
 Dr. Lightfoot, and other authorities, the surplus in- 
 cludes some relics of the ten tribes and others, such as 
 are mentioned, Neh . i . 3 : " The remnant that were left of 
 the captivity there in the province, who were in great 
 affliction and reproach." 
 
 Here are in their plan annual subscriptions : "Also 
 we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly 
 with the third part of a shekel for the service of the 
 house of our God." Neh. s. 32. It may be supposed that 
 many, having ample means, gave more, and some of slen- 
 der means could not give so much; but they made their 
 annual subscriptions to amount on the whole to the 
 
SERMON III. 263 
 
 value of tlie third of a shekel for each person. It was to 
 this very service the poor -widow cast in her two mites, 
 which obtained the honourable eulogy of our blessed 
 Saviour. 
 
 That their business might be performed with regula- 
 rity, we see in their plan an appointment of treasurers : 
 " And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelamiah 
 the priest, and Zadok the scribe." Neh. xiii. 13. These 
 were the General Treasurers ; one belonging to the 
 priesthood, and the other from among the people. 
 And to these Avere added others, chiefly from among the 
 Levites, who seem to have been local treasurers of the 
 country districts. Their character for probity is given, 
 and the duty of their office described, Neh. xiii. 13 : 
 " They were counted faithful, and their office was to dis- 
 tribute unto their brethren," 
 
 To give a delightful effect to their object, they had 
 a general meeting in the metropolis, which was after- 
 wards kept annually, in joyful commemoration of that 
 auspicious day. The manner of conducting the services 
 is minutely related in the twelfth chapter, which, with- 
 out disturbing the sacred narrative, we recognise as 
 presenting a remarkable and pleasing coincidence. 
 "And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they 
 soughts the Levites out of all their places, to bring 
 them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication Avith glad- 
 ness, both Avilh thanksgivings, and Avitli singing, with 
 cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. And the sons of 
 the singers gathered themselves together, both out of 
 the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the 
 villages of Netophathi, from Gilgal, Geba, and Azma- 
 veth," Neh. xii. 27. " Then I brought up the princes of 
 Judah Tipon the Avail, and appointed two great com- 
 panies of them that gave thanks, Avhereof one went on 
 the right hand upon the Avail ; " led by the princes, 
 followed by the priests, some with trumpets, and the 
 singers Avith the musical instruments, " and Ezra the 
 
264 
 
 SERMON III. 
 
 scribe before them." Neh. xli. 31. In verse 37, their 
 route is particularly described : "And at the fountain gate, 
 which was over against them, they went up by the stairs 
 of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above 
 the house of David, even imto the water gate east- 
 ward." This was the east circuit. Verses 38 to 43 
 commences the tour of the west circuit {^ " And the 
 other company of them that gave thanks went over 
 against them, and I after them, and the half of the 
 people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the 
 furnaces even unto the broad wall ; and from above the 
 gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above 
 the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower 
 of Meah, even unto the sheep gate : and they stood 
 stiU in the prison gate. So stood the two companies of 
 them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and 
 the half of the rulers, with me : and the priests, Elia- 
 kim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zecha- 
 riah, and Hananiah, with trumpets ; and ]\Iaaseiah, and 
 Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and 
 Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang 
 aloud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also, that day 
 they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced : for God had 
 made them rejoice with great joy ; the wives also and 
 the children rejoiced : so that the joy of Jerusalem was 
 heard even afar off." Thus was the religious part of 
 the business concluded, in which men, women, and 
 children, all joyfully participated. 
 
 There requires but one thing more to complete the 
 ■whole, which is expressed, verse 44 : the appointment of 
 Collectors : " And at that time were some appointed over 
 the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the 
 first-fruits, and for tlie tithes, to gather into them out 
 of the fields of the cities the portion of the law for the 
 priests and Levites." 
 
 Judah recovers her character, " for Judah rejoiced 
 or the priests and for the Levites that waited." 
 
SERMON III. 265 
 
 And now, what remains ? If the blessing of God be 
 a sufficient ground for encouragement, let us be careful 
 to make it our only ground. May >ve not begin to 
 build before we look into the heavenly treasury, from 
 which the cost is to be defrayed, lest it should be said, 
 we began to build and were not able to finish. May 
 we act under the conviction, that the help that is done 
 in the earth, it is the Lord who doeth it. Let us be 
 mindful of this truth, that, as our undertaking will cer- 
 tainly succeed if God prosper us ; so we ought not to 
 indulge the least expectation that our labour will be 
 otherAvise than in vain, if he gi-ant not his blessing. 
 But we have not been denied tokens of the approbation 
 of our God. We have been honoured with his smile 
 on our feeble exertions. To him let us ascribe the 
 glory for what he has already achieved ; and never 
 forget, in all our future labours, to commence, proceed, 
 and persevere, in humble dependence upon him. And 
 let us refer our ultimate object where our blessed 
 Lord has directed : — " For thine is the kingdom, and 
 the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen." 
 
 If we entertain the cheering confidence, that the 
 blessing of God is sufficient ground of encouragement, 
 let us not be so absurd as to think it a licence for indo- 
 lence or indifference. No ! it is an encouragement to 
 duty. Let us remember Nehemiah's inference : " There- 
 fore we his servants will arise and build." 
 
 They had their dispensation, and were honoured to 
 fulfil the first portion of Daniel's famous prophecy, 
 chap. ix. 25. At the conclusion of the seven pro- 
 phetic weeks of years, forty-nine years after the decree 
 of Cyrus, " the street was built again, and the Aval], 
 even in troublous times." We have our dispensation ; 
 and surely there is sufficient employment to engage 
 every heart and every hand ! contemplate the 
 moral ruin of mankind, the universal desolation seen 
 throughout the miserable regions of this apostate world. 
 
266 SERMON III. 
 
 Let your eye affect your heart ; your heart affect your 
 hand ; and what your hand findeth to do, do it "vvitht 
 your might. While some of us have been hesitating, 
 others have embarked in the glorious work, are this 
 hour toiling in foreign fields, bearing the burden and 
 heat of the day, not counting their lives dear unto 
 themselves. Some have fallen victims to inhospitable 
 climates, and epidemic distempers. But, in their expir- 
 ing moments, did they regret the sacrifice of their lives 
 for the honour of their Lord ? Ah, no ! they were 
 satisfied, they even rejoiced in the prospect of 
 dying in that department of their adorable Master's 
 service. 
 
 We owe all we can do (how little, at best !) to God, 
 who has done so much for us. Not only have the 
 blessings of the Gospel been presented to our view in 
 the volume of revelation, but they have been offered to 
 us, and pressed upon us, by an evangelical ministry. 
 The unsearchable riches of Christ have not only been 
 preached among us, but many have personally obtained 
 their acquisition. If we have been thus enriched by 
 those inestimable treasures, their fui'ther distribution 
 will not lessen, but rather enhance our portion in them. 
 We might maintain it to be a duty we owe to our- 
 selves, as well as our fellow-men, to extend the bless- 
 ings of salvation unto all the perishing progeny of 
 Adam. 
 
 And besides, are not the interests of the city of God 
 dear to our hearts ? Should we not prefer Jerusalem 
 above our chief joy ? Are we not told it is our duty to 
 promote and to pray for her peace and prosperity ? Then 
 put forth your powers. Employ your influence on 
 earth ; your interest in heaven. Labour unweariedly ; 
 pray unceasingly. You now see the dawn of the 
 latter-day glory ; but look forward to that approaching 
 season, when the church of God, rising to her meridian 
 splendour, shall fill the whole world with truth and 
 
SERMON III. 267 
 
 righteousness, when they shall bring the gloiy and 
 honour of the nations unto her. 
 
 Has Messiah himself declared, " For Zion's sake will 
 I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will 
 not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as 
 brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that 
 bumeth ; and the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, 
 and all kings thy glory ? " — Favoured by the adminis- 
 tration of his Gospel, partakers of the plenitude of its 
 blessings, let us, influenced by the Spirit of grace and 
 supplication, follow his bright example, and continue to 
 obey his sovereign injunction : " Ye that make men- 
 tion of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no 
 rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise 
 in the earth." Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city 
 of God ! Soon shall their fuU accomplishment open 
 upon thee, and 
 
 "One tide of glory, one unclouded blaze 
 O'erflow thy courts : the Light himseir shall shine 
 Reveal' d, and God's eternal day be thine ! " 
 
 N 2 
 
SERMON IV. 
 
 PREACHED UNDER THE SYCAMORE TREE, AT KINGSWOOD, 
 
 ON MR. Wesley's birth-day. 
 
 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The 
 same came for a witness, to hear witness of the Light, that all men 
 through him might believe. Jolm i. 6, 7. 
 
 It has been said of Mr. Wesley's fame, (for which 
 term I would substitute the more hallowed and legiti- 
 mate word, character,) that "from panegyric it has no- 
 thing to hope, and from detraction has nothing to fear." 
 Let not any person presume to charge us with vain 
 superstition, or venal idolatry, when we speak thus of 
 our venerable father. Perhaps our fault is, that we 
 have not sufficiently embalmed the memory of that 
 highly honoured servant of the Most High, with the 
 incense of our best affections ; nor, consequently, felt 
 the immense obligation laid upon us by the Divine 
 Master, who so long favoured us, the church, and the 
 world, with the labours of his eminently laborious and 
 successful messenger. No, we do not substitute him 
 for the Lord Christ ; we put not the servant in the 
 place of his Lord ; " he was not that light ; " never did 
 he cease to acknowledge, " Christ must increase, I 
 must decrease:" " His shoes I am not worthy to bear;" 
 and dying he explicitly bore the same unchanging testi- 
 mony, in life and death 
 
 " AscribiEg salvation to God and the Lamb." 
 
 Permit me, my brethren, en this interesting occasion 
 to call your attention to the ic^i^ which speaks of 
 
 •M 
 
SERMON IV, 269 
 
 Christ's honoured harbinger, — that burning and shining 
 light, John the Baptist. "We may notice, 
 
 I. The name of this divinely commissioned mes- 
 senger. 
 
 II. The character of his mission. And, 
 
 III. Its design. 
 
 I. " His name was John." Hebrew, Johanan. It 
 is observable the Scriptures attach the meaning, and 
 give importance to the names of persons ; as in the 
 instances of Adam, "red earth;" Eve, or Heva, "life;" 
 Xoah, "rest ; " Abram, " lord ;" afterwards elevated to 
 Abraham, " prince ; " Sarai, " lady ;" changed to Sarah, 
 " princess ; " Isaac, " laughter ; " Jacob, " supplanter ; " 
 afterwards changed to Israel, " a prince with God ; " 
 Oshea, changed to Joshua, " a divine saviour ; " who 
 was in his name and character a type of Him whose 
 name was given according to the direction of the angel 
 Gabriel before his birth, who at the same time assigned 
 the reason for his being called Jesus, " for he shall save 
 his people from their sins ; " Immanuel, which being 
 interpreted is, " God with us." All which names indi- 
 cated either character or office. The forerunner of 
 Messiah, like his Divine Master, had his name given 
 before his birth, being announced to his father Zacha- 
 rias by Gabriel, the honoured messenger who announ- 
 ced the name of Jesus. John, Johanan, " the ami- 
 able, or beloved, or delight of the Lord ; " or, " the 
 favour, gift, or mercy of the Lord." Let us not be 
 thought trifling in remarking, this name is perhaps more 
 in use than any other in Christendom. German, 
 Johannes ; French, Jean ; Dutch, Hans ; Welsh, Johan ; 
 English, John. In many instances it appears to have 
 been peculiarly honoured ; John Baptist, that more 
 than prophet, the messenger before the face of the 
 Lord. John, the beloved disciple, who lay in the 
 bosom of his Lord, who was the substituted son of the 
 
270 SERMON IV. 
 
 blessed motlier of Christ, who bore more titles than any 
 other person, and filled more offices than any besides 
 him : an eyangelist, an apostle, a prophet ; justly 
 honoured by the church with the title of " the divine." 
 Shall we descend to subsequent ages of the church ? 
 We see in 1324, that is, 500 years ago, long before 
 Luther's day, John Wickliff, rector of Lutterworth, 
 bearing the character of the first English reformer — 
 John Huss, one of the earliest and most celebrated 
 sufferers under the papal tyranny — John Calvin, the 
 zealous associate of Luther — John Knox, the Scottish 
 reformer — Finally, John Wesley, the world's reformer ! 
 that splendid morning star which led on the present 
 era, when light and truth are gone forth to illuminate 
 and bless all the nations upon earth. Nor should we 
 forget John Fletcher, with piety burning like seraphic 
 ardour, and sound in the faith with apostolic orthodoxy, 
 not unworthy of the bright constellation of the Johns. 
 God has been pleased to honour with no secondary regard 
 another name : let us not pass without noticing Thomas 
 Coke, " in labours more abundant," like the apocalyptic 
 angel flying under the whole heaven, to preach the 
 everlasting Gospel to all nations, and people, and lan- 
 guages. Nor let us be so criminal as to leave unmen- 
 tioned the precious and honoured names of those trium- 
 virs, the first three itinerant preachers, Thomas Rich- 
 ards, Thomas Maxwell, and Thomas Westall ; and 
 subsequently that prodigy of combined learning and 
 piety, Thomas Walsh, who so laboured for his Divine 
 Master, that he died, to use Mr. Wesley's words, an 
 old man at the age of twenty-eight years. 
 
 Let such distinguished names, long since written in 
 the Lamb's book of life, be inscribed in our memory. 
 In reference to our venerable Father, I will at present 
 only observe that this amiable, this merciful gift of the 
 Lord was sent into the world on June 28th, 1703 ; and 
 Epworth, on the banks of the Trent, had the honour of 
 
SERMON IV. 271 
 
 being his birth-place. The world was blessed by his resi- 
 dence here below, during the long space of eighty-eight 
 years, when he finished his course in London, March 2nd, 
 1791 ; God granting him the petition his heart and lips 
 had so frequently presented at the throne of grace : — 
 
 " Till glad I lay this body down, 
 Thy servant, Lord, attend ; 
 And O, mj' life of mercies crown 
 With a triumphant end ! " 
 
 II. The character of the Baptist's mission. 
 
 " He was sent from God, to be a witness to bear 
 witness to the light." 
 
 1. The sender, God. God employs his own servants 
 to do his work. "God counted me faithful, putting me 
 into the ministry." " I have not sent them, yet they 
 run." "Send by Avhom thou Avilt send." God, by 
 special providence, and by his Spirit, sends every ser- 
 vant of his ; but some are more especially sent by him 
 to fulfil an eminent service, as the Baptist, to prepare 
 the way of the Lord ; to make ready a people for 
 the Lord ; to fulfil the dispensation between the 
 law and the gospel. Now it is very observable that 
 those Avhom God sends, he prepares and adapts for their 
 work. Thus was the Baptist prepared, and by easy 
 transitions we may pass from the preparations of the 
 earlier to those of the latter messenger. John was 
 fitted by various natural endowments, and he Avas in 
 the wilderness of Judea till his appearance in public. 
 About the same age, he to whom we now more parti- 
 cularly allude, with a compact frame of body, and 
 strong, intrepid, well-furnished mind, was sent forth 
 from one of the most celebrated seats of learning. But 
 was he to preach the Gospel with the wisdom of words ? 
 Ah, no ! He was first sent into the American wilder- 
 ness. It was in the woods of Georgia that he was 
 taught to know himself, and prepared for the clearer 
 knowledge of God, and so to be introduced into that 
 
272 ' SERMON IV. 
 
 providential dispensation of whicli his own appearance 
 and labours were destined to be tlie historical charac- 
 teristics. 
 
 2. Then there is the Baptist's entrance on his minis- 
 try : not in the synagogues, but in the open air, ■where 
 went out to him the inhabitants of Judea and Jerusa- 
 lem, and of all the regions round about Jordan. Mr. 
 Wesley, without any previous plan of his own, being 
 thrust out of the churches, went forth to the fields and 
 highways where all flocked to him. It was not far 
 distant from the place where we are now standing that, 
 on Rose Mount, he first preached abroad, and not long 
 after he published salvation on this very spot, and sub- 
 sequently over all the kingdom, where worshipping 
 thousands sang freely and delightfally, — 
 
 " Ye mountains and vales, with praises abound. 
 Ye hills and ye dales, continue the sound ; 
 Break forth into singing, ye trees of the wood, 
 For Jesus is bringing lost sinners to God." 
 
 3. Notice, thirdly, the Baptist's ministry. He called all 
 to repentance, whether pharisees or sadducees, publicans 
 or sinners. He warned them to flee from the wrath to 
 come, telling them that " the axe was laid to the root 
 of the tree, and that every tree not bringing forth good 
 fruit, would be hewn down and cast into the fire." He 
 cut off their vain pleas, admonishing them not to in- 
 dulge the false hope that they might call Abraham 
 their father. He detected and exposed their false pro- 
 fessions, and required them to give practical evidence 
 that their minds were seriously affected by his preach- 
 ing, boldly saying to them, " Bring forth, therefore, 
 fruits meet for repentance." And this was the method 
 pursued by our modern Boanerges. He went forth, 
 preaching every where that men must repent, and 
 grounding the necessity of repentance, not merely upon 
 profligacy of life, but upon corruption of heart, though 
 
SERMON IV. 273 
 
 concealed by an exterior respectability of deportment : 
 lie described it as a clear perception of our guilt, misery, 
 danger, and helplessness, with all those feelings which 
 it \inavoidably produces. 
 
 And as John preached repentance to the assembled 
 multitudes of Judea, so he pointed them to the only 
 author of salvation, his o'\\ti superior and Lord. " Be- 
 hold," said he, " the Lamb of God, which taketh away 
 the sin of the world." And thus did the "John" of 
 whom I now speak. He was the great instrument of 
 reviving the almost forgotten doctrine of the Reforma- 
 tion and of the Bible, — the justification of a sinner by 
 faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. He did not 
 ascribe the office of justifying even to the repentance 
 which he preached so explicitly, and to which he so 
 earnestly laboured to bring men. He spoke of man as 
 ungodly, and of repentance as the perception, feeling, 
 and acknowledgment of ungodliness; and to the 
 sinner who thus saw that he needed salvation, and 
 could not save himself, his constant language was, 
 -' Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins 
 •of the world." Christ was the great object to which his 
 vrhole ministry pointed. He and his brother, in their 
 OAvn beautiful poetry, each described the feelings and 
 purposes of his oivn heart : — 
 
 " His only righteousness I show, 
 His saving truth proclaim : 
 'T is all my business here below, ' 
 
 To cry, ' Behold the Lamb ! ' 
 
 " Happy, if with my latest breath 
 I may but gasp his name ; 
 Preach him to all, and cry in death, 
 ' Behold, behold the Lamb ! ' " 
 
 Nor to the manner of salvation, only, did he bear 
 witness, but like\\ase to its nature and extent. He 
 preached a present deliverance from the guilt and 
 N 5 
 
274 SERMON If. 
 
 power of sin, through faitli in Christ ; he preached thiS 
 salvation as free for all ; he preached it as intended ta 
 issue in the full sanctification of spirit, and soul, and 
 hody, — in a state of established holiness, in Avhich, the 
 thoughts of the heart being cleansed by the inspiration 
 of the Holy Spirit, God would be perfectly loved, and 
 his holy name worthily magnified. " He bore witness to 
 the light." 
 
 And his witness was clear. Through a long life he 
 wavered not, but delivered a testimony which, however' 
 it might be disliked, and sometimes misrepresented, 
 could never be misunderstood by those who seriously 
 and Christianly considered it. And it was scriptural ; 
 for to those sacred fountains of heavenly wisdom, the 
 holy Scriptures, he continually had recourse, that he 
 might know the mil of God. Though a man of learn- 
 ing, and of extensive reading, yet there was a sense in 
 w^hich he spoke of himself as homo unius libri, " a 
 man of one book," and that book, the Book of God. 
 We may add that it was powerful : he did not merely 
 state the truths which he testified, but laboured to 
 make them impressive. In the energetic language of 
 Paul, we may say of him, that " he persuaded men," 
 and not only told them of reconciliation, but besought 
 thera — earnestly, tenderly, alarmingly besought them 
 — to be reconciled to God. And, then, it was constant 
 and persevering : long as his life was, it was spent in 
 one employment. His last public address, delivered 
 in age and feebleness, and when life was now trembling 
 into death, was a fit close of labours such as his had 
 been. The venerable old man visited Leatherhead, in 
 Surrey, and with all his remaining strength, cried, 
 " Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye 
 upon him while he is near : Let the wicked man for- 
 sake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, 
 and let him return unto the Lord and he Avill have 
 iviercy upon him, and to oiir God, for he will ahunf 
 
SERIHON IV. 275 
 
 dantly pardon." And when laid on his dying bed, 
 his testimony wavered not. He said, — 
 
 " I tlie chief of sinners am, 
 But Jesus died for me." 
 
 And at length, literally, in attempting to express his 
 feelings in the beautiful language of Dr. AVatts, 
 
 " I '11 praise my P.Iaker while I 've breath," 
 
 of which he could only utter the first words, 
 
 " His last and faltering accents, whispered Praise! " 
 
 III. But let us now consider the grand design 
 of the message: — "That all men through him might 
 believe." That is, that redemption itself being ge- 
 neral, the testimony might possess an answerable 
 character. " He bore witness of that light, that all 
 men through him might believe." The Baptist's was 
 thus a non-exclusive ministry, and so Avas that which 
 the angel from heaven exercised when he said to the 
 shepherds, " I bring you glad tidings of great joy which 
 shall be to you, and to all people; for unto youis this 
 day born a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And 
 this is the proper character of the Christian ministry, 
 according to the commission given by our blessed Lord, 
 — " Go ye into all the Avorld and preach the Gospel to 
 every creature." Thus St. Paul understood it. "God," 
 said he, " would have all men to be saved, and to come 
 to the knowledge of the truth." He regarded all as 
 dead, dead in trespasses and sins, but he knew, too, 
 that "One died for all;" and therefore, without any 
 restraint on his own feelings, or any limitation in the 
 form of his address, he besought men, in Christ's stead, 
 to be reconciled to God. A design this, worthy of tlie 
 universal Father and Friend, and plainly declaring the 
 kindness and philanthropy of God our Saviour. 
 
2^6 SERMON IV. 
 
 Now, of Mr. "Wesley's ministry, this was one unfail- 
 ing characteristic : — He bore witness to the boundless 
 love of God, and to the unrestricted merits of Christ, 
 and continually laboured to bring men to believe. We 
 may take one of the hymns which he published as 
 aptly describing this : — 
 
 *' Come, sinners, to tlie gospel feast; 
 Let every soul be Jesu's guest; 
 Ye need not one be left bebiud 
 For God liatb. bidden all mankind. 
 
 " Sent by my Lord, on you I call J 
 The invitation is to all. 
 Coine, all the world ; come, sinner, tbon. 
 All tUings in Clirist are ready now. 
 
 " Come, aU ye souls by sin opprest, 
 Ye restless wanderers after rest, 
 Ye poor, and maim'd, and bait, and blind, 
 Tn Ckrist a hearty welcome find. 
 
 " This is the time, no more delay ; 
 This is the acceptable day : 
 Come in, this moment, at his call, 
 And live for him, who died for all." 
 
 And, blessed be God ! Mr. Wesley may be said still to 
 bear witness, in the ministry of his sons in the Gospel, 
 on Avhom his mantle descended when he was translated, 
 and who, in the spirit and power of this Elias, now 
 proceed throughout every quarter of the world, and in 
 Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, call on men of 
 every clime and colour to believe and be saved. O the 
 mind glows as it expands in the enumeration of these 
 successors and their successes ! The number of itine- 
 rant ministers being 2, 355 ; and the number of mem- 
 bers of the Wesleyan Methodist societies, 611,580. 
 To these add the numbers who have died in the Lord ; 
 and forget not the many in all the protestant churches 
 Avithin and without the Establishment, who have de- 
 
SERMON IT. 277 
 
 rired their beams from our burning and shining light. 
 
 what an immense family will he be honoured to 
 present in the general assembly, when he will say, 
 " Behold me, my Divine Lord, and the children thou 
 hast given me," 
 
 Such was this " man, sent of God to bear witness to 
 the light." We will not forget that " he was not that 
 Light;" but we will remember he was a faithful, splen- 
 did, and succesful " Avitness " to it. And we firmly 
 believe, that, in the order of God, he prepared the May, 
 that ultimately all the world may believe and be saved, 
 and thus the mystery of God be completed. 
 
 And now, in conclusion, I address, — 
 
 1. In the first place, those who bear his name. And 
 
 1 ask you. Have you truly received his testimony ? 
 Have you personally embraced it ? Have you been led 
 to Christ by it ? Our Saviour said of John the Bap- 
 tist, that he was a burning and shining light, and that 
 many for a season rejoiced in that light. Even Herod 
 "heard John gladly, and did many things." So may we, 
 "We may rejoice in our external privileges; we may 
 honour the instrument through whom we are possessed 
 of them ; and yet remain short of that obedience to the 
 scriptural testimony which is necessary to put us in 
 possession of that free and present salvation which it 
 exhibits. Have you admitted the light which discloses 
 your guilt, corruption, and helplessness ? Have you, 
 like many poor publicans and sinners in the days of the 
 Baptist, felt that the kingdom of heaven suffereth 
 violence, and that the violent take it by force ? Have 
 you pressed into it ? Have you struggled with your 
 self-righteousness and unbelief, and rested not till you 
 have been enabled spiritually, appropriatingly, to be- 
 hold the Lamb of God ? What avails the clearness of 
 the testimony, unless it be admitted by you ? 
 
 2. I address, secondly, those of you who are inhabit- 
 ants of KingsAvood. Consider Avhat a region of dark- 
 
278 SERMON IV. 
 
 ness and death was Kingswood, when the voice of the 
 Lord's messenger was first heard crying in this wilder- 
 ness, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths 
 straight." Your ancestors saw the great light. They 
 said with rapture, " How beautiful upon the moun- 
 tains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, 
 that publishetli peace, that bringeth good tidings of 
 good, that publishetli salvation ; that saitli unto Zion, 
 Thy God reigneth ! " " The mlderness and solitary 
 place were glad." What gi-ateful remembrance is due 
 from you to the memory of this great benefactor of 
 your ancestors, yourselves, your children, and children's 
 children yet unborn ! How were you interested in 
 his labours for your benefit ! How peculiarly did he 
 judge himself to be sent hither, and how qualified for 
 the ministry here ! Such was he who loved you well 
 and loved you long ; and left provision for continuing 
 his love to Kingswood to this time, and to future ages. 
 See that you improve your privileges, or they will all 
 turn to your condemnation. 
 
 3. I address, thirdly, the sons of his associates and 
 successors. His object in founding this edifice, was to 
 form a school where sound learning and piety might be 
 united ; this was his precise and important design. 
 He began to build at an early period in the name of 
 the Lord, seeking the auspices of Di^dne Providence ; 
 and the inscription on the west front informs us, that it 
 was erected for the glory of God, and the benefit of 
 Chm-ch and State. It was opened June 28th, 1748, 
 and the sacred motto from the Holy Language contains 
 his endowment, one which has not failed hitherto, 
 and which we believe never will fail : "Jehovah Jireh, 
 The Lord will provide." This prophetic inscription 
 now goes far beyond his ovni enlarged faith. Hoav has 
 the Lord provided for KiugSAvood school, even fi-om 
 his own household ! A Governor and Governess, 
 Masters, and, to crown all, God owns yon house for 
 
SERMON IV. 279 
 
 liis residence. He pours out his Spirit upon the pupils, 
 and verifies his o^^^l word, " The promise is to you, and 
 to your cliildren." May you be a seed to serve the 
 Lord ! Mr. AVesley once said to me in an early day of 
 my life, " I honour youth, for they will he serving their 
 generation, by the will of God, when I slumber in the 
 dust." My dear young friends, remember that you are 
 the children of Christian ministers, and let your whole 
 conduct be suitable to your family connexions. Im- 
 prove your time while here. Industiiously seek for 
 that knowledge which you have now the opportunity 
 of acquiring. But, above all, "remember now your 
 Creator in the days of your youth." Your fathers, 
 your friends, the Connexion which kindly supports this 
 school, all desire and expect that you would 
 
 " Unite the pair so long disjoin'd, 
 Knowledge and vital piety." 
 
 4. I address those to whom our venerable father 
 committed the charge of the sanctuary. Be faithful in 
 the preservation of that doctrinal deposit which he 
 derived from the word of God, and has transmitted to 
 you. Preach the whole testimony and counsel of God, 
 repentance, justification by faith, the witness of the 
 Spirit, Christian holiness, obedience, both of heart and 
 life : — preach a free, present, and full salvation, and 
 thus bear witness to the true light, that, through you, 
 many may believe. Be faithful, likewise to that 
 scheme of wholesome discipline which he was led to 
 form, and whose value we have, as a body, so long ex- 
 perienced. 
 
 I close the Avhole with a brief reference to his gene- 
 ral character; from which we may all derive improve- 
 ment. 
 
 In youth he was afi*ectionately dutiful to his parents, 
 and continued so to the end of their lives. Even in 
 childhood he feai'ed the Lord; and though much 
 obscurity rested on his earlier religious views, yet it 
 
280 SERMON IV. 
 
 pleased God to remove all the mists, and to bring him 
 into the full light of the Christian dispensation. To 
 learning he was strongly attached, and possessed a fine 
 literary taste. The academical honours which he 
 attained were but preludes of those that were before 
 him, had he not counted them all loss for the excel- 
 lency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. 
 Throughout the whole of his long and laborious life, 
 his single aim appeared to be that of finishing the work 
 God had given him to do ; and to this he made everything 
 subservient. He was diligent and regular ; always em- 
 ployed, and always properly employed. He rose early, 
 and performed every thing in its time, so that he filled 
 every day with work. His maxim was. Nulla dies 
 sine linea. He was indefatigable. He spared not 
 himself: he was never subdued by the love of ease. I 
 may venture to quote the remark of our blessed Lord 
 respecting John the Baptist : " What went ye out into 
 the wilderness to see ? A reed shaken by the wind ? " 
 O no ! An oak of Bashan, a cedar of Lebanon. 
 " A man clothed in soft raiment ? " No : he was a 
 man who counted neither ease, comfort, nor even 
 life dear, that he might finish his course with joy. 
 And then he was disinterested. He said, " If I die 
 worth ten pounds after my funeral expenses and 
 debts are paid, count me for a thief and a robber," 
 and he kept his word. Nor was this at all intermitted. 
 His life was prolonged beyond the common years 
 of man, but to the end he sought no rest, and at last, 
 almost according to words he had often sung, did he 
 
 " His bod}' with his charge lay down, 
 And cease at once to work and live." 
 
 Let us, my brethren, be faithful to our trust, and as 
 far as our venerable father followed Christ, let us 
 follow him. So both in the success of our labours, and 
 the joyful triumph of our death, shall we realize his own 
 dying words, "The best of all is, God is with us." 
 
SERMON V. 
 JOB'S SINCERITY. 
 
 The root of the mutter is found in me. Job xlx. 28. 
 
 Good men cannot always judge of God's providen- 
 tial dealings. Justice and judgment are always the 
 habitation of his throne ; hut he not unfrequently en-, 
 compasses it with thick clouds which conceal its 
 radiance from us, and, casting their own shadows on 
 our path, leave us to walk for a while in entire dark- 
 ness. Job's friends, wholly misconstruing the character 
 of the afflictive dispensations with which he had been 
 visited, supposed them to be a just punishment for his 
 sins, and not for the trial and ultimate reward of his 
 faith and patience. They charged him, therefore, with 
 hypocrisy, assuming that had he not been the most hei- 
 nous of all sinners he would not have been thus heavily 
 afflicted. In vindication of himself against their cen - 
 sures, he remonstrates ^vith them on their uncharit- 
 ableness and unkindness, and tells them what they 
 ought to have said, seeing that a principle, the very 
 reverse of that which they imputed to him so untruly, 
 was manifestly implanted in him. " Ye should say, 
 Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is 
 found in me ? " As though he had said, " I have not 
 merely the pretence but the reality of religion ; not the 
 form of godliness alone, but its power ; not the leaves 
 of a spurious profession, but the very root of the matter : 
 nor is this dependent on my own declaration ; it is matter 
 of sufficient clearness and notoriety ; let it be sought for, 
 and its evidences shall be seen ; the root of the matter is 
 
282 SERMON V, 
 
 found in me. After the closest investigation wMch 
 even your o^vn mistaken censoriousness can pursue, 
 you find me to be sincere : after the severest trials, 
 God finds me to be gold in the furnace, if not without 
 dross, still gold. You actually condemn me, and thus 
 add to the weight of the calamities that oppress me ; 
 whereas ye rather ' should say. Why persecute we him, 
 seeing the root of the matter is found in me ? ' " 
 
 This is pious Job's protest of the soundness of his 
 own principles. How necessary it is that we should in 
 this respect be like him, and that each of us should be 
 able truly to say, " The root of the matter is in me ! " 
 Let us consider, 
 
 I. The subject of the investigation : " The root of 
 the matter." 
 
 I. The root. And this is an essential part of the 
 plant. It contains and conveys the very essence and 
 nature which make the plant what it is : it supports it 
 by connecting it with the earth ; it is thus the chief 
 organ of its existence, inasmuch as it inhales supplies 
 of nutriment fi-om the earth, sends them up through 
 every part of the plant, and is thus essential to the 
 developement of its buds, leaves, blossoms, and fruits. 
 
 The root is a natural figure employed in the Scrip- 
 ture to express the vital source of character in man, 
 whether bad or good ; and the conduct resulting from 
 the principle is naturally called " the fruit," evil fruit or 
 good fruit. Job maintains his character as a sincere 
 pious man, by asserting that " the root of the matter," 
 that is, the principle of religion, was in his possession. 
 That root is a living, quickening, commanding principle 
 of grace in the heart. If Ave look on the text as imme- 
 diately referring to Job's preceding confession of his 
 faith, we might specially assert that this root is closely 
 connected with personal, saving faith in the promised 
 Redeemer ; and this more particularly if we read " the 
 
SEKMON V. 283 
 
 root of tlie Tvord," tlie great original word of promise, 
 handed do^^Ti by tradition through the patriarchal ages, 
 and which in the fulness of times ^vas verified in the 
 incarnation of the Eternal Word himself, his atoning 
 death, his resurrection, his future advent, when the 
 dead shall be raised, and the saints see him face to face, 
 and enjoy his everlasting salvation : all this being dis- 
 tinctly referred to by Job in the memorable words 
 immediately preceding the text, and by which indeed, 
 the text is introduced. " I know," he exclaims, " that 
 my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the 
 latter day upon the earth : and though after my skin 
 worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see 
 God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall 
 behold, and not another." 
 
 2. Then there is the matter; that which springs 
 from the root, and is produced by it ; that to which 
 Job refers when he says, " The root of the matter is in 
 me." True religious principle is never inactive, and 
 never produces iniquity. So our Lord tells us, that a 
 " good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither an evil 
 tree good fruit." He tells us, that if we will have the fruit 
 good, the tree must be made good ; but he tells us, too, 
 that the tree is known by its fruits. In the case before 
 us, the " matter " is genuine, substantial, beneficial reli- 
 gion. And this was possessed by Job : for of him was 
 it testified that he was perfect and upright, fearing God, 
 and shunning evil : that is, he had religious principle, 
 and religious practice ; grace in the heart, obedience in 
 the life ; " the root of the matter," and that root sup- 
 porting and nourishing those visible fruits of righteous- 
 ness which are to the glory and praise of God. 
 
 And thus the Scriptures always teach us to view both 
 the root and the matter. There must be faith in 
 Christ, this is the root ; but then this works by love, 
 and therefore it purifies the heart, and issues in practi- 
 cal holiness. Whatever be the belief of a man, if it be 
 
284 SERMON V. 
 
 alone, one with which no fruits of nghteousness are 
 connected, it is dead, " dead, being alone : " and on 
 the other hand, whatever matter does not spring from 
 the root, is but the form of godliness, the show of reli- 
 gion, not acceptable to God, because " not done as he 
 hath willed and commanded them to be done." The 
 scribes and phavisees thus had a sort of rootless matter ; 
 and therefore our Lord has most solemnly declared 
 that except our righteousness shall exceed theirs, we 
 shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
 Job's profession Avas genuine and gracious ; Job's prin- 
 ciples were holy and operative : and thus must it be 
 with ourselves ; the root of the matter must be in us, 
 and springing from the root all that it is intended to 
 bear. 
 
 II. Let us now look at the manifestation of this in 
 answer to various inquiries. Job not merely states that 
 the root was in him, but that it was found in him. It 
 was not hypocritically assumed ; it was not mistakenly 
 presumed ; it was not even falsely attributed by others. 
 " The root of the matter is found in me." The truly 
 good man may employ the same language. 
 
 1. It is found by himself. Upon an impartial scru- 
 tiny into his heart and life, calling in the aid of the 
 Spirit of God, and carefully applying the rules of the 
 word of God, he finds his faith, hope, and love, to be 
 sincere, holy, and divine. He obeys that most impor- 
 tant injunction : " Examine yourselves whether you be 
 in the faith, prove your own selves." He has imitated 
 the example of the Psalmist, and devoutly said, "Search 
 me, 0, God, and know my heart : try me, and know 
 my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way in 
 me, and lead me in the way everlasting." And the 
 result is, — and we again employ Scripture language to 
 express it, — " Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of 
 our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, 
 
SERMON V. 285 
 
 not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we 
 have had our conversation in the workl." It is a 
 fearful symptom when there is an evident reluctance to 
 investigate our OAvn state. It shows that we are con- 
 scious that all is not right, but that we are resolved to 
 close our eyes to the humbling fact. Whereas, true sin- 
 cerity longs to be right, and is therefore anxious to detect 
 every thing in consistent with it, if any thing there be. 
 Nor is such searching in vain. Tracing: obedience down 
 to the principles in which it originates, which, in regard 
 to his own heart, the Christian is enabled by the grace 
 of God to do, and then, comparing those principles 
 Avith the Avord of God, he rejoices in the testimony of 
 his conscience, that the root of the matter is found in 
 him. 
 
 2. It is found in him by the candid spectators of his 
 character. They see his uniformly humble, holy, pious 
 spirit ; they hear his spiritual conversation ; they are 
 acquainted with his uprightness and benevolence; and 
 in all this, they trace the operation of one piinciple. 
 In fact, this uniformity is the gi-eat evidence of gra- 
 cious principle. The Aposlle said, " Tliis one thing I 
 do." His various actions all proceeded from one prin- 
 ciple, and Avere directed to secure one great oltject. 
 And AA'lien the Christian is thus seen walking by one 
 rule, and minding one thing, it is as though the con- 
 nection of fruit and leaves and branches Avith the trunk, 
 and of that Avith the root, AA-ere made appai-ent. The 
 floAvers by Avhich his profession is adorned are not 
 artificial, — gaudy, but lifeless and unfragrant ; their 
 beauty and fragrance mark their union Avith the stem 
 on Avhich they hang, and you see that they groAV there. 
 The root of the matter is found in him. 
 
 3. Nay, it is found to be in him even by the less 
 candid spectators, Avho are disposed to judge unfavour- 
 ably of him. Their prejudices, their want of full op- 
 portunities of examining his mode of life, some of his 
 
286 SERMON V. 
 
 own defects and failures, may all lead to suspicion, and 
 it may be said of him that he is a hypocrite, that he is 
 only acting a part, and that his religious profession is 
 the mask that he wears. Even Job had to bear these 
 unkind, and in his case unjust, suspicions. The evil sur- 
 misings of his friends appear to have affected him more 
 powerfully, wounded him more deeply, than all his 
 other afflictions. The hand of the Almighty was on 
 him, and his suspicious friends put the worst construc- 
 tion on the matter. " It is God," in effect they said, 
 *' detecting and exposing the hidden wickedness of his 
 character." But, ultimately, God vindicated the cause 
 of his servant, and attested his innocence. God brought 
 forth his judgment as the light, and his righteousness 
 as the noon-day, and then the root of the matter was 
 found in him. 
 
 4. It was found in him by the evil one, who had 
 accused him before God. He is very significantly 
 called " the accuser of the brethren," who is permitted 
 (though the manner is hidden from us) to accuse them 
 before God day and night. He thus accused Job, in- 
 sinuating that his religion was so closely connected with 
 his prosperity, that if the one were removed, the other 
 would disappear. The tempter was permitted to try 
 him whom he had before been permitted to accuse. 
 Trial after trial came ; wave succeeded to wave, allowing 
 the sufferer scarcely time to respire ; but " Job sinned 
 not, neither charged God foolishly : " the root of the 
 matter was found in him. 
 
 Foiled in these first attacks, he still insinuates doubts 
 of Job's sincerity, and obtains permission for further 
 aud yet severer trial. The person of Job, exempt 
 before, is now, with certain limitations, subjected to his 
 violence. Fierce disease irritates and enfeebles the body 
 as heavy calamities had before oppressed the mind. 
 But though groans of pain were extorted from the 
 sufferer, murmurs came not with them. " We have 
 
SERMON V. 287 
 
 received good at the hands of the Lord," he exclaims, 
 " and shall we not receive evil ? " In all this he sinned 
 not -with his lips, and thus stood the test, and the root 
 of the matter was found in him. 
 
 And in the case of Job we may see illustrated what 
 are often very mysterious occurrences in the history of 
 professors of religion. The fiery trial comes, and if 
 their building were composed of wood, hay, and stub- 
 ble, when the fire has passed away, nothing but ashes 
 and ruins are left : but if they were indeed serving 
 God, not as the tempter, perhaps, has been insinuating, 
 for Avorldly gain, but for his o"\vn sake, the rains 
 descend, the floods come, the winds rage, but the house 
 stands, because it is founded on the rock ; and the 
 tempter, bafiled and defeated, is forced to acknowledge, 
 " The root of the matter is found in him." 
 
 5, More than all, it is found there by God himself. 
 Many passages of Scripture bring before us, not the 
 mere abstract power of the Divine Being to search the 
 heart, but what may be termed its "solemn and judicial 
 exercise." He is called " the Searcher of hearts," not 
 because he can search them, but because he does. By 
 him, actions are said to be "weighed; " carefully examin- 
 ed, accurately appreciated. And this judicial work is 
 performed, not, so to speak, by the penetrating eye of 
 the Judge ; in this respect, all things are continually 
 naked and open before him ; hell and destruction are 
 without a covering, how much more the hearts of the 
 children of men ? This judicial work, we say, he per- 
 forms by the arrangement of testing occasions and 
 circmiistances : occasions which Avill detect the lurking 
 evil, and give it the poAver of springing on its prey, if it 
 be not well chained, and the chain itself held by a 
 vigorous and resolved hand ; occasions which will, at 
 the same time, place sincerity and uprightness beyond 
 a doubt, and add another gem to the diadem of him 
 who con<][uers through the blood of the Lamb. In this 
 
288 
 
 SERMON V. 
 
 sense, " God did tempt Abraham," and the root of the 
 matter was found in him. Thus did God lead the 
 Jews in the wilderness, to humble them and to prove 
 them, to know what was in their heaits, whether they 
 would keep his commandments or no ; and O, of how 
 many had it to be recorded, that the root of the mat- 
 ter was not found in them ! Thus was Job tried, and 
 in him the root of the matter was found. And thus 
 ' 'the Lord trieth the righteous ; " for " as the fining pot 
 is for silver, so the Lord trieth the heart." There is a 
 01 ucible which no false profession can abide, and, sooner 
 or later, the Searcher of hearts employs it. Happy 
 they who are faithful in the time of special trial, and 
 "who thus have the root of the matter found in them. 
 
 IIL The test suggests a claim on us for personal 
 application. " The root of the matter is found in me." 
 Not merely the matter has a root, or, the root of the 
 matter exists in another ; but it is found in me. 
 
 ] . There is the open and habitual sinner. That root 
 of which we have been speaking is not found in him ; 
 but there is a root, not dead, but active and fertile, and 
 it is what the Sciiptures call, " (he root of bitterness." 
 The tree is known by its fiuit, and evil actions pro- 
 claim beyond possibility of mistake the evil character of 
 the heart Avhence they proceed. And yet this very 
 class of persons are most accustomed to boast of the 
 goodness of their heart. They cannot excuse their life ; 
 but their heart, they tell you, their heart is good. Be 
 not deceived. As is the matter, so must the root be. 
 The fountain that gives forth such polluted streams 
 cannot itself be pure. There are the wild grapes; 
 their source is the evil henrt of unbelief which departs 
 from God, tlie carnal mind which is enmity against 
 him, and their end is death. The day coraeth that 
 shall burn as an oven, and it shall burn up the wicked; 
 the unquenchable fire is their doom. But the Judge 
 
SERMON V. 289 
 
 yet delayeth Lis coming. And why ? That you may 
 seek his mercy. Deceive not yourselves Avith vain 
 words. " The root of the matter is in you," and it 
 must he extirpated, or you cannot he saved into God's 
 holy hahitation. " Except a man he horn again, he 
 cannot see the kingdom of God." 
 ^ 2. There is the hypocrite ; tlie man of showy profes- 
 sion, of large religious pretension. He appears unto 
 men to have the matter, and he wishes them to helieve 
 he has the root ; but neither belongs to him : the root 
 is not in him at all, and the matter is not genuine ; it 
 is the form, without the power. God knows him 
 already; and if exposure come not earlier, the day of 
 judgment shall bring it, and then fearfulness shall 
 surprise the hypocrites. repent, if perhaps the 
 thoughts of your heart may be forgiven you, that even 
 you, reconciled to God through the expiation of his 
 Son, may indeed have the true root of the true matter. 
 
 3. There is the apostate, described as being twice 
 dead,— dead in Adam, then quickened by grace, and 
 now,— dreadful state,— through unwatchfulness, and 
 spiritual infidelity, dead again ; twice dead ; plucked 
 up by the roots ; the root was there, but is now there 
 no longer. Hear, ye backsliders, the word of the 
 Lord. It is a word of warning : " Ye are nigh unto 
 cursing, and your end is to be burned." It is a word 
 of merciful admonition. Return unto him, he will heal 
 your backslidings, and love you freely. The Vine- 
 dresser pleads for you, and you are spared yet a little 
 longer. Seize the opportunity, before it be too late for 
 ever. 
 
 4. There are those truly described by the text. 
 " The root of the matter is found in them." Suffer ye 
 the word of exhortation. 
 
 (I.) Even the root is not independent; it takes hold 
 of the earth, extracts nourishment from the soil, and 
 thus transmits life, vigour, and growth to the whole 
 o 
 
290 SERMON V. 
 
 plant. Let your faith take finn hold of God, that so 
 you may be steadfast and unmovable. Let it prompt 
 you to much prayer, that God may pour on your soul 
 his heavenly grace, whether as the dew, the soft shower, 
 or the mighty torrent ; that so your faith may send 
 grace through the whole tree, — trunk, branches, leaves. 
 Abide in Christ ; receive from Christ ; so shall you 
 bear much fruit. 
 
 (2.) Let this be your consolation, even should your 
 foes exult, and your friends reproach and desert you, 
 and you walk in darkness and have no light : Your 
 heavenly Father knoweth the way you take, for he is 
 leading you in it ; and when he has tried you, he will 
 bring you forth as gold. Only hold fast your integrity. 
 Mind the root of the matter. While you keep right 
 with God, all is right with you. The hours of darkness 
 are passing away ; the storm is dispersing ; you are 
 approaching the wealthy place. Leave it to God to 
 dispose of you as he pleases ; still trust in him, and do 
 good ; yea, though he slay you, trust in him. What 
 are the trials of time to the enjoyments of eternity ? 
 and these shall be yours for ever. 
 
SERMON VI. 
 
 MISSIONARY EXERTIONS CONSIDERED IN 
 THEIR OBJECT AND OBLIGATIONS. 
 
 •nie voice of Mm that crieth m the wilderness, Prepare ye the 
 umy oj the Lord, mahe straight in the desert a highivay for our God 
 Every valley shaU he exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be 
 made low : and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rouqh 
 places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh 
 shall see it together j for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 
 xl. 3 — 5. 
 
 Missionary exertions contemplate the conversion of 
 the Avhole world to God. What a stupendous object is 
 this ! Not less than from eight hundred to a thousand 
 millions of human beings, (taking only the inhabitants 
 ot the world at any one period,) with all their passions 
 and prejudices, all their errors and all their vices all 
 the evil fruit of an evil nature, to be brought to know 
 and acknowledgeGod, to fear, and love, and serve him 
 to bring them all to walk by the same rule, and to 
 mmd the same thing ! It would seem a mere chimera 
 the wild dream of some enthusiastic imagination if we 
 had not the sure word of prophecy. But, gi-eat as the 
 object IS, the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it and 
 the zeal of the Lord shall perform it. And it is an 
 object as benevolent as it is vast. With the sins of 
 mankmd, their miseries also shall be removed AVith 
 the establishment of holiness, there shall be the estab- 
 hshment of peace, and love, and joy. The reign of God 
 IS a reign of mercy; and the kingdom of God in the 
 world, as weU as in the heart, is " righteousness, peace, 
 o 2 
 
292 
 
 SERMON TI. 
 
 and joy in tlie Holy Ghost." The most enlightened 
 philanthropy cannot go beyond this, — that the taber- 
 nacle of God should be with menj and that he should 
 dwell among them. 
 
 In the promotion of such an object, my brethren, 
 we should all of us feel deeply interested. Are 
 we human beings, members of the great family of 
 mankind ? Are we Christians, partakers ourselves of 
 the blessings of the Gospel ? If human sympathy and 
 love dwell in our bosoms ; if Christian zeal and devo- 
 tion animate our souls ; then shall we feel a deep and 
 lively, yea, a personal interest in seeking to secure 
 this great and benevolent object. "We shall stand 
 prepared to watch every movement of providence, 
 every dispensation of grace ; to wait for the open- 
 ing of the door, and promptly to enter in by it ; to 
 hear every summons to duty, and unhesitatingly to 
 obey it. 
 
 I have now to beseech you to listen to the call from 
 heaven, — may it indeed be an effectual call ! — which I 
 have read as my text. Hear these beautiful strains of 
 ancient poetry. Attend to this divinely prophetic ad- 
 monition. " The voice of him that crieth in the wil- 
 derness." — The world is, as to God and good, a wilder- 
 ness : voices are heard there, but they are voices of the 
 ravening beast ; voices of the destroyer ; voices as of 
 Rachel Aveeping for her children ; the voices of the 
 suffering and destroyed. But hearken : another voice 
 is heard : " The voice of him that crieth in the wilder- 
 ness." And what is the proclamation ? " Prepare ye 
 the way of Jehovah ; make straight in the desert a 
 highway for our God." He is the King of the world, 
 and he comes to rescue man from his enemies, and to 
 conquer the world back again to himself. The procla- 
 mation refers to the coming and triumphs of Him of 
 whom it is said, " For God sent not his Son into the 
 world to condemn the world, but that the world through 
 
SERJION VI. 293 
 
 him might be saved." Let us seriously and devoutly 
 consider its import. 
 
 I. Let us first consider the glorious revelation 
 spoken of : — " The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 
 and all flesh shall behold it together." 
 
 1. And here, the object, to which, in this revelation, 
 all eyes will be turned, first calls for our attention : — 
 " The glory of the Lord." This is, generally, the display 
 of the divine perfections, through whatsoever medium 
 they are made known. Thus, the heavens are said to 
 declare the glory of God, because, as the firmament 
 showeth his handy-work, his eternal power and god- 
 head, as their first and almighty Cause and Upholder, 
 shine forth from them. Thus, too, was the Mosaic dis- 
 pensation made glorious, because, in some important 
 respects, the light of the divine character was exhibited 
 by it. But it is in the Gospel chiefly that this display 
 of the divine perfections is to be found. We may say 
 of the visible creation, when compared in this respect 
 with the Gospel, what St. Paul asserts of the Mosaic 
 iaw, that that which Avas made glorious had yet no 
 glory by reason of the glory that excelleth, God in 
 the Gospel is seen sitting on his throne, and making all 
 things new ; creating the new heavens and the new 
 earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. To the Son it 
 is said, " Of old thou hast laid the foundation of the 
 earth, and the heavens are the work of thy hands. 
 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure ; yea, all of 
 them shall Avax old as doth a garment ; as a vesture 
 shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : but 
 thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." 
 His kingdom, therefore, is an everlasting kingdom ; nor 
 shall the new creation perish, but eternally shine forth, 
 exhibiting the praises of Him by Avhom it was called 
 from darkness into marvellous light. In the Gospel all 
 the glory of Jehovah's goodness passes before us. Moses 
 
294 SERMON VI. 
 
 might see only his back parts ; " but we all, with un- 
 veiled face, behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord;" 
 the glory of the Lord in the face of Christ Jesus. The 
 types and shadows of the law presented encouraging 
 intimations of this, but the Gospel unfolds it. In 
 Christ, in lois divine person and redeeming work, we 
 see the brightness of the divine glory, because we see 
 how God can be just, and the justifier even of the 
 ungodly. The prophet stated the problem : " A just 
 God and a Saviour," to whom " all the ends of the 
 earth" are to "look, and be saved;" the Gospel explains 
 and solves it, first of all pointing to the atonement of 
 Christ, in which we see the righteousness of God vin- 
 dicated against the impeachments of sin, and the love 
 of God proved in the salvation of sinners. 
 
 " Here the whole Deity is knovra, 
 Nor dares a creature guess, 
 Which of the glories brightest shone, 
 The Justice, or the Grace. 
 
 2. Consider, secondly, the revelation of this glory. 
 
 As compared with its manifestation in the Gospel, it 
 had been hidden from past ages and generations. To 
 the heathen world, who had sunk into gross darkness, 
 because they did not like to retain God in their know- 
 ledge, it was not made known at all. They sat in 
 darkness, and in the shadow of death. The faint ray 
 proceeding from the primitive tradition, they so mixed 
 with the lights of their own kindling that it could not 
 be distinguished from them ; while the light which 
 shone from Mount Zion they laboured to obscure, and 
 even to quench. And as to the Jews, through their 
 own sinful neglect, the intimations which their types 
 and shadows gave were in too many instances unheeded, 
 so that Avhen IMoses was read, the veil was upon their 
 hearts, and what of glory was to be seen in their dis- 
 pensation was, as to the bulk of the people, unnoticed, 
 and therefore unknown. 
 
sERjroN VI. 295 
 
 The veil was partly removed by Christ in his per- 
 sonal mini try. They who were privileged with access 
 to him, saw his glory, the glory as of the only -begotten of 
 the Father. His mighty works, and the wonderful 
 wisdom of his sayings, drew many to him, as " to the 
 brightness of the rising " of the Sun of righteousness. 
 And then, there was his atoning death; an event which 
 indeed asserted the glory of the Lord, but Avhich was, 
 for a time, as the sun behind dense and black clouds, 
 which cast a deep shadow on all beneath them. It 
 was, even to the disciples themselves, the wisdom of 
 God in a mystery. The day of Pentecost was the day 
 of unveiling. The mighty rushing wind came, and the 
 clouds were dispersed, and the shadows fled. The sun 
 had risen, but his rising had been obscured by clouds ; 
 now the heavens were to be seen in their brightness ; 
 the "day of salvation" was fully come, and the apostles, 
 early aAvake, and catching the first beams of the glo- 
 rious effulgence, lifted up their voice among the care- 
 less, and cried aloud, " Awake, thou that sleepcst, 
 and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee 
 light." Yes, my brethren, in the events of that day, 
 whether in the truths revealed, or in the open procla- 
 mation of them, the words of the prophet were indeed 
 fulfilled : " Arise, shine, for thy tight is come, and the 
 glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." 
 
 3. The text calls us to consider the prophetic pro- 
 mise of the universal revelation of this glory. " The 
 glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall 
 behold it together." 
 
 Wherever the apostles went forth they preached tlie 
 Lord Jesus; and thus preaching Christ crucified, such 
 were the effects produced by the blessing of God upon 
 their doctrine, that, though many rejected, and some 
 blasphemed, their doctrine was "Christ the power of 
 God, and the wisdom of God." Wherever they went 
 they brought light to those who sat in darkness ; light 
 
296 
 
 SERMON VI. 
 
 on all those subjects which it most concerns man to know. 
 The character of God, the way of salvation, the nature,- 
 rule, and obligations of virtue, a futiire state of rewards 
 and punishments, were all distinctly unfolded : in a word, 
 by their faithful preaching, the glory of the Lord was 
 revealed, and men gazed on it, aiid were enlightened. 
 But more than this is evidently comprised in the predic- 
 tion. " All flesh shall see it together." To this the 
 apostolic commission is plainly related : " Go into all 
 the Avorld ; preach the Gospel to every creature." It 
 is by preaching the Gospel that Divine light is to be 
 spread ; this is the instrument : and the commission 
 shows how universally that instrument was to be em- 
 ployed. The ministers of Christ are bound to keep 
 this in view, that the Gospel is to be taken into all the 
 world, and preached to every creature. With the fore- 
 sight of this, the prophetic Spirit thus describes the 
 results : — " All flesh shall behold it together." 
 
 There has been already a partial fulfilment of this. 
 In every quarter of the globe, among people of every 
 colour and condition, from savage to cultivated life, the 
 glory of the Lord has been revealed ; and every where 
 have proofs of the power of God been connected with 
 it. The glory of the Lord has been revealed in the 
 faithful exposition of his truth; men have been pricked 
 to the heart, and " have fled for refuge to lay hold of 
 the hope set before them," and. been collected into the 
 apostles' fellowship as well as doctrine : and being then 
 associated, they unite in the testimony, — " We all, 
 with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the 
 Lord, are changed into the same image from glory into 
 glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 
 
 And we are cheered when we see what is doing, and 
 about to be done, in the prosecution of the same holy 
 enterprise. Missionaries are gone forth almost where- 
 ever openings have been presented to them. The 
 Scriptures are translated into languages never before so 
 
SERMON vr. 297 
 
 honoured, and are circulated to an extent to which, a 
 century ago, v,e should have thought it impossible 
 that in so short a time it could have been carried. The 
 zeal of Christians is excited to desire and to attempt 
 even yet greater things than these. And Avhither does 
 all this tend ? Blessed be God, we know not merely 
 the direction of the present movement, but its final 
 results. We have consulted the oracle, and we have 
 obtained the reply. Not such a reply as was to be had 
 by such as consulted the Delphic oracle, ambiguous, 
 deceptive, false, — but such as Avas to be expected from 
 the "lively oracles," "the oracles of God ;" one full of 
 truth and goodness, and at once calculated to animate 
 and direct. Hear some of the answers which are 
 given : — " There shall be a handful of corn in the earth 
 upon the top of the mountains ; the fruit thereof shall 
 shake like Lebanon ; and they of the city shall flourish 
 like the grass of the earth. His name shall endure for 
 ever ; his name shall be continued as long as the sun ; 
 and men shall be blessed in him ; all nations shall call 
 him blessed." Yes, my brethren, these oracles assure 
 us that Messiah's dominion shall be " from sea to sea, 
 and from the river to the ends of the earth," and that 
 " the isles shall wait for his law : " that " incense shall 
 be ofl^ered unto him, and a pure ofi'ering, in every 
 place," for that " his name shall be great among the 
 Heathen," and great " from the rising of the sun to the 
 going down of the same." " The fulness of the Gen- 
 tiles shall be brought in, and all Israel shall be saved." 
 These are the oracles which support our faith and excite 
 our hope. The subject we consider may not be free 
 from mysteries ; and, when compared with the strength 
 of man, the progress of which we speak may be attended 
 with difficulties. We attempt not to remove the mys- 
 teries, nor to deny the existence of the difficulties. 
 There stands the "great mountain." By all the "might 
 and power " which man can bring, it is not to be 
 o5 
 
298 SERMON VI. 
 
 remoTed. But shall we therefore despond ? No ! We 
 call upon the name of the Lord. To him we say, 
 
 '< Our utter impotence we see, 
 But nothing is too hard for Thee." 
 
 And because he hath said it, so we believe it shall be. 
 " The glory of the Lord shall be rerealed, and all flesh 
 shall behold it together." 
 
 But the text is to be considered not only as exciting 
 hope, but as directing and encouraging diligence and 
 effort. There is not only a delightful object to be con- 
 templated in the glorious revelation which is predicted 
 and promised, but there is a duty to be performed, and 
 the text calls upon us to engage in its performance. 
 
 Let us, then, consider, 
 
 II. The imperative call to duty. " The voice of 
 him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way 
 of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway 
 for our God." 
 
 The voice of the Holy Sphit crieth unto us. The 
 Scriptures are his word ; and all that he has said in pro- 
 phecy implies that it is our duty to seek the accomplish- 
 ment of the prediction by employing all those means 
 which are lawful and suitable. So the Apostle under- 
 stood it. When he " turned to the Gentiles," he justi- 
 fied his conduct by quoting the inspired declaration, 
 that the Messiah was to be " for salvation to the ends 
 of the earth," and this he thus interprets into a declara- 
 tion of the Avill of God as to man, as well as of his 
 purpose respecting Christ. " For so hath the Lord 
 commanded us." Whensoever, therefore, you read 
 these sacred predictions, understand them as pointing 
 to the path of a present duty as well as to the final 
 issue of it. The Spirit calls you to " prepare the Avay 
 of the Lord, and to make straight in the desert a high- 
 way for our God." 
 
SERMON VI. 299 
 
 And just now the voice of Providence addresses us 
 in tlie same manner. The temple of Janus is shut. 
 Peace prevails universally. Men even seem tired of 
 war. Commercial activity sends our ships to every 
 port. Geographical enterprise sends explorers and 
 discoverers into every region. Facilities of communi- 
 cation with distant lands are multiplied. Foreign parts 
 scarcely seem strange to us. And, by a wonderful 
 concurrence of events, the British empire is larger than 
 ever. The loss of America is foUoAved by the gain of 
 India. And even in America, British literature, both 
 ancient and modern, will, through identity of language, 
 exert a powerful influence. And why all this ? What 
 do these events say ? Is the language of Providence 
 at all mysterious ? Avritten in hieroglyphics ? O no ! 
 All points to the wants of the world, as exhibited by 
 every communication from every part ; and all points 
 to the only and all-sufficient remedy. I will not say, 
 "which we and our Anglo-American descendants alone 
 possess," for other nations have it, — but I Avill say, " that 
 remedy which we alone so possess as to have it more 
 efficiently than others, and to have it so as that we have 
 it in our power to make the most efficient use of it." 
 Does not all this say, " Prepare ye the way of the 
 Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our 
 God ? " 
 
 Then there is the voice of the church. Its general 
 cry bespeaks its proper temper, " Thy kingdom come. 
 Tliy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The 
 church catholic says to all its particular members, " Ye 
 that make mention of the name of the Lord, keep not 
 silence ; give him no rest till he establish, and make 
 Jerusalem a praise in the earth." And just now, the 
 whole church in our own land, as well as among our 
 American brethren, seems awakened from slumber, and 
 with renewed earnestness to desire the coming of her 
 Lord and Saviour to deliver, and govern, and bless 
 
300 SERMON Tr. 
 
 mankind. Never was the subject more considered, 
 and more desired ; and it is felt, that, in whatever way 
 the prophecies shall ultimately receive their accom- 
 plishment, Christians are to wait, not in supineness, but 
 activity ; not indeed the activity of self-confidence, but 
 that of hallowed obedience : the activity that seeks the 
 end by the use of the means, and, having used the 
 means, refers the event to God, — God all-mighty, — 
 God all-sufficient. The church prays earnestly that 
 God would hasten his universal kingdom ; that his 
 glory may be so revealed as that all flesh may behold it 
 together : and coming from the sanctuary where such 
 prayers have been addressed to God, to the people at 
 large the voice of exhortation is addressed. They that 
 pray are to work. They that desire the coming of 
 Christ's kingdom, must seek to make all ready for its 
 establishment. " Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; 
 make straight in the desert a highway for our God." 
 
 And to the same effect is the voice of the Heathen 
 world. Yes ; in what is most emphatically, "the wil- 
 derness," is a voice heard crying, " Prepare ye the way 
 of the Lord." It was a most remarkable vision which 
 Paul saw: " A man of Macedonia stood and said. Come 
 over and help us." Come over the boundary; come 
 over into Europe ; come over, and help us, — for we are 
 Heathen, ignorant of God, ignorant of futurity, and 
 unable to help ourselves ; therefore, come over and help 
 us. My brethren, look at any part, of the world you 
 please ; only look at it as Christians. Look to the 
 North, the South, the East, the West. Look to conti- 
 nents, look to islands. Classify mankind on any prin- 
 ciple you may choose to adopt. Make them pass in review 
 before you, or survey, in your spirit, their countless 
 multitudes spread over the globe. As you gaze, a cry 
 comes forth from the whole. You listen, and though 
 the sound is loud as ten thousand thunders, vast as the 
 jusliing of many waters, there is no confusion : the 
 
SERMON VI. 301 
 
 Toice, to the believer, is as distinct as it is audible ; 
 the groaning of creation speaks of the bondage of cor- 
 ruption, of the glorious liberty of the children of God, 
 of the coming of the Desire of all nations : the voice of 
 the world is the echo of the voice of the church ; the 
 ivilderness of earth reverberates the address of heaven, 
 and the cry is, " Prepare ye the way of the Lord : 
 make straight in the desert a highway for our God." 
 
 2, Let us examine somewhat more particularly the 
 duty to which we are thus summoned. TVe are to 
 prepare the way of the Lord. We are to make straight 
 in the desert a highway for our God. We are to 
 announce his approach, and to prepare for his coming. 
 We are, in fact, to seek to bring the whole world to a 
 believing submission to Christ. We are to aim at 
 the conversion of mankind. 
 
 This, however, may be met by an objection : — " It is 
 not in our power to convert a single soul ; much less, 
 then, the whole world." Very true. Conversion, in 
 the sense in which the term is generally used, is indeed 
 God's work. Only He can justify the ungodly ; only 
 He quicken the dead in trespasses and sins. Conver- 
 sion is God's work, and so far as it is his, Ave are not 
 called to perform it. It may be likewise objected, — 
 " But even as instruments, how little can we do towards 
 a work of such almost incalculable magnitude ! " This 
 also is true. But what then ? If you cannot do 
 everything, does it follow that you are to do nothing ? 
 Something we can do, and therefore something we 
 ought to do, both towards the conversion of one soul, and 
 towards the conversion of mankind ; something towards 
 the establishment of the kingdom of Christ in the 
 heart, and something towards its establishment in the 
 world. St. James makes no scruple of using this very 
 impressive language : — " He that converteth a sinner 
 froL the error of his ways shall save a soul from death, 
 and hide a multitude of sins." We can speak of Christ 
 
302 SERMON VI. 
 
 to our neiglibours ; we can assist in sending Christian 
 missionaries to speak of liim to the Heathen ; truth, in 
 a word, is the great instrument which God employs in 
 saving men, and in various ways, we can be instrumental 
 in spreading the truth. 
 
 And let us not overlook one clearly revealed fact, — 
 that the believer has power with God by prayer. Much 
 mystery may be connected with the fact, but none rests 
 on this, that it is a fact : " The effectual fervent prayer 
 of the righteous man availeth much." God will do 
 that for prayer which he will not do without it. Even 
 to his Son he saith, " Ask of me, and I will give thee 
 the Heathen for thine inheritance." 
 
 By prayer, then, we take hold of the strength of 
 Omnipotence ; and our means and instruments, when 
 connected with prayer, assume a new character, and 
 possess an influence and efficiency which raise them 
 far above the order of mere human agencies. God is 
 with us, and the weapons of our warfare are mighty 
 through God. Both his Providence and his grace are, 
 so to speak, set at work by prayer; and before the pro- 
 vidence and grace of God what hinderances shall not 
 give way ? When suitable means are employed, and 
 when, in answer to the prayers that acknowledge that 
 all the help that is done in the earth is done by Divine 
 power, the means are connected with an influence from 
 above ; the valleys shall be exalted, every mountain and 
 high hill shall be brought loAv, the rough places shall 
 be made plain, and the crooked places straight. Look 
 at the ancient times. The cliurch of old had her diffi- 
 culties and oppositions ; but God was with her, and they 
 were all overcome. Now, " whatsoever things were 
 written aforetime, were written for our learning ; that 
 we, through patience and encouragement of the Scrip- 
 tures, might have hope." The church in Egypt, at the 
 Red Sea, in the wilderness, on the banks of Jordan, 
 shows what is possible to obedient industry, and 
 
SERMON VI. 303 
 
 depending prayer. Let us not then be afraid. " "VVho 
 art thou, great mountain ? Before Zerubbabel thou 
 shalt become a plain." Following our great Captain, 
 Ave climb and surmount the loftiest ridges. We want 
 not Hannibal, and his vinegar and fire. If it be need- 
 ful that the mountain be removed and cast into the sea, 
 our faith shall remove it. And why ? because our 
 faith is mighty in itself? No : but because it appre- 
 hends the power of Him who " toucheth the mountains 
 and they smoke, and who taketh up the isles as a very 
 little thing." See the apostles, the fishermen of Gali- 
 lee ; and >vitness their success. They spoke with the 
 Holy Ghost sent down from heaven : their Avord was 
 the ministration of the Spirit ; God made them always to 
 triumph in every place. And if we, my brethren, go forth 
 in the same spirit of zeal for God's glory, and of com- 
 passion for the souls of men; in the same spirit of aggres- 
 sive labour, and depending, believing, self-renouncincr 
 prayer ; if we make not our Aveakness an excuse for an 
 indolent self-indulgence, nor our zealous obedience a 
 pretext for self-confidence and self-seeking ; He Avho 
 was with his servants of old, shall be Avith us also. 
 
 And this we expect ; and because Ave expect this, Ave 
 look for the extirpation of error, falsehood, ignorance, 
 idolatiy, and even sin. The veil of the covering spread 
 over all nations shall be taken aAvay ; the idols be cast 
 unto the moles and the bats ; and all nations shall Avor- 
 ship and serve the Lord. 
 
 III. Let me briefly call your attention to the en- 
 couragement which the text supplies to your faith and 
 hope. " For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." 
 To AA'hich Ave may add another form of expression, by 
 this same prophet, and. in reference to the same great 
 subject : — " The zeal of the Lord of hosts Avill perform 
 this." God hath said it, and God Avill do it. Here, 
 then, Ave have the absolute certainty of the subject. 
 
S04 SERMON TI. 
 
 By the prophetic Spirit, a page of the otherwise un- 
 known future is opened to our view. We want to 
 know in what the convulsions and revolutions of this 
 world of uncertainty and sin shall issue ; and here we 
 have our Avish gratified. " Every valley shall he 
 exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made 
 low : and the crooked shall he made straight, and the 
 rough places plain." By what means, or through what 
 series of events, all this shall he done, we are not par- 
 ticularly informed; but it shall be done, "for the 
 mouth of the Lord hath spoken it ; " and this shall be 
 the issue, the consummation so devoutly to be wished, — 
 " The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh 
 shall see it together." 
 
 We are taught by the apostle, that the "heirs of pro- 
 Eiise " have " strong consolation " in all that refers to 
 their OAvn personal salvation, arising from the " two im- 
 mutable things in which it is impossible for God to 
 lie." So in reference, likewise, to the spread of the 
 Gospel, and its triumphs through the whole Avorld, 
 we may say that " God, willing more abundantly to 
 show the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by 
 an oath," and has given us the " two immutable things 
 in which it is impossible that he should lie." Plere is, 
 first, what the mouth of the Lord hath spoken : — " The 
 glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall 
 behold it together ; " and then, elsewhere, you have 
 this " confirmed by an oath," fur it is ^vi-itten by this 
 same prophet, " Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the 
 ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none 
 else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of 
 my mouth in righteousness, and shall not retm-n. That 
 unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall 
 swear." There shall be a universal acknowledgment of 
 God, and he shall be universally adored : and this is 
 shown to be the immutable counsel of God, because it 
 is spoken by his mouth, and then confirmed by an oath : 
 
SERMON TI. 305 
 
 " By myself I have sworn, the word is gone out of 
 my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return," 
 
 And He who has thus condescended to open to us 
 these cheering prospects of the future, is the Lord God 
 omnipotent. All means and instruments are at his 
 disposal, and he can raise up such as are best fitted for 
 the work he intends to accomplish by them. Even the 
 wrath of man he can make to praise him ; nay, even 
 the malice of Satan. Human ambition may break 
 down the barriers which prevented the admission of 
 truth : human cupidity may penetrate into remote 
 regions, and bring to light a people before unknoAvn. 
 But especially is the residue of the Spirit with him. 
 An earnest of what the outpourings of this mighty 
 influence could accomplish, was afforded at the day of 
 Pentecost. The seemingly powerless and unbefriended 
 disciples of Christ spoke to their own enemies, and the 
 enemies of their Master, whose blood they had just 
 before shed ; and behold the astonishing effects ! The 
 weapons of their warfare were indeed miglity through 
 God. Multitudes were pricked to the heart ; sought 
 help from him whom they had crucified ; and two thou- 
 sand prisoners Avere taken at this ver}'^ commencement 
 of the sacred contest. And He who then caused his 
 own Avork to triumph, has hitherto sustained it. There 
 have been times when the enemy has come in as a 
 flood, but the Spirit of the Lord has lifted up a standard 
 against him ; the battle has been turned to the gate, 
 the seemingly decayed cause has revived and flou- 
 rished, and captivity has again been led captive. And 
 thus is it now. Christianity has resumed its aggressive 
 character. The standard-bearers have lifted up their 
 banners in the name of the Lord; and Ave see the 
 ensigns waving, not merely on the long-occupied cita- 
 dels of the church, but waving in the midst of the 
 enemy. It is astonishing hoAV rapidly and Avidely the 
 cause of our Immanuel has advanced and extended, 
 
306 SERMON VI. 
 
 even in our OAvn times. It is the Lord's doing, and it 
 is marvellous in our eyes. 
 
 But, to conclude. Let us not forget that we per- 
 sonally need that work which on a larger scale is to be 
 wrought in the earth. 
 
 " Hark ! the glad soimd, the Saviour comes, 
 Tke Saviour promised long : 
 Let every heart prepare a throne, 
 And every mouth a song." 
 
 My brethren, have we submitted to him ? Have Ave 
 received him ? His glory has been revealed ; but have 
 our hearts turned to the Lord, that the veil might be 
 taken away, and that we " all with open face, behold- 
 ing in a glass the glory of the Lord, might be changed 
 into the same image, from glory unto glory, as by the 
 Spirit of the Lord ? " In vain do we profess zeal for 
 the cause of Christ in the world, if we do not seek 
 the establishment of his kingdom in our own soul. 
 That kingdom " is not meat and drink, but righteous- 
 ness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." " Believe in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved," by the 
 setting up of that blessed kingdom within you ; and the 
 kingdom of heaven in jomx hearts shall prepare you for 
 the inheritance of everlasting glory. 
 
 And be zealous for the Lord of Hosts. Live in the 
 spirit of the Lord's prayer. You are taught and com- 
 manded by Christ never to pray without remembering 
 before God the interests of religion in the earth, and you 
 have ground for your faith to rest upon. These dry 
 bones shall live, because the Spirit of the Lord shall 
 breathe upon them. Therefore relax not in your 
 endeavours; be discouraged by no unpromising cir- 
 cumstances ; and by liberal contributions in aid of 
 Christian missions, show your faith in God, inasmuch 
 as you are thus, as it were, paying the pm-chase-money 
 for land as yet oveiTun by the enemy, but which you 
 believe shall be redeemed by the power of God, and 
 made as the garden of the Lord, even as Eden. 
 
SKETCHES OF SERMONS. 
 
 SKETCH I. 
 
 DEVOUT SOLICITUDE FOR A REVIVAL OF 
 RELIGION. 
 
 O Lord, revive thy work, — Habakkuk iii. 2. 
 
 To be feelingly, powerfully, and zealously affected 
 for the interests of religion, considered as the work of 
 God, having for its object the glory of God in the sal- 
 vation of immortal souls, has ever been the character of 
 his faithful servants; especially when they have had awful 
 views of his displeasure against sin, and have appre- 
 hended a sudden diplay of his wrath. Thus felt Moses, 
 the man of God, as appears in Psalm xc. 13 — 15 : 
 " Retxirn, Lord, how long ? and let it repent thee 
 concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy 
 mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 
 ]\Iake us glad according to the days wherein thou hast 
 afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil." 
 And thus felt the prophet Habakkuk in the contempla- 
 tion of God's judgments, denounced against the Jewish 
 nation ; and he earnestly prayed, that in the midst of 
 the years of their adversity in Babylon, the Lord would 
 graciously " preserve alive " (margin) the interests of 
 religion among them, that their calamities might be 
 sanctified so that religion might revive and flourish. 
 Religion, then, is the work of God; and it is most 
 
308 
 
 SKETCH I, 
 
 desirable to see its important interests maintained, and 
 its sacred influences revive and predominate. I mean 
 to call your attention to 
 
 I. The work of God, — 
 
 II. To the means of obtaining a revival of religion ; — 
 
 III. And then to urge the use of those means, by pre - 
 senting some motives, which, by the blessing of God, 
 may be influential in calling forth your exertions for 
 its attainment. 
 
 I. The work of God. " Lord, revive thy work ! " 
 
 " Great and manifold are thy works, O Lord ; in 
 wisdom hast thou made them all." The work of God 
 in the visible creation, is a magnificent display of his 
 wisdom, poAvei", and goodness. But it is to be remarked, 
 that this work was soon efi'ected, even in six days ; and 
 the seventh day God rested from all the work that he 
 had made : and this work is doomed to destruction : 
 "The heavens and the earth Avhich are now, by the 
 same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against 
 the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 
 2 Peter iii. 7- 
 
 Not so the other work of God to which we allude. 
 It was not finished in six days, nor six years, nor six 
 hundred ; it has been going on nearly six thousand 
 years ; it will proceed till time shall be no longer ; and 
 even afterwards it will extend its grand results through 
 the interminable ages of eternity. 
 
 The general description of this work may be given 
 in one word, " religion," which has existed under every 
 dispensation since Adam's time. Under our complete 
 dispensation of the Gospel, it is the religion of Christ ; 
 what he calls, " the kingdom of God," existing in the 
 heart, and extending its sacred influence on the life 
 and conduct of every one who is its subject. 
 
 1. In its essential nature, it is a work of grace in 
 the soul. The Scripture describes it by terms which 
 
SKETCH I. 809 
 
 imply -wonderful energy, operation, and effect : ■' A 
 new birth,'' the " opening the eyes of the blind," " the 
 quickening and raising the dead ; " and its process is a 
 " new creation after the image of God," " in righteous- 
 ness and true holiness." 
 
 2. Its efficient agent is the Holy Ghost, by Avhose 
 sacred influence it is wrought in the soul ; not being 
 merely natural, of spontaneous growth, nor affected by 
 reason in any of its actions, nor accomplished by our 
 own unaided moral effort. Hence a Christian is " born 
 of the Spirit;" is " renewed in the spirit of his mind; " 
 is " the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus 
 unto good works ; " " He who hath wrought us to the 
 self-same thing is God, who also hath given unto us the 
 earnest of the Spirit ; " " He worketh in us to will and 
 to do ; " " Thou, Lord, hast wrought all our works in 
 us." It is not, then, by human might or power, 
 but by the Spirit of the Lord, that this great work is 
 wrought. 
 
 " What are our works bnt sin and death, 
 Till thou thj- qiiick'ning Spirit breathe ? 
 Thou giv'st the power thj- grace to move ; 
 O wondrous grace! O boundloss love !" 
 
 3. Means employed. 
 
 (1.) The inspired word — read or heard. 
 
 (2.) The ministry of the Gospel. 
 
 (3.) His appointed ordinances. , 
 
 But Avhatever instruments or means God is pleased 
 to employ, the Holy Spirit is the only efficient and 
 effectual agent. It is his divine influence that renders 
 them successful ; and not only evidences the work to 
 be his production, but secures the glory of it to God 
 himself. " Who is sufficient for these things ? " " Our 
 sufficiency is of God ; that the excellency of the power 
 may be of God, and not of us." 
 
 4. The work of grace in the soul is variously de- 
 scribed in Scripture, as " the kingdom of God which i$ 
 
310 SKETCH I. 
 
 not meat and drink," (external acts and forms, rites and 
 ceremonies,) " but righteousness, peace, and joy in the 
 Holy Ghost ; " " the grace of ovir Lord Jesus Christ, 
 the love of God, and the communion of the Holy 
 Ghost, be with you all. Amen." But there is a par- 
 ticular characteristic given by the text : it is possessed 
 of vitality. " O Lord, revive," give renevred life to 
 "thy work." Vitality, life, is the emphatic Scrip- 
 ture character of true religion ; the life of God in 
 the soul of man. " He that hath the Son hath life." 
 " He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." "You 
 hath he qiiickened who were dead in trespasses and 
 sins." " Of his own will begat he us, by the incorruptible 
 seed of the word, which liveth and abideth for ever." 
 
 In the work of God upon the soul of a Christian be- 
 liever, all refers to life, or springs from it, from first to 
 last. Has he repentance ? it is a " repentance unto 
 life." Has he faith ? it is a living faith. Has he hope ? 
 it is a lively (living) hope. Has he the Christian 
 graces ? they are the fruits of the Spirit, living in him 
 and growing to ripeness and maturity. Every metaphor 
 employed to describe the work of God in the soul is 
 fraught with living power and life. It is a grain of 
 mustard-seed ; it is leaven that ferments the whole 
 mass; it is a fountain of living water springing up unto 
 everlasting life. If Christians be denominated " stones," 
 they are living stones. It is life emphatic, life everlast- 
 ing, life divine. " I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth 
 in me." " Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ 
 in God." 
 
 II. The means of obtaining a revival of the work of 
 God. 
 
 By a revival is meant, in an individual, an increase 
 of spiritual life in the soul ; and generally, an exten- 
 sion of religion in the church of Christ, by the awaken- 
 ing of souls, the justification of penitents, &c. For 
 
SKETCH I. 311 
 
 the attainment of this blessing, let us take the example 
 of the prophet. 
 
 1. We should humble ourselyes under the afflictive 
 conviction, that, because of the declension of religion 
 "the wrath of God is gone forth." Pie heard the 
 threatening of the Almighty denounced, and Avas filled 
 with fearful apprehension, which led him to sue for 
 mercy. " O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was 
 afraid; in wrath remember mercy." Thus Moses, 
 Daniel, &c. 
 
 2. We should fervently pray to God with humble 
 dependence on his blessing. "O Lord, revive!" In 
 this course there are two things implied : — 
 
 (1.) The consideration that the work is God's. "0 
 Lord, revive thy work !" He is the author of religion. 
 He is the great worker in individual and in general 
 cases. Its interests are tlis ; and His glory is its end. 
 Convinced of this, let us fervently pray as the Psalmist : 
 " Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land : wilt 
 thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoice 
 in thee ? Show us thy mercy, Lord, and grant us 
 thy salvation." Psalm Ixxxv. 
 
 (2.) The consideration that He can, and that He 
 only can revive his work. Hence he is sought unto, 
 " Lord, revive thy work ! " All instruments and 
 means are his. If he do not work by them, they can 
 effectuate nothing, be the instruments ever so well 
 qualified, and the means ever so appropriate. " Who 
 then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by 
 whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every 
 man ? I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave 
 the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any 
 thing, neither he that watereth ; but God that giveth 
 the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 5 — 7- But in his hands, be 
 they neA^er so weak and insignificant, they can effect 
 wonders. " God hath chosen the foolish things of the 
 world to confound the Avise ; and God hath chosen the 
 
312 SKETCH I. 
 
 weak things of the world, to confound the things which 
 are mighty." 1 Cor. i. 27. 
 
 3. In our supplications to God, we should pray for, 
 and expect, a present revival : " in the midst of the 
 years." If we be indefinite in time, it is nearly as had 
 as being indefinite in terms. Jacob said, " I will not 
 let thee go unless thou bless me." Tlie angel Gabriel 
 told Daniel, " At the beginning of thy supplications 
 the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew 
 thee." And it is said, " While the disciples prayed." 
 
 4. We should each, like the prophet, inquire into 
 his own state, to find whatever may be in himself to 
 obstruct and impede a revival. " I will stand upon 
 my watch, and set me upon the tower ; and will watch 
 to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall 
 answer when I am reproved." Habakkuk ii. 1. God 
 complained by Jeremiah, " I have heard what the pro- 
 phets said that prophesied lies in my name," &c., " Let 
 us search for the accursed thing," &c. Jer. xxiii. 25. 
 If Christ says, " I have not found so great faith, no, 
 not in Israel," let us " repent and do our first works, 
 and strengthen the things which remain," &c. 
 
 But all the preceding would be enthusiasm, did we 
 not attend to what He requires of us to do, besides 
 px-aying to Him. 
 
 5. We should employ all the instruments and means 
 in our power. 
 
 (1.) We should seek the Lord for ourselves, in our 
 OAvn closets, in the means of grace, searching the Scrip- 
 tures, and prayer. 
 
 (2.) We should further the preaching of the Gospel 
 God's chief instruaient in saving men, and spreading 
 his work. 
 
 (3.) We should wisely and zealously combat error, 
 impiety, and infidelity ; never associating with them, 
 always discountenancing them; and opposing them at 
 every proper opportunity. 
 
SKETCH I. 313 
 
 (4.) We should encourage young converts, and the 
 rising generation. 
 
 (5.) We should animate the zeal, and encourage tlie 
 talents, of others ; be like Aaron and Hur on the 
 mount. 
 
 (6.) "We should sanctify the unrighteous Mammon, 
 and make every sacrifice. What is the silver and the 
 gold, to the salvation of souls ? 
 
 (7.) And even if we should not see the effect desired 
 in others, we should labour to secure our o-wn interest 
 in the mercy of God. If we really desire a revival of 
 religion, there is nothing to prevent it in ourselves ; and 
 if we do not desire it for ourselves, we do not truly and 
 properly desire it for others. 
 
 III. Reasons to induce us to seek for a revival of 
 religion. There are many. I will only mention a few 
 general motives at present. 
 
 ]. Sacred regard for the cause and work of God. 
 Reflect on its value and importance in reference to the 
 salvation of souls, and the honour of God. Hoav felt 
 the Psalmist for the church of God ? " If I forget thee, 
 O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning." 
 Psalm cxxxviii. 5. " Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, 
 they shall prosper that love thee." Psalm cxxii. 6. How 
 felt Isaiah ? " For Zion's sake will I not hold my 
 peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, 
 until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, 
 and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." Isaiah 
 Ixii. 1. How felt St. Paul, Romans ix., x. ? How 
 felt the blessed Redeemer ? He wept over Jerusalem, 
 saying, " O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the pro- 
 phets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee ; how 
 often would I have gathered thy children together, as 
 a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye 
 would not 1" Luke xiii. 34. He said, " The zeal of 
 thine house hath eaten me up." John ii. 17. 
 
314 SKETCH I. 
 
 For the sake of this great work he became incarnate, 
 lived, laboured, suffered, bled, died. To carry it on, 
 he arose from the dead, ascended to heaven, received 
 gifts for men. To support and consummate this great 
 work, he administers tlie kingdom of heaven and earth; 
 and the glorious result of this work is to accumulate 
 glories on him to all eternity. If these considerations 
 impress us with the value and importance of this cause, 
 we may find, 
 
 2. Encouragement in a grateful retrospect of God's 
 former interest in his cause, as the prophet Habakkuk 
 did. 
 
 (1.) Let us recall to memory how God, in times past, 
 appeared for his cause, and the wonders he ^vrought to 
 maintain it. " God came from Teman, and the Holy 
 One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the 
 heavens, and the earth was full of his praise." Habak- 
 kuk i. 3. And all this terrible display of his power 
 was for the salvation of his people : " Thou wentest 
 forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation 
 with thine anointed ; thou woundedst the head out of 
 the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation 
 unto the neck. Selah." Verse 13. Thus hkewise the 
 Psalmist : " We have heard with our ears, O God, our 
 fathers have told us what work thou didst in their days, 
 in the times of old." Psalm xliv. 1. And thus Isaiah : 
 " Awake, awake, put on strength, ann of the Lord ; 
 awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of 
 old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded 
 the dragon?" Isaiah li. 9. 
 
 (2.) Let] us exercise faith on the promises of God, 
 respecting the glorious work he will yet accomplish. 
 Thus, " For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge 
 of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." 
 Habakkuk ii. 14. By Isaiah: " The glory of the Lord 
 shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; 
 for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." Isaiah 
 
SKETCH I. 315 
 
 xl. 5. And predictions innumerable, to the same 
 effect. 
 
 (3.) Let us then pray with the church, and employ 
 all the means in our power, in accordance with our 
 prayers : " God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and 
 cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon us." 
 " Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory 
 unto their children." Psalm xc. 16. 
 
 " Then, then, let it spread. 
 Thy knowledge, and dread. 
 Till the earth is o'erHow'd, 
 And the viniverse fiU"d with the glory of God." 
 
 (4.) And let us not neglect religion, as it is personal. 
 If it revive around us, and we do not admit its sacred 
 power into our o^vn hearts, what better are we ? We 
 may see many come, perhaps through our instrument- 
 ality, and enter the kingdom of God, and we ourselves 
 be cast out through personal negligence and sin. Seek 
 that this work may be begun, if you have hitherto 
 resisted. Seek for its revival, if your negligence has 
 allowed it to decline ; seek that God would fulfil in 
 you all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the 
 work of faith -with power. Herein is he glorified ; 
 even in your bearing much fruit. 
 
 p2 
 
SKETCH 11. 
 SANCTIFIED BEREAVEMENT. 
 
 But he knoweth the way that I take : when he hath tried mc, I 
 shall come forth as (/old. Job xxiii. 10. 
 
 ""What I do, thou knowest not now, but tliou shalt 
 know hereafter." \yith this assurance from the lips of 
 the tiTie and faithful AYitness, the genuine Christian 
 should be satisfied. Religion, which is the converse 
 of the believing soul with God in Christ, initiates (so 
 to speak) the soul into the council of God, where, if he 
 be not fully informed of all the immediate operations, 
 he is taught hoAv to appreciate the ultimate design en- 
 tertained by infinite Wisdom and Goodness, the design 
 for ever kept in view in God's providential dealings 
 with the faithful. This design is so remote from the 
 ordinary means to accomplish it, that many who are 
 pious do not perceive the process ; they misunderstand, 
 they doubt, they conclude that consistently with the 
 holy, gracious, and righteous character of God, the 
 present operation of his hands is by no means to be 
 expected to eff"ectuate a beneficial result. Thus Job's 
 friends beheld not, in his extraordinary afflictions, any 
 demonstration of God's ultimate design. But when 
 eminently pious persons are sometimes brought into a 
 perplexing labyrinth, where they perceive no footsteps 
 of Divine Providence, as Job v. 3 — 9 ; yet here is their 
 hold, the spring of their confidence, — that though they 
 cannot clearly perceive the course God takes, he knows 
 their course ; the way they had taken previous to the 
 
 ♦ These are tlie notes of the first sermon Mr. Roberts preached 
 after the death of his beloved son, Thomas Randolph. 
 
i SKETCH II. 317 
 
 season of extraordinary trial, and the manner in which 
 they conduct themselves during its continuance, and 
 are satisfied, Avith David, " Though many are the afflic- 
 tions of the righteous, yet the Lord delivereth him out 
 of them all;" and Avith Job in the text, " But heknoAv- 
 eth the way that I take : when he hath tried me, I 
 shall come forth as gold." 
 Let us examine, 
 
 1. The way to be taken by the pious in seasons of 
 affliction. 
 
 Here let it be remembered, we speak of pious suf- 
 ferers. God, indeed, is frequently pleased in love to 
 the "souls of sinners to visit them mth judgments, that 
 they may think of their ways and turn their feet to 
 his testimonies, and be led to adopt the language of the 
 Psalmist, " It is good for me that I have been afflicted." 
 But the pious, 
 
 1. Should still persevere in the general course of 
 faith and obedience in which they had previously 
 walked. " My foot hath held his steps, his way have 
 I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back 
 from the commandment of his lips ; I have esteemed 
 the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." 
 A beautiful climax. "My foot hath held his steps :" I 
 have maintained my position. — Nay, I have done more, 
 I have advanced, gone forward, and persevered in the 
 way. — More even than that, I have loved the way : not 
 even my necessary food has been so comfortable and 
 valuable to me. 
 
 It was thus Job persevered. In trial, he held fast 
 his integrity, and still said, " I know that my Redeemer 
 liveth." So the good man, whatever he sujffers, he is not 
 to decline from the testimonies of God ; but to say, 
 " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." 
 
 2- But there is a particular way to be taken in sea- 
 sons of affliction, such as Job took. 
 
318 SKETCH II. 
 
 (1.) The way of humble submission. " In all this 
 Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly;" but said, 
 " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, 
 blessed be the name of the Lord." 
 
 (2.) The way of undeviating confidence in the faith- 
 fulness of God, and the sufficiency of grace. So St. 
 Paul : " I knoAV whom I have believed ; " and so St. 
 Peter admonishes : " Wherefore let them that sufi'er 
 according to the will of God commit the keeping of 
 their souls to him in well doing, as xmto a faithful 
 Creator." So did our blessed Saviour in the moment 
 of his expiration : " Father, into thy hands I commend 
 my spirit." 
 
 " Though waves and storms go o'er my head, 
 
 Though strength, and health, and friends he gone ; 
 Though joys he wither'd all and dead, 
 
 Though every comfort he withdrawTi : 
 On this my steadfast soul rehes, — 
 Father, thy mercy never dies." 
 
 II. The assurance that when the trial ends, they 
 shall come forth with beneficial resiilts. There is a 
 progress in this assurance. 
 
 1. They now perceive that the dispensation is from 
 God, either immediately, or permissively, whatever 
 agency effects it, — ^natural evil, wicked men, or Satan ; 
 still he says, " When he hath tried me;" thus confessing 
 that afilictions do not spring from the gi'ound. 
 
 2. They are convinced their sufferings are a trial, an 
 ordeal. " When he hath tried me." Designed, first, 
 to prove the genuineness of personal religion, as gold 
 stands the fiery test ; and secondly, to improve the 
 quality of their religion, as the furnace detaches the 
 dross. 
 
 .3. They are fully persuaded the trial -will terminate, 
 and the final result will be most beneficial : " When he 
 hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." 
 
SKETCH 11. 319 
 
 (1.) " When he hath tried me." The period must 
 be left to God. The churcli in Hosea's days said, 
 " After three days he will revive us." To the church 
 of Smyrna it was said, " Ye shall have tribulation ten 
 days." It may be ten months or ten years, but they 
 shall be brought out sooner or later, when the assay 
 shall be completed. They are not in the furnace of 
 unquenchable fire, to be tormented for ever. 
 
 (2.) They shall come forth with beneficial results : 
 " I shall come forth as gold." 
 
 (i.) Purified thoroughly in the furnace. 
 
 (ii.) Greatly ennobled ; their piety having proved 
 sterling, they shall come forth as gold from the mint, 
 stamped with the Divine image of Christ, the Royal 
 Sufferer, bearing, in legible characters, his accrediting 
 inscription, " Holiness unto the Lord." 
 
 III. The satisfaction and consolation meantime aris- 
 ing from the conviction that God is acquainted with 
 the manner in which the pious conduct themselves dur- 
 ing the season of affliction : " He knoweth the way I 
 take." 
 
 1. He knoweth the general way I had taken previ- 
 ously, and persevered in during this dispensation ; my 
 personal faith and imitative obedience. He knows 
 so as to approve, as the term so frequently signifies. 
 Here is satisfaction and consolation, — " The God of 
 all grace accepts and loves me !" 
 
 2. He knows the particular way I take now in the 
 season of affliction, — of submission to his will, and con- 
 fidence in his truth and love. 
 
 (1.) His eye sees, is privy to my inmost thoughts, 
 my emotions, my motives, my ends. He views the whole, 
 and every part. No matter what others think : " j\Iy 
 witness is with God, and my record on high." 
 
 (2.) His heart approves. He pities my sorrows, in 
 my afflictions he is afflicted. Jesus is touched with the 
 
320 SKETCH II. 
 
 feeling of my infirmities. My loving Father chastens 
 me for my profit, not his own pleasure. 
 
 " Behind the frowning providence, 
 He hides a smiling face." 
 
 Let me then be patient in tribulation and rejoicing in 
 hope. 
 
 "Jesus comes in my distress, 
 And agony is heaven." 
 
 Let me now sufi'er ; the Son of God is with me in 
 the bui'ning fiery furnace, and the smell of fire shall not 
 be on me. I walk unburned amidst the flames. " He 
 knoweth the way I take" — Is himself my conductor 
 and guardian ; and " when he hath tried me, I shall 
 come forth as gold." 
 
 Let all, before afiliction comes, take the general way ; 
 enter on the path of true piety. We are then prepared 
 for all events. We know how to be full, and how to 
 be empty ; fit for active and pleasant duty ; fit for 
 painful sufifering, and agonizing bereavement. When 
 affliction comes on the pious, God is a refuge for them ; 
 they run into this tower, and find shelter from the 
 storm, safety from their foes. " The ungodly are not 
 so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." 
 
 In affliction, let the people of God attend to the 
 solemn call to duty thus addressed to them. They are 
 to glorify God in the fire ; they are to obtain profit 
 from the trial. They are especially called to prayer, in 
 which they take hold of the strength of God, and be- 
 come strong themselves. 
 
 Are any of us sufiering ? Let our prayer be, — 
 
 " With me in the fire remain, 
 
 Till like bumish'd gold I shine ; 
 Meet, through consecrated pain, 
 To see the Face Divine. 
 
SKETCH III. 
 EVANGELICAL OBEDIENCE REWARDED. 
 
 He that tvalketh righfcousli/, and speaketh uprightly ; he that de- 
 spiseth the gain of oppressions, that shakcth his hands from holding of 
 bribes, that stoppeth his cars from hearing of blood, and skuttcth his 
 (yes from seeing evil : he shall dwell on high ; his place of defence 
 shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him ; his ivutin 
 shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty } they shall 
 behold the land that is very far off. Isaiah sssiii. 15 — 17. 
 
 The Scripture, like a beautiful picture, is completed 
 by lights and shades. (Introduce, from verse 10, 
 God's threatened vengeance against the wicked ; the 
 open and the secret sinners ; that is, the profane 
 and the hypocritical.) But here is a distinct character, 
 minutely delineated by the discriminating hand of God, 
 — the truly pious man. While tremendous ruin shall be 
 poured out on the former, the latter shall be preserved 
 from the dreadful overthrow ; be secure, be happy, be 
 honoured. Our design is to describe the character and 
 the privileges of the pious man. 
 
 I. The character of the pious man. 
 
 1. The Scripture sometimes describes character by 
 principles, and sometimes by practice, not as inde- 
 pendent of principles, but their essential result, as 
 the tree yields fruit according to its nature, and the 
 fountain its congenial streams. 
 
 2. It is to be observed, this description of character 
 regards the duties of the second table of the law, and 
 contemplates the pious man in his social relations. But 
 it implies acquaintance with the duties of the first 
 
 p 5 
 
322 SKETCH III. 
 
 table, and the ruling influence of the love of God, on 
 which alone the legitimate and scriptural love of our 
 neighbour is founded. 
 
 3. Examining this description, we shall find it clearly 
 illustrative of the exercise of the two grand passions 
 exhibited in every man's conduct, — complacency and 
 displacency, — and these, according to their objects, cha- 
 racterize the man. Now the pious man is known by 
 these, as displayed in his social conduct ; and these are 
 strongly marked by the Spirit of God, who searcheth, 
 not only the deep things of God, but the things of man 
 also ; whose word is a discerner of the thoughts and 
 intentions of the heart, and weighs actions in the 
 balance of eternal rectitude and truth. 
 
 First. — The pious man is knoAvn by his attachments. 
 
 He is steadily attached to integrity in deed and word. 
 
 1 . " He walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly." 
 There ai-e three things included in this description : — 
 
 (1.) That he is made righteous, there being "no one 
 righteous," tiU he is forgiven by the mercy, and renewed 
 by the grace, of God. 
 
 (2.) That his course is steady and progressive ; an 
 exemplification of the actual influence of the principle 
 within him. 
 
 (3.) The HebreAv word is indicative of two things. 
 It is " righteousnesses ; " importing, that the pious man 
 practises every branch of righteousness ; he is righteous 
 in all things ; and thus, he is eminently so, as the 
 Hebrew plural frequently imports the superlative 
 degree. 
 
 2. But here is, likewise, integrity in word : " He 
 speaketh uprightly." There are also three things in- 
 cluded in this view of his character : — 
 
 (1.) He does not lie, equivocate, deceive ; thus speak- 
 ing obliquely : his speech is upright. 
 
 (2.) He is sincere, correct, punctual. His yea is yea, 
 his nay is nay. 
 
SKETCH III. 323 
 
 (3.) Here, too, the Hebrew word has the twofold 
 import; it is " uprightnesses;" denoting that he is thus 
 upright in all that he says, and that he is eminently so. 
 All who knoAV him, know his word is the picture of his 
 thoughts. AVhat he says, he means, he will abide by. 
 and every one may depend on. 
 
 " Lie not ; but let tty heart be true to God, 
 Thy mind to it, thy actions to them both. 
 Dare to be true ; nothing can need a lie." 
 
 Now in this conduct, on all occasions, he enjoys com- 
 placency ; it is his pleasure, and to it he is steadily 
 attached, as the object he aims at, and the rule he 
 prescribes to himself; and with the apostle, " this is his 
 rejoicing, the testimony of his conscience, that with 
 simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly Avisdom, 
 but by the grace of God, he has his conversation " (the 
 tenor of his words and deeds) " in the world." 
 And this, not by the measure of "fleshly wisdom," 
 but by the influence and direction of " the grace of 
 God." 
 
 Secondly. — The pious man is moreover known by 
 his aversions. 
 
 He is averse from injuring any one in any respect 
 whatever. Human laws, designed to regulate civil 
 society, recognise the rights of property, and the rights 
 of person. 
 
 Now the pious man is taught by the Divine law, and 
 enabled by Divine grace, to do, from internal principle, 
 what the letter of the human law enjoins as to the 
 exterior action. Hence this description intimates 
 superior principle : He "despises the gain of oppression." 
 Abhorrence of wrong : He " shaketh his hand from 
 holding of bribes." Positive determination to admit no 
 suggestion from any quarter that shall induce him to 
 perform a deed of violence : He " stoppeth his ears 
 from hearing of blood." And to these is added a fixed 
 
324 
 
 SKETCH III. 
 
 resolution to discountenance all sin and sinners : " He 
 " shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." 
 
 Let us examine the exercise of this aversion from 
 injuring any in the right of property, and the right 
 of PERSON ; followed up with this resolution to discoun- 
 tenance sin and sinners. 
 
 First. Aversion from injuring any in the right of 
 PROPERTY. Such injury may be inflicted two ways : — 
 
 1. By sinful gain, derived from oppression. "He 
 that despiseth the gain of oppressions." 
 
 This is done by cruelly subjecting servants, children, 
 or others, to long and laborious work for the sake of 
 greater gain ; especially, if to oppressive toil be united 
 cruel words and scanty food. Mark how God, by 
 St. James, speaks to such oppressors, (James i. 1 — 4.) 
 
 Nor should we pass mmoticed the oppressions inflicted 
 on the lower orders in the animal world, especially the 
 noble horse and the patient ass. The whole creation 
 travaileth and groaneth together, burthened by the sin 
 of man. 
 
 There are some who think they make no gain except 
 they oppress. I speak of those, who, in their dealings, 
 take advantage of the ignorance or the necessity of 
 others. " It is naught, it is naught," saith the buyer, in 
 such a case. 
 
 2. This injury, as to the right of property, may also 
 be inflicted by fraud or bribery. " That shaketh his 
 hands from holding of bribes." Bribery is possible. 
 
 In ministers of justice, this crime is most heinous ; 
 and most thankful ought we to be that we live in times, 
 and in a country, where the ermine of our judges is 
 indeed unspotted. 
 
 But it is equally possible wherever a trust for others, 
 whether public or private, is concerned. He who ac- 
 cepts reward for exercising his trust, and exercises it in 
 that particular way because he is rewarded, is a bribed 
 man ; and that no pious man can be : he detests the 
 
SKETCH III. 325 
 
 practice. He shakes away tlie bribe, as St. Paul shook 
 off the viper. 
 
 Then there are frauds. These are are Satan's bribes. 
 What saith the Scripture ? " Let no man go beyond, 
 or defraud his brother in any matter ; because that the 
 Lord is the avenger of all such." Other sins may have 
 their human witnesses, and be punished by human 
 means ; but fraud is a crime which the all-seeing God 
 specially notices. He is Witness and Judge, and he 
 will execute his own sentence. The sin was an attempt 
 to evade his inspection ; Avas an insult to himself ; and 
 he will fearfully punish it. " The Lord is the avenger 
 of all such." 
 
 Secondly. The pious man is known by his aversion 
 from injuring any in the right of person. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to say, his whole soul revolts 
 from the horrid crime of murder ; of which crime, 
 unhappily, there have been too many instances of late, 
 showing how far man, without God, may go. 
 
 The pious man hates blood-shedding. He cannot 
 delight in war. 
 
 He does not, cannot, approve of the infliction of 
 capital punishments for crimes against the society of 
 which he is a member, unless in cases in which it is 
 sanctioned by the law of God. Human life is, with him, 
 sacred, as the gift of God ; which none, without God's 
 authority, may take away. 
 
 But there is a culpable " hearing of blood," — 
 
 1. When Satan whispers revenge against any sup- 
 posed, or even proved, enemy. 
 
 2. When Ave yield to anger, which is murder in prin- 
 ciple : " He that hateth his brother is a murderer." 
 
 3. When Ave commit any act of violence, or permit 
 any other persons to do so, if in our power to restrain 
 them. 
 
 Thirdly. — To the preceding objects of attachment and 
 aversion, the pious man adds a fixed resolution to dis- 
 
326 SKETCH III. 
 
 countenance all sin and sinners : " He shuttetli his 
 ejes from seeing evil." 
 
 1 . Some look at evil with delight and approbation : 
 " Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which 
 commit such things are worthy of death, not only do 
 the same, hut have pleasure in them that do them." 
 
 2. Some look at evil with indifference as to its vile 
 nature, and direful effects on the holy, just, good, and 
 gracious Being whom it insults and offends. 
 
 3. But the pious man " shutteth his eyes from 
 seeing evil;" he has no delight in it, nor indifference 
 about it. 
 
 (1.) He will not countenance evil in others. — Thus 
 David. 
 
 (2.) He will guard against temptation to evil. — Like 
 Job. 
 
 (3.) He will abstain from every appearance of evil ; 
 shut it out, as it were, from his mind, as the closed 
 eyes exclude all objects from vision. 
 
 Such is the character of the righteous. These are 
 the evidences of righteousness in every age of the 
 world, and under every dispensation of the Spirit. 
 Samuel makes this appeal : " Whom have I oppressed 
 or defrauded?" Micah inquires : "What doth the Lord 
 thy God require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, 
 and to walk humbly with thy God ? " And St. Paul 
 maintains the design for Avhich the grace of God is 
 given, and the lesson it teaches is : " To deny ungodli- 
 ness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, 
 and godly in this present world." He that loveth not 
 his neighbour, loveth not God ; and as love worketh no 
 ill, he that injures his neighbour by word or deed, in 
 person, property, or character, loves him not. Upright- 
 ness is thus seen to be most essentially one of the fruits 
 and evidences of genuine religion. 
 
 n. The privileges of the pious man. 
 
SKETCH III. 327 
 
 First. Present. Here in the kingdom of grace. 
 
 1. Honourable elevation : " He shall dwell on high." 
 His character is exalted above the meanness of in- 
 justice, lying, oppression, fraud, passion. 
 
 His affections, his conversation, his habits, are all 
 heavenly. 
 
 2. Perfect security : " His place of defence shall be 
 the munition of rocks." Even Christ, the impregnable 
 Rock of Ages. (Isaiah xxxii. 2.) He may have ene- 
 mies, but he is secure from all injury. The eternal 
 God is his refuge. All the munitions of the Almighty 
 are employed for his defence and security, and the gates 
 of hell cannot prevail against them. 
 
 3. Sufficient support : " Bread shall be given him, 
 his water shall be sm-e." 
 
 Temporal. — This is the subject of promise. 
 
 Spiritual. — The bread of life and water of life. 
 
 This "bread shall be given him," gratis; and this 
 "water shall be sure." It cannot be cut off by the 
 besieging enemy, for it flows from the throne of God 
 and the Lamb. 
 
 But great as are his present privileges in the kingdom 
 of grace, they are but a prelibation of the future. 
 
 Secondly. In the kingdom of glory. 
 
 " Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty ; they 
 shall behold the land that is very far off." Of this he 
 has frequent delightful anticipations by faith ; but he 
 shall ere long have the perfect enjoyment of it in 
 everlasting sight. 
 
 1. The first fair object in the heavenly world, to meet 
 the admiring view of the glorified spirit, is, " the King 
 in his beauty;" Immanuel, the King of glory, in his 
 manifested beauty of perfection, in all the glory of his 
 royal character. There will be also glorified saints, and 
 glorious angels ; but these are only stars around the 
 resplendent Sun of righteousness. He first will attract, 
 chcirm, and delight the eyes. 
 
328 SKETCH III. 
 
 Once we thought of him. In heaven he will be 
 seen. 
 
 Once he emptied himself; took the form of a servant. 
 In heaven " we shall see him as he is," — the image and 
 brightness of the invisible God. 
 
 Once on this earth, he was arrayed in a scarlet robe 
 of mock royalty ; he held in his hand a reed for his 
 sceptre, and wore on his head a croA^Ti of thorns ; the 
 summit of his throne, the ignominious cross, bore a 
 regal inscription, — "Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the 
 Jews." In heaven he sits with the Father in his throne, 
 and has the glory he shared before the world was ; 
 having a name above every name, and ravishing every 
 beholder with the beauty of his grace, holiness, love, 
 and goodness. 
 
 2. The second splendid object challenging the admir- 
 ing view of the glorified spirit, will be the celestial 
 kingdom ; heaven itself, Immanuel's land, " the land 
 that is very far ofip." 
 
 " Very far off," as to its moral relation with this 
 evil world. 
 
 " Very far off," as to sight ; but, perhaps, very near 
 as to space, had we faculties for seeing it ; certainly as 
 to time ; especially with the aged and mature saints, 
 just descending to Jordan, or rather, climbing Mount 
 Pisgah. 
 
 " Of very far extent." (Hebrew:) Wide as immen- 
 sity, and long as eternity. What a Canaan will heaven 
 be ! The " inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and 
 that fadeth not away !" 
 
 And mark how these are to be seen. The wicked 
 shall see him : " Every eye shall see him, and they that 
 have pierced him." The wicked rich man saw the land 
 that was very far off; saw it with the vast, impassable 
 chasm between. But the truly pious man, soon as he 
 dies, sees the King in his beauty, and the King is his 
 friend; sees the land, and it is hisown eternal inheritance. 
 
SKETCH III. 329 
 
 Have you scriptural righteousness ? the forgiveness 
 of your sins through faith in Christ ? 
 
 You profess this. Is it evinced by its proper fruit, 
 — moral uprightness ? Do you abhor that which is 
 evil ? cleave to that which is good ? Do you show 
 your faith by your works ? love to God, by love to 
 your neighbour ? Profession is vain without this. 
 
 Be encouraged to persevere. If you have trials and 
 conflicts, you have blessings ; blessings even now. 
 You enjoy the favour of God : — 
 
 " Rejoice, rejoice ! The Lord is King ! 
 The King is now our Friend." 
 
 And though the land is very far off, you have the good 
 hope through grace. It is in view, — that lovely, 
 promised land ; sometimes with blessed distinctness. 
 And then, the future, the King, and all his court. 
 You shall see and be with him. The land ; you shall 
 eternally possess it. Be faithful to death j there is the 
 crown of life. 
 
SKETCH IV. 
 
 THE SINFULNESS AND REDEMPTION OF 
 MAN. 
 
 There is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the 
 glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the re- 
 demption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. iii. 22 — 24. 
 
 I. I'he condition in which the Gospel finds all man- 
 kind : " There is no difference." 
 
 There is difference among men in respect to each 
 other : intellectual, civil, moral. 
 
 But there is no difference in their condition before 
 God as sinners. 
 
 First. " All hare sinned." Romans iii. 23. 
 
 1. Originally in Adam. Romans v. 12, 18. 
 
 2. Personally: — both Gentiles, Romans i. 13, 21, 
 29, ult. : and Jews, Romans iii. 9, 19. St. James ii. 
 9, 10, compared with human laws. 
 
 Secondly. But sin is not merely the actual trans- 
 gression ; for, in God's account, the not-performing his 
 commands is sin. The former is the sin of commission ; 
 the latter is the sin of omission ; and so far is this from 
 being trivial, that even positive transgressions may be 
 included in the description ; and thus it is in the text 
 charged on all. " AU have sinned, and come short of 
 the glory of God." 
 
 1. Come short of glorifying him as God. 
 
 2. Come short of his glorious image. 
 
 3. Come short of the glorious requirements of his 
 holy law. 
 
 4. Come short of his glorious approbation. 
 
SKETCH IV. 331 
 
 5. Come short of his glorious enjoyment. 
 
 Thus every mouth is stopped of pleading merit, or 
 even not guilty, and the whole world is guilty at the 
 bar of God. 
 
 II. The condition to -which the Gospel raises all 
 Christian believers. 
 
 In this respect, there is no difference in God's gracious 
 design and method, as is stated in introducing the text : 
 " But now the righteousness of God without the law is 
 manifested." Romans iii. 21, 22. The condition to which 
 the Gospel raises believers is justification : "Being justi- 
 fied freely by his grace, through the redemption that is 
 in Christ Jesus." Romans iii. 24. Justification is a law 
 term, denoting generally a state of innocence. But, in the 
 evangelic acceptation, it means the "forgiveness" or 
 " remission of sins ;" or, as in the margin, " the passing 
 over;" as the destroying angel when he saw the blood 
 of the paschal lamb sprinkled on the door posts, 
 Exodus xii. The causes and means are all held forth 
 in the comprehensive passage. 
 
 1. Efiicient cause. — An act of grace in pardoning 
 and releasing the guilty. " Being justified freely by his 
 grace." 
 
 2. The meritorious cause. — The Lord Jesus Christ's 
 atonement. "Through the redemption which is in 
 Christ Jesus ;" his blood being the price of their 
 redemption from the penalty of the law. 
 
 Now this redemption is the only admitted and 
 accredited cause and meritorious means allowed of 
 God ; who not only allows, but himself has " set forth 
 Christ to be a propitiation." In Him he is propitious. 
 He is the sacrifice, and the mercy-seat sprinkled with 
 His blood. God set Him forth anciently in the pro- 
 mises and types, — now in the Gospel-covenant, and the 
 ministry of the word. 
 
 "Wares are set forth for sale in the pubUc markets ; 
 
332 SKETCB IV 
 
 but this redemption is without money or price ; yet 
 offered most freely. 
 
 3. The instrumental, — "faith;" which 
 
 Acknowledges the justice, and accepts the grace. 
 
 All self-dependence is renounced. , 
 
 Christ the propitiation is trusted in. 
 
 III. The improvement of the subject. 
 In this passage there are three points to be kept in 
 view, which we shall urge in conclusion : — 
 
 1. To convince sinners of sin. 
 
 This efficiently indeed is the office and work of the 
 Holy Spirit ; but he ordinarily employs instruments 
 and means; as the apostle, his ministry, and his 
 ^vritings. O may the Divine Spirit shine on his word 
 and into your hearts ! All the world, it is here said, 
 are guilty before God ; but it is peculiarly stated that 
 God's design is, " that every mouth may be stopped." 
 Let, then, conviction arrest thee ! Art thou self- 
 condemned, like the publican, the three thousand, 
 the Philippian jailer ? sensible of thy transgres- 
 sions by sins of commission, and of thy coming short 
 of the glory of God ? Thou canst not plead " not 
 guilty." Thou art condemned. Dost thou see and 
 feel that thy sentence is just ? 
 
 2. The second point is to direct the convicted sinner 
 to the only means of pardon. 
 
 Art thou justly condemned at the bar of God by his 
 law ? and at the bar of thy own conscience ? 
 
 Hear, then, the proclamation of thy Sovereign's royal 
 clemency : " God hath set forth Jesus Christ," &c. 
 Rom. iii. 25, 26. God makes a public exhibition, and 
 a universal declai'ation, of his righteousness. 
 
 (1.) To declare his righteousness. 
 
 God's own righteous method of redeeming and par- 
 doning sinners. 
 
 Christ's righteous and availing atonement. 
 
SKETCH IV. 333 
 
 God's righteous regard to his character, law, and 
 will ; not depreciating, nor in the least degree low- 
 ering, himself, or abating his righteous demands. 
 
 (2.) For the remission of sins that are past. 
 
 Those before Christ suffered, and those repented of 
 and forsaken ; not past, present, and future ; but all 
 that are past, of whatever kind or degree, during the 
 forbearance of God, who suffered long, and through 
 his mercy now bestowed on the guilty sinner. 
 
 (3.) " To declare, I say, at this time his righteous- 
 ness." 
 
 There is a repetition making it emphatic and abso- 
 lutely certain, for the veracity of God, and the comfort 
 of man. And all this to maintain and illustrate this 
 grand, and stupendous, and wonderful mystery, — " that 
 he might be just, and the Justifier of him that believetli 
 in Jesus : " a mystery which philosophy never devised, 
 and Avhich angels desire to look into, filling all heaven 
 with endless Avonder, and eternity with adoring love and 
 praise. 
 
 Do you acknowledge the righteousness of God ? 
 
 Do you see your own utter helplessness ? 
 
 Do you see the fulness and sufficiency of Christ ? 
 
 Are you seeking for the pardon of your own sins ? 
 not contenting yourselves with seeing how sin may 
 be pardoned ; how wonderfully God hath solved the 
 difficult problem, and reconciled his o\ati justice and 
 mercy; but looking for forgiveness as a personal 
 blessing, of indispensable necessity ? But dost thou 
 fear that God should punish thee, for the honour 
 of his government and law ? Then, 
 
 3. See this secured. " That he might be just, 
 and the Justifier of them Avho believe in -Jesus." 
 
 No impenitent sinner has indulgence to trifle with 
 sin, or to delay application to the Saviour 
 
 No unpardoned sinner to abuse the grace of the 
 Gospel. 
 
334 SKETCH IV. 
 
 He is the justifier only of tliem that believe. But 
 He is the justifier of all that believe. 
 
 Dost thou deeply feel thine ungodliness ? thy need 
 of mercy ? " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." 
 
 " How shall we escape if we neglect so gi-eat sal- 
 vation ?" The curse of the broken laAV, the more 
 dreadful curse of the slighted Gospel, shall come 
 upon us. 
 
 Fly to Christ without delay. Let not the sense thou 
 hast of thine own sinfulness hinder thee. Come to 
 Christ, not as saved already, but in order to be saved. 
 And why not now ? All things are ready. " To him 
 that worketh not, but believeth in him that justifieth 
 the ungodly," — mark that, and thou feelest thyself to be 
 ungodly, — " his faith is counted to him for righteous- 
 ness." 
 
 Abide in Him : receive out of his fulness ; but let 
 thy language still be, 
 
 " This all my hope, and all my plea, 
 For me the Saviour died." 
 
SKETCH V. 
 CHRISTMAS-DAY. 
 
 Emmanuel. Mattliew i. 23. 
 
 Tins is one of the names of the Messiah, given by 
 Isaiah in the spirit of prophecy. Personally, his name 
 was Jesus. Still he was to be called by other names, 
 descriptive of his official character and work. This is 
 one of them. The anointed Saviour was to be called, 
 " Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." 
 
 For what does God thus come on earth ? Sion, 
 behold thy King cometh ! " For what purpose ? To 
 condemn the world? No. "Plaving salvation." So 
 the angel to the shepherds, — " I bring glad tidings of 
 great joy, — iinto you is born — a Saviour, which is 
 Christ the Lord." " Without him Avas not any thing 
 made that was made ; " and, again, he comes to be the 
 world's Saviour. 
 
 Let us meditate on this precious name. 
 
 I. El, " The mighty God." 
 
 1. Christ bears the divine name. Here, Isaiah ix. 6, 
 Psahn xlv. 6, J, compared -with Hebrews i. Thomas 
 saw the truth when he exclaimed, " My Lord and my 
 God ! " It was conviction, not surprise. 
 
 2. Christ possesses the Divine attributes; — Omni- 
 presence, Omniscience, Omnipotence. 
 
 3. Christ performed Divine works. — Creation, John 
 i ; Colossians i. 
 
 4. Christ has Divine honours paid to him : is wor- 
 
336- SKETCH V. 
 
 shipped, prayed to, trusted in. And who may worship 
 a creatm-e ? or trust in an arm of flesh ? 
 
 II. Emmanuel, " God with us." 
 
 And first, we apply it to the personal appearance of 
 Christ in the flesh. He was in the world, though it 
 knew him not. God was manifest in the flesh. 
 
 1. The motive of this visit. This Avas nought of 
 merit in man ; nor even desire. It was his own love ; 
 his pity for his fallen and most miserable creature. 
 Not that we loved him, hut he loved us. Thus : " Ye 
 know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," &c. 
 
 2. The manner of the visit. God comes down. 
 How ? clothed with light ? attended by the hierarchy 
 of heaven ? When he comes, what sign is given ? 
 " Ye shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
 lying in a manger." 
 
 Thus he visits us : — 
 
 Humbly, in the form of a servant. 
 
 Benevolently, for our eternal good. 
 
 Holily, in opposition to all sin, to promote and 
 establish all virtue, to restore man to the moral 
 government of God, and to bring human nature to the 
 obedience of truth, purity, and love. 
 
 3. The design and object of the visit. It was to 
 save man, to save him by bearing his ciirse, that so man 
 might have access to God for the mercy he needed. 
 •' Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the 
 sin of the world." And by reconciliation, to bring 
 man to fellowship with God, conformity to his will, 
 and participation in the blessings of his favour here and 
 hereafter. 
 
 But, secondly, the text has reference to the spiritual 
 presence of Christ. 
 
 To be with man personally was much. Plato's sup- 
 position was realized. Virtue was embodied and made 
 visible. But to be with us spiritually is likewise great, 
 
SKETCH V. 337 
 
 and the other ^vas in order to it. Christ promised his 
 disciples he ^vould " come again ; " and the apostle 
 speaks of Christ heing in us the hope of glory, and 
 dwelling in our hearts hy faith. He was God with us, 
 personally, that he might he God with us spiritually. 
 
 1 . "When does he come to us spiritually ? "When 
 we come to God by him ; believe in his name ; person- 
 ally and exclusively trust in him. The careless sinner 
 may be said to be aAvfully Christless. The penitent 
 sees this, bewails it, and seeks to remedy it by coming 
 to Christ ; and by faith he is pardoned, and the Spirit 
 of Christ dwells in him. 
 
 2. Why does he come to us spiritually ? 
 
 (1.) To make us happy; sprinkling his blood on 
 our conscience ; removing the sense of guilt. 
 
 (2.) To make us holy ; subduing our sins ; con- 
 quering the love of the world in its various forms. He 
 sits on his throne in the heart, claiming and receiv- 
 ing the homage of our whole nature. He enlightens, 
 strengthens, purifies the soul by his sacred presence. 
 
 "We have here. 
 
 First. A subject for admiration. 
 
 Consider Him who visits ; then, them who are 
 visited. Look at the personal visit ; "in great humility," 
 " for the suffering of death." Look at man : sinful, 
 guilty, worldly, thankless man. wonderful love ! 
 Creation is wonderful ; stupendous : but this mystery 
 of holy love greater than all. 
 
 Secondly. A subject for examination. 
 
 Of his personal coming there was a design. We are 
 concerned in it. As much as if we were the only ones. 
 Is it accomplished in us ? Have we seen the evil of 
 sin in the light of Christ's coming ? Have we come to 
 the cross ? Self-condemned and self-abhorred, have we 
 come to God by him for a present pardon, to be sealed 
 on our conscience and to be followed by his spiritual 
 indwelling ? 
 
338 SKETCH V. 
 
 If it be so, do we sufficiently prize liis spiritual visits? 
 Do we seek for the full indwelling of Christ ? Are 
 we willing all should be abased and excluded, not con- 
 sistent with his exaltation in our heart, his constant 
 presence there ? 
 
 See your privilege. Let Emmanuel always remind 
 you of it. All you want is here. AVith Christ in the 
 vessel, it shall not sink, though the storm rage Go on 
 in the warfare against sin. You may do all things 
 through Christ strengthening you. Your happiness, — 
 your fuller preparation, — your heaven itself, — is all 
 suggested by this blessed word, "Emmanuel, God 
 with us." 
 
 But see your duty. His presence consecrates as well 
 as comforts. The temple of God is where he is. Let 
 no idol come there. Let no spiritual service be neg- 
 lected. 
 
 Look, too, for the full effects of his presence. He 
 comes as the refiner and purifier of silver : let him take 
 away all the dross. Believe that he can do this ; be- 
 lieve that he will ; seek to him in earnest and constant 
 prayer, that by his manifestation in you he may destroy 
 all the works of the devil. 
 
SKETCH VL 
 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man that is my 
 fellow, saith the Lord of hoiis : smite the shepherd, and the sheep 
 shall be scattered : and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 
 Zechariah xiii. 7. 
 
 The spirit of prophecy is the witness to Jesus. 
 Moses, and all the prophets testified of him, showing 
 that he must first sufi'er, and then enter into his glory. 
 
 This day the church commemorates his dying for us, 
 — his suffering to bring us to God. The consideration 
 of the portion of Scripture I have read will be suitable 
 to the occasion. The Lord of hosts gives a commission 
 to the sword, and directs it against the man that is his 
 fellow : and when the sword has fulfilled its charge, 
 there is a succeeding promise. 
 
 I. The commission. 
 
 1 . The person against whom it is directed, has a two- 
 fold descri])tion. 
 
 (1.) Personal. 
 
 He is human, "the man." Such is our Messiah; 
 made of a woman ; in the likeness of sinful flesh. This 
 by his incarnation. 
 
 He is Divine, " the man that is my fellow." Pos- 
 sessed of the nature of God, he exhibited Divine perfec- 
 tions ; received Divine worship. The fulness of the 
 Godhead dwelt in him bodily. 
 
 (2.) Official. "My shepherd." 
 q2 
 
340 SKETCH VI, 
 
 Tlie shepherd of God's appointment. 
 
 He comes to seek and to save the lost sheep. 
 
 He gathers those whom he saves into his fold, saving 
 them fully, — to the utmost. 
 
 2. But let the tenor of the commission be likewise 
 noticed. " Awake," &c. 
 
 Not the providential, chastening rod, with which 
 God visits his people, correcting, and even, in a certain 
 sense, punishing them. 
 
 But the sword ; the sword of justice ; that which 
 can wound even to the death, and whose keenest edge 
 sinners have deserved to feel. 
 
 The sword is to awake ; as though it had slumbered ; 
 its object not being present. 
 
 The sword is to awake against the shepherd. The 
 innocent shepherd is, strangely, to be the object of what 
 smites the guilty. 
 
 It is to smite. Not to be waved and brandished, 
 but used. And thus it Avas : — Christ stood as our 
 representative. He consented to bear our sins. And 
 he was smitten. Wicked men, malignant devils, were 
 permitted to increase his sufferings. But the smiting 
 was, the sins of the world laid on him ; he was made 
 to endure a sense of the Divine wrath against sin. 
 The blow that was to cut down the sinner fell upon 
 the sinner's surety. 
 
 We see, in the Gospel narrative, the mysterious, awful 
 character of the sufferings endured, when the sword 
 awoke, and the shepherd was smitten. — "My soul is 
 exceeding sorrowful," &c. " My God, my God, why 
 hast thou forsaken me ? " 
 
 And what became of the flock which he had col- 
 lected ? They were scattered ; " they all forsook him, 
 and fled." Scattered like affrighted sheep. 
 
 But there is a succeeding promise. To the shepherd, 
 behold the severity of the Lord : to the flock, goodness. 
 
SKETCH VI. 341 
 
 II. "I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." 
 Jesus, the chief shepherd, was brought again from 
 the dead ; and then, he thus turned his hand on his 
 little ones, visited his disciples, and again gathered the 
 flock into his fold. 
 
 This is still his employment. He is the shepherd 
 and bishop of souls. Delivered for our offences, and 
 raised again for our justification, he looks on the wan- 
 derers, to reclaim them ; on them who have yielded to 
 his call to return, and are crying after him, to bring 
 them to God ; — on all his sheep, to fulfil all the purposes 
 of his redeeming love. His work still goes on. It 
 was not atonement merely ; but intercession, and sav- 
 ing power. The shepherd is pasturing his sheep here, 
 and leading them to the heavenly fold. 
 
 1. Behold the displeasure of God against sin. The 
 sword was not to be throAvn away. It was not to be 
 proclaimed — " He beareth the sword in vain." 
 
 The shepherd condescended to allow himself to be 
 smitten, to declare God's love to man, God's hatred to 
 man's sin. 
 
 2. See the wonderful constitution of the Redeemer's 
 person. He was fitted to be a vicarious sacrifice : As 
 man, to suffer, and in the sinning nature. As incarnate 
 Deity, he could suffer voluntarily : As holy, not for his 
 own sins. 
 
 3. Is he God's shepherd ? Let us be thankful we 
 have such a keeper. He gave his life once for the 
 sheep, he now employs it for them. Let us come to 
 him to be admitted into the fold of his reconciled and 
 saved ones. 
 
 4. Dread the consequences of neglect. The sword is 
 laid by his side. It is not dead, but sleepeth. You 
 wiU not have a saving interest in Christ ; you live, you 
 die without it; you go to the judgment-seat, con- 
 demned by law and Gospel. The sword shall awake. 
 You shall then be smitten ; smitten to the eternal 
 
342 SKETCH VI. 
 
 death ; cut down, never to rise. Flee from the wrath 
 to come. 
 
 5. Have the arrows of the Almighty wounded thee ? 
 Does a sense of his wrath drink up thy spirit ? Turn 
 to the strong-hold. He who hore yo\ir sins in his own 
 body on the tree wdll not reject you. He died for you, 
 being in enmity ; he will meet you now you desire to 
 be reconciled. Come and welcome to Jesus Christ. 
 
 6. Commit yourself to him of Avhose love such a proof 
 has been given. Remember his agony and bloody 
 sweat, his cross and passion ; plead them ; he will 
 not forget them ; what will he withhold that you 
 need ? Seek, and expect great things, but ascribe all 
 glory to him. And follow him as yom* suffering Lord. 
 Die to sin ; take up your cross daily ; live on Calvaiy 
 till you are called to Sion. 
 
 " O that we at last may stand 
 With the sheep at his right hand : 
 Take the crown so freely given, 
 Enter in hy Him to heaven." 
 
SKETCH VII. 
 THE REST OF THE SOUL. 
 
 Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bounti- 
 fully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine 
 eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the 
 Lord in the land of the living. Psalm cxvi. 7 — 9. 
 
 The Psalms have been referred to in all ages as 
 exhibiting the character and exercises of the spiritual 
 people of God. 
 
 This Psalm expresses the conflicts and deliverances 
 of its pious author, and is well calculated to afford 
 encouragement and consolation to all who are similarly 
 exercised. 
 
 I. The believer's grateful review of the Lord's gra- 
 cious dealings with his soul. 
 
 The soul is here addressed as being particularly the 
 object of God's bountiful regard. 
 
 He provides bountifully for the body. All these 
 subordinate and inferior blessings are from him. 
 
 But the soul is here specially referred to ; the better, 
 nobler part of our nature : Derived immediately from 
 Him who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life : 
 Designed for happiness in fellowship with its Maker. 
 
 Several blessings mentioned. 
 
 1 . Deliverance from death ; judicial, spiritual, eter - 
 nal ; by the merit and intercession of Christ, and the 
 power of the Spirit of life in him. 
 
 2. From sorrow ; tears of grief, anguish, shame, 
 regret, fear, almost " dark despair" itself : By sending 
 
344 
 
 SKETCH VII. 
 
 the Comforter, the Spirit of adoption, the witness of 
 pardon. 
 
 3. From the power of prevailing temptation. " My 
 feet from falling ;" by upholding, guiding, strengthen- 
 ing. " When my foot slipped, thy mercy held me up." 
 God is " able to save us from falling ; " and, if we rest 
 on him, he Avill "make us to stand;" giving us firm- 
 ness, victory. 
 
 II. The sentiments resulting from the review. 
 
 1. Consolatory. " Return unto thy rest." God is 
 the resting place of the soul ; its gracious rest ; its 
 glorious rest. Here, in the favour, love, peace of God : 
 hereafter, in his immediate vision, and endless commu- 
 nion Avith him. The great privilege of the soul is to rest 
 in God. This rest alone suited to it. Vast, permanent. 
 Tlie Psalmist excites his soul to renounce all doubt and 
 fear ; all unbelief, and to repose unhesitatingly in God. 
 
 2. Practical. " I will walk before the Lord in the 
 land of the living." 
 
 To walk before the Lord is, to act as in his presence, 
 live in his will, obey his commands, seek his glory, 
 supremely value his favour. This to be persevered in 
 to the end ; " in the land of the living : " In this world ; 
 among living people : so the apostle : " live righteously," 
 &c , "in this present world;" with all its trials, temp- 
 tations, difl&culties. 
 
 These two sentiments are founded on legitimate prin- 
 ciples ; are quite rational. 
 
 (1.) A principle of gratitude. Benefits require return ; 
 all acknowledge this : God " has dealt bountifully with 
 his people." They acknowledge the fact and the obli- 
 gation. 
 
 (2.) A principle of truly enlightened reason. Where 
 should the soul rest but in its proper rest? Even 
 nature, original nature, is folloAved in religion. We 
 were made for God ; our misery comes from departing 
 
SKETCH Vil. 345 
 
 him ; that is the real nature of sin. In religion 
 
 •ne to our proper rest ; what alone can properly 
 
 ♦; and support ; what alone is suited to our nature. 
 
 ^ue doYe found no rest while the waters were high. 
 
 Man finds no rest in earth. He must come to God, his 
 
 rest ; and, by faith, and hope, and love, repose in him. 
 
 (3.) A principle of just reciprocation. Has he de- 
 livered the soul from death ? Right that its quickened 
 energies should be employed for him. Gaze on his 
 perfections as he has " opened the eyes of the blind ! " 
 Walk before him, as he has saved your feet from falling. 
 In a word, he has redeemed you ; give yourself to him 
 who hath bought you with a price. 
 
 (i.) If you do not seek deliverance, you are undone for 
 ever. There is the eternal death. There are the bitter- 
 est tears, unavailing, despairing. Now there is mercy. 
 Seek for it. 
 
 (ii.) If you desire it, be encouraged to seek earnestly ; 
 in expectation, God deals bountifully. He has done so 
 with countless multitudes. Come, by Christ, for your- 
 self. 
 
 (iii.) Persevere in well doing. There is another world ; 
 yet more especially " the land of the living," of eternal 
 life ; life in perfection, and for evermore. This a land 
 of death ; that, of life. To walk there before God, the 
 very summit of happiness ; the blessedness for which 
 man was made. To walk now before God, the sure 
 the only way, to walk before God then. Walk before 
 him in grace and obedience. You shall walk before 
 him in recompense and glory. 
 
SKETCH VIII. 
 
 BELIEVERS THE SUBJECTS OF DIVINE 
 ILLUMINATION. 
 
 For ye were sometimes darkness j but noio are ye light in the Lord ; 
 walk as children of light. Epliesians v. 8. 
 
 The New Testament always speaks of Christians as 
 persons on whom a very great and gracious change has 
 passed ; not merely of religious opinion, as from Jew 
 or Gentile to Christian : but such a one as might be 
 called, " a new creation," and the subject of it, " a new 
 creature." (Quote texts.) 
 
 In the text the apostle both shows the nature and 
 the greatness of the change ; — " from darkness to light." 
 No contrast can be more perfect ; no change more real 
 or evident. And this is an exact description of all 
 true Christians; as the former condition was one of 
 darkness, so the present is one of light ; and the change 
 involves most important obligations. 
 
 I. The former condition and character of the 
 believer " Ye were sometimes darkness." 
 
 This is the scriptural description of unrenewed man. 
 
 The true Christian not so by birth. Was unrege- 
 nerate. 
 
 Darkness is blindness of mind. Not iu natural 
 things. Reason, judgment, imagination may be strong 
 and clear. The children of this world may be wise in 
 the things that relate to them. 
 
 But in spiritual things. Thus : — chapter iv. 18 ; 
 1 Cor. ii. 14. 
 
SKETCH VIII. 347 
 
 These descriptions will be seen not to be too strong, 
 if considered in reference to tliree objects. 
 
 I. God. His nature, perfections, will. His charac- 
 ter. Relations to us, as Ruler, Judge. 
 
 2 Themselves. Not physically, but morally, as sin- 
 ners ; guilty, enslaved, polluted. 
 
 3. Their situation. 
 
 Alienated from God. 
 
 Obnoxious to his wrath. 
 
 Hastening to endless ruin. 
 
 On all these subjects, how great, how fearful, man's 
 ignorance ! If no external light, ignorant totally. If 
 external light, some rays of truth in the mind; a 
 sort of obscure head-knowledge : but a real ignorance 
 as to moral perception, affections, and conscience. Not 
 merely dark, but darkness. 
 
 II. The present condition and character of the be- 
 liever. " But now are ye light in the Lord." 
 
 Not merely " light," but " light in the Lord." 
 It is not the mere influence of intellect ; the illu- 
 minations of philosophy. These, sparks of man's kind- 
 
 1. The Spirit of Christ is the author of the illumi- 
 nation. 
 
 2. This, generally by means of his own Avord. 
 
 3. He dispels the shades of darkness from the mind, 
 and presents God, — ourselves, — our condition. Exhi- 
 bits truth to the inmost soul. 
 
 4. He sheds abroad the divine love in the lieart ; 
 lifting up the light of God's countenance. 
 
 5. He leads them in the path of holiness ; that is, of 
 practical truth. So that the way, that of the just. 
 Prov. iv. 18. 
 
 Ill The consistency of character enjoined. '■ Walk 
 as children of the light." 
 
348 SKETCH viir. 
 
 " Children of the light." An Hebraism. Light the 
 very vital principle. " The light was the life of men." 
 And this their characteristic. All believers in Christ — 
 whatever their subodinate differences — have spiritual 
 light. 
 
 1. It were inconsistent for you to do now what you 
 did in so different a state. 
 
 2. The light only preserved by obedience. 
 
 3. It is given, not for speculation, but practice. 
 
 4. Only thus are its prospective advantages secured. 
 (1.) There are those who are yet in darkness. 
 Your sin. 
 
 Your misery and danger. 
 
 It is not necessary you should remain in this state. 
 Christ is the light of men. 
 
 " Awake, thou that sleepest." 
 
 There is the blackness of darkness for the disobedi- 
 ent ; and the punishment will show the sin. 
 
 (2.) Address the children of light. 
 
 (i.) To preserve light, you must maintain your fellow- 
 ship with God. It is spiritual, scriptural. Pray much. 
 Read the Scriptures. 
 
 (ii.) Consider your character, and one design of it as 
 to others. 
 
 It is the property of light to shine ; and, therefore, to 
 shine is your duty. 
 
 The world is to be enlightened, and ye are " the 
 lights of the world." Your duty is to shine. 
 
 This is by " good works." Practical holiness is the 
 visibility of Christian light. 
 
 (iii.) Rejoice in your prospects. 
 
 Heaven is the inheritance of the saints in light. 
 
 Be obedient, faithful ; and then shall ye " shine forth 
 as the sun in the kingdom of your Father." 
 
SKETCH IX. 
 THE GOOD MAN IN AFFLICTION. 
 
 / am very much afflicted ; quicken me, Lord, according unto thy 
 word. Psalm cxix. 107- 
 
 These were the words of one Avho had himself suf- 
 fered much and often. They show us not only that 
 afflictions are the lot of men, even pious men, in all 
 ages; but that, in their afflictions, they who fear God will 
 have recourse to God by prayer. The text only expresses 
 the regular practice of the Psalmist. 
 
 I. A pathetic lamentation. " I am very much 
 afflicted." 
 
 To lament that we are afflicted would prove great 
 ignorance and inconsiderateness— 
 
 1. In respect of ourselves. As of, 
 What we are ; — and 
 
 Where we are. 
 
 Sinful men, in a sinful world, must expect suffering. 
 
 2. In respect of God. As, 
 Who he is : 
 
 What he is to us : 
 
 Why he afflicts. 
 
 The text, then, not properly the lamentation which 
 refers merely to the fact of affliction ; but to some high 
 and extraordinary degrees of it. These may be, 
 
 Exti'eme bodily suffering : 
 
 Extreme mental anguish : 
 
 Pressing distress as to circumstances. 
 
350 SKETCH IX. 
 
 Most painful bereavements. 
 
 Such peculiar circumstances may draw forth the ex- 
 clamation now before us. We may perceive in it, — 
 
 1 . An acute sense of the affliction. 
 
 We find this often in the Scripture saints : Nay, — in 
 the great Captain of our salvation. 
 
 2. An examination of it. It is made the subject of 
 reflection. 
 
 It is I that am afflicted. There must be some reason 
 for it ; some design in it ; and this respects myself. 
 
 The degree of the affliction. " Very much." This 
 heightens the former reflections. 
 
 The reference to God. He speaks to him ; breathes 
 out his soul before him ; to him he says, •' I am very 
 much afflicted." 
 
 The man without God, makes the creature his God, 
 both in prosperity, — when he delights in it ; — and in 
 adversity, — when he seeks to it for comfort and refuge. 
 Mark the sin of this ; idolatry. The misery ; neither 
 comfort nor refuge. 
 
 But the piety of the good man's spirit, as seen in the 
 time of extreme suffering, will be still more apparent if 
 we consider, — 
 
 II. The fervent prayer. "Quicken me, O Lord, 
 according unto thy word." 
 
 The throne of grace is a sure refuge. The SaA^our 
 intercedes for us there. The Spmt excites to prayer. 
 
 1. There is a prayer for Hfe. " Quicken me." 
 
 We may lawfully, though submissively, pray for 
 natural life ; that it may be lengthened ; that Ave may 
 get good, recover our strength, and that Ave may do 
 good. 
 
 But, and chiefly, for spiritual life ; for rencAved 
 vigour, for the sanctification of trouble and pain, for 
 external adversity to be the means of even a high state 
 of inward prosperity. 
 
SKETCH IX. 351 
 
 2. Look at the manner and form of the prayer. 
 " According unto thy word " 
 
 Revelation intended to guide in all circumstances, 
 specially in affliction. " Quicken me," — 
 
 (1.) According to the sweetness of thy word. Apply 
 its promises. Let its consolations revive me. 
 
 (2.) According to its faithfulness. I rest on it. 
 Let me experience how sure it is. 
 
 (3.) According to its extent. Let me have all the 
 inward life it describes, promises, enjoins. 
 
 (4.) Quicken me for the verification of thy word. 
 Let men see that thou in very faithfulness hast afflicted 
 me ; in pursuance of thy designs of saving mercy. 
 These thy word describes. In my quickening, they 
 will see the truth of the word itself. 
 
 Conclude by addressing chiefly the subjects of afflic- 
 tion. 
 
 L Do not judge of your spiritual condition by your 
 present external circumstances. You may not be in 
 affliction. Have you secured the favour of God ? 
 That is your first concern. If all is right here, be 
 thankful for health, ease, friends. You are called to 
 active service. " Go work in his vineyard," in some 
 department of pious usefulness. You know not what is 
 before you : Affliction, death. Work to-day. Leave 
 to-morrow. 
 
 2. If you suffer, see that yours is the common lot. 
 Not merely of mortals, as mere heathen philosophy 
 would tell you ; but of the people, the children of God, 
 as the word teaches you. "What son is there whom the 
 heavenly Father chasteneth not ? Faint not, despond 
 not. Nay, rejoice. You drink of a sacred cup. There is 
 a sense in which it was put into your Lord's hands. The 
 Captain Avas made perfect through sufferings ; truly his 
 followers my be content to walk in the same path. 
 
 3. Improve a season of suffering. It has its respon- 
 
352 SKETCH IX. 
 
 sibilities. Get all the good from it you can. Let your 
 graces be invigorated ; evils subdued, mortified. 
 
 4. Reflect on the providential character of the afflic- 
 tion. See the hand of God in it ; and in its suitable- 
 ness and design, his wisdom and love ; while you 
 seek for comfort, support, and deliverance, seek too 
 that its object be secured. 
 
 5. Think on your Saviour's past sufferings and pre- 
 sent sympathy, and expect succour. 
 
 6. Look to heaven. See them in white robes. 
 They came out of " great tribulation." They are now 
 before the throne of God ; they himger no more, thirst 
 no more, weep no more. Faint not in the day of ad- 
 versity ; 
 
 " To patient faith the prize is sure, 
 And all that to the end endure 
 The cross, shall wear the crovra." 
 
SKETCH X. 
 
 THE SEASON OF HARVEST IMPROVED. 
 
 They joy before thee, according to the joy in harvest. Isaiah ix. 3. 
 
 " To every thing there is a season, and a time to 
 every purpose under the heavens. I have seen the 
 travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be 
 exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in 
 his time." So then, it is the design of God that Ave 
 should behold the beauty he puts on every thing. To 
 admire and appreciate the excellence of his vv^orks, is 
 the pleasing travail, the delightful labour God hath 
 given to the sons of men, to be exercised in it. The 
 appearances of nature in the different seasons afford 
 varieties of beauty; and to the observant and pious 
 spectator, every season lectures in terms most striking 
 and edifying. 
 
 The winter tells him of the decay of human life, 
 that he must expect the days of darkness, and must 
 return like the vegetable to the cold earthy bed. The 
 spring succeeding tells him, he shall not remain in the 
 earth for ever, but revive with ever-during bloom ; it 
 admonishes him to employ his spring that he may have 
 a pleasant summer, and a profitable autumn. The 
 season of harvest suggests to laborious men and pious 
 Ministers, that the Gospel season should be improved ; 
 and when they hear the shouts of " harvest home," the 
 saints have greater cause for joy, " according to the joy 
 of harvest." 
 
354 SKETCH X. 
 
 I. The joy of liarvest is reasonable ; being tbe acquisi- 
 tion of real good, after long labour and ardent expectation. 
 
 The husbandman, through all the preceding seasons 
 of the year, had bestowed constant care on the land, 
 which now amply repays him for all his labours, and 
 satisfies his ardent expectations. 
 
 " Ye are God's husbandry," — his Ministers are his 
 husbandmen. At his call they put their hands to the 
 ministerial plough, to break up the fallow ground of sin- 
 ners' hearts. They go forth to soav the seed of the word : 
 oftentimes they go forth Aveeping, bearing precious 
 seed ; weeping at their own infirmities, at the soil 
 they have to cultivate, at the ill prospect of a future 
 harvest. They weep more afterwards when they be- 
 hold the fowls of the air pick the seed by the wayside, 
 the sun scorching the springing blades on the stony 
 ground; the thorns springing up mth others, and 
 choking them ; and still more, when an enemy comes 
 into the enclosure, and sows destructive tares, or foxes 
 with firebrands, &c. Their toil is hard, unremitting ; 
 and requires not only strength and industry, but pru- 
 dence. In the morning they must sow the seed, and in 
 the evening withhold not their hand. They are sensible 
 they need the instruction of their all- wise Master; nor 
 does he withhold it from the weakest of them. He has 
 ardent expectation, hence he ploughs in hope. He 
 knows all depends on his Master's blessing, when he 
 has done all his duty. A "Paul may plant," &c. Mark 
 liim through the seasons ; he beholds with pleasure and 
 with fear, " first the blade," &c ; at last the fields 
 " white unto harvest." 
 
 II. The joy of harvest is general. 
 
 It is felt by all classes throughout the whole land ; for 
 all are interested, all are alike interested, for the life of 
 each depends on the produce of harvest ; " the profit 
 of the earth is for all : the king, himself is served by the 
 
SKETCH X. 355 
 
 field." One man was born the heir, and is now the 
 possessor, of a great estate ; so few are interested, that 
 even his nearest connections consider themselves injured. 
 Another acquires great property by trade, — how few 
 are benefited ! Many have suffered by his overgrown 
 and overbearing monopoly. But the blessings of har- 
 vest ai-e general. The rich man, who lives sumptuously 
 every day, may eat the fat of the kidneys of wheat. 
 The humble peasant, if he be not fed with the finest of 
 the wheat, has an appetite quickened by labour, not 
 needing to be pampered ; he eateth his coarse meal, and 
 is content. If he be a Christian, he eateth it to the 
 Lord, and is thankful, for he sees himself miworthy of 
 the crumbs that fall from his heavenly Master's provi- 
 dential table. 
 
 The joy is proposed to all. Thus the harvest of grace 
 is necessary for all. The Lord is no respecter of per- 
 sons ; his blessing is to all, and upon all, that believe. 
 " In Christ Jesus, there is neither Greek," &c. Indeed 
 the great, the mighty, the noble, in general despise these 
 blessings ; to the poor they .are often welcome. But all 
 may partake. Many, however, come from the east and 
 the Avest, &c., and " they joy," &c. lie that soweth, 
 and they who reap, rejoice together ; and even they who 
 neither sow nor reap share the joy. " And likewise 
 there is joy in," &c., from the Lord of the harvest to 
 the meanest gleaner. 
 
 III. The joy of harvest is sacred. 
 
 At least it ought to be sacred. Thus it was with the 
 HebreAvs, and here those who rejoice are said to "joy 
 before God." The idolatrous Heathen had their harvest 
 joys ; the drunken bacchanals performed their impious 
 orgies to Bacchus when they gathered their vintage. 
 Ceres AA'as adored as the goddess of com, and her 
 worship was a revel rout. One might suppose, Avhen 
 we see the conduct of many in our Christian country, 
 
356 SKETCH X. 
 
 that Bacchus and Ceres were still believed on, and 
 duly adored in aU their abominable rites. What 
 voluptuousness, drunkenness, &c. do we witness ! 
 
 The Hebrews had a Divine institution. When they 
 first put in the sickle, they brought immediately the 
 first sheaf to the sanctuary of the Lord, which the 
 priest presented to God, waving it to and fro before the 
 Lord. Therefore it is called the "wave sheaf," or 
 " wave offering." 
 
 L It was sacred acknowledgment to God, who was 
 the proprietor of the land. 
 
 2. It was sacred hope ; the wave offering was the 
 first fruits, the earnest of the general harvest. 
 
 3. It was sacred dedication. They signified that all 
 the crop was God's, and was thus sanctified to him, and 
 had his blessing. 
 
 How sacred was the joy firom all these considerations ! 
 Thus in the harvest of grace, is acknowledgment, hope, 
 and dedication, and all before God in his sanctuary. 
 
 IV. The joy of harvest is final. 
 
 Here meet the results of the former seasons and 
 former labours. 
 
 To this point the husbandman looked forward when 
 he ploughed in the cold of the vdnter, when he manured 
 the soil, fenced the hedges, gathered out the stones, 
 plucked up the weeds, and when through the spring he 
 watched the clouds dropping down fatness, and beheld 
 the svm beaming prolific heat. He says to his God, 
 " Thou didst water the ridges, thou didst settle the fur- 
 rows, thou didst bless the springing thereof, thou 
 wateredst it abundantly with the river of God which is 
 full of water ; " and now after all " thou crownest the 
 year with thy goodness." Psalm Ixv. 9. Thus we joy 
 when we are permitted to see the fields white unto 
 harvest, by people flocking to the Gospel ; and when 
 gouls are converted to God, and bringing forth fruit, 
 
SKETCH X. 357 
 
 some tliirty, some sixty, and some an hundred- fold. 
 Then we Aveep with joy before God. The joy par- 
 takes still more of the final, when we see saints 
 like shocks of corn fully ripe, gathered into the hea- 
 venly garner. The joy Avill then he properly final, 
 when the general harvest occurs. The end of the 
 world is the harvest. Then saith the Lord of the har- 
 vest, I will say, " Put in the sickle, for the harvest 
 is nigh." " The reapers are the angels. They shall 
 gather the tares," &c. 
 
 " Angels shont tlie harvest home," &c. 
 
 Improvement. 
 
 1. Let all be admonished to examine their moral and 
 religious state. What seed is sown in your hearts ? 
 What expectation of a gi-acious or a glorious harvest ? 
 Ministers have done much, have toiled season after 
 season; now do something for yourselves; "sow to your- 
 selves in righteousness, that you may reap in mercy ; 
 for it is time to seek the Lord," &c. 
 
 2. Let the ignorant and careless be cautioned against 
 deception and against delay. Let no man deceive 
 you. Let no man deceive himself ! Do you expect a 
 harvest of wheat, where you sow tares ? " Do men 
 gather figs of thorns, or grapes of thistles?" Be not 
 deceived, " Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 
 reap : he that soweth," &c. Be cautioned against 
 delay. The husbandman must improve the sowing 
 season. If he will not plough in winter because of the 
 cold, he Avill beg in harvest, and none will give to him. 
 " Behold, now is the accepted time," &c. Let youth 
 particularly attend to this business, now in the spring of 
 life. " Remember now," &c. It will be a melancholy 
 season for those hereafter Avho procrastinate. " The 
 harvest is past, the summer is ended," &c. 
 
 3. Let the pious be encouraged. You have joyed 
 once at the harvest of grace ; you shall soon be pre- 
 
3f)8 
 
 SKETCH X. 
 
 sentcd at the harvest of glory witli exceeding joy. 
 You may have some days of foul, as well as fair, 
 weather ; but you will ripen by all. Prepare for it. 
 Not only by being careful always to sow to the Spirit, — 
 never to sow to the flesh, but by carefully remembering 
 the rule, " he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plen- 
 teously." In this spiritual husbandry, it never faileth 
 that " the hand of the diligent maketh rich." Guard 
 against the " slack hand " in religion. And look for- 
 wards. The final harvest will come. "He reserveth 
 the appointed weeks," &c. " Be patient therefore," &c. 
 
SKETCH XL 
 PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN PREACHING. 
 
 And preached unto him Jesus. Acts viii. 35. 
 
 The nearer we approacli toward the fountain head, the 
 purer shall we find the stream. To know the purity and 
 excellency of the religion of Christ, let us go where this 
 water of life issues clear as crystal from the apostolic 
 fountain. The history of the acts of the apostles ex- 
 hibits a faithful record of the primitive manifestation 
 of the truth and power of Christianity. First, among 
 the people anciently favoured of God. — ^That nation 
 generally rejected the Messiah ; but thousands among 
 them were, at the day of Pentecost, visited from on 
 high, and, through the ministry of reconciliation, were 
 converted to God, and obtained remission of sins 
 through faith in Christ. 
 
 Soon was the door of faith opened to the Gentiles ; 
 and we are in this chapter presented with a most 
 important historical account of the conversion to God 
 of a distinguished individual, through the ministry of 
 an evangelist. (Read the narrative.) 
 
 I. Observe the subject: "Jesus." 
 
 The Lord Jesus was the subject of the wonderful 
 prediction of Isaiah recorded throughout chap, liii., which 
 the Ethiopian officer was reading in the Septuagint 
 version, and which has been the means of the conversion 
 of many Jews to the Christian faith ; also of some 
 infidels, among whom may be mentioned the celebrated 
 
360 SKETCH XI. 
 
 Earl of Rochester, who, on his death-bed, earnestly and 
 repeatedly desired Dr. Burnet to recommend it to the 
 reading fof every infidel, as an unanswerable proof of 
 the truth of Christianity. 
 
 The chapter bears the appearance of a history of the 
 past, rather than a prediction of the future. Were we 
 merely to read it to you, it would be a sermon, of which 
 Jesus would be the grand subject, Avhere his person, 
 doctrines, conduct, sufferings, death, burial, resurrec- 
 tion, ascension, and triumph, are plainly and minutely 
 desciibed. 
 
 1. On this subject, " Jesus," the apostles were minute 
 and definite ; they carefully separated it from, and 
 treated it in opposition to, — 
 
 (1.) The cavils of the proud Jews, and philosophic 
 Greeks. " The Jews require," &c. 
 
 (2.) All personal pride and ostentation, and motives 
 of aggrandisement in the preachers themselves : " We 
 preach not ourselves, but," &c. They also treated it, — 
 
 (3.) Eminently and absolutely, " There is no other 
 name," &c. " Other foundation," &c. 
 
 In a ^vord — as " Jesus," the Divine Saviour. Matt. 
 i. 21. 
 
 " Jesus ! transportiBg sound," &c. 
 
 2. More particularly, to preach Jesus is to, — 
 
 (1.) Explain his character as the sufficient Saviour and 
 Redeemer, in terms that each may understand. " I am 
 debtor," &c. " Therefore having received this ministry, 
 we use," &c. " The spirit of convincing speech," &c. 
 
 (2.) Recommend him with all his great salvation, 
 to be now believed on, and received by faith. " Believe 
 on," &c. " The word is nigh thee," &c. 
 
 " O believe tlie record true," &c. 
 
 (3.) Assure every person that by thus believing on 
 and receiving Jesus, they shall now, hereafter, and 
 for ever, reap all the blessings of redemption, procured 
 
SKETCH XI. 361 
 
 and promised by Jesus, agreeably to bis commission, 
 Mark xvi. 16. 
 
 Tbus the evangelist preached Jesus unto bim, and 
 thus would we say to you, — 
 
 "See bim set fortli before your ej'es, 
 Tbat precious bleeding sacrifice ; 
 His profFer'd benefits embrace, 
 And freely now be saved by grace." 
 
 " To tbee, with that dear name is given, 
 Pardon, and holiness, and heaven." 
 
 II. The striking effects attending the evangelist's 
 ministry. His hearer, 
 
 1. Obtained the blessing of faith, and made imme- 
 diate profession of his embracing the truth. " Faith 
 Cometh by bearing," &c. " With the heart man be- 
 lieveth unto," &c. 
 
 2. He devoted himself to Christ and his cause, by 
 submitting to the initiatory rite of Christianity. 
 
 3. Pie experienced the comforts of the Holy Spirit. 
 " He went on his way rejoicing." 
 
 Subsequently, as Eusebius informs us, this convert 
 became a successful preacher of the Gospel in Ethiopia 
 
 The ordinary course in which the great Head of the 
 church forms, leads, qualifies, and sends forth his own 
 accredited preachers, Avhom he is pleased to succeed in 
 their ministerial labours. 
 
 III. Improvement. 
 
 1. Jesus is now again, as many times before, preached 
 unto you, to each of you. 
 
 You are not at a loss to know of whom Isaiah spoke. 
 You know that to Him all the prophets give witness, 
 " that through," &c. Do you, -v^dll you, believe in him ? 
 devote yourselves to him ? Rejoice in him as your 
 Redeemer and portion. Why not ? Look at the Re- 
 deemer and his great salvation. Behold the prophetic 
 
362 SKETCH XI. 
 
 portrait, &c. See him in tlie judgment-hall, at the bar. 
 " He is led as a lamb," &c. Do you say ? — " When we 
 see him, there is no form," &c. Has he not thus suf- 
 fered for you ? " Surely he -was," &c. 
 
 2. To the candid inquirer, who is searching the 
 Scriptures, let me preach to thee " Jesus." 
 
 Now there is nothing to hinder thy accepting Jesus, 
 professing his name, and from henceforth going on thy 
 way rejoicing. If thou shalt " believe in thy heart on 
 the Lord Jesus Christ," &c. 
 
 3. Let the believer go home, " and tell how great 
 things the Lord hath done for him." Thou hast found 
 him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, 
 did write, even Jesus ! He has proved himself thy 
 Jesus, having saved thee from thy sins. 
 
 " Jesus, I bless thy gracious power, 
 And all within me shouts thy name ; 
 Thy name let every soul adore, 
 
 Thy power let every tongue proclaim, 
 Thy grace let evei-y sinner know, 
 And find with me their heaven below." 
 
SKETCH XII. 
 
 THE READY PREACHER, AND THE 
 DEVOUT HEARER. 
 
 Now therefore are we all here present before Gud, to hear all things 
 that are commanded thee of God. Acts x. 33. 
 
 The dispensation of the Gospel was designed for the 
 whole world, without distinction of Jew or Gentile ; 
 and is admirably fitted to the case and condition of all 
 mankind, in every age, and every clime. 
 
 The book of the Acts, or actions, of the apostles, 
 gives us in the preceding pages an account of the intro- 
 duction and early progi'ess of the Gospel among the 
 Jews, to whom, by the command of the Lord Jesus, 
 it was first preached. And in this chapter is given a 
 particular account of its introduction among the Gen- 
 tiles, beginning in a singular manner with an individual. 
 We, in this day, are the fruits of St. Peter's ministry at 
 Ceesarea. (Refer to the narrative.) We shall, by the 
 Divine blessing, reap the benefit of St. Peter's visit 
 there, if " like people, and like preacher." 
 
 I. The proper character of a congregation, assembled 
 for religious instruction. " Now therefore are we all 
 here present before God." 
 
 Ready and prepared for the coming of the preacher, 
 denoting, — 
 
 1. As to themselves. 
 
 (1.) Their previous prudent arrangtement of their do- 
 mestic, ci\41, or temporal business, before attending 
 public worship. 
 
 (2.) Their duly guarding against hurry and dissi- 
 R 2 
 
364 SKETCH XII. 
 
 pation of thought, hy having the mind collected, in a 
 tranquil, solemn, devotional frame, in the house of God, 
 to commence worship, and obtain all the good to be 
 derived from the ministry of the word. " Keep thy 
 foot." &c. " My heart and my flesh," &c. " One thing 
 have I desired," &c. 
 
 2. Denoting as to others, — respectful behaviour, 
 (1.) Towards their fellow worshippers ; not discom- 
 posing their devotions, by oflFending their ears or eyes. 
 
 (2.) Towards the messenger of God, the ambassador 
 of Christ, who appears in his stead to negotiate his 
 affairs with immortal souls. 
 
 3. Now this conduct exhibits the principal character- 
 istic of a congregation assembled for religious benefit. 
 They are devoutly met together, " before God ! " 
 
 Let us review these words, each of which is emphatic. 
 
 (1.) " Now." This is descriptive of the time — the 
 present time. Not the future, as Felix. 
 
 (i.) With God " this is the acceptable time." 
 
 (ii.) For us, " the day of salvation," when it is offered 
 to us, and may be accepted by us. 
 
 (2.) " Now therefore." Seeing God sends his ser- 
 vants, and we are favoured with the opportunity of 
 hearing the word, — " therefore " we are come hither. 
 
 (3.) " Now therefore are we all here present." A 
 general concurrence of the whole assembly, having one, 
 and only one, design. 
 
 (4.) " Now therefore are we all here present before 
 God," — " Before thee," as some manuscripts read 
 the word, but before a greater ! Intimating, — 
 
 (i.) Reverence of God's perfections and special pre- 
 sence. 
 
 (ii.) Dependence upon his grace. 
 
 (iii.) Expectation of his blessing. 
 
 II. The conduct of the minister who is qualified to 
 administer the word beneficially. 
 
SKETCH XII. 365 
 
 Many are tlie Scripture characteristics of a minister 
 of Clirist, — liis endowments of mind, his spirit, his 
 fidelity, his zeal for Christ, his love to souls, and labour 
 in the ministry for their present and everlasting welfare. 
 But, passing over all others, we shall at present look 
 only at the characteristic conduct exhibited by St. Peter, 
 which is promptness, and for which there can be no sub- 
 stitute. St. Peter states this promptness as his ready 
 obedience to the call both of God and of man, — " God 
 hath showed me, that I should not call any man common 
 or unclean; therefore came I unto you without gainsay- 
 ing, as soon as I was sent for." Acts x. 28, 29. See 
 also 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. 
 
 1. The preacher is ready to obey the intimation 
 of the will of God, however made, — by his ordinary 
 providence, or in an extraordinary manner. St. Peter' 
 was instructed in the will of God by an angel. St. 
 Paul was called into Europe by a vision — went with 
 Barnabas to visit the chui-ches as a matter of pruden- 
 tial arrangement, supposing it to be the best duty they 
 could perform at that time. These were various : and 
 a preacher should be ready for every call, however re- 
 pugnant to his preconceptions. Thus in this prompt- 
 ness to obey the intimation of the Divine will, Peter 
 renounced his former prejudices, Avhich had been strong- 
 er than we can well conceive. 
 
 Thus the preacher lays his judgment, his will, his 
 wishes, at the feet of his Divine Master, and is ready 
 to go whither, when, and to whom, God is pleased to 
 send him. " Here am I, send me," Isaiah vi. 8 ; 
 which is a case not quite dissimilar to Peter's. 
 
 2. The preacher is ready to attend the call of his 
 fellow-men. 
 
 But this, let it be noted in the second place, in sub- 
 servience to the intimation of God's will, as is so clearly 
 expressed by St. Peter : " God hath showed me : there- 
 
366 SKETCH XII. 
 
 fore came I unto you Avithout gainsaying, as soon as I 
 was sent for." 
 
 (1.) The preacher sees that Providence has hy his 
 instruments opened a door, into which he rejoices to 
 enter. 
 
 (2.) He sees that Divine grace has prepared a people 
 for the Lord, who are disposed to hear and receive his 
 message, and meet together for this very purpose, and 
 no other. 
 
 (3.) He is glad to find such a congregation in any 
 place, and at any time ; in a temple, by the sea- side, in 
 the market-place, in a school-room, or (as here) in a 
 private dwelling, or in his ovm hired house. He rushes 
 into every opening door. He makes it " all his busi- 
 ness here below, 
 
 " To cry, ' Behold the Lamb ! ' " 
 
 Such is the preacher, prompt to obey the call of God, 
 and the call of his fellow-men. 
 
 III. Tlie solemn transactions between the preacher 
 and the congregation. 
 
 1 . This is introduced by a plain inquiry : " I ask 
 therefore for what intent ye sent for me ? " Acts x. 29. 
 Is it merely to hear him, for the gratifying of vain cu- 
 riosity, as the Athenians, Herod, Agi-ippa ? Is it merely 
 to be entertained, as Ezekiel's congregation ? or is it to re- 
 ceive him as the messenger of God, and God's message 
 by him ? 
 
 2. This inquiry is answered by a plain and explicit 
 reply. " Now therefore are we all here present before 
 God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of 
 God." 
 
 (1.) Mark the congregation, " Now therefore," &c. 
 (i.) "To hear" — attending Avith candour and solici- 
 tude. 
 
 (ii.) " To hear all things " — not like the seventy. 
 
SKETCH XII. 367 
 
 (iii.) " To hear all things commanded thee of God : " 
 Receiving the word, not as the word of man, but, as it 
 is in truth, the Avord of God; therefore true and 
 authoritative ; and therefore to be believed, accepted, 
 experienced, and practised — assembled for this express 
 purpose, and no other. 
 
 (2.) Mark the preacher, who brings before his congre- 
 gation all the things God has commanded him to an- 
 nounce. 
 
 The grand subject of his ministry is to be that which 
 St. Peter on this occasion presented to his audience. 
 Acts X. 34 — 36, 43. In the Gospel are all things God 
 ever commanded his apostles and ministers to preach. 
 " We preach Christ crucified," &c. 
 
 (i.) As to God. He has given a full and final dis- 
 pensation of himself. " The God of gods." 
 
 (ii.) As to mankind. All they are to believe, ex- 
 perience, and practise. 
 
 So St. Paul speaks to the Colossians concerning his 
 ministry : " Christ in you the hope of glory, whom we 
 preach, warning," &c. And likewise to the Ephesian 
 elders, " Wherefore I take," &c. Acts xx. 26, 27. The 
 Gospel furnishes calls, motives, and principles, to pre- 
 pare for glory. This must be maintained by every 
 faithful preacher. 
 
 How solemn this transaction ! 
 
 The human mind cannot conceive any thing more 
 momentous ! Methinks malignant fiends, as in the 
 days of Job, obtrude into the assembly, to try their 
 envious efforts so as to defeat the object ; at least, crowd 
 around the place, like devouring birds waiting to 
 destroy the seed of the word, soon as the congregation 
 departs. Are not the benevolent angels of God present ? 
 that " to the principalities," &c. Some waiting to 
 carry to their brethren in the presence of God in hea- 
 ven, &c. Nothing concerning states and empires can 
 equal this. Not all earthly interests combined are to 
 
368 SKETCH XII. 
 
 be compared to the important concerns of a congre- 
 gation, and am ambassador of God transacting this j 
 solemn scene. A whole eternity of bliss or pain hangs J 
 dependent on this important business ! A sermon is m 
 either the savour of life or of death, to every individual ! 
 
 Such is the solemn transaction. What is the im- 
 provement ? 
 
 1. This subject is calculated to point out to a 
 preacher, — 
 
 (1.) His commission to speak " aU the things com- 
 manded him of God." " He that taketh away," &c. 
 " He that addeth," &c. " If an angel," &c. 
 
 (2.) His duty to be prompt to the call of God when 
 he sends, and of the people who willingly receive him 
 as God's messenger. 
 
 (3.) His comfort to behold his labours eminently 
 blessed among those to whom he is sent : the only true 
 consolation of a preacher. 
 
 2. This subject is also a true directory to hearers. 
 Who — what — how to hear. 
 
 (1.) For their present spiritual profit. " While Peter 
 spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them 
 which heard the word." Acts x. 44, " God gi-anted 
 unto them repentance unto life, and set open to them 
 the door of faith." 
 
 (2.) For their instruction in their future walk and 
 progress. 
 
 (3.) For their everlasting benefit and their preacher's 
 reward. " For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of 
 rejoicing ? Are not even ye in the presence of oiu- Lord 
 Jesus Christ at his coming ? For ye are our glory and 
 joy." 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20. 
 
SKETCH XIII. 
 
 THE DOER OF THE WORK BLESSED IN 
 HIS DEED. 
 
 Sut whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continupth 
 therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, hut a doer of the work, this 
 man shall be blessed in his deed. James i. 25. 
 
 The design of St. James in this epistle is to counter- 
 act antinomianism. The text is a persuasive to practical 
 godliness, connected with an illustration of the treat- 
 ment the Gospel meets from two different characters, — 
 the mere hearer of the word, and the real doer ot the 
 work; James i. 21, 22. The mere hearer is " like a man 
 Avho beholds," &c. ; James i. 23, 24. The word (par- 
 ticularly the ministerial) is a mirror in which a man 
 may discover his spiritual state. Some glasses flatter, 
 some give distorted reflection, but not so the Avord of 
 God. Rom, viii. 9. The mere hearer perceives his 
 state, is informed and moved transiently. But he goes 
 his way, and forgets his conviction through want of 
 meditation, prayer; and by giving himself to worldly 
 concerns, like the wayside hearers. Such deceive their 
 own souls by a ftdse logic. But dismissing the mere 
 hearer, let us behold the genuine doer. 
 
 I. In his view of the Gospel. 
 
 II. His exercise in reference to it. 
 
 III. Tlae blessed result. 
 
 I. The doer of the work in his view of the Gospel. 
 1 . He contemplates the Gospel word as a law. 
 (1.) A prescribed and promulgated rule of faith and 
 practice. Rom, xvi, 26. 
 
 R 5 
 
370 SKETCH XIII. 
 
 (2.) Administered by Christ as the Sovereign Head 
 and King of his church. 
 
 (3.) Having sanctions to reAvard graciously the 
 obedient, and punish righteously the disobedient. 
 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. 
 
 2. Particularly as the law of liberty or liberation. 
 (1.) It does not discharge from obligation to serve 
 
 God, which would contradict the design of the epistle. 
 
 (2.) It gives hberty from, not to, sin ; from the guilt, 
 bondage, pollution of sin ; from the tyranny of Satan ; 
 as well as from the Levitical law. 
 
 (3.) It gives liberty, power, and privilege, to serve 
 God. Rom. viii. 2 — 4. 
 
 3. Eminently as the perfect law of liberty. 
 
 (] .) Founded on the harmonized and glorified per- 
 fections of God. 
 
 (2.) Its influence gives perfectibility to the moral 
 nature, and being, and condition of man. 
 
 (3.) To which may be added, that the Gospel is 
 God's last and perfect dispensation, to which nothing is 
 to be added, and therefore " perfect." 
 
 II. His exercise in reference to the Gospel. " He 
 looketh into," &c., as into a mirror. 
 
 He examines the nature, extent, privileges, and re- 
 quirements, of the Gospel ; its perfection, and the extent 
 of the gracious liberty it confers ; and all with a refer- 
 ence to his own state. This view is illustrated by — 
 
 1. Intenseness. He bows down his head to have a 
 fair and full view of himself. See Luke xxiv. 12. 
 Like those angels, 1 Peter i. 12. Like those cherub- 
 im. Exodus XXV. 20. 
 
 2. Continuance. He " continues " in this exercise, 
 meditates. Psalm, i. Prays over it, and devotes time 
 and opportunities to the search of the Scriptures. 
 
 3. Practice. He is " a doer of the work." 
 
 N.B. The term is changed, "word," to "work:" 
 
SKETCH XIII. 371 
 
 which is the same in St. James's creed ; for instance, 
 he does repent, does believe, does obey, as the law of 
 liberty enjoins. 
 
 III. The blessed result. " He is blessed in his 
 deed." 
 
 N. B. " Tliis man," an emphatic repetition ! " is 
 happy " — in his deed — not for it. St. James is evan- 
 gelical with all his earnest zeal for the authority, purity, 
 and obligation of the Gospel. 
 
 1 . He is happy and blessed m being free from the 
 evil which ensnares too many ; Avho put hearing the 
 word in the place of experiencing and practising. He 
 does not ensnare his soul with false logic, nor is he a 
 forgetful hearer, a " hearer of oblivion." Pie is thus 
 happy in being honest, impartial, and personal, in his 
 religious vicAvs. 
 
 2. He is happy and blessed in the accordance of 
 his experience and practice with the word. What the 
 Redeemer is represented to be, he is to him. So of the 
 Holy Spirit. So of the word generally, — its doctrines, 
 its precepts, and its promises. 
 
 3. He is happy and blessed with a progression of 
 holiness and fitness for heaven. " Beholding, as in a 
 glass, the glory of the Lord, he is changed into the 
 same image, from glory to glory, even by the Spirit of 
 the Lord." 
 
 Apply. The close of our Lord's sermon on the 
 mount, and John xiii. 17- 
 
SKETCH XIV. 
 CHRISTIAN DILIGENCE. 
 
 Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter i. 10, 
 
 I. The subject of the admonition, " Your calling and 
 election." 
 
 The terms are met with in Scripture very frequently. 
 They refer in most places to a military custom among 
 the Greeks of calling together all the people capable of 
 bearing arms, and electing from them such as were 
 most fit to be sent on the intended expedition. They 
 are applied by our Lord, in the parable of the great 
 supper, to a general invitation of persons of all condi- 
 tions, and the election of such as duly accepted it. In 
 both these senses there is a spiritual calling and elec- 
 tion. 
 
 I. The calling and election to military service. God 
 is our Sovereign. He calls us to renounce our disloy- 
 alty and rebellion : to flock to the standard of the 
 cross. Christ, the Captain of the Lord's host; his 
 ministers blow the Gospel trumpet, and call men to 
 come to him ; receiving pardon for the past, and pledg- 
 ing their fidelity for the future. Many refuse to 
 hearken and obey. They continue rebellious. Some 
 affect a sort of neutrality. But none of these will God 
 elect for his soldiers, by whom he will condescend to 
 achieve the triumphs of his holiness and love. Thev 
 who hear, and come, fully submitting to the mercy 
 which saves, and the authority which claims to govern, 
 — these he chooses, constitutes them his friends and 
 soldiers. These he enrols, embodies, disciphnes, con- 
 ducts, employs, rewards. 
 
SKETCH XIV. 373 
 
 2. The calling and election to festival and even royal 
 honours. 
 
 God is our Benefactor and Saviour. In the Gospel 
 there is a rich provision, styled " a feast of fat things." 
 Man, called by the King's servants, is invited to the 
 feast. The message has no limitation in its terms. 
 The servants have not only no restriction in their com- 
 mission, hut that is as large as it can be ; it is uni- 
 versal. " Go ye into all the world," &c. In all this 
 may we say, the King is sincere ; what he says, (and the 
 Gospel message is the saying of God,) that he means. 
 Such, then, is the call, the invitation. There are who 
 show malignant opposition to it. Too many make 
 light of it ; treat it contemptuously ; take no notice of 
 it; prefer trifles to it; or come in a wrong spirit. These, 
 therefore, rejected. Others hear, come, receive the 
 sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, and sanctification of 
 the Spirit, and are obedient to the truth. These are 
 received, chosen, blessed with the King's favour, ac- 
 cepted as his guests. 
 
 II. The admonition itself, — The calling and election 
 are to be made sure. 
 
 1. See that you "know the joyful sound" of your 
 calling. 
 
 2. See that the end of your calling is secured by 
 your election to the blessings to which you were so 
 condescendingly and mercifully invited. 
 
 3. Make all this sure to the full satisfaction of your 
 own heart. Obtain all the evidence of it which tlie 
 case admits, and which is necessary for the satisfaction 
 and assurance of your own mind. 
 
 There is the witness of God's Spirit. 
 There is the testimony of your conscience. 
 
 4. Make it sure to others by the evidence of a holy 
 life ; showing that in you there is a principle of obedi- 
 ence yielding fruit. 
 
374 SKETCH XIV. 
 
 5. Make your calling and election sure as to their 
 great end and object, everlasting life. You are called 
 to this, elected for this ; live in direct and constant 
 reference to it. 
 
 III. The way in which the admonition is to be 
 observed. " Give diligence." 
 
 1. Illustrate by comparison. 
 
 The candidate makes every personal exertion of body 
 and mind. The Christian is to strive, agonize, &c. 
 The candidate employs all means and interests to pro- 
 mote his object. The Christian puts his cause into 
 Christ's hands ; uses all prescribed and prudential 
 means. The candidate makes his exertions opportunely. 
 The Christian buys, seizes, the opportunity : does what 
 he ought to do, when he ought to do it. The candi- 
 date makes his exertions la^vfully. The Christian 
 knows that He who calls and elects has laid do^vn the 
 rules, and he is careful to observe them. — Such is the 
 diligent Christian. 
 
 2. Illustrate by contrast. 
 
 They who strive on earth do it to obtain earthly 
 objects : a corruptible crown. The Christian, heavenly 
 objects : an incorruptible one. In proportion to supe- 
 rior value should be superior exertion. 
 
 Suppose the object secured, what is gained ? Think 
 of wealth, honour, pleasure, as to the world. Think of 
 heaven, — those with whom the Christian shall sit down, 
 — where, — what he shall enjoy. 
 
 If they obtain their object, it is not enduring; the 
 wreath fades; death removes the crown. In heaven 
 the crown fades not, — is not removed. 
 
 1. I once more repeat the call, — the invitation, — the 
 command ; and press acceptance and obedience. 
 
 2. To the obedient. "Hold fast that which thou hast, 
 let no man take thy crown." 
 
SKETCH XV, 
 THE VANITY OF MAN. 
 
 The voice said, Cry. ^nd he said, TVhat shall I cry ? All flesh 
 is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of thsfleld: 
 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, <Se. Isaiah, xl. 6 — 8. 
 
 Several voices are heard in this chapter. In verses 
 1, 2, God speaks, and gives a preliminary address to the 
 prophecy, which extends to the end of Isaiah ; and in 
 verses 3 — 5, the voice of Messiah's herald. In the text 
 another voice is heard. Alas ! this voice cries aloud 
 through all the regions of mortality. It proclaims a 
 truth, a serious truth, important above all others, and 
 of universal interest to the human race. 
 
 I. In reference to mankind, it cries, ''AH flesh 
 is grass," &c. 
 
 II. In reference to God it declares, " But the word 
 of our God shall," &c. 
 
 I. In reference to mankind, the voice cries, " All 
 flesh is grass." 
 
 1. This is a just representation of human nature; 
 for, 
 
 (1.) All flesh has the same origin physically, being 
 compounded of the same matter as grass. 
 
 (2.) All flesh is supported in precisely the same 
 manner, by the same elements, the sun, rain, &c. 
 
 (3.) All flesh is alike frail and transient in its exist- 
 ence. "In the morning they are like grass," &c. 
 Psalm xc. 5, 6. 
 
 (4.) All flesh must perish in like manner as the 
 grass. 
 
 Our strength and the term of our existence are not 
 
376 SKETCH xr. 
 
 like those of a tree. Take a little acorn in your hand, 
 how insignificant a thing ! Cast it into the ground, it 
 shall become a strong, massy, long-lived tree ; the 
 birds of the air shall lodge in its luxurious branches. 
 Your descendants of the first, second, third, or fourth 
 generation may be bending under the infirmities of old 
 age, supporting their feeble limbs with crutches supplied 
 by the branches, and seeking repose under the comfort 
 of its extensive shadow; or, perhaps, after the wearying 
 toils and cares of sated life, shall moulder into dust at 
 its venerable foot. The storm-defying oak braves the 
 conflicting tempests of centuries; "as for man, his days 
 are as grass; as the flower of the field so he flourisheth ; 
 for the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the 
 place thereof shall know it no more ; surely the people 
 is grass." 
 
 2. This is a just representation of all the excellencies 
 that can adorn and beautify mankind. The voice cries, 
 " And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the 
 field : the grass withereth, the flower fadeth." 
 
 (1.) How true of all personal excellence ! 
 
 (i.) Natural beauty of person. When we Avould 
 speak of the finest and most brilliant beauty, we can 
 only aspire to the metaphor of the rose and the lily. 
 " Consider the lilies of the field: Solomon in all his 
 glory was not arrayed like one of these." But their 
 personal excellence, though protected, as it were, by the 
 strength of youth and health, oftentimes fades. 
 
 (2.) How true of all mental excellence ! 
 
 " The goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field." 
 "■ Were I so tall to reach," &c. 
 
 (i.) Fine natural parts, bright intellects, sparkling 
 wit, genius. 
 
 (ii.) Learned acquirements, science and literature. 
 
 (iii.) The charms of disposition. 
 
 (3.) All the excellencies arising from external cir- 
 cumstances. 
 
SKETCH XV. 377 
 
 (i.) Tlie acquisition of riches. " Let the brethren of 
 low degree rejoice in that he is exalted ; but the rich," 
 &c. James i. 9 10. 
 
 (ii.) The possession of honour. The crown, imperial 
 flower, fades like the field daisy. 
 
 (iil ) The prerogative of power. The mighty monarch 
 Cometh forth to dictate to nations by his mandates ; to 
 overthrow empires by his army ; but is cut down as a 
 flower, 
 
 " And leaves the name at which the world turned pale, 
 To point a moral or adorn a tale." 
 
 " Go search the tombs where monarchs rest," &c. 
 
 Now all these glories of the flesh are but, 
 
 (i.) As the flower — splendid indeed, but transient 
 in duration. 
 
 (ii.) As the flower of the field, — not as the flower of 
 the garden, cultivated carefully and continually, — but 
 unprotected and liable to be crushed by the tread of 
 every casual passenger. 
 
 (4.) How true, finally, of all spiritual gifts, and minis- 
 terial endoA\Taents ! These are the greatest and most 
 useful excellencies, " the best gifts," &c. But they are 
 as the flower of the field ; soon these flowers, though 
 sacred, fade ; even these which adorn the plants of 
 God's planting, these flourish for a season only. The 
 Head of the church depends not on them. Does he 
 transplant the loveliest and most fragrant flowers into 
 his paradise ? He has the seedlings in his garden in 
 sufiicient numbers to beautify and benefit his church on 
 earth. "The wilderness and solitary place shall be 
 glad for them : the desert shall rejoice and blossom as 
 the rose : the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, 
 the excellency of Carmel." 
 
 3. This is also a just representation of human nature 
 morally ; which the Scripture calls " flesh," and is inef- 
 fectual to our justification before God. 
 
378 SKETCH XV. 
 
 (1.) All mere moral virtues, wliicli are the works of 
 the flesh, proceeding from the mere efforts of an unre- 
 generate heart ; these are called by Augustine, " splen- 
 did sins ; " at least they are but heathen yirtues incapa- 
 ble of justifying us in the sight of God. ''"Works done 
 before the grace of Christ, and the inspiration of his 
 Spirit, are not pleasing to God; forasmuch as they 
 spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they 
 make men meet to receive grace, or, (as the schoohnen 
 say,) deserve grace of congruity ; yea, rather for that 
 they are not done as God hath willed and commanded 
 them to be done, we doubt not but they have the 
 nature of sin." — Article XIII. of the Church of Eng- 
 land, 
 
 (2.) All mere outward affectation of religion, as to 
 creeds, notions of orthodoxy, Jewish, Pharisaic forms, 
 are but as grass ; the most splendid of them are but as 
 the flower of the field; they have no vital root, no living 
 jfragrance. They wither and fade when the Spirit of 
 the Lord, by his sin-convincing influence, bloweth 
 upon them. Thus it was with Saul of Tarsus as de- 
 scribed by him, Romans vii. 9 ; and Philippians iii. 
 3 — 7- His moral and religious condition was like a 
 gay parterre. But ovu: own poet, adopting the character 
 of a person converted from this state, thus expresses 
 himself: — 
 
 " Faded my virtuous show, 
 
 My form witliout the power, 
 The sin-convincing Spirit blew, 
 
 And blasted every flower. 
 
 My mouth was stopp'd, and shame 
 
 Cover'd my guilty face j 
 I fell on the atoning Lamb, 
 
 And I was saved by grace." 
 
 Thus, " no flesh can glory in his presence." 
 
 II. In reference to God, the voice declares : " But 
 the word of our God shall stand for ever." That is, 
 
SKETCH XV. 379 
 
 saith the Holy Ghost by St. Peter, explaining this sub- 
 ject, " Being born," &c. 1 Peter i. 23 — 25. 
 
 The Gospel, then, is the living Avord, the vital seed; it 
 survives mortality and death. The Gospel throws 
 aside the sable pall of the king of terrors, rends the 
 veil betwixt mortal and immortal being, and brings life 
 and incorruption to light ; exhibits Him over whom 
 death had no dominion ; who says, " I am he," &c. 
 Rev. vii. 18 ; and thus assures his disciples, " Because 
 I live, ye shall live also." 
 
 " See Tnith, Love, and Goodness, in triiimpli descending, 
 And nature all glowing in Eden's first bloom ; 
 On the cold cheek of Death smUes and roses are blending, 
 And Beauty immortal awakes from the tomb." 
 
 The pride of philosophy, together with Jewish cere- 
 monies, and all the glory of finite good, wither and 
 die; but Jesus Christ in his Gospel "is the same yes- 
 terday, and to-day, and for ever:" the procurer and donor 
 of all blessings which shall endure through time and 
 eternity. His glory is a permanent and everlasting 
 glory, and is opposed to the fading glory of the creature, 
 whose personal, intellectual, and moral excellence is 
 frail, fading, and perishing. 
 
 J . The word of our God in the unchangeable princi- 
 ples of the Gospel. 
 
 2. The word of our God in the privileges of the 
 Gospel : his unsearchable riches of grace and glory to 
 all who embrace, experience, and obey the Gospel : 
 pardon, adoption, sanctification, support, consolation, 
 and eternal life, " shall stand for ever." 
 
 III. Improvement. 
 
 1. The voice proclaims the mortality of all flesh, it 
 has cried frequently, at this time it cries loudly to us ! 
 " He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." " AH flesh 
 is grass ; and the goodliness thereof is as the flower of 
 
380 SKETCH XV. 
 
 the field : the grass witheretli, the flower fadetb." It has 
 been more than declared, it has been verified -with 
 many. We behold lovely children, amiable youth, and 
 early pious characters, falling beneath the scythe of 
 time. We see how, 
 
 " Tlie morning flowers display their sweets." 
 " So blooms the human face divine." 
 
 We behold the most distinguished ministers, with 
 gifts, zeal, and labours, much more abundant than 
 others, cut down as a flower. And all flesh is gTass. 
 You ! You are frail, fading. None can plead for 
 exemption from death. " It is appointed for all men 
 once to die." The rich and poor lie down together in 
 the bed of dust. 
 
 " The sceptred king, the bm-den'd slave, 
 The humble, and the haughty die ; 
 The rich, the poor, the base, the brave, 
 In dust without distinction lie." 
 
 2. The voice proclaims the insignificancy of all glory- 
 ing in the flesh. Seek then that salvation which re- 
 dounds to the everlasting glory of the Lord. " This 
 salvation is by the Gospel preached to you now." 1 Cor. 
 i. 29—31. 
 
 3. The voice declares, that " the word of our God 
 shall stand for ever." Let every believer live and 
 depend upon every word that proceeds from the mouth 
 of God. Embrace it now, and now, and now, from 
 moment to moment. Forget not what the blessed 
 Saviour has said, anticipate its final fulfilment. 
 "Heaven and earth shall pass away," &c., "but," &c. 
 Then, 
 
 " Perish the grass, and fade the flower, 
 If firm the word of God remains ! " 
 
SKETCH XVI. 
 
 THE EFFECTS OF THE OUTPOURING OF 
 THE SPIRIT. 
 
 Yet now hear, Jacob my servant ; and Israel, whom I have 
 chosen : Thus saiih the Lord that made thee, and form,cd thee from 
 the womb, tvhivh toill help thee ; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant ; and 
 thou, Jesurtin, tvhom I have chosen. For I ivill pour water upon him 
 that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground : I will pour my 
 Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring : And they 
 shall spring up as among the grass, us tvillotvs by the water courses. 
 On? shall say, I am the Lord's ; and another shall call himself by the 
 tiame of Jacob ; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the 
 Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel. Isaiah xliv. 1 — 5. 
 
 I. The promise. 
 
 1. By wliom given. Jehovah in the characters of 
 Creator, (verse 2,) the Sovereign, Former of Israel as a 
 nation, who had given them laws and privileges supe- 
 rior to all other nations; eminently as their God, 
 under covenant engagements to be their Helper, includ- 
 ing all they needed. 
 
 2. To whom made. The church of God, described by 
 different terms, Jacob, Israel, Jeshurun, a climax: a 
 supplanter, Prince with God, the upright one. 
 
 3. The purport of the promise. An abundant effu- 
 sion of the Spirit of God, (verse 3,) water is the usual 
 figure employed. John, Revelation. The figure is 
 explained in the parallelism: "I will pour out my 
 Spirit," — my blessing, commencing with the Gospel 
 dispensation. Acts, "times of refreshing," &c. 
 
 II. The consequence of its fulfilment, " And they 
 shall," &c. 
 
382 SKETCH XVI, 
 
 This is not to be limited to one generation, as for 
 instance to the apostolic age. " Upon thy seed, thy off- 
 spring," for " the promise is to us and to our children." 
 Observe, 
 
 1. The precious condition of those in whose favour 
 the promise is made — " him that is thirsty — the dry 
 ground." Souls parched and desolated by sin, as chap. 
 XXXV. 1, 2. 
 
 2. The effects are, 
 
 (1.) Divine vitality, evidenced by increase and 
 vigour, as among grass — as willows, &c. Psalm i. ; 
 Rev. xxii. 
 
 (2.) Personal dedication to God and the church. 
 
 To God. One shall say, " I am the Lord's." He shall 
 be truly, and confess boldly and joyfully he is the 
 Lord's; born of him, and for him, who hath bought him 
 with a price, and adopted and taken into covenant. 
 
 To the church. Professed union Avith the church of 
 Christ as Providence and conscience may direct. "An- 
 other shall call himself by the name of Jacob," not 
 ashamed of the meanest name and the lowest section of 
 the church. " Another shall subscribe with his hand 
 to the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel;" 
 shall enter into covenant to serve the Lord, and to be 
 an Israelite indeed. (Romans ii.) Or, as the passage 
 seems to import, shall become and behave himself as a 
 faithful and courageous soldier of the Lord, to fight 
 against God's spiritual enemies, who are his enemies 
 also. Anciently the soldiers had a mark on their hand, 
 signifying what commander they belonged to. So in 
 Revelation, the worshippers of the beast are said to 
 have his mark on their hands, &c. At this day among 
 the orientalists, the castes have their symbols on their 
 foreheads and hands. 
 
 III. Improvement. Reflections. 
 
 1. Divine influence, the Spirit and the blessing of 
 
SKETCH XVI. 383 
 
 God are the only source and support of true spiritual 
 religion. The earth might as well be verdant and 
 fruitful without rain, as religion could exist and flourish 
 without Divine influence. Prayer and all means 
 should he employed for the outpouring of the Spirit. 
 
 2. Here is a gracious promise respecting the children 
 of pious parents. Let this cheer the hearts of parents, 
 not slacken but quicken their prayers and efforts ; and 
 let this be a stimulus to the young, let them early seek 
 the Lord, and unite themselves to the people of God. 
 
 Assign some reasons. 
 
 3. The promise is general. Prayer and effort should 
 be employed ; faith, and hope, and expectation ; 
 gratitude for any measure of fulfilment. An earnest 
 of complete fulfilment, when water, floods, the Spirit 
 and blessing of God shall be poured out on all flesh ; 
 the distant deserts of the Heathen shall be converted 
 into a fruitful field, &c., &c. 
 
SKETCH XVIII. 
 FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 TFhen. thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his 
 seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall 
 prosper in his hand. Isaiali liii. 10. 
 
 The important event commemorated this day is the 
 most a'v^^ul, and wonderful, and interesting, that ever 
 occurred ; namely, the crucifixion of " the Lord of 
 glory ! " It was contemplated by the Father of eter- 
 nity ; for Christ was the Lamb of God, slain from before 
 the foundation of the world ; — by the ancient patri- 
 archs : Abraham, when he offered up Isaac, saw the 
 day of Christ : — by the prophets, for to Christ they all 
 gave witness : — it was set forth by the Levitical insti- 
 tutions, which were shadows, but the substance was 
 Christ : — the substance of the Gospel, too, is the pro- 
 pitiation of Christ ; — and the subject of the Gospel 
 ministry is " Christ crucified." Finally, in this striking 
 chapter, the subject of redemption by Messiah, as com- 
 pleted in the a^vful circumstances of this day's com- 
 memoration, is minutely set forth ; and the text, 
 especially, presents it in an important aspect, being the 
 stipulation of the Divine Father with the Messiah in these 
 terms : " When thou shalt make his soul an offering 
 for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, 
 and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his 
 hands." 
 
 Let us inquire, 
 
 The grounds implied ; the condition required ; which 
 may be improved by 
 
SKETCH XVII. ' 385 
 
 Our serious reflection on the Avhole subject. 
 The reward promised in the last clause of the verse 
 may become a subject for future consideration. 
 
 I. The grounds of this stipulation implied. 
 
 1. The heinous demerit of sin. 
 
 We will not enter into that deep and mysterious 
 inquiry, Whence the origin of evil ? but contemplate 
 its existence and character, so that it is absolutely 
 necessary there should be an offering and sacrifice to 
 God for its expiation. Sin is the transgression of the 
 holy and righteous law of God, and is thereby an insult 
 cast upon his Infinite Majesty — contempt of his su- 
 preme authority. Its nature is impurity itself, and the 
 abominable thing his soul hateth. It provokes his most 
 indignant displeasure. His eternal curse is entailed 
 upon it. The sentence of eternal death is denounced 
 against it, and is not to be remitted without an infinitely 
 meritorious sacrifice. 
 
 2. There is, besides, another important circumstance, 
 forming the ground of this stipulation. Sin cannot be 
 expiated without due, and even supreme, regard for 
 the honour of God ; which is to be so secured and illus- 
 trated, that he may not merely be rendered placable 
 and propitious, but have " pleasure " in the salvation of 
 sinners. 
 
 (1.) All his attributes must be illustriously har- 
 monized and glorified. His justice, truth, holiness, 
 mercy. 
 
 (2.) All the penal denunciations of his holy law 
 must be made good. " The wages of sin is death." 
 " The soul that sinneth shall die." 
 
 (3.) The purity and integrity of God's moral govern- 
 ment must have an unqualified recognition ; which 
 perhaps will be witnessed and acknowledged by myriads, 
 if not by all the moral intelligences, angelic, human, 
 and diabolical, in the whole universe. 
 s 
 
386 SKETCH XVII. 
 
 Of these two parts, forming the ground of the stipu- 
 lation, there is no just recognition in any of the my- 
 thologies of the heathen world, nor in the theories of 
 either ancient or modem moral philosophers. 
 
 II. The condition required. That Christ should be 
 made " an offering for sin."' This may be considered to 
 be either the judicial requirement of the Divine Father, 
 or the voluntary act of Christ himself. (Margin.) 
 " When his soul shall make," &c. 
 
 1. As the judicial requirement of the Father. The 
 offering must be recognised by law, that it might be 
 obedience. This whole chapter, particularly, " It pleased 
 the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief," &c. 
 " Who being in the form of God," &c. Law demanded 
 it. " Awake, O sword," &c. 
 
 2. And the offering was likewise a voluntary act of 
 Messiah. If there Avere reluctance, it could not be a 
 meritorious act. It must be a free-will offering. They 
 both meet in that explicit Scripture : " Wherefore when 
 he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and ofi*er- 
 ing thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared 
 me," &c. Heb. x. 5. All the circumstances of Christ's 
 death proved it a voluntary act. " No man taketh my 
 life from me, but I lay it down of myself." AYhen he 
 prayed in the garden, he submitted to drink the cup. 
 He " was led like a lamb to the slaughter," &c. " He 
 dismissed his spirit." Mark the subject offered : " The 
 soul." The body was sacrificed, its blood was shed; 
 but the soul of Christ, eminently the human soul, 
 for the souls of mankind. What a sacrifice ! In his 
 agony in Gethsemane, " Now is my soul exceeding 
 sorrowful, even unto death ! " There, as well as in the 
 judgment-hall, and on the cross, all his intellectual facul- 
 ties ; — his understanding, which clearly saw the extent 
 of the guilt and demerit of the sins of all mankind, 
 and the purity, holiness, and justice of God ; his will, 
 
SKETCH XVII. 387 
 
 which, was wholly upright and righteous ; and all the 
 affections of his soul ; — all was placed upon the altar of 
 the cross, and consumed, as it were, by the exquisite 
 and inconceivable sense he had of the Divine wrath and 
 indignation against sin, in the total withdrawment of the 
 light of the Divine complacency, figured by the super- 
 natural darkness of that dreadful period, when he cried, 
 " Eloi, Eloi, Sabachthani ! " Mark ; this was nothing 
 less than a vicarious sacrifice. So the whole chapter 
 declares, and was the antitype of all which preceded. 
 The sin-offering of the ignorant offender, — the paschal 
 lamb, — the great sin-offering on the day of atonement, 
 according with the very time when Christ suffered, 
 ■" the just for the unjust, to bring us to God." 
 
 III. Recommend this important subject to serious 
 consideration. 
 
 1. Messiah has minutely and completely fulfilled the 
 stipulation ! "An offering and sacrifice of sweet-smelling 
 savour " to God ; such his zeal for the glory of God ; 
 such his love to precious souls ! 
 
 " Lamb of God, was ever pain, 
 Was ever love like thine ! " 
 
 " Then let us sit beneath his cross, 
 
 And gladly catch the healing stream," &e, 
 
 2. This is the only sacrifice for sin. " Christ was 
 once offered : there remaineth no more sacrifice for 
 sin." What of those who pretend to offer him daily in 
 sacrifice ? What of infidels, who deny the sacrificial 
 death of Christ ? What of antinomians, who make 
 the death of Christ an occasion of sin ? What of 
 apostates, " who count the blood of the covenant an 
 unholy thing ? " 
 
 3. This is the accepted offering. God requires no 
 other. " If any man sin, we have an Advocate with 
 the Father, even Jesus Christ the righteous." Having 
 
 s2 
 
388 SKETCH xvir. 
 
 therefore boldness to draw nigli to the Holy of holies, 
 through the the blood of the Lamb, &c. 
 
 (1.) How cheering to poor penitents: "As Moses 
 lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so was 
 tlie Son of man lifted up." " Look unto me, and be 
 ye saved, all the ends of the earth." ■' If the blood of 
 bulls and of goats," &c. 
 
 (2.) How establishing to humble believers ! Let 
 them thus be crucified to the world ; glory in the cross ; 
 their motto be, " I am crucified with Christ, neverthe- 
 less I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me," &c. 
 " Live by faith in the Son of God," &c., and look for 
 the glorious result of this mystery of godliness in the 
 presence of God and the Lamb, when all the redeemed 
 shall join in that heavenly and endless song : " Worthy 
 is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, 
 and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and 
 blessing." 
 
SKETCH XVIII. 
 GOOD FRIDAY. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 lie i/iall see kis seed, he shall 2)rulong his days, and the pleasure of 
 the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah liii. 10. 
 
 We have seen the sacrifice offered, &c. Let us now 
 contemplate the glorious reward. 
 
 I. Messiah shall obtain an abundant progeny, " He 
 shall see his seed." 
 
 The corn of wheat fell into the ground, &c. Even 
 while offering his soul. The penitent malefactor. 
 Immediately after, the centurion, — soon, thousands, — 
 since then, millions. His true progeny partakers of the 
 Divine nature ; his spiritual likeness. Real wheat, — 
 not tares. 
 
 But the extent of this promised reward is not yet 
 obtained : it will be. The handful of corn has been 
 sown on the tops of the mountains, &c. In many 
 places the fields are white unto the harvest. Fallow 
 ground is being broken up. Himself has declared, "• I, 
 if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." We 
 begin to see the increasing progeny like the numerous 
 dew-drops. Psalm ex. 3. The apocalyptic scene shall 
 be unveiled. Rev. vii. 9, 10. 
 
 II. Messiah shall long enjoy the fruits of his sufi'er- 
 ings : " He shall prolong his days." He was soon cut 
 off, before he had measured half the short span of 
 
390 SKETCH XTIir. 
 
 man's life. He was dead and buried, but soon arose to 
 life. He has triumphed over death. " death, I mil 
 be thy plague," &c., and he shall have a long mediatorial 
 reign." Psalm xxi. 1 — 6; Ixxii. 15 — 17; Isaiah ix. 
 6, 7 ; Daniel ii. 44. 
 
 The greatest of earthly monarchs die, but not the 
 King of glory, who hath the keys of death and the 
 grave, and exults, " I am he that liveth and was dead, 
 and behold I am alive for evermore ! " 
 
 III. Messiah shall succeed in his mediatorial under- 
 taking. " The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his 
 hands." 
 
 1. The salvation of sinners is the pleasure of Je- 
 hovah. 
 
 (1.) His heart was long set on it. From before the 
 foundation of the world he had provided the sacrificial 
 Lamb ; in Eden gave his gracious promise, renewed 
 it to the patriarchs, symbolized it in the Levitical insti- 
 tutions. The long series of prophecies all terminated 
 in this object. He made the most wonderful arrange- 
 ment for it in his providential government of the nations 
 of the world, in the successive general empires, as seen 
 in Daniel. 
 
 (2.) To prove how great his pleasure is in the sal- 
 vation of sinners, " He gave his only-begotten Son." 
 John iii. 
 
 (3.) And he has given his otvti testimony, and even 
 ratified it by oath. " Have I any pleasure," &c. " As I 
 live, saith the Lord, I have no pleasure," &c. Matter of 
 fact confirms the whole. The conversion of only one 
 sinner gives him pleasure, and raises the rapture of 
 heaven. 
 
 2. The work of salvation is confided to the hands of 
 the Messiah. 
 
 (1.) He had a prophetic investiture to his mediatorial 
 government: "Jehovah said," &c. Psalm ex. 1. 
 
siiETCU XV in. 391 
 
 (2.) The government of his kingdom he avoAved to 
 have been given him by the Divine Father. " All 
 power in heaven and earth is committed to me." He hath 
 entered upon the administration. " Thou hast ascended 
 up on high, thou hast led captivity," &c. 
 
 (3.) And he is made " Head over all things, to liis 
 body the church," whose affairs he administers ; " the 
 government is upon his shoulders." He makes laws, 
 appoints officers, directs all means, cames the stars in 
 his right hand, Avalks among the golden candlesticks. 
 The work being confided to him, salvation is in good, 
 sufficient, holy hands. 
 
 3. The work of salvation, Jehovah's pleasure, shall 
 prosper in Messiah's hands. To make this good, 
 
 (1.) There are many predictions ; Psalm Ixxii. 5 — 8, 
 where we see by w^hat means the work of salvation shall 
 prosper, by the copious outpouring of his Spirit, " like 
 rain," &c. And it is this which shall give effect to Psalm 
 Isxii. 16, " Then shall be a handful of corn on the top," 
 Sec, and to what a wonderful extent the pleasure of the 
 Lord shall prosper in his hands, may be inferred from 
 the verse following the text : " He shall see of the 
 travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied " for all his 
 labours and sufiFerings. 
 
 (2.) There are many promises made to Messiah. For 
 instance, the text, Isaiah xlix. 6 ; Psalm ii. 8 ; and 
 ox. 1, 2. 
 
 (3. ) There are anticipations made by Messiah him- 
 self. Dan. vii. 13, 14; Heb. ii. 13 ; and xii. 2. To all 
 this may be added, that, 
 
 (i.) No oppositions have hitherto prevented it. 
 Psahn ii. 1 — 3. 
 
 (ii.) Nor ever shall. " No weapon formed against it 
 shall prosper." " Upon this rock will I build my 
 church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against 
 it." 
 
 (iii.) If opposition can ever impair his energy, or 
 
392 SKETCH XVIII. 
 
 cause Mm to relax his efforts, we might then fear for 
 the success of his cause. But thas saith the Almighty, 
 " Behold my servant whom I uphold," &c. 
 
 Application. 
 
 Are we his progeny ? Does he live in us ? Does 
 the Lord's pleasure prosper in us ? That pleasure is, 
 that we should be saved, now, fully, everlastingly. 
 
 Engage in his cause. Promote the salvation of 
 others. It is a work of religion and of humanity ; 
 and you shall not labour in vain. 
 
SKETCH XIX. 
 
 i^REACHED IN CONNEXION WITH THE 
 FORMATION OF A BIBLE SOCIETY. 
 
 Pray for us, that the zvord of the Lord 7nay have free course, cuid 
 he glorified. 2 Thessalonians iii. 1. 
 
 I. The cliaracter of the subject matter. " The word 
 of the Lord." 
 
 The Scripture is not a cunningljT^-devised fable, like 
 the mythology of the Pagans, and the Koran of the 
 Mohammedans. It is not a series of absurd figments, 
 like the traditions of the Jewish Rabbies ; it is not 
 like the ethics of the moralists ; it is " the word of the 
 Lord." 
 
 1. The Lord is the author of the word. He inspired 
 it. This is evident from its nature, which is holy ; — 
 its prophecies, its harmony, its grandeur, its importance, 
 its discoveries, its undecaying energy and influence. 
 
 2. The Lord is the subject of the word. It begins 
 with him as the Creator of heaven and earth ; it is the 
 history of his providential government of the world, 
 and of his gracious dispensations to his church ; and 
 most eminently of the nature, benefits, and glories of his 
 work of redemption. Psalm xl. 10 ; John v. 39. 
 
 3. The Lord is the end of the word. It tends to 
 illustrate the glory of all his perfections to the whole 
 universe throughout all eternity. It well merits the 
 appellation of " the Bible, the Book ! " 
 
 How truly desirable is it to witness 
 
 II. Its more rapid progress, and more eminent glory ! 
 s 5 
 
394 stfETca xi%. 
 
 " That it may have free course and be glorified ! " that 
 it may glide on magnificently, swiftly, copiously, like a 
 mighty river ! This is " the river of God which is full 
 of water." It is " the river of the water of life." How 
 much is it to be wished that it may soon be like those 
 waters which the prophet Ezekiel saw in vision, widen- 
 ing and deepening, and dispensing wherever it glides its 
 satisfying, cleansing, invigorating, and fructifying 
 effects ! The Scripture is more beneficial than the 
 Nile ; and a real Pactolus, flowing on sands of gold ,• a 
 healing Jordan, better than Abana and Pharpar, and 
 all the rivers of Damascus. The word tp^XV ^^7 ^^ 
 rendered as in the margin, " may run," and alludes 
 perhaps to the applause given to those who made a 
 speedy progress in the Grecian races. The word of the 
 Lord has, indeed, a noble course to run, and a glorious 
 prize to obtain. 
 
 1. Let us inquire what is intimated in regard to its 
 more rapid progress, " that it may rim." That obstacles 
 be removed out of its course, such as infidel opposition 
 and antichristian prejudices ; — that the course be re- 
 markably cleared by the finger of Providence, and 
 proper instruments and means be brought forward by 
 him; which has most eminently been the case of late. 
 
 (1 .) As to means : the invention of printing, the com- 
 mercial communication we have with so many countries 
 in every quaii;er of the world, and our extensive foreign 
 dominions. 
 
 (2.) As to instruments : God has raised men of piety 
 and zeal to stir up the Christian world, — men of 
 authority and influence to patronize the great work of 
 spreading the Scripture, — men of learning, who have 
 acquired the knowledge of many languages, and are 
 laboriously employed in translating the word of God, — 
 men of property and others, who can do a little, if not 
 much, to contribute their money for the purchase of 
 the Scriptures for the poor, — and finally, what is per- 
 
SKETCH XIX. 395 
 
 Kaps more effectual than either or all of the foriner, 
 men of piety, who are engaged in fervent prayer for the 
 spread of the Scripture. 
 
 2. Let us inquire what is the purport of its more 
 eminent glory : " That the word of the Lord may run 
 and be glorified." It is properly glorified, when it ac- 
 complishes the saving effects for which it is sent forth ; 
 though, in a certain sense, it will be glorified in other 
 than saving effects, becoming the savour of death to those 
 who reject it. But it may be said to be glorified, — 
 
 (1.) When it vanquishes the prejudices of Pagans, 
 Mohammedans, Jews, and nominal Christians ; when its 
 truths are admitted. 
 
 (2.) When it is the instrument, through the Divine 
 agency, of awakening, enlightening, regenerating, and 
 sanctifying those who admit its truths, and directs and 
 aids them to adorn the doctrines of the Gospel by their 
 holy and useful walk. The accomplishment of these 
 things is the distinct and peculiar glory — the great 
 and abiding glory of the Scripture, the Word, the Book 
 of God, when all other words and books shall for ever 
 vanish away. If such be the desirable rapidity of its 
 course, and the eminent glory of its triumphs, Avhat is 
 
 III. The duty of Christians towards effecting them ? 
 
 1 . It is to be fervent in prayer, that God may ex - 
 tend his providential and gracious aid. This point is 
 especially pressed in the connexion of the text. 
 
 2. It is to extend whatever pecuniary help they can, 
 that the Scriptures may be translated, printed, and dis- 
 tributed abroad and at home. 
 
 3. It is the duty of every Christian to make his 
 utmost personal exertion to distribute the Scripture 
 among the ignorant, and to adorn it by his own example, 
 exhibiting the power and utility of Divine truth. 
 What considerations of the greatest importance must 
 present themselves to every person ! Let vis examine, — 
 
SKETCH XIX, 
 
 IV. Some motives to excite us to help forward this 
 glorious work. 
 
 1. The importance of the sacred Scripture, — 
 
 (1.) Seen in its design to manifest God to his crea- 
 tures in this world, to show them who he is, what he ia 
 to them — their moral Governor, Judge ; to manifest 
 mankind to themselves — as fallen, guilty, polluted 
 sinners — as manifesting a Redeemer, a Sanctifier, and 
 bringing life and immortality to light. 
 
 (2.) Seen also in their past influence on the Pagan 
 world, and in their present influence on the individual 
 character, on domestic habits, social Ufe, civil life, laws, 
 public morals. 
 
 2. Notwithstanding these blessed efi'ects, the general 
 state of the world, at home and abroad, is an induce- 
 ment to duty. 
 
 3. The opposition of the enemies of truth should 
 rouse Christians to zealous eiforts to maintain it. The 
 all-wise Governor of the world, once left, as it were, 
 the Gentile nations to the dictates of their imaginations, 
 who gave most ample proof that they knew not God. 
 He has been pleased very lately to try the Christian 
 nations ; they, too, "did not like to retain the God of the 
 Bible in their thoughts." He let them alone, and our 
 eyes have beheld the rage and the momentary triumph 
 of philosophy, falsely so called. "We have seen what 
 none could previously have imagined : ([allusion to the 
 French revolution.] 
 
 4. We are sure of success, for God has promised it, 
 and the Bible has been tried, &c. 
 
 5. I mention but one more ; it is that grand, general, 
 and essential motive which should always stimulate 
 and govern us in every act of Christian benevolence, 
 the love and duty we owe to God and our fellow men. 
 
 I conclude with impressing the conviction of the 
 necessity of our making a proper use of the Scriptures, 
 making them the rule of our faith and practice, lest the 
 
SKETCH XIX. 397 
 
 Pagan nations, unvisited mth this light of life, should 
 rise up in the judgment and condemn us. May we 
 love the word of the Lord more than gold, yea, than 
 much fine gold ! May it be sweeter to our taste than 
 honey or the honeycomb ! May we hide the word in 
 our hearts, that we sin not against God ! May the 
 Avord of Christ dwell in us richly ! " And as many as 
 walk according to this rule, peace be on them ! " &c. 
 
SKETCH XX. 
 
 THE WORK AND THE EFFECT OF RIGHT. 
 
 EOUSNESS. 
 
 ^nd the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of 
 righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiali xxxii. 17. 
 
 The ancient inspired prophets foretold a bright and 
 glorious era, which should open upon the world at 
 a subsequent period of time. The Jewish nation, 
 in consequence, expected that worldly acquisitions 
 and transcendent honours would be attained by the 
 universal triumphs and reign of Messiah. They 
 were right in their expectation of a blessed era, but 
 they were mistaken as to the nature and quality of the 
 blessings to be introduced by the reign of Messiah. 
 They supposed them to be temporal, but they were 
 to be spiritual ; — they supposed them to be human, but 
 they were to be Divine. The prophet points out their 
 source and nature : "Until the Spirit," &c., (verse 15,) 
 and in the text he mentions the principle that was to 
 produce the mighty change, which is, " righteousness." 
 Righteousness is to work and to produce " the effect." 
 " And the work of righteousness shall be peace ; and 
 the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for 
 ever." 
 
 We contemplate a subject which brings before our 
 view the progress and connexion of all the parts con- 
 stituting the economy of redemption. Let us then 
 behold, 
 
 I. A righteousness wrought for us, by Messiah, the 
 
SKETCH XX. 309 
 
 Lord Jesus Christ, in his incarnation and obedience 
 unto death. 
 
 This is not his mere personal righteousness as man, 
 for that was required from him in common with all 
 men, the obedience he owed to the law of God. 
 
 Nor is it the Divine righteousness Avhich he possessed 
 as God, and which cannot be said to be for any finite 
 being, because it is essential and infinite. 
 
 But it is his mediatorial righteousness, which paid the 
 penalty of the broken law incurred by the sins of a guilty 
 world. Hence he was represented in prophecy as 
 saying, " Sacrifice and burnt-ofi"erings," &c. Hence 
 Isaiah says, " The Lord laid upon him," &c. And thus 
 the Apostle, " He suifered for sins," &c ; " Christ is the 
 end of the law for righteousness;" and " He, who knew 
 no sin, was made," &c. This work was a work indeed ! 
 It required to accomplish it all the energies of the 
 Almighty Redeemer; it required days of toil, and 
 nights of prayer, — conflicts with cruel persecutors, con- 
 tradiction of sinners, and repeated combats with the 
 powers of darkness ; — it required sweat, and tears, and 
 blood ; — it required the exhaustion of the bitter cup, 
 and the baptism of blood. 
 
 This work required the sacrifice of his body and soul, 
 made by the Divine Father an ofi'ering for sin, when he 
 was pleased to bruise him, and put him to grief. But 
 he did achieve the work, and on the cross exclaimed, 
 " It is finished ! " 
 
 This work he accomplished alone, without the help 
 of any, either men or angels. See him, after its 
 accomplishment returning from the territory of death, 
 his final foe. " Who is this that cometh from," &c. 
 
 If we look at this meritorious righteousness of our 
 blessed Saviour, we shall see how, in reference both to 
 heaven and earth, to God and man, its work is peace, 
 and its efi^ect quietness and assurance for ever. 
 
 1. In respect to God, it works peace by harmonizing 
 
400 SKETCH XX. 
 
 all the Divine attributes, — truth, justice, holiness, 
 mercy. In God's acceptance of the sacrifice of his only- 
 begotten Son, mercy and truth are met together, right- 
 eousness and peace embrace each other. God is herein 
 a just God and a Saviour. All his perfections, reflected 
 as it were by Him who is the brightness of his glorj', 
 look down placidly on the world of sinners. " God is in 
 Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imj^ut- 
 ing," &c. 
 
 The effect is " quietness." The Lord is well pleased 
 for his righteousness' sake, he is satisfied and delighted 
 in the Son of his love. The whole manifestation of 
 the Divine perfections is serene, gentle, propitious. 
 God is " the God of peace," " the God of love," " the 
 God of all grace," " the God and Father of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ." 
 
 " And assurance for ever." The honour of the 
 Divine law is for ever secured. The atonement of 
 Christ is perfect and perpetual for ever. " There re- 
 maineth no more," &c. " This man when he had," &c. 
 " And ever liveth to save," &c. 
 
 2. In respect to us, this righteousness works peace. 
 It is the foundation, the footing, the meritorious cause, 
 and the only basis on which we can obtain peace with 
 God. Peace is preached to them that are afar off, and 
 to them that are near, through the blood of the cross. 
 "Him hath God set forth, a propitiation for sin, declaring 
 his righteousness," &c. "For he is our peace." "There- 
 fore being justified," &c. 
 
 And its effect in the believer is "quietness." Recon- 
 ciled unto God, the heart is sprinkled from an evil 
 conscience : no clamours of guilt, no terrifying appre- 
 hensions, no dread of the curse, or accusations of the 
 law. " And assurance for ever." The assurance of 
 the reality of this peace with God, by the witness of 
 the Spirit, and that this grace and circumstance are 
 designed by the covenant of redemption to be the por- 
 
SKETCH XX. 401 
 
 tion of every faithful believer tlirough his life, in his 
 death, and in the kingdom of glory for ever ! 
 
 This righteousness wrought for us, in every instance 
 in -which it is attained and retained by the believer, is 
 attended by, 
 
 II. A righteousness MTOught in us. 
 
 This is the gracious work of the Spirit of Christ 
 wrought in every believing soul, to whom is imparted 
 the Spirit of adoption, and who is brought under the 
 regenerating influence of the Holy Ghost. This right- 
 eousness is a great work, a supernatural work, a divine 
 work; a new birth, a new creation ; and it is ever found 
 to be in nature, if not in degree, in every child of God; it 
 is God's restored image, for a believer is made after the 
 image of him who created him in righteousness and true 
 holiness. He has obtained the kingdom of God and his 
 righteousness, is partaker of a Divine nature; for, whom 
 God justifies, them he also sanctifies. This righteousness 
 wrought in us has its work, it works peace in the soul ; 
 keeps it in a condition to maintain its former blessing, 
 the assurance of its peace with God. It keeps the 
 mind, the thoughts, the heart, with its passions and 
 affections, through Jesus Christ, in the peace of God 
 which passeth, &c. — Keeps it from stumbling through 
 the power of temptation. " Great peace have they," &c., 
 " Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace," &c. 
 
 And the effect is " quietness," as it subdues the unquiet, 
 unruly, and outrageous passions and tempers; so it 
 introduces and matures all the fruits of the Spirit ; 
 "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 
 fidelity, meekness, temperance." Gal. v. 22, 23. 
 
 " Soft Peace she brings," &c. Prior. 
 
 And a further effect is " assurance for ever." The 
 immediate witness of the Spirit obtained in justifica- 
 
402 SKETCH XX. 
 
 tion, is hereby maintained, and still more confirmed by 
 the evidence of those genuine fruits ; and the assur- 
 ance becoming strengthened and infallible, constant, 
 permanent, pure, and for ever ! This is attended by, 
 
 III. A righteousness wrought by us. 
 
 This is an essential concomitant of the preceding 
 works of righteousness. This righteousness is expedi- 
 ent and necessary. Are believers justified and sancti- 
 fied ? Let them consider, 
 
 1. AYhy Christ redeemed them. "Who gave himself 
 for us, that he might," &c. 
 
 2. AVhy the Spirit of God renewed them. " For we 
 are his Avorkmanship, created," &c. 
 
 3. Why the grace of God appeared, and what it 
 teaches. " The grace of God which," &c. 
 
 4. What is the apostolic injunction? "This is a 
 faithful saying," &c. 
 
 5. What is their blessed Master's command ? " Ye 
 are the light of the world : let your," &c. 
 
 If we look at this righteousness, how does it adorn 
 the Gospel, how does it diffuse blessings on all around ! 
 We shall see how it works peace. Once before their 
 conversion to God, these persons, not even apostles, 
 their previous unregenerate state excepted, were " fool- 
 ish, disobedient," &c. Titus ii ; but now they enjoy that 
 beatitude, "blessed," &c. See the work of peace in their 
 domestic life : " Behold how good and pleasant," &c. ; in 
 the church of Christ. "Pray for the peace of Zion," &c.; 
 and in their commerce AWth the world, influenced by 
 that sound advice, " As much as lieth in you, live 
 peaceably with," &c., and " Follow peace," &c. 
 
 And the eflPect is " quietness," a state of tranquillity 
 within the sphere of Christians, and even beyond it. It 
 silences the clamorous prej udices of enemies when they 
 see this righteousness in full operation. They own the 
 truth, power, and influence of religion. How can they 
 
SKETCH XX. 403 
 
 do otherwise, Avhen they behold Christians leading their 
 peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty ? And its 
 further effect is, 
 
 " Assurance for ever ;" a perpetual and even increas- 
 ing assurance to Christians themselves, to the church, 
 and to the world, of the truth and benefit of religion. 
 This rolls avpay the stumbling-stone which stands in 
 the way of sinners around us, and of the Heathen 
 abroad ; were it fully and universally manifested, one 
 might even almost expect to hear again " a multitude 
 of the heavenly host " in the air, singing, " Glory to 
 God," &c. 
 
 Improvement. 
 
 1. This subject affords instruction in the economy 
 and order of redemption. 
 
 We should acquaint ourselves with the difference 
 between each of the preceding kinds of righteousness, 
 their absolute distinctness, though essential connexion; 
 mutual dependence, and consecutive order. It is a 
 threefold cord which cannot be broken. The founda- 
 tion of all personal holiness is found in our cordial 
 acceptance of pardon by Christ ; and pardon by Christ 
 rests on his own atonement. 
 
 2. But this subject especially demands our personal 
 inquiry. 
 
 Are we convinced that a righteousness is wrought for 
 us ? Are we brought to relinquish our ovni righteous- 
 ness, and to submit to the righteousness of God by 
 faith ? If so, have we the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, 
 working to will and to do, and renewing us in right- 
 eousness? Have we the work of righteousness, — 
 " peace," and the effect, — " quietness and assurance ? " 
 If not, seek it now. 
 
 3. This subject, if we have been savingly acquainted 
 with it, lays us under obligation to promote, as much as 
 is in our power, its influence in the world. 
 
404 SKETCH XX. 
 
 How would it change the moral face of the earth, as 
 intimated in verses 15 and 18. It would put an end 
 to bloody wars, massacres, tyrannies, oppressions, pro- 
 fligacy, licentiousness, and all the millions of evils that 
 afflict the world. Nothing but religion can repress 
 them : but religion can even annihilate them, and intro- 
 duce an influence which shall work and produce effects 
 of the noblest kind. This is the transcendent excellence 
 of religion, righteousness in principle and operation. 
 It is a working principle, the pnmum mobile, the lever 
 which can lift off the incumbent mass of evils so dire- 
 fuUy oppressing the whole earth ; which can divinely 
 revolutionize every nation, tribe, and people ; which 
 can effectually accomplish more than philosophers, 
 moralists, and legislators ever conceived. It is a vital 
 principle, producing effects essential to its own nature. 
 It makes the root good ; therefore by their fruits ye shall 
 know them. It purifies the fountain, and all the issu- 
 ing streams are pure. 
 
 Shall it not then employ all our exertions to promote 
 its influence among mankind ? Then may Ave hope 
 that moral and Divine change will speedily be seen in 
 the character and condition of all mankind ; that beauti- 
 ful and beneficial, that blessed and Divine metamor- 
 phosis: "Instead of the thorn," &c., chap. Iv. ult. "T!ie 
 wolf shall dwell," &c. chap. ii. 5 — 9. 
 
HYMNS 
 
 OTHER POEMS. 
 
HYMNS 
 
 OTHER POEMS. 
 
 MATTHEW XXV. 
 
 AV KITTEN FOR A FAVOURITE TUNE, COMPOSED BY THE 
 REV. C. W. MILLER. 
 
 Awake ! aAvake ! His chariot -svlieels 
 
 The listening watchmen hear ; 
 The Saviour comes, the heaven reveals 
 
 The Prince of glory near. 
 Ye holy virgins, wise, discreet, 
 
 (For hark ! his chariot rolls !) 
 Awake ! arise ! go forth ! and meet 
 
 The Bridegroom of youi- souls ! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hosanna ! faithful is the Lord ; 
 
 Hosanna ! be his name adored : 
 
 The Bridegroom comes to claim his bride, 
 
 To place her spotless by his side. 
 
 Ye virgins rise ! no more delay ! 
 
 Attendant angels chide your stay ; 
 
 The Bridegroom calls you, " Come away !" 
 
408 HYMNS AND 
 
 We watch, obedient to liis voice. 
 
 Let foolish virgins sleep ; 
 We daily in the Lord rejoice, 
 
 And nightly vigils keep : 
 We trim our lamps with fresh supplies 
 
 Of sanctifying grace ; 
 We Avatch, we pray, look forth, and rise, 
 
 The Bridegroom to embrace ! 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 Hosanna ! welcome is the Lord ; 
 Hosanna ! be thy name adored ! 
 Immanuel, come to claim thy bride. 
 And place her spotless by thy side. 
 From heaven descend, no more delay, 
 While now the bride and Spirit pray, 
 " Jesus, quickly come an ay !" 
 
 WRITTEN AT HIS LODGINGS IN BANDON, IRELAND, 
 
 IN 1787—8. 
 
 Hail, gentle stranger ! welcome thou 
 
 To all these barren Avails allow, — 
 
 An homely fire and easy chair, 
 
 The lonely pilgrim's daily fare. 
 
 No sumptuous sideboard strikes thine eye, 
 
 Thy sight or taste to gratify ; 
 
 Nor luscious viands here convey 
 
 Temptation, as in Adam's day ; 
 
 In vain the brutal epicure 
 
 Would seek delights Avithin my door ; 
 
 But if a friendly neighbour AAdsh 
 
 To share an almost empty dish. 
 
 Here motives are to bid him come,— 
 
 Example, and an empty room. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 409 
 
 But what are all the joys of sense 
 To intellectual excellence ? 
 Would you be holy, happy, wise. 
 Partakers of celestial jo3-s ? 
 Here good advice is (gratis) given. 
 To point the sacred way to heaven ; 
 And Christian love is here, to share 
 Your every burden, every care : 
 So Christ's ambassadors should show 
 Th' example of their Lord below. 
 Thankful when on the " plain of ease," 
 Careful their Lord alone to please ; 
 But willing, too, to suffer loss, 
 And never shrinking from the cross. 
 In fulness wandering not from God, 
 Nor murmuring at affliction's rod ; 
 Thus to their flock the pattern give. 
 How they in every state should live, 
 And glorify their Lord below, 
 Whether they pass through weal or woe. 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF MR. WESLEY : 
 
 SUNG AT THE CHAPEL, CARMARTHEN, THE DAY THK 
 FUNERAL SERMON WAS PREACHED THERE, 1791. 
 
 Eternal King, thy potent hand 
 
 The keys of death sustain ; 
 Who dares dispute thy dread command. 
 
 Or thy decrees arraign ? 
 
 To thee we lift the streaming eye, 
 While prostrate at thy throne. 
 
 And fain our bleeding hearts would cry, 
 " Thy righteous will be done ! " 
 
410" HYMMS AND 
 
 Wide scatter' cl througli the wilderness, 
 Thy wand'ring people see ; 
 
 On Nebo Moses dies in peace, 
 Retires to heaven and thee. 
 
 Secure from sorrow, sin, and pain, 
 
 He takes his seat above, 
 To' enjoy the everlasting reign 
 
 Of happiness and love. 
 
 But ah ! no more his faithful voice 
 
 Directs our devious way. 
 Nor bids our happy souls rejoice, 
 
 Nor wakes the tuneful lay. 
 
 O Thou, our Joshua, bow thine ear, — 
 To whom shall we apply ? 
 
 Attend the praying remnant's prayer, 
 And hear thine Israel's cry. 
 
 O may thy fiery pillar stay ! 
 
 And never leave us more, 
 Till cleaving Jordan yields a way 
 
 To Canaan's heavenly shore. 
 
 II. 
 
 Now, now let every tear be dry. 
 Let every tongue hosannas raise : 
 " Amen," let every heart reply, 
 
 And every soul dilate with praise. 
 
 Escorted up the shining way, 
 
 With rapid steeds of heavenly fire, 
 
 Our honour'd father tow'rs away, 
 To join the bright angelic choir. 
 
 While now he gains Jehovah's throne. 
 And bows before his gracious Lord, 
 
 The royal Master cries, " Well done. 
 Come and receive thy great reward ! " 
 
OTHER POEMS- 41 I 
 
 The victor now obtains the prize, — 
 
 Behold the crown of glory given, 
 While raptured seraphs shout their joys 
 
 Through all the spacious vault of heaven. 
 
 There, there ! among the saints in light. 
 His song proclaims the bleeding Lamb ; 
 
 And all his blood-bought powers unite 
 To magnify the Saviour's name'. 
 
 *T is there, in lofty strains we all 
 
 Shall gladly bear a humble part ; 
 O may Elijah's mantle fall ! 
 
 His ardent zeal fill every heart ! 
 
 While travelling life's uneven road, 
 Thou, faithful Lord, our steps attend ! 
 
 In death be thou a present God, 
 Our best, our never-failing Friend. 
 
 Soon, through the unopposing air. 
 Our struggling souls shall soar away, 
 
 And join our waiting father there, 
 In realms of everlasting day. 
 
 A WANDERER. 
 
 How slowly lag the lazy hours 
 
 That creep from time's expansive womb ! 
 In sullen gloom all nature lowers, 
 
 And seems to mourn me — far from home. 
 
 The golden-boasted moments danced, 
 When I enjoy'd my favourite dome ; 
 
 And all those cheerful scenes advanced. 
 Which now forsake me — far from home. 
 T 2 
 
412' HYMNS AND 
 
 Ah ! could I realize those scenes, 
 
 While through the dreary shades I roam ! 
 
 One moment fancy takes the reins ; 
 I wake, next moment — far from home. 
 
 What joyless face each object wears, 
 Distasteful all where'er I come ! 
 
 They cannot dissipate my cares, 
 A wretched exile — far from home. 
 
 Ah ! were I always thus enthrall'd, 
 I fain should ask a speedy tomb ! 
 
 Say, wherefore should I live, when call'd 
 To wander lonely — far from home? 
 
 But brighter scenes are yet before. 
 
 And brighter moments yet shall come ; 
 
 I soon shall give my sorrowing o'er. 
 And spend my happy days at home ! 
 
 IMISSIONARY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission ? 
 Why your weekly penny spend ? 
 
 " Hand should sanction tongue's petition, 
 Each to each assistance lend." 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission ? 
 Why your monthly shilling pay ? 
 
 " Heathens sinking to perdition 
 
 Cry for succour, ' Help, I pray !' " 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission ? 
 Why let yearly sovereigns go ? 
 
 " Heathens need the good Physician, ' 
 
 And the sovereign balm of woe." 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission ? 
 What can your donation do ? 
 
 " Mend, perhaps, one slave's condition, 
 Help then, peradventure, two." 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission ? 
 Why give all you can afford ? 
 
 '' Mine a mite, poor composition ! 
 All I have, I owe my Lord." 
 
 Why hereafter serve the Mission ? 
 Why a legacy be<jueath ? 
 
 " For the cause to make provision, 
 After I have ceased to breathe." 
 
 Why do you assist the Mission 
 What do you at last expect ? 
 
 " At the last dread inquisition, 
 I may suffer for neglect." 
 
 Why to aid the Christian Mission 
 Should the Christian world combine ^ 
 
 " In this Christian coalition, 
 
 Hands, and heads, and hearts may join. 
 
 Query versus Plea for Mission, 
 Questions and solutions eight : 
 
 Truth pronounces her decision, — 
 " Plea for Missions, — thou art right !" 
 
 418 
 
414 HYMNS AND 
 
 HYMN. 
 
 CfflRIST, THE PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING OF HIH 
 PEOPLE. 
 
 Christ, my Prophet, Priest, and King, 
 While thine offices I sing. 
 Deign, in thy exalted sphere. 
 Deign to lend a willing ear ; 
 While I sing thy praises, be 
 Prophet, Priest, and King to me. 
 
 Thou, whom Wisdom's treasures fill, 
 Dost declare the Father's will, 
 Dost proclaim to Adam's race, 
 Burning wrath, and bleeding grace ; 
 Wrath, the guilty sinner's due ; 
 Grace, to pardon and renew. 
 
 Still procures the speaking blood 
 Pardon, and the peace of God ; 
 Gracious pardon, perfect peace, 
 Hope, and faith, and love's increase ; 
 Every blessing God bestows. 
 Through thy intercession flows. 
 
 Humbly, at my Sovereign's feet, 
 Would I all-submissive sit ; 
 Learn, and do, and bear thy will, 
 All thy royal law fulfil ; 
 As the heavenly hosts above, 
 Live but to obey and love. 
 
 Christ, my Prophet, — every hour 
 On my soul thy unction pour ; 
 Priest, all -prevalent Avith God, 
 Sprinkle me with halloAving blood ; 
 Every moment, King divine. 
 Rule this ransom'd soul of mine. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 415 
 
 HYMN. 
 
 ENCOTJRAGEMENT. 
 
 Why ait thou cast down, my soul ? 
 
 Whence is thy disquiet ? 
 God can winds and waves control, 
 
 Who form'd them by his fiat. 
 See whose onward steps appear. 
 
 Firm He treads the stable flood ; 
 God thy countenance shall cheer. 
 
 And show himself thy God. 
 
 Why, my soul, art thou cast do-\vn ? 
 
 Bid adieu to sadness : 
 Know, thy Father wears no frown, 
 
 His are smiles of gladness. 
 Hope's bright star shall shed a beam, 
 
 Suns of joy dispense their rays ; 
 God but now prepares a theme 
 
 For His immortal praise. 
 
 Cease thy sorrows and alarms. 
 
 And let thy harp be sounding ; 
 Feel the everlasting arms 
 
 Beneath thee and surrounding. 
 Sweetest, seeming most severe; 
 
 Kindest, when he takes the rod ; 
 He shall wipe off every tear, 
 
 And prove himself thy God. 
 
 T\Tierefore droops thy languid head. 
 
 Like the rush declining ? 
 See thy noon's effulgence spread, 
 
 Brightening and refining : 
 Soon shall Glory's wide expanse 
 
 Full upon thy vision shine, 
 Radiate on thy countenance, 
 
 And God be ever thine. 
 
416 HYMNS AND 
 
 TWILIGHT. 
 
 The city, haunt of noise and care. 
 
 Her vassals may detain ; 
 Escaped, I breatli a purer air, 
 
 And human feel again. 
 
 Her golden locks in ocean green. 
 
 The Star of beauty laves ; 
 And Twilight, o'er the glimmering scene, 
 
 The wand of silence waves. 
 
 The labourer quits his daily task ; 
 
 And, as he seeks his home, 
 He seems to hear his prattlers ask, 
 
 " When will our father come ? " 
 
 And when the voice of praise and prayer. 
 
 Is heard within his cot. 
 The slaves of luxury and care 
 
 Might envy him hii lot. ' 
 
 Now Night upon each earthly scene 
 Her darkening shadow throws : 
 
 But upwards, solemn and serene. 
 All heaven with brightness glows. 
 
 Thus often man in darkness moves, 
 
 And has on earth no light ; 
 He looks to heaA'en, — the heaven he loves ;- 
 
 And all in heaven is bright. 
 
 JOB XIX. 28. 
 
 " Tlie root of the matter is found in me." 
 
 Author of each perfect gift, 
 Lo, to thee my heart I lift ! 
 All my blessings come from Thee, 
 Plant a living faith in me. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Fain would I tliy goodness prove, 
 Fount of Jesu's dying love ; 
 But can my salvation be, 
 If the root is not in me ? 
 
 Specious though my fig-leaves are, 
 Gay, and flourishing, and fair. 
 Vain must all professions be. 
 If the root be not in me. 
 
 Let thy grace in me abound, 
 All my fruit from thee be found ; 
 In thy courts a favour'd tree, 
 Let the root abide in me. 
 
 Planting of thy righteous hand, 
 Sov'reign Lord, thine own command; 
 Let my words and works agree 
 With the vital root in me. 
 
 When the angel in the skies 
 Bids the slumb'ring dead arise. 
 May the Saviour say to me, 
 *' Soul, the root is found in thee." 
 
 41' 
 
 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 My soul, to hail the new-born King 
 
 Thy noblest powers employ ; 
 For hark ! the heavenly mansions ring, 
 The morning stars together sing. 
 The angels shout for joy. 
 
 Yet not for them was Jesus given, 
 
 He pass'd the angels by : 
 The Prince of glory comes from heaven 
 To fallen man, from Eden driven, 
 
 And lifts him to the sky. 
 T 5 
 
41§ HYMNS AND 
 
 Ere Mom awakes her infant beam, 
 
 Lo ! Peace to earth descends ; 
 Let men and angels swell the theme, 
 Glory to God, the great Supreme ! 
 Since heaven and earth are friends. 
 
 Now let the joyful tidings flow, 
 
 And all the globe embrace ; 
 Let all the people hear and kncvr 
 That God is manifest below, 
 To save a ruin'd race. 
 
 Arise, my soul, and join the choir 
 
 Of seraphs in mid-air, 
 Since God's good-will a theme inspires, 
 Let human tongues and cherub lyres 
 
 The glorious rapture share. 
 
 SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION. 
 
 How happy are Salvation's heirs. 
 Though doom'd along the vale of tears 
 
 Their homeward course to bend ! 
 If now the burthen'd pilgrims groan. 
 Their kingdom, diadem, and throne 
 
 Await them at the end. 
 
 Borne down by sorrow, stung by pain, 
 The heirs of glory entertain 
 
 Within their meeken'd mind, 
 No murmuring, no resenting thought ; 
 But into sweet submission brought. 
 
 Their spii'it rests resign 'd. 
 
 Shall man, the living traitor, mourn ? 
 Man, still on earth, his Maker spurn, 
 Unsent to his ov\ti place ? 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 The sin-doom'd criminal, wlio hears 
 Of sprinkled blood, and Mercy's tears. 
 Before the throne of grace ? 
 
 Behold him silent in the dust ! 
 He feels the punishment is just, 
 
 Inflicted by his God ; 
 Crush'd, he sustains the galling yoke, 
 And, writhing under every stroke, 
 
 Reveres the chastening rod. 
 
 I suiFer, but not mine the cross ; 
 I have no gain to count but loss, 
 
 My loving Lord, for thee. 
 Not mine the thorn-wreathed head to bow, 
 And cry in death, " O, why hast thou, 
 
 My God, forsaken me ?" 
 
 Lead, lead me on through flame and flood : 
 But let me feel. Thou ever good, 
 
 Thy guardian presence nigh ; 
 Let fires surround, let floods combine, 
 The fiery ordeal shall refine, 
 
 The water purify. 
 
 So, in affliction's Paradise, 
 Perennial springs of life arise, 
 
 The lonely desert blooms ; 
 Fruits from the tree of Hfe abound, 
 And flowers of Eden all around 
 
 Exhale their pure perfumes. 
 
 And is my world exchanged for this ? 
 Thistles and thorns for Eden's bliss ? 
 
 My human for divine ? 
 Affliction, dear cherubic imide. 
 Thy hands have drawn the veil aside. 
 
 And Paradise is mine. 
 
 41J> 
 
420 IIYMNS AND 
 
 THE SONG OF MOSES. 
 
 EXODUS XV. 
 
 Triumphant on Arabia's shore, 
 They stand, and wonder, and adore ; 
 On high their lofty odes they raise, 
 And celebrate Jehovah's praise. 
 Moses awakes the tuneful song. 
 The exulting tribes the theme prolong ; 
 While rocks and hills give back the sound- 
 Till pealing echoes roll around. 
 
 Jehovah, my Almighty King, 
 By him redeem'd, to him I sing, 
 
 And swell the solemn strain; 
 Extinct the proud Egyptian host ; 
 The rider and his steed are lost, 
 
 Beneath the mighty main. 
 
 Jehovah's hand maintains my cause, 
 His glory, with supreme applause. 
 
 My raptured powers adore ; 
 He deign'd my father's God to be, 
 He shall — a present God Avith me — 
 
 Be mine for evermore. 
 
 To Him, in Canaan's promised land, 
 I will Avith consecrating hand 
 
 A holy temple raise. 
 Jehovah's name is known afar. 
 The splendid triumplis of his war 
 
 Confirm the Conqueror's praise. 
 
 Thy thund'ring arm. O God, was bare, 
 Thou did'st the hidden path prepare, 
 
 By human foot untrod. 
 Thy voice the roaring waves confess'd, 
 And back the liquid squadrons press'd, 
 
 Obedient to their God. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 421 
 
 Yoked to the battle-loving steed, 
 The royal car, with fiery speed, 
 
 Whirl'd Pharaoh to the shore ; 
 Impetuous rush'd the sons of Nile ; 
 As quickly closed the waved defile ; 
 
 They sank to rise no more. 
 
 The waves, when blew Jehovah's breath, 
 Retired from ocean's bed beneath, 
 
 And piled themselves on high. 
 The billows in battalia stood. 
 In w^alls of adanuint the flood 
 
 Upmounted to the sky. 
 
 Thy hand. Almighty, dealt the blow, 
 In pieces dash'd the impious foe — 
 
 (Thy people's foe is thine.) 
 Like arid stubble in the fire, 
 They vanish'd in thy flaming ire, 
 
 Consumed by wrath divine. 
 
 The enemy indignant spake, 
 "I will pursue — I will o'ertake, 
 
 I will the spoil divide ; 
 My hand shall seal their instant doom, 
 And vengeance, satiate o'er their tomb, 
 
 Insult their puny pride ! " 
 
 The mountain waves on high uprear'd. 
 Great God ! thy voice tempestuous heard : 
 
 Now breaks the liquid chain ! 
 Rolls down the closing gulf ! — As lead 
 Sinks the proud foe ! — Quick o'er his head 
 
 Flows on the mighty main. 
 
 "Who 'mongst the multifarious gods, 
 Egyptia impiously applauds. 
 
 Can with Jehovah vie ? 
 If Apis lows, will winds obey? 
 If howls Anubis, will the sea 
 
 Obsequious hear his cry ? . 
 
422 HYMNS AND 
 
 What God can rival honours claim ? 
 What being boast an equal fame 
 
 To share Jehovah's praise ? 
 Whom when his glories they explore, 
 Heaven's prostrate seraphim adore, 
 
 And tremble while they gaze. 
 
 Obedient to thy voice, the waves 
 Within their gloomy coral caves 
 
 In calm submission bend ; 
 But when they see thy beck'ning hand. 
 Their horrid oozy jaws expand ; 
 
 The troops of Ham descend. 
 
 Our Consolation, Strength, and Stay, 
 Thy wisdom oped the wondrous way, 
 
 And forth thy people led. 
 This Palestina fill'd Avith fear, 
 Moab and Idumea hear 
 
 With palpitating dread. 
 
 To Canaan thy protecting care 
 
 Shall Israel guide, and plant him there, 
 
 And raise thy holy fane : 
 Jehovah on his throne sublime, 
 Beyond the bounds of space and time, 
 
 For evermore shall reign ! 
 
 CHOKUS OF WOMEN, LED BY MIRIAM. 
 
 While the virgin dance ye lead, 
 Sisters, sing the glorious deed ; 
 Bid the timbrel's tuneful chime 
 Mingle with your lofty rhyme. 
 *T was Jehovah's thund'ring arm 
 Fill'd the foe with dread alarm, 
 Down beneath the booming blast, 
 Down the enemy he cast. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 423 
 
 O'er the rider, billows ride ; 
 O'er the the courser, currents glide ; 
 Sinks the champion, sinks the steed ; 
 Sisters, sing the glorious deed ! 
 
 MOENING HYMN. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 'T IS morn — I slept the silent hours 
 
 Beneath Jehovah's wing ; 
 And rise, renew'd in all my powers, 
 
 My guardian God to sing. 
 
 Now solemn night, with all her train 
 
 Of sable shadoAvs, flies ; 
 And morn's ethereal beams again, 
 
 Illume the op'ning skies. 
 
 may no ill my mind annoy, 
 No guilty gloom infest ; 
 
 But innocence, and peace, and joy, 
 Inspire my cheerful breast ! 
 
 My kind Preserver Avatch'd my bed, 
 When through the night I lay ; 
 
 0, be thine arms around me spread, 
 To guard my path by day ! 
 
 Whate'er I have, whate'er I am, 
 Thy bounteous hand affbrds ; 
 
 1 consecrate it to thy name. 
 And call myself the Lord's. 
 
 This morning be the theme begun, 
 Which ne'er shall be withheld ; 
 
 I sing my all -enliv'ning Sun, 
 My all-protecting Shield. 
 
424 HyM^s and 
 
 When ends the mortal night with me, 
 And dawns the eternal day, 
 
 My soul, redeem'd, O Lord, by thee. 
 Shall still prolong the lay. 
 
 EVENING HYMN. 
 
 *T IS eve — around the silent skies 
 Night's sable curtains close ; 
 
 And slumber, stealing o'er my eyes, 
 Invites me to repose. 
 
 But ere to genth; sleep's embrace 
 
 My body I resign. 
 My soul, adore thy Saviour's grace, 
 
 And sing the power Divine. 
 
 Thy love, O Lord, renew'd each mom, 
 
 Attends me every day, 
 And claims at ev'ning's sweet return 
 
 The tribute of my lay. 
 
 Be thine the lay, my life be thine, 
 
 To thee my all is due ; 
 The benefit, j.ord, is mine, 
 
 Of mercies ever new. 
 
 The powers of darkness may not dare 
 
 My humble dome infest ; 
 Nor pain, nor peril, foe, nor fear, 
 
 Can violate my rest. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 SOME PERSIAN VERSES IMITATED. 
 
 Dear cup of woe, I welcome thee, 
 
 Whose bitter sweets impart. 
 With healing influence mild, to me 
 
 The mecVcine of my heart. 
 
 What, though my anguish'd spirit be 
 
 Tormented with thy smart, 
 I make, by sorrow taught, to thee 
 
 The offering of my heart. 
 
 The holy pages, honouring thee, 
 
 Affliction's fame assert. 
 The word inspired, Avherein I see 
 
 The health-spring of my heart. 
 
 Deep drank the Word incarnate, he 
 
 Maintain'd thy sov'reign art. 
 The Man of sorrows, Friend of thee, 
 
 The name that charms my heart. 
 
 42u 
 
 NEW YEAR'S DAY— 1819. 
 
 YoN orient sun, through heaven's refulgent sphere, 
 Perform'd erewhile the circuit of the year ; 
 The flower-enamell'd spring, and summer bright. 
 Autumn's rich harvest, winter's dreary plight. 
 Month following month, and day succeeding day, 
 As glides the liquid current, sped away. 
 Old Time shook doAvn his sands, until at last 
 The final moment fell — The year was past \ 
 No human wisdom can recall one grain, 
 Or bid the sands remount their glass again ; 
 Again the seasons will their produce yield. 
 Spring deck the garden, autumn crown the field : 
 
426 HYMNS AND 
 
 Kingdoms will rise, and empires will decline. 
 
 Wealth will insult, and penury repine. 
 
 Proud ones will sink, and mean ones mount on higli. 
 
 And some be bom, and some be doom'd to die : 
 
 All this, and more, the ensuing year may be ; 
 
 But what is this, and all besides, to me ? 
 
 I, who am born to die, can only say, 
 
 Last year was mine, mine is the present day ; 
 
 The future may be, or may not be, mine ; 
 
 My Father, God, my New Year's Day be thine. 
 
 O, for his sake on whom I still depend, 
 
 Son of thy bosom, and the sinner's Friend, 
 
 In life, in death, thy blessing may I share, 
 
 A child of grace, and glory's blissful heir. 
 
 A HYMN FOR A CHILD, ON NEW YEAR'S 
 DAY. 
 
 Another year has flown away, 
 And I behold a New Year's Day ; 
 My life was spared to me the past, 
 But this new year may prove my last. 
 
 Should I not then this year begin, 
 
 By shunning every path of sin. 
 
 And give to God my future days, 
 
 And walk henceforth in Wisdom's ways ? 
 
 He bids me in the word of truth 
 Seek my Creator in my youth ; 
 Invites me to his kind embrace, 
 And promises his helping grace. 
 
 He tells me of redeeming love, 
 Reveal'd by Jesus from above ; 
 Who shed his blood upon the tree, 
 To ransom sinners such as me. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 427 
 
 And am I then, my Lord, my God, 
 Tlie purchase of a Saviour's blood ? 
 Then, O accept this heart of mine, 
 And make, and keep me, ever thine. 
 
 HYMN TO THE SPIRIT. 
 
 Holy Source of true devotion, 
 
 Sanctifier of the heart, 
 Set our sluggish souls in motion ; 
 
 All thy quick'ning powers impart 1 
 Let us now from earth's delusions, 
 
 Pride and vanity, he free. 
 And receive the bright effusions 
 
 Of eternal truth from thee ! 
 
 While we tread this vale of tears. 
 
 Strengthen us with inward might ; 
 Press'd with troubles, pains, and fears, 
 
 Be thy comforts our delight. 
 Holy, holy Sanctifier, 
 
 Make us glow with heavenly love ; 
 Higher raise our souls, arid higher, 
 
 Till we reach the realms above. 
 
 THE SLUGGARD. 
 
 Come, Tyro ! the clouds of the orient on high 
 
 Begin to be 'hroider'd with gold ; 
 The lark at his matins is heard in the sky, 
 And the shepherd, call'd up by the rooks as they fly. 
 
 Is driving his flock from the fold. 
 
■428 HYMNS AND 
 
 To' improve the best moments, come quickly away, 
 
 For, quitting his couch of repose, 
 A monarch (no less !) is our tutor to-day. 
 Let us follow his steps without further delay,— 
 
 To visit the sluggard he goes. 
 
 We enter his dome, we approach to his bed, 
 
 Where, sunk in oblivion, he snores ; 
 The life intellectual appears to be fled, 
 And the animal life, not entirc4y dead, 
 
 Is floating away through his pores. 
 
 Through night's silent season, led on by their queen, 
 
 The stars in the azure expanse. 
 By him all unnoticed, had glided serene. 
 And now, at the morning's enrapturing scene 
 
 The slumberer gives not a glance. 
 
 The king, to awaken his senses from sleep, 
 
 To' awaken his bosom to shame, 
 To' awaken his spirit, instruction to reap, 
 Takes through the dra^vn curtains a soul-loathing peep, 
 
 And summons the sleeper by name. 
 
 " Arouse thee O sluggard ! go visit the ant, 
 
 ' Consider her ways, and be wise ; ' 
 Foreseeing the season of wintry want, 
 ^e, fearing provision might prove to be scant, 
 
 In summer collects her supplies. 
 
 " No human preceptor to point her aright, 
 
 No reason to guide her machine, 
 In summer, in harvest, from morning till night. 
 From toil and discretion deriving delight, 
 
 The provident insect is seen. 
 
 '• How long, thou sluggard ! how long wilt thou sleep ! 
 When wilt thou arise from thy lair? 
 
OTHER POEMS. 429 
 
 Imbibe tlie philosophy taught thee so cheap, 
 The ant will inform thee how shameful to keep 
 In slumbering idleness there ! " 
 
 As backward and forward, slow creaking, the door 
 
 To turn on its hinges is known, 
 To the right, to the left, to the right, as before, 
 With dull oscillation, and horrible snore, 
 
 He turns on his pallet of down. 
 
 His mouth he scarce opens, not one of his eyes ; 
 
 " A little more sleep," he would say, 
 " A little more slumber ! " then speechless he lies, — 
 " So want, the grim giant," the monarch replies, 
 
 " Shall seize upon thee for his prey !" 
 
 The king the apartment abandons in haste ; 
 
 Attendant, the wretch we forsake ; 
 We pass by his garden ; his garden, a waste ! 
 No ilowers for beauty, no fruits for the taste, 
 
 A wild and disorderly brake. 
 
 Unheeded, unturn'd, unreplenish'd Avith seeds, 
 
 The fence fallen flat on tlie ground. 
 Each hateful and poisonous reptile it breeds 
 And briers, and brambles, and nettles, and weeds, 
 
 Sloth's plentiful harvest, abound. 
 
 " O learn thee, my Tyro !" advised the good king, 
 
 Addressing my juvenile friend, 
 " O learn thee a lesson from this very thincr ! 
 Would'st thou cultivate life ? then commence witli the 
 spring, 
 
 And certain success will attend. 
 
 " But if, like the being that sicken'd our sight, 
 
 Sloth's infamous vassal thou lie, 
 Adom'd with no flowers of learning so bright 
 No fruits of religion the taste to delight, 
 
 A wretch thou Avilt live, and wilt die. 
 
430 HYMNS AND 
 
 " Remember thy Maker, remember him now, 
 
 Thy youth in his service engage ; 
 Before, unapprized, the dark season of woe 
 Come rapid upon thee, or, certain and slow, 
 
 The days of unhappy old age. 
 
 " When dim are the stars, and the moon, and the sun. 
 
 And the clouds return after rain ; 
 The keepers shall tremble, the strong men bow down, 
 The few grinders shall cease, nor the light shall be 
 knoAvn 
 
 To' illumine the crystalline pane. 
 
 " The doors shall be shut ; and dull, languid, and pale, 
 
 The daughters of music become ; 
 And fears shall appal thee, and terrors assail, 
 The almond-tree flourish, and desire shall fail ; — 
 
 Man goes to his permanent home ! 
 
 *' Or ever the cord of bright silver be loosed. 
 
 Or broken the bucket of gold, 
 The pitcher no more at the fountain be used. 
 No more to the cistern the stream be transfused. 
 
 Incapable longer to hold, 
 
 " Then the dust to its primitive earth as it was. 
 
 The spirit to God shall return. 
 The Judge shall thy sentence impartially pass. 
 For ever to triumph with saints, or, alas ! 
 
 With sinners eternally mourn ! 
 
 " Then hear the whole sum of the matter betimes, 
 
 God's great and immutable plan ; 
 Whatever the ages, wherever the climes, 
 To fear and obey him, exalts and sublimes, 
 
 'T is the end and perfection of man ! " 
 
- OTHER POEMS. 431 
 
 THE FORGET ME NOT. 
 
 INSCIIIBED TO A LADY WHO HAD PRESENTED TO MK. 
 KOBERTS A SPECTACLES* FURBISHER, BEAUTIFULLT 
 EMBROIDERED WITH THAT FLOWER. 
 
 Thee, tiny flower, From fragrant bower 
 
 Beside the woodland cot, 
 I value more Than Flora's store, 
 
 Thou dear Forget-me-not. 
 
 Let others boast Their liveried host 
 
 In garden and in grot, 
 I more admire Thy plain attire. 
 
 Thou dear Forget-me-not ! 
 
 Thy portrait nice, My friend's device, 
 
 So elegantly wrought. 
 Illumes my sight With vision bright, 
 
 Thou dear Forget-me-not ! 
 
 May bliss attend My charming friend, 
 
 Where'er be cast her lot ! 
 While for the donor, I ever honour 
 
 The dear Forget-me-not ! 
 
 NUNC DIMITTIS. 
 
 " Now, sovereign Lord of life and death, 
 I yield, at thy command, my breath, 
 
 Dismiss'd in peace by thee ; 
 By seers prophetic long foretold, 
 Thy great salvation I behold. 
 
 Thy own Messiah see. 
 
 " O'er nature's universal night, 
 ' Divinely dawns the welcome light 
 
 Of thy redeeming grace. 
 The Heathen hail the rising ray 
 The world's wide empire owns thy sway. 
 With Israel's honour'd race. 
 
4^2 HYMNS AND 
 
 " As down the vale of life I pass'd, 
 My soul (and not in vain) was cast 
 
 Upon thy faithful word ; 
 That soul into thy hands I yield, 
 For lo ! the promise is fulfiU'd, 
 
 Mine eyes have seen the Lord ! " 
 
 So pious Simeon said, and press'd 
 The infant Saviour to his breast, 
 
 And long'd for his release : 
 Thus may I hold him to my heart, 
 Until his mandate says, " Depart !" 
 
 Then let me die in peace ! 
 
 " WE ALL DO FADE AS A LEAF. 
 
 We all do fade, as fades a leaf, 
 When summer is gone by ; 
 
 At longest, human life is brief, 
 And all are born to die. 
 
 In childhood opes the vernal bud, 
 
 In youth it gaily blooms ; 
 But oft disease, like tempest rude. 
 
 The beauteous tint consumes. 
 
 The vital sap is soon represt 
 
 By Autumn's chilly hand, 
 The leaf declines on parent breast. 
 
 And ceases to expand. 
 
 It quivers, withers, droops, decays. 
 
 Beneath the fatal blast ; 
 Awhile contends, adheres, delays, 
 
 But down it drops at last. 
 
 So do we fade, so must we fall, 
 
 No matter what we be ; 
 The mortal chill will wither all. 
 
 Save life's immortal Tree ! 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 GAUDILLA AND LAVINIA. 
 
 The tulip flings her fetid scent, 
 
 On gaudy tints presuming ; 
 The violet sits in sAveet content, 
 
 The ambient air perfuming. 
 
 My uncle's tale : — Two girls there were, 
 
 Residing in one city ; 
 Gaudilla, beautiful and fair ; 
 
 Lavinia, Avise and witty. 
 
 Gaudilla was by some admired. 
 Because she was so beauteous ; 
 
 To love Lavinia all conspired, 
 For being good and duteous. 
 
 Too soon Gaudilla heard, well-pleased, 
 
 The voice of admiration ; 
 And vanity her bosom seized 
 
 For fitting habitation. 
 
 Ah me ! how oft pernicious pride. 
 
 The female heart assailing. 
 Has turn'd each better thought aside, 
 
 And let in every failing ! 
 
 Yet some, through power Divine, have been 
 
 O'er vanity victorious : 
 And some plain faces have we seen 
 
 By goodness render'd glorious. 
 
 But, ah ! Gaudilla never gain'd 
 
 A conquest o'er illusion ; 
 While wise Lavinia well maintain'd 
 
 The post against intrusion. 
 
 They grew ; and as they grew, the root 
 
 TVTience character arises. 
 Was soon discover'd in the fruit 
 
 No circumstance disguises. 
 u 
 
 433 
 
434 HYMNS AND 
 
 Gaudilla, pert and proud, despised 
 All wisdom and all goodness ; 
 
 The wortliless were esteem'd and prized, 
 The worthy met with rudeness. 
 
 jSTo hook, no conversation charm'd, 
 Her mind imbibed no learning, 
 
 Her heart no beam of virtue warm'd. 
 Her soul had no discerning. 
 
 " My beauty," cried the scornful maid, 
 
 Her friend's advice despising, 
 ■•' My beauty is my boast," she said, 
 
 " And wants no moralizing. 
 
 " Go lecture in Lavinia's ear. 
 And tell that frightful creature, 
 
 How books and friends he?' heart may cheer 
 For lack of handsome feature." 
 
 She seized the taper in a trice. 
 
 To gaze into her mirror. 
 And thus disdaining good advice. 
 
 To crime converted error. 
 
 Her crime, — for pride Avill have a fall, 
 And, when too late, awaken, — 
 
 Gaudilla's crime, in view of all. 
 Was quickly overtaken. 
 
 The taper, held in heedless hand, 
 
 Her graces to discover, 
 Instant becomes a burning brand. 
 
 And fires her dress all over. 
 
 Her cheeks, where beauty proudly reign'd. 
 
 The flames vindictive ravage. 
 And turn the face, by pride profaned, 
 
 To features of a savage. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 435 
 
 Long time she languish'd ; people thought 
 
 Pale death had pass'd his sentence ; 
 She lives, and may she soon be brought 
 
 To wisdom and repentance ! 
 
 Lavinia not insults, but mourns, 
 
 The maiden's dire affliction, 
 And each unkind expression turns 
 
 To pious benediction. 
 
 But mark the ways of Heaven ! by sin 
 
 Gaudilla lost her beauty ; 
 And now Lavinia's charms begin, 
 
 The offspring fair of duty. 
 
 Her heart, where grace and goodness dwell. 
 
 To passion is a stranger ; 
 No tempers, like the Furies fell, 
 
 Her peace of mind endanger. 
 
 .A.nd daily as she better grows, 
 
 Her natural plainness ceases. 
 And supernatural beauty blows, 
 
 As she in grace increases. 
 
 This tale was by my uncle writ. 
 
 And sent me in a letter ; 
 I 1)etter had recited it. 
 
 If he had told it better. 
 
 TT 2 
 
430 HYMNS AND 
 
 ST. MATTHEW VI. 33. 
 
 ' But seek ye first tlie kiugclom of God, and Lis righteousness ; and 
 all these things shall he added unto you." 
 
 Yes, Lord, tliy promise I believe, 
 
 And bid my unbelief depart ; 
 Xow let me seek, e'en now perceive, 
 
 Thy righteous kingdom in my heart. 
 
 No more thy providential sway 
 
 My doubting bosom shall disown, 
 My passive powers shall hence obey, 
 
 Submissive at my Father's throne. 
 
 Thy mercy's bounteous boon, — on me 
 
 "NYilt thou eternal life bestow ? 
 Then will I trust, my God, to thee, 
 
 For every blessing here below. 
 
 Paternal love, with kindest care, 
 Thy charge, where'er I am, defends, 
 
 And watches every number'd hair. 
 And every strengthen'd step attends. 
 
 From anxious fear for ever freed. 
 
 Food, raiment, life, I leave to Heaven : 
 
 My Father will supply my need. 
 
 And bless the child he hath forgiven. 
 
 Hence, then, distrust and dark dismay ! 
 
 A kingdom, grace, and glory mine ! 
 What ! shall the worm, the flesh, the clay. 
 
 Usurp my interests Divine ? 
 
 Who crown'st the soul with sacred love. 
 Wilt sure thy meaner gifts impart ; 
 
 My soul and body thus shall prove 
 How faithful and how good thou art. 
 
OTHER POEMS* 437 
 
 JOSHUA VII. 19, 20. 
 
 " Give, 1 pray tliee, glory to die Lord God of Israel, and make con- 
 fession xmto him ; and teU me now what thou hast done ; hide it 
 not from me." — " Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of 
 Israel, and thus and thus have I done." 
 
 At last, holy God and true ! 
 
 At last, O God of pardoning grace ! 
 In thy oAvn light our crimes we view, 
 
 And seek, with contrite hearts, thy face. 
 
 We give thee glory, we confess 
 
 The hidden, loved, accursed thing ; 
 
 Our camp, defiled with wickedness. 
 Is cursed by Israel's holy King, 
 
 We tremble at thine awful fro\vn, 
 We put the' accursed thing aAvay ; 
 
 O Lord, thy humbled people own. 
 
 Who sigh and mourn, who weep and pray. 
 
 Let Mercy's interposing hand 
 Now turn the flaming bolt aside, 
 
 And spare, O spare, a guilty land. 
 
 Which would at last in Heaven confide. 
 
 Say to the' uplifted sword, " Return, 
 And sleep within thine idle sheath ; 
 
 My people their transgressions mourn, 
 I have no pleasure in their death !" 
 
 Accepted, saved, in this our day, 
 Thee shall our tliankful souls adore ; 
 
 Thee shall our willing hearts obey, 
 
 And grieve our gracious God no more. 
 
438 HYMNS AND 
 
 PSALM XXIII. 
 
 My Shepherd's mighty aid, 
 His dear redeeming love. 
 His all-protecting power display'd, 
 I joy to prove. 
 Led onward by my Guide, 
 I view the verdant scene, 
 Where limpid waters gently glide 
 Through pastures green. 
 
 In eiTor's maze my soul 
 Shall wander now no more ; 
 His spirit shall, Avith sweet control. 
 The lost restore ; 
 My willing steps shall tread 
 The paths of righteousness ; 
 His power defend, his bounty feed, 
 His mercy bless. 
 
 Affliction's horrid gloom 
 Shall but thy love display ; 
 Thou Avilt the vale of death illume 
 With living ray. 
 My failing flesh thy rod 
 Shall thankfully adore ; 
 My heart shall vindicate my God 
 For evermore. 
 
 Thy hands an unction shed. 
 Whose balmy sweets abound ; 
 It honours my devoted head, 
 AVith gladness crown'd. 
 While hid from every ill, 
 From each infernal foe ; 
 My cup ten thousand comforts fil!» 
 And overflow. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 439 
 
 Thy goodness ever nigh, 
 Thy mercy ever free, 
 Shall while I live, shall -when I die, 
 Still follow me. 
 For ever shall my soul 
 Thy boundless blessing prove, 
 And, while eternal ages roll, 
 Adore and love. 
 
 MESSIAH. 
 
 Hail Messiah ! Prince of Glory, 
 Thee while ransom'd sinners own. 
 
 Heaven's angelic powers adore thee. 
 For thy love to mortals sho^^Ti ; 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 Glory to the incarnate Son ! 
 
 Wide thy banner waved victorious, 
 When, beneath thy thundering hand, 
 
 Rebel angels sank inglorious. 
 
 While proclaim the faithful band, 
 
 " Hallelujah ! 
 All submit to thy command." 
 
 When redemption was achieved 
 By the Lamb for sinners slain. 
 
 Angels saw thee, men believed, 
 Saints and seraphs sung this strain, 
 
 " Hallelujah ! 
 Over all triumphant reign !" 
 
 Lift, ye pearly gates of heaven. 
 Lift your lofty heads on high ; 
 
 Let immediate way be given ; 
 Lo ! he re-ascends the sky. 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 See the King of glory nigh ! 
 
440 HYMNS AND 
 
 Who is he, — the King of glory ? 
 
 He who death and hell subdued : 
 See the conquering King before ye, 
 
 With his garments roll'd in blood ! 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 Glory to the great, the good ! 
 
 Lift the golden portals higher, 
 Spread the empyreal area Avide, 
 
 Farther on, ye troop*?, aspire ; 
 Glorious King, triumphant ride ! 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 Sit thou at the Father's side ! 
 
 Who is he, — the King of glory ? 
 
 "Jesus," every seraph sings, 
 " Jesus famed in heavenly story !" 
 
 While the Avhole creation rings, 
 " Hallelujah ! 
 
 Lord of lords, and King of kings ! ' 
 
 AMOS HI. ]— 6. 
 
 Hear this word tliat tlie Lord liath spoken against you, O cliildreii 
 
 of Israel." 
 
 While o'er our guilty land, O Lord, 
 We view the terrors of thy sword, 
 O, whither shall the hopeless fly. 
 To whom but thee direct the eye ? 
 
 The helpless sinner's cries and tears 
 Are grown familiar to thy ears ; 
 Oft has thy mercy sent relief, 
 AVhen all was fear and hopeless grief! 
 
 On thee, our guardian God, we call, 
 Before thy throne of grace we fall ; 
 And is there no deliverance there ? 
 And must we perish in despair ? 
 
OTHER P0E3IS. 441 
 
 See, we repent, Ave weep, we mourn, 
 
 To our forsaken God we turn ; 
 
 O spare our guilty country ! spare 
 
 The cliurcL which thou hast planted there. 
 
 "We plead thy grace, indulgent God, 
 We plead thy Son's atoning blood, 
 We plead thy gracious promises ; 
 And are they unavailing pleas ? 
 
 These pleas, presented at thy throne, 
 Have brought ten thousand blessings down 
 On guilty lands, in helpless woe ; 
 Let them prevail to save us too ! 
 
 A HYMN IN PRAISE OF THE AUTHOR OF 
 NATURE. 
 
 My God, how glorious is thy name ! 
 The earth, the heavens, declare thy fame, 
 
 Thy footstool and thy throne. 
 " Ye heavens, exist," thy mandate said ; 
 Through ample space the heavens were spread ; 
 
 Thou spakest, and it was done. 
 
 The thunder's voice, the lightning's wing. 
 The splendid sun, — my God, my King, 
 
 The fair unfolding flower ; 
 Suns, lightnings, flowers, are fall of thee ; 
 In earth, in heaven, in all, I see 
 
 Thy majesty and power. 
 
 Upon the whirlwind's wing, who rides ? 
 The burning bolt of heaven, who guides ? 
 
 What God can equal ours ? 
 Whose phials, when the forest gleams, 
 Diffusing Avide the' electric streams, 
 
 The lightning torrent pours ? 
 u 5 
 
442 
 
 HYxMNS AND 
 
 Thine, thine, Jehovah, thine alone ! 
 Ten thousand worlds around thy throne 
 
 Depend upon thy word. 
 Thou froAvnest, — see, they all disperse ! 
 Thou smilest, — see, the universe 
 
 With all its worlds restored. 
 
 Erected by almighty hands, 
 A temple for thy glory stands 
 
 This universe sublime : 
 All being pours thy praises forth ; 
 The creeping reptiles on the earth, 
 
 The burning seraphim. 
 
 Heaven's millions hymn thy name on high, 
 Inhabitants of yon fair sky, 
 
 Who all thy glories see ; 
 Not less obsequious to thy nod, 
 The embryon worm obeys its God ; 
 
 All being bows to thee. 
 
 Ah ! what is man, frail child of dust ! 
 That thou, in whom I dare to trust, 
 
 That thou. Immortal King ! 
 Should'st call him forth thy love to share ? 
 Thy mercies how can I declare, 
 
 Or how thy goodness sing ? 
 
 Exalted by thy sov'reign hand. 
 Myself a sovereign, lo ! I stand, 
 
 And see, beneath my feet, 
 My subjects of the air, and sea, 
 Of fields and forests, bow to me, 
 
 And to my sway submit ! 
 How great, hoAV wonderful thy name ! 
 Jehovah, infinite thy fame ; 
 
 Creation's ample round 
 Shall echo thy supernal praise, 
 And universal nature's lays 
 
 Eternally resound. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 443 
 
 PSALM XX. 1, 2. 
 
 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of 
 Jacob defend thee. Send thee help from the sanctuary, and 
 strengthen thee out of Sion." 
 
 Now may tlie God of power and grace 
 
 Attend his people's liumble cry ! 
 Jeliovali hears when Israel prays ; 
 
 Jehovah brings deliv'rance nigh. 
 
 The name of Jacob's God defends, 
 Better than shields or brasen walls ; 
 
 He from his sanctuary sends 
 
 Succour and strength when Sion calls. 
 
 Well he remembers all our sighs, 
 
 His lore exceeds our best deserts ; 
 His love accepts the sacrifice 
 
 Of humble groans and broken hearts. 
 
 In his salvation is our hope ; 
 
 And in the name of Israel's God, 
 Our troops shall lift their banner up, 
 
 Our navies spread their flags abroad. 
 
 Some trust in horses train'd for war. 
 
 And some of chariots make their boast ; 
 
 From Thee our expectations are, 
 The Captain of the heavenly hosts. 
 
 Now save us, Lord, from slavish fear. 
 Now let our hopes be firm and strong. 
 
 Till thy salvation shall appear, 
 
 And joy and triumph raise the song. 
 
444 HYMNS AND 
 
 NUMBERS X. 29. 
 
 We are journeying unto the place of -vvliifli tbe Lord said, 1 will 
 give it you ; come thou with us, and we will do thee good ; for 
 the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." 
 
 Conducted by Jehovah's hand, 
 We journey to the promised land, 
 From Egypt, through the desert wide, 
 With God our Guardian and our Guide. 
 
 We doubt not his almighty grace 
 Will bring us to the destined place ; 
 For God, the faithful and the true, 
 Hath promised, " I will give it you." 
 
 Great the solicitude we find. 
 That many more, by grace inclined, 
 Renouncing this poor world below, 
 May join our company and go. 
 
 Then come, come mthout delay ; 
 Come, set ye forth for heaven to-day ; 
 Each cold objection be subdued ; 
 Come Avith us, we will do thee good. 
 
 For every blessing God may give. 
 You frankly shall with us receive ; 
 With Israel come, with Israel prove 
 His guard, his goodness, and his love. 
 
 To us shall all the Lord hath said 
 In sure fulfilment be display'd ; 
 Then quit this Avorld of sinful show, 
 And on to Canaan with us go. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 440 
 
 THE FALL OF ANTICHRIST. 
 
 AN ODE FROM ISAIAH LXIII. 1—6. 
 STROPHE. 
 
 Who, awakening quick surprise, 
 
 On hostile Idumea's road 
 Advancing, meets my wondering eyes, 
 
 Or Son of man ? or Son of God ? 
 Deeply dyed his garments are : 
 "What mighty champion ? What his glorious war ? 
 Alone he marches toward the sacred coast ; 
 He marches, in himself a host. 
 His mien Divine, magnificent his vest; 
 
 And more than man the vision well heseems ; 
 Xor him, some angel, at his God's hehest, 
 
 The minister of vengeance, fancy deems ; 
 Nor man, nor angel, bursts upon my sight : 
 The vision moves a God, collected in his might. 
 
 ANTISTROPHF. 
 
 Darting his prophetic eye. 
 
 Illumed by heaven's omniscient beam, 
 That shoots through dark futurity. 
 
 And bids the latest embryos gleam ; 
 Whelm'd the Avhile with solemn awe, 
 The astonish'd seer demanded Avhoni he saw. 
 Not pious wishes placid Heaven provoke : 
 The Champion heard — the Champion spoke : 
 " In flesh array'd, though late by heaven adored. 
 
 Me, Prince, Messiah, favour'd bard, behold. 
 Jehovah's counsels have mine eyes explored, 
 
 And now my lips the mystic page unfold ; 
 Such is my title, such the charge I have ; 
 In righteousness I speak, and mighty am to save." 
 
446 HYMNS AND 
 
 " Why thine apparel red ? 
 
 Thy garments staln'd with blood ? 
 
 Than he who treads the wine- vat crimson'd more?' 
 
 " Alone the vat I trod, 
 And this the life-blood shed, 
 That spots, ensanguined, my apparel o'er. 
 Stood speechless my inactive host, 
 
 Not a friend afforded aid ; 
 Mine be the fight, the victory mine, (I said,) 
 
 And thou, my single arm, the conquest boast. , 
 Then Indignation roused her kindling fire : 
 
 Then sunk the vanquish'd foe my feet beneath ; 
 My enemies ingloriously expire. 
 
 And laughs my fury, while they groan in death. 
 The year is come, to seal their doom. 
 
 To punish an apostate race ; 
 To save my own, each ransom'd one. 
 
 And vindicate the work of grace. 
 Vengeance indignant dealt the final blow. 
 And tramples in the dust the antichristian foe." 
 
 PARAPHRASE ON PSALM CXLVIII. 
 
 Come, Hallelujah ! Let the lyres 
 Employ'd by heaven's harmonious choirs. 
 Begin the God-adoring strains, 
 Delighted, on empyreal plains. 
 Lead on, ye sacred sons of light ; 
 Bid echo heaven's transcendent height ; 
 Thrones, angels, cherubs, seraphs, raise 
 The song of universal praise. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 447 
 
 Sun ! soul of nature ! like tliy God, 
 Emitting light and life abroad, 
 Proclaim his brighter beams Divine, 
 Far as thy fulgent glories shine ! 
 And thou, with softer smile serene, 
 Enam'ring the nocturnal scene. 
 While gliding through the dark profound, 
 Make known his excellence around. 
 
 Prolong, ye glittering stars, the lay, 
 Melodious, through the Milky Way ; 
 lie or your vital beams absorbs. 
 Or pours sweet influence in your orbs : 
 While the wide heavens, whose azure vault 
 Extends beyond the length of thought, 
 Through all their circling worlds declare 
 How great his power and glory are. 
 
 Aerial seas, at God's command. 
 Your humid bosoms ye expand ; 
 He braids your fleecy skirts with gold. 
 Or wraps you up in sable fold ; 
 Or, when the parching earth complains, 
 Dissolves you into genial rains ; 
 The luscious drops profusely showers. 
 And quickens all her drooping powers. 
 
 He spoke ; and Non-existence heard 
 Jehovah's all -creating word : 
 Up sprang the Universe sublime, 
 And gave his natal hour to Time. 
 Dependent, still the golden chain, 
 Jehovah's mighty hands sustain, 
 Still causes own, and own efi"ects, 
 'T is God who governs and directs. 
 
448 HYMNS AND 
 
 Thou Earth, responding to the sky, 
 In repercussive sounds reply : 
 Let Ocean from liis caverns roar, 
 And clap liis hands, and God adore : 
 The ocean's mighty vase He fills 
 With flowing rivers, tinkling rills. 
 And digs the grottos of the deep, 
 Where whales on coral couches sleep. 
 
 Him praise, whose hand your fury binds, 
 Or power impels, ye fires, ye winds. 
 Who bear through heaven, at his command, 
 The scourges of a guilty land : 
 Your vollies pour of rattling hail. 
 And give the thunder's dreadful peal. 
 And fling your arrowy fires afar. 
 The Almighty's magazine of war. 
 
 Ye mountains, that sublimely rise, 
 Alliance claiming with the skies, 
 Pre-eminent his honours own. 
 Who fills the high celestial throne : 
 Whilst little hills are scatter'd round. 
 With sylvan splendours gaily crown'd, 
 Which own His hand by whom they are ; 
 The cedar, and the fruit tree fair. 
 
 Announce, ye beasts of savage brood, 
 That scour the plain, that haunt the Avood, 
 Announce the parent Power on high, 
 Who answers your instinctive cry , 
 While ye, by man inured to toil. 
 Domestic sharers of his smile. 
 Revere the Sovereign Lord of all. 
 Who stores the mead, and fills the stall. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 
 
 449 
 
 Thougli meaner be your humble birth, 
 Reptiles, that lowly creep the earth, 
 His Parent hand regards you too, 
 Allots the teeming ground to you. 
 His praise, inhabitants of air. 
 In sweetest symphony declare ; 
 He dips your plumes in orient dyes, 
 And all your daily wants supplies. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 While thus, through nature's ample round, 
 
 The praises of Jehovah sound, 
 
 " Distinguish'd link in Being's chain," 
 
 Shall man the votive hymn refrain ? 
 
 Arise, ye kings ! awake the song ! 
 
 The Tocal carol pour along ; 
 
 And all the subject people sing 
 
 The' Almighty, universal King. 
 
 Ye judges, God's vicegerents here, 
 The delegated rod who bear, 
 Let justice your tribunals guard. 
 And give, like him, the due award : 
 And potent Princes, good as great, 
 Display his character complete. 
 Benignly change the tyrant's chains, 
 For heaven-born Mercy's silken reins. 
 
 Let all mankind of every place, 
 Of every age, admire his grace ; 
 Let youth, with active powers alert, 
 Shout to the Lord with all their heart ; 
 And those matured by grace and age, 
 While passing off the mortal stage. 
 The theme with lisping infants swell, 
 His love in trembUng accents tell. 
 
450 HYMNS AND 
 
 0, be his hallow'd name adored, 
 Creation's Fount, creation's Lord ! 
 To Him let pealing anthems rise, 
 To Him, the Great, the Good, the Wise ! 
 Lo ! the wide universe displays 
 His glory's ever-beaming rays. 
 Reflected from this ball terrene. 
 And shining in the ethereal scene ! 
 
 But milder from his mercy's throne, 
 Reflected by the incarnate Son, 
 Descend the beauteous beams of grace, 
 Effulgent, on his Israel's race ; 
 He looks 'mid circumvolving spheres, 
 Complacent, on his ransom'd heirs. 
 More dear than all his works beside. 
 Blest souls for whom the Saviour died. 
 
 HORACE'S TWENTIETH ODE, BOOK II. 
 
 IMITATED. 
 
 What, though oppress'd with heavy clay. 
 Though hid her high seraphic powers, 
 
 My soul, disdaining time's delay, 
 
 On wings of faith shall fly away. 
 
 E'en now, not earth retards her flight. 
 
 Now she gains the aerial height. 
 
 And through the liquid ether towers. 
 
 Mounted on cherubic wings. 
 Swift she soars, and sweet she sings ; 
 For happines s celestial born, 
 Spurns this nether world with scorn ! 
 The bustling towns she leaves below, 
 And soars where starry beauties glow, 
 Expanding her immortal parts 
 Beyond the reach of envy's darts. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 451 
 
 Thougli stripp'd of every pompous boast, 
 A transitory child of dust ; 
 
 Though dire mortality should spread 
 
 Her dead'niiig venom through my veins ; 
 Join'd to Christ, my living Head, 
 My soul's eternal life remains. 
 Wing'd for bliss beyond the skies. 
 To endless being will I rise. 
 
 Not lovr ambition's fawning slave, 
 
 Nought valuing its unmeaning blast, 
 I nobler emulation have, 
 
 A fame that shall for ever last ; 
 Honour Divine that comes from God, 
 And lifts me to his bright abode. 
 
 Let not, my friends, the falling tear, 
 
 Impious, profane your ^"s bier ; 
 
 When ye the solemn vites prepare, 
 
 The doleful dirge funereal spare. 
 Essential glory shall my head surround, 
 With honom* Avreathed, with life immortal croAvn'd. 
 
 HORDE'S FOURTH ODE, BOOK I. IMITATED. 
 
 INSCRIBED TO **'•***. 
 
 Extinguish'd by the genial spring, 
 
 The last remains of winter fly. 
 And Zephyrs fan, with flagrant wing. 
 
 Each vestige both from earth and sky. 
 The lark, that courts the breeze, no more 
 
 Of winter's warring winds complains ; 
 For nature's charms, the nipping hoar 
 
 In cold embraces now detains ; 
 Nor cattle to the stalls retire, 
 
 Since food the vernal meadows yield ; 
 Nor seeks the swain the social fire. 
 
 But drives the toiling team a-field. 
 
452 HYMNS AND 
 
 Thus life : along the enamell'd meads, 
 Juvenile fancy's fair domain, 
 
 See Cjtherean Beauty leads 
 The lovely graces in her train. 
 
 Nor now sulphureous lightnings glare, 
 
 Nor pealing thunders rend the air. 
 
 Yes, life, like nature, has its spring : 
 And happy he Avhose early youth 
 
 (The sovereign, self-commanding king) 
 Is hlest with piety and truth ; 
 
 With everj' grace whose soul is eroAvn'd, 
 
 And where the Spirit's fruits abound. 
 
 T is now the time, while youth remains, 
 To offer, first, the lamb to God, 
 
 Ere wintry age invade our veins, — 
 
 And then our all, through Jesu's blood ; 
 
 Present the sacrifice Divine ; 
 
 For know, not less is life's design. 
 
 Pale Death's impartial steps await ; 
 
 He knocks alike at every door ; 
 The splendid palaces of state. 
 
 The humble mansions of the poor. 
 happy ******^ life's little space 
 
 Forbids us nurse a flattering hope ; 
 Death's dismal night arrives apace, 
 
 And swallows all our wishes up. 
 
 But ! what scenes shall then arise. 
 Before thy spirit's i-aptured eyes ! 
 Not Pluto's gloomy house of woe. 
 Nor guilty shades that dwell below : 
 No ! heavenly visions shall appear. 
 The King of kings will meet thee there ; 
 And, bliss of heaven, Emmanuel's face 
 Illume the sweet celestial place ; 
 
OTHER POEMS. 453 
 
 Who eyen now, though half conceal'd, 
 And but by glimmering light reveal'd, 
 Sets all the longing saints on fire, 
 With holy love and chaste desire. 
 Whose utmost grace we then shall prove, 
 And bum Avith everlasting love. 
 
 ABRAHAM INTERCEDING FOR SODOM. 
 
 GENESIS XVIII. 
 
 Again, tremendous God, 
 
 We humbly seek thy face ; 
 Again we spread our hands abroad, 
 
 And supplicate thy grace. 
 
 Thou heard'st the Patriarch's prayer, 
 When Sodom's day was come ; 
 
 And, loath to punish, Avould'st defer 
 The sinner's dreadful doom. 
 
 Children of Abraham's faith, 
 
 On Abraham's God we call. 
 Suspend awhile thy flaming wrath, 
 
 Thou righteous Judge of all ! 
 
 True, Sodom's sins are great. 
 Their cry ascends to heaven ; 
 
 But many Lots are in her gate. 
 An uncorrupted leaven. 
 
 Some pious souls are seen. 
 Whom Belial's sons annoy ; 
 
 The righteous with the wicked, then, 
 Ah, wilt thou Lord, destroy ? 
 
454 HYMNS AND 
 
 'Mongst pious and profane, 
 Shall no distinction be ? 
 
 But undistinguish'd all be slain ? 
 O, that be far from thee ! 
 
 Yet, be not angry, Lord, 
 
 Though dust and ashes weak, 
 
 Encouraged by thy faithful word, 
 To thee have dared to speak. 
 
 If thou an inquest make. 
 And fifty saints be there, 
 
 Ah, wilt thou not for fifty's sake, 
 The guilty nation spare ? 
 
 If only ten be found. 
 Will not a gracious God 
 
 Rejoice to make his grace abound. 
 And throw away his rod ? 
 
 We still would seek thy face, 
 Yet importune with thee ; 
 
 Presenting at the throne of grace 
 Our last, our only plea. 
 
 Reverse our Sodom's fate. 
 For but the sake of One ! 
 
 For His, our Friend, our Advocate, 
 Thy well-beloved Son ! 
 
OTHER POEMS. 455 
 
 2 SAMUEL XXIV. 14. 
 
 "And David said unto God, I am in a great strait : let us fall now into 
 the hand of the Lord ; for his mercies are great : and let us not 
 fall into the hand of man." 
 
 Great are thy mercies, Lord of all, 
 A fount that flow'd ere time began : 
 
 Into thy hand now let us fall, 
 And not into the hands of man ; 
 
 If scourged for our iniquity, 
 
 Not man, but God, the' avenger be. 
 
 Lord, if thy judgments, long withheld. 
 Now gather blackness o'er the land, 
 
 At last may we submissive yield. 
 
 And bow beneath thy chastening hand ; 
 
 While the destroying angel flies, 
 
 Commission'd, through the troubled skies. 
 
 Into thy hand, thou God of love, 
 Body and soul we humbly cast. 
 
 Ah, may thy pitying bowels move ! 
 Ah, may we mercy find at last ! 
 
 And may the angel hear thy word, — 
 
 " It is enough, put up thy sword." 
 
 With willing hearts, by love inspired, 
 Then pious altars will we rear, 
 
 And offer, vnth devotion fired. 
 Our souls a sacrifice sincere ; 
 
 While all our lives thy triumphs raise, 
 
 Devoted to thy endless praise. 
 
456 HYMNS AND 
 
 ISAIAH XXVI. 8, 9. 
 
 " Yea, in the way of thy judp;meiits, O Lord, have we waited for thee, 
 the desire of our soul is to tliy name, and to the rememorance of 
 thee. For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants 
 of the world will learn righteousness." 
 
 And are thy judgments, mighty God, 
 Extending through the earth ahroad, 
 
 With desolating sway ? 
 And is the vengeful day hegun, 
 For heaven to make its terrors known, 
 
 The long-expected day ? 
 
 Ah, whilst the lingering thunders wait, 
 Ere justice seal tlie sinner's fate, 
 
 And all its power assume ; 
 Might prayer arrest the' uplifted hand ! 
 Might Mercy spare a guilty land, 
 
 And Love reverse its doom ! 
 
 Though madly we ourselves have sold, 
 Redeem'd hy thy right hand of old, 
 
 "VYe humbly seek thy face ; 
 Lowly repentant at thy throne, 
 We deprecate thy A^Tath alone. 
 
 And plead thy sovereign grace ! 
 
 With humble awe, the praying few 
 The interceding cry renew 
 
 In agony of prayer : 
 " Withdraw," they cry, " thine a^>'ful frown, 
 Nor pour thy heaviest judgments doAvn, 
 
 But 0, thy rebels spare ! 
 
OTHER POEMS. 457 
 
 May Britain's sons thy -will discern ! 
 By direful dispensations learn 
 
 Tlie lessons of thy grace ! 
 We then should hail thy heavenly smile, 
 And goodness crown our happy isle, 
 
 Till time complete his race. 
 
 MORNING. 
 
 Sweet is the breatli of mom, her rising sweet, 
 With charm of earliest hirds ; pleasant the sun. 
 When first on this delightful land he spreads 
 His orient beams on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, 
 GUst'ning with dew. Milkin. 
 
 " Sweet is the dewy breath of mom," 
 
 When the wide welkin's orient bound, 
 Her fulgent fingers re-adorn, 
 
 And shed ethereal beauties round. 
 But sweeter is the scene divine. 
 When Jesu's brighter beauties shine ; 
 His charms my ravish'd powers confess. 
 Resplendent Sun of righteousness ! 
 
 " On rosy steps " advance to sow. 
 
 Fair mom, " with orient pearl, the earth ; ' 
 And charm, while gemming every bough, 
 
 The infant foliage into birth. 
 But richer far the precious drops 
 That ripen my immortal hopes. 
 That glitter pendant at the tree, 
 Or fall, impearling Calvary. 
 
 Now, buoyant on the liquid sky. 
 The lark attunes his matin lay ; 
 
 And mounts, with ardent wing, on high, 
 To bid all hail the new-bom day. 
 
 But faith a bolder plume supplies. 
 
 Pinions that dare remoter skies ; 
 
 X 
 
458 
 
 HYMNS AND 
 
 A soul heaven-born has higher lays, 
 The hymn of love, and joy, and praise. 
 
 Collect the incense nature yields. 
 And gratefully to heaven ascend, 
 
 Ye zephyrs, o'er the enamell'd fields, 
 That now your fragrant wings extend. 
 
 More fragrant is th' ethereal gale, 
 
 Elysium's balmy bowers exhale ; 
 
 The breath of life-inspiring love, 
 
 From amaranthine fields above. 
 
 The lymph serene, its natal well 
 
 Deserting, loves the hoary hill. 
 And wildly wandering down the dell, 
 
 Expands a pure pellucid rill. 
 Yet purer is the precious tide. 
 Fast flowing from Immanuel's side ; 
 From Golgotha the currents roll, 
 Immersing my delighted soul. 
 
 Fields, forests, fountains, clouds, and skies, 
 
 Delicious ecstasies dispense. 
 That press upon my raptured eyes. 
 
 And wake to transport every sense. 
 Yet faith, blest faith's interior eye, 
 A nobler prospect can descry ; 
 Heights, lengths, and breadths of love divine ; 
 And all, in Christ, for ever mine. 
 
 But lucid light the vault of heaven 
 
 Shall quit ; earth's beauties bloom no more ; 
 
 Order shall, from her empire driven, 
 AVith nature die, and time be o'er : 
 
 Yet then, through heaven's empyreal plain, 
 
 Glory for ever shall remain ; 
 
 And my immortal mind survey 
 
 ^Messiah's undiminish'd ray. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 459 
 
 NOON. 
 
 When the siin begins to fling 
 
 His flaring beams, me [gently] bring 
 
 To arched walks of twilight groves, 
 
 And shadows brown that Sylvan loves, 
 
 Of pine or monumental oak. 
 
 Where the rude axe, with heaved stroke, 
 
 Was never heard :■ — 
 
 There, in close covert, by some brook. 
 Where no profaner eye may look, 
 Hide me from day's garish eye ; 
 While the bee with honied thigh. 
 That at her flowery work doth sing ; 
 And the waters miu-mnring. 
 With such consort as they keep. 
 
 Milton, II Penseroso. 
 
 L 
 
 Noon her sultry sway maintains, 
 In the heavens, upon the plains ; 
 Now the skies refulgent, fair, 
 Unheclouded azure wear ; 
 Whence Apollo's brilliant beam 
 Sparkles on the limpid stream ; 
 Near whose margin wanders free, 
 With ceaseless hum, the honey-bee ; 
 Only heard the insect quire ; 
 For the plumy bands retire, 
 Silent to the cooling bower, 
 Passing noon's too fervid hour, 
 Where in shades serene I lie. 
 Hiding '• from day's garish eye ; " 
 By the world unknown, unsought, 
 Musing o'er the moral thought. 
 Round yon oak's majestic height. 
 
 Where the enamour'd woodbine twines. 
 And on a piercing ray of light 
 
 In languid elegance reclines, 
 X 2 
 
460 HYMNS AND 
 
 I mark the scintillating beam invade 
 
 The hallow'd cloisters of the sylvan shade. 
 
 There, dancing in the chequer'd gleams, 
 Unconscious of its state, 
 
 The mote, meand'ring wildly, seems 
 (But only seems) to indicate 
 A sense of being, and of mind elate. 
 
 I too, a mote, erratic, vain, 
 In Folly's evanescent reign. 
 Excursive, through the glitt'ring maze, 
 Meridian, passion's fervid blaze, 
 On vagrant wing have wildly roved. 
 Virtue ! though thy dear name I loved. 
 
 Yes, I have seen my summer sun, 
 Mj glowing skies, my lucent scenes ! 
 
 How youth's mellifluent moments run. 
 While grief nor anguish intervenes ! 
 
 Empire this of truant joy, 
 
 Not now can wrinkled Care annoy ; 
 
 With head of few lank hairs of gray. 
 
 He down life's wintry vale declines ; 
 And heedless of the smile of May, 
 
 With mis'ry ever pines. 
 
 Gloomy Grief, afar begone ! 
 
 And ■\vi-ithing Pain with plaintive moan 5 
 
 Enamell'd fields of gay delight 
 
 Expand before my dazzled sight. 
 And Pleasure on, for dalliance drest. 
 Delighted trips in silken vest, 
 
 By Fancy's fairy finger dight. 
 
 Young Hope, elated, seeks her blooming bow'rs. 
 
 Adorned with smiles 
 
 And •\^4tching wiles ; 
 Her steps conducted by the radiant hours. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 461 
 
 While Folly, pleased with fond fantastic show, 
 The mimicry of pleasiire, — badge of woe ! 
 Th' ideal forms in light illusire views, 
 And paints the phantom shapes with more than magic 
 hues. 
 
 Thus clouds unbind their tinsell'd gold, 
 
 Tinged with the solar ray. 
 But, quickly Avrapt in sable fold, 
 
 Obscure the face of day. 
 
 Glad to shun her harsh command, 
 Glad to flee her chast'ning hand : 
 Giddy, gay, licentious youth 
 Spurns the rigid bests of truth. 
 Fond delight, and fierce desire, 
 And bold ambition, with a soul on fire, 
 Prompt at Honour's call to rise, 
 Contemns the earth, contemns the skies. 
 
 With sanguine speed, while high the springs were 
 wound, 
 Whirl'd the swift wheels of Passion's fiery car ; 
 While Reason, slumb'ring on the enchanted ground, 
 Or lay quiescent by. 
 In tenfold apathy. 
 Or, waking, fear'd to rouse the unequal war. 
 
 Thus Passion sat in Reason's throne, 
 The empire of the Mind her own : 
 While, low the tyrant's arm beneath. 
 Reason lay bound in bands of death. 
 Now the dire anarch of the soul 
 With indignation spurn'd control ; 
 And gave, amid the drear domain, 
 With horrors ghostly smile, again 
 Old Chaos, from his pristine seat, 
 To view a second empire at his feet. 
 X 3 
 
462 HYMNS AND 
 
 Blew the bellowing blast! 
 
 Hoard the warring wave ! 
 Conscience stood aghast, 
 
 And lost her power to save ! 
 Who, who can stem the wild career ? 
 Angels and ministers of grace, appear ! 
 
 II. 
 
 And see, " with measured step and slow," 
 Advancing on the sensual foe. 
 Where Education comes, with mien sedate, 
 And boasts an early conquest o'er imperious fate. 
 " Tuition's undeclining law. 
 
 Must keep," he cries, " the wayward will in awe ; 
 Omnipotent are Wisdom's rules. 
 Defined by Greecia's learned schools ; 
 Omniscient they, to guide discreet 
 By sure, but painful steps, the wand'ring feet. 
 Where heaven-bom Virtue builds her amaranthine 
 seat." 
 
 Him follows soon, of brow severe, 
 
 And bending stern her laughter-quelling eyes, 
 
 Affected fair of seeming worth, 
 
 Benamed heaven's primogenial birth, 
 Philosophy, descended from the skies 
 
 To rule the intellectual sphere. 
 
 " In mines immured of dark unfathom'd thought. 
 Erst glitt'ring gems," she said, " of purest ray. 
 In deep and gloomy caverns lay. 
 
 By human sight unseen, by human hand unsought, 
 
 These, after-ages durst explore. 
 Hence, 'mid superstitions foul, 
 
 Socrates, illumined soul ! 
 
 QuafTd everlasting life from the narcotic bowl. 
 
 And he, impassive Plato, led, 
 
 Not undelighted, to the fountain-head, 
 With the wise Stagyrite, sipp'd the sweet of Virtue's lore. 
 
OTHER POEMS. 463 
 
 " They told how Man, so Heaven design'd, 
 
 Man, offspring of th' immortal gods, 
 Should seek felicity refined, 
 The mental banquet of the mind. 
 
 In higher, pure, serene abodes. 
 They bade us view with noble scorn, 
 (On Contemplation's wing upborne,) 
 
 The mean delights of mortal sense. 
 ' Aspire ! ' they cried, ' aspire 
 Beyond the bounds of brutal base desire, 
 
 And mount to intellectual excellence ! ' " 
 They feel, we o«ti, of Virtue's star a beam, 
 
 And prize the glimmering ray : 
 But ah ! did Socrates supreme. 
 Though lovely be his lucid theme, 
 
 To Virtue's radiant seat explore the living way ? 
 They feel, we oa'vti, the beam of Virtue's star, 
 
 The glimmering ray they prize ; 
 But ah ! beneath her orbit far, 
 Hurl'd from his Phaetonian car. 
 
 How low amid the dust e'en godlike Plato lies ! 
 
 For, not in academic groves. 
 
 Though rich in philosophic lore; 
 Nor 'mong the haunts the Stoic loves, 
 
 Can. we immortal truth explore. 
 
 Beauteous, fair Philosophy, 
 Fair and beauteous though thou be, 
 Passion's fond imperious charms 
 Delude thy vot'ry from thine arms. 
 Not letter' d Graecia's sapient laws 
 Of Nature's fault define the cause ; 
 Alone her potent ills can they detect, 
 And follow Goodness only in effect. 
 
 On Lapland's snowy height. 
 With wonder and delight. 
 
464 
 
 HYMNS AND 
 
 Thus the furr'd traveller checks his bounding deer, 
 
 When lo ! with sweet surprise, 
 
 His fascinated eyes 
 Behold in heaven th' aerial scenes appear, 
 
 Than e'er the southern sun, 
 
 Delighted gazed upon, 
 Of lovelier landscape, mountain, dale, and plain : 
 
 And rival suns display 
 
 Their evanescent ray, 
 And onward voyage o'er the icy main. 
 
 But instant, from his eyes, 
 
 The melting meteor flies, 
 And disappointment marks his angry soul ; 
 
 While murky mists profound 
 
 The frigid scene surround, 
 And all the horrors of the arctic pole. 
 
 III. 
 
 Immured in darkness, bound in chains, 
 
 The yet untutor'd mind remains : 
 Yet unsuspected, yet unknown, 
 That man is made for God alone ! 
 
 Glorious Truth ! by heaven reveal'd 
 
 From the duU eye of Reason seal'd. 
 
 At once, on Nature's night, 
 
 Beams Revelation's light ! 
 And lo, the gloom, Avhile Heaven its aid supplies, 
 
 efore the gathering glories flies ! 
 When thus the rising King of day 
 
 The orient heaven illumes ; 
 The shades of darkness own his sway, 
 
 And seek their kindred glooms. 
 
 Not light alone heaven's brilliant beams impart. 
 Their genial influence vivifies the heart ; 
 Instructs the penitential tear to flow. 
 And Faith's fair fruits in sweet succession ffrovr : 
 
OTHER POEMS. 465 
 
 Till, all subdued to Love's benign control, 
 Instinctive Goodness fills tbe faitbful soul. 
 
 Novr, centred in her God, 
 
 She lives, she triumphs, in her blest abode ; 
 
 And tastes the bliss creating Love design'd. 
 Hence ! vaunting Knowledge, hence ! in darkness hide ! 
 Hence ! empty philosophic pride ! 
 
 When Jesus reigns, the Monarch of the mind ! 
 He speaks ! the omnific "Word ! 
 
 Mad Chaos, peace ! 
 Confusion, hear his voice ! wild uproar, cease ! 
 
 " Behold ! I sit upon my throne, 
 The former things are past, are gone ! 
 What cannot grace almighty do ? 
 I form new heavens, the earth renew ; 
 Let there be life ! let light appear ! 
 And let a second Eden bear 
 (Unknown the former fatal tree,) 
 The fruit§ of immortality ! 
 And let, with trees of life beside, 
 The crystal living waters glide ! 
 Lo, man, with nature at his feet, 
 My imaged transcript shines complete ; 
 Retrieving, through the hallow'd cross, 
 More than the elder Adam's loss ! 
 No point below the nether sky 
 Attracting, his pursuit is high, 
 He loathes the dull delights of sense, 
 Insipid, poor impertinence ; 
 Too weak the spell his soul to bind. 
 Too mean to touch the illumined mind. 
 He drinks, by Wisdom gently led, 
 At Truth's perennial fountain head. 
 And banquets on angelic food, 
 And finds in me the Sovereign Good. 
 
466 HYMNS AND 
 
 Not till he enters Death's dark gate, 
 From flesh detach'd, does he await 
 (Like exiles from their country driven) 
 Possession of a future heaven. 
 E'en now expands th' ethereal wing, 
 Presumes a flight where seraphs sing. 
 And, far heneath him space and time. 
 He sits with me in seat sublime, 
 Head with Truth unfading crown'd, 
 And Virtues minist'ring around ! " 
 
 Eternal Power, whose wondrous grace 
 
 Could calm the tumult of my breast, 
 Whose truth could error's midnight chase, 
 
 AVhose love could lull my soul to rest ! 
 Can I forget the power, the love. 
 
 That drew my simple soul to thee. 
 And made me, rapt to glory, prove 
 
 How vast my own Divinity ! 
 Thee, when Morning's golden eye 
 Opens to the eastern sky ; 
 When, as now, his noontide ray 
 Darts the zenith'd orb of day ; 
 When, submitting to the shades, 
 Lucid evening slowly fades ; 
 Father, Friend, Redeemer, King, 
 Thee will I enraptured sing. 
 Thee, while crimson health remains 
 Gaily mantling in my veins ; 
 When disease and pain assail. 
 When my heart and body fail ; 
 Thee, in life, my lips shall praise, 
 Death shall but improve my lays. 
 Whether in the flesh, my mind, 
 Life's ethereal spark beshrined ; 
 Or resorb'd into the skies. 
 Into life divine it rise ; 
 
OTHER POEMS. 467 
 
 My numbers, deathless as my soul, 
 Shall, with unending ages, roll. 
 While raptui-ed, on the flowery brink. 
 At Love's eternal fount I drink 
 (The radiant sons of light among,) 
 Fresh inspiration for my song. 
 
 JEREMIAH XIV. 7—9. 
 
 O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy 
 name's sake : for our backslidings are many, we have sinned 
 against thee. O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time 
 of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and 
 as a wayfaring man that tumeth aside to tarry for a night ? 
 Why shouldest thou be as a man that is astonied, as a mighty 
 man that cannot save ? yet thou, O Lord, art in the midst of ua 
 and we are called by thy name ; leave us not." 
 
 O THOU Hope of Israel's race, 
 Humbly would we seek thy face ; 
 We who, in affliction's hour. 
 Supplicate thy saving power. 
 
 Lo, we sink into the dust, 
 Yet on thee presume to trust ; 
 Thee, before whose purer eyes 
 All our heinous crimes arise. 
 
 Yes, we will with ]\Iercy plead ; 
 May our humble suit succeed ! 
 Will the Lord our prayer withstand, 
 Be a stranger in the land ? 
 
 Surely thou wilt not depart. 
 Who thine Israel's Sa\'iour art ! 
 Art thou not the Friend indeed, 
 Saviour in the time of need ? 
 
468 HYMNS AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 Wilt tliou then our suit deny, 
 Not attend thy people's cry ? 
 Spurn thy suppliants, and their prayer 
 Scatter into empty air ? 
 
 Light of life, our guilty gloom 
 Only with a glance illume ; 
 Soon shall mercy's gathering ray 
 Shine unto the perfect day. 
 
 May our loving faith prevail ! 
 Hail, returning Saviour, hail ! 
 Make us thy abiding home ; 
 Answer, " Lo, I quickly come ! " 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Priated by James Nichols, 46, Hoxton Square,