i92 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. dissolved, the church of' God would lose the benefit of his ministry, lie replied, " If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and slim me his habita- tion; but if otherwise, lo ! here I am ; let him do what seemeth good in his eyes."- Being asked whether he should not be content to live, if it were the will of God, lie imme- diately said, "I grant that life is thegreat blessing of God, neither will I neglect any means to preserve it, and do heartily desire to submit to God's will ; but .of the two, I infinitely prefer to be dissolved, and to be with Christ." During the progress ofhis complaint, many of his people and acquaintance visited him, but he only allowed his inti- mate friends to see him, desiring that his preparation for heaven might not be interrupted. But to those who had access to him, he gave very affectionate and appropriate exhortations. Though his body was much wasted, his mental powers were as lively and vigorous as ever. Ile encouraged ministers who came to him, to be diligent and courageous in the work of the Lord, and not to let their spirits sink under the troubles of the way. He exhorted all who came to him to make sure of Christ before they came to die. Ile thanked God for his wonderful mercy, in plucking him as a brand from the fire, and in blessing his ministry to the conversion of so many souls, ascribing to him all the glory. . < About a week before his departure, he desired his wife not to be troubled at his dissolution, but to bear it with christian fortitude, assuring her they shouldmeet again in heaven. Turning towards his children, he observed, that they must not now expect him to say any thing to them, for his strength was gone; and-hehad told them enough in time past, which he hoped they would remember after he was dead; and he said, " he verily believed that none of them thirst think of meeting him before the tribunal of God, in an unconverted state." As in his public ministry he had made known to his people the unspeakable comforts of the gospel, they now desired to know what he felt of them in his own soul. " Alas," said he, " do they look for that of me now, wbo have not breath and strength to speak ? I have told there enough in my ministry. But to give them satis- faction, I am, by the wonderful mercies of God, as full of comfort as my heart can hold, and feel nothing in my soul but.Christ, with whom I heartily desire to be." And look- ing upon those who were weeping near him, he said, "Oh ! how much ado there is before one can die."
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