A treatise on comforting afflicted consciences - The Digital Puritan

xxxviiiMEMOIR OF THEand his habitation : but if otherwise ; lo, here I am,let him do what seemeth him good unto me" (2 Sam.XV, 25, 26). He was asked by some one else, if hewould not be content to live, if God should grant hiralife : he replied in language which demonstrates thestrength and sincerity of his religious principles, " Igrant that this life is a blessing from God ; neither will Ineglect any means that may preserve it, and do greatlydesire to submit to the will of God ; but of the two, Iinfinitely desire to depart and to be with Christ."Great numbers of persons came to see him duringhis last illness. He admitted but few however, urgingas his reason, that he might have the more time forpreparation to meet his God. To those who were admitted,he gave earnest and affectionate advice, agree -ably to their respective occupations in life. In theseconversations with them the powers of his mind seemedto exhibit their former vigour. He exhorted the ministerswho came with the greatest love, that they wouldbear courageously the afflictions that might come uponthem. He admonished others that they should withoutdelay seek the Saviour, and devote themselvesto his service. About a week before his death he entreatedhis wife to bear his dissolution, which he perceivedto be at hand, with Christian fortitude. Hethen addressed his children, and admonished them thathe had instructed them during their whole life, and" was persuaded that none of them durst think tomeet him at the great tribunal in an unregeneratestate."About two days before his death some of his parishionerscoming to watch with him, one of them requested,that as he had discovered to them by doctrine