Sin, and prefs'd after the highest degrees of Holiness. He kept clear from the Extremes of Superstition and Enthufiafm, believing that fubftantial Religion did confift in a Conformity to the Moral Perfections of the Godhead. His Moderation was remarkable, and extenfive: He follow'd the things which made for Peace, and diffus'd the grateful Odours of Charity wherever he came. He was patient and fubmiffive under the various Trials and Afflictions, to which he was expos'd thro the Course of his Life.

And if we consider him in his publick Character, as a Divine, he was well qualify'd with ufeful Learning and Ministerial Gifts: A Man Vigilant, Sober, and of Good Behaviour; given to Hofpitality, apt to Teach; not given to Wine, no Striker, not greedy of filthy Lucre, but Patient; not a Brawler, not Covetous; One that rul'd well his own House, having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity. And as this Minifter of Chrift had a peculiar aptnefs to Teach, fo he was unweary'd in his Mafter's Work; having the Glory of God, and the Interest of Souls conftantly at Heart. The Zeal of God's House had eaten him up; he was continually seeking of you, and not yours: He coveted no Man's Gold or Silver; he was the fartheft in the World from a little mercenary Spirit: 'Twas not the Profpect of outward Gain, but the Love of Souls, that engag'd him in the Ministerial Work. He did forego that which he might have demanded, I mean a Maintenance for himself and Family: For no Man is oblig'd to go a Warfare upon his own Charge; and the Apoftle fays, That Chrift bath ordain'd that he that preaches the Gospel

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fhould live of it. Yet you are Witnesses for your deceas'd Paftor, that he always generously gave you his Labours; and yet that did not caufe him to take the lefs pains in the promoting of your Salvation. But he ftudied diligently to fhew himself approv'd, a Workman who needed not to be afham'd, rightly dividing the Word of Truth; and constantly in the Course of his Ministry (as I am inform'd by those who attended it) he did infift upon the great and fubftantial Truths contain'à in the Christian Revelation.

If the Sermons of your deceas'd Paftor had not all the Embellishments of Language which fome boast of, they had this peculiar Advantage, to be full of folid Divinity; which, I think, is a much better Character for a Pulpit-Difcourfe, than to fay, that 'tis full of pompous Eloquence and Flights of Wit. The Praise of this useful Minister is in all the Churches, where the knowledg of him has reach'd. Here indeed he liv'd, here he conftantly preach'd; and, I believe, you'll all own, that his Life was an excellent Sermon: for in that you might fee the Practicableness and Usefulness of Relative Duties. In him you might behold the manly Tenderness of a loving Husband, the melting Compaffions of a kind Father, the generous Freedom of a true Friend, and the admirable Qualifications of a faithful Paftor. How did he exhort and reprove, and rebuke with all Long-Suffering and Doctrine; meekly inftructing those who oppos'd themselves! Did he not warn every Man, Night and Day, befeeching them with Tears?

Thus

Thus did he fulfil his Ministry, having obtain'd Mercy of the Lord to be faithful; always defiring, that Chrift might be magnify'd in his Body, whether in Life or Death. For he accounted not his Life dear to himself, fo that he might finifh his Courfe with Joy, and the Ministry which he had receiv'd of the Lord Jefus Chrift, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God.

As to his particular Behaviour during his laft Sickness, I am told by those who were nigh him, that he did not pafs the time of his Illness without fome violent Affaults from Satan: but it pleas'd the Lord to afford him speedy Relief, and to make him more than a Conqueror, when he confider'd his Interest in the everlasting Covenant, which is order'd in all things, and fure. He had not only good Hope thro Grace: but before he left this World, he exprefs'd his Satisfaction and Joy, That all his Sins were pardon'd, and that that God whom he had ferv'd in the Gospel, would never leave him nor forfake him.

His Indifpofition was but fhort; he was well and dead within the Compafs of feven Days. He did not apprehend that he should die of his Illness, till about two days before his Death. His Pain was fo great, that he car'd to difcourfe but little; and when he drew near his end, he was fometimes delirious. Yet when he had the least Interval, he exprefs'd a very deep Concern for the Church under his Care, which he had fed and govern'd agreeably to the Divine Word. But he has done fowing in the Church Militant, and is gone to reap the Fruits of his Labours in the Church Triumphant. He is enter'd into that Ee 2 Rest

Reft which remains for the People of God: He is fallen afleep in Jefus, having fought the good Fight, and finish'd his Course, and kept the Faith. Death has clos'd his Eyes, and feal'd up his Lips till the firft Refurrection.

You are to have no more Admonitions nor Exhortations from him. May you that once rejoic'd in his Light, and were comforted and edify'd under his Miniftry, remember the wholefom Truths he taught, and the excellent Duties he recommended to your Practice; that he may not be a swift Witness against you in the Day of God.

I know I cannot speak this, without occafioning a great Emotion in your Mind; bu let not your Paffions get the start of your Reafon, and fo hinder your receiving the Inftructions which this Providence may furnish you withal.

To you who were his fpecial Care and Charge, to whom his Memory will be ever precious; Continue in the Belief of thofe Doctrines, and in the Practice of thofe Duties you have been taught by him from the Word of God. Difappoint Satan or any Agents of his, who may have Defigns to divide and scatter you. Labour to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bonds of Peace: And put on as the Elect of God, Holy and Beloved, Bowels of Mercy, Kindness, Humbleness of Mind, LongSuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. And tho you have loft him who watch'd over you in the Lord, remember that the great Shepherd of the Sheep, and Bishop of your Souls, lives for ever; and if you are humble, and charitable, patient, and fubmiffive, and wait on God, he will yet fatisfy his Poor with Bread,

Bread, and give you a Pastor after his own Heart, who fhall feed you with Knowledg and Understanding.

To you his mournful Relict; Confider 'tis the Hand of that God, who is fo wife, that he cannot do any thing against the real Interest of those who love him. Indeed he has fuddenly remov'd from you, him whom you hop'd to have enjoy'd many Years: But your God is the fame to day, yesterday, and for ever; and has promis'd to be the Judg of the Widow, and that he will never leave nor forfake those who put their trust in him.

To you the tender Off-spring of the Deceas'd; I charge you, before God and the Lord Jefus Christ, that you ferve your Father's God: remember what feasonable Advice he gave you, and with what Importunity and Fervour he us'd to pray, that your Souls may be fav'd in the Great Day of our Lord. Let your Father's Vertues live in your Lives, and do you follow him as he follow'd Chrift; then fhall you meet him again with Comfort, at the Right-hand of the Redeemer, when he fhall come the fecond time without Sin, to Salvation.

Once more, to all you who were the conftant Auditors of that excellent Minister, whofe Remains we are about to commit to the Duft: Let me intreat you to lay this Providence to Heart. The Wife-Man fays, 'Tis better to go to the Houfe of Mourning, than to go to the House of Feafting; for that is the end of all Men, and the Living will lay it to his Heart. Probably here are many of you who have fat under the Reverend Mr. Ewer's Ministry for several Years, and yet continue in a State of Nature. God grant, that fince you cannot date your Converfion from any of his Ee 3

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