Brooks - BX9338 .B7 1813 v3

306 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. dent of Trinity college, and became rector of Garlington, near Oxford. He governed his college with great prudence, gaining the affections of all the fellows and students, who reverenced him as a father. Dr. Harris, in his last sickness, being desired to admit company, said, " It is all one to me whether I am left alone or have my friends with me. My work is now to arm myself for death, which now assaults me, and apply myself to that great encounter." Accordingly, he spent all his time in prayer, meditation, and reading the scriptures ; and when he became unable to read himself, his friends read to him. \He said to them, " You must put on all the armour of God, and then go forth in the strength of the Lord. Stand in the fight, and the issue will be glorious : only forget not to call in the help of your General. Do all from him and under him." Being asked whence he derived his comfort, he said, " From Christ and the free grace of God." When it was signified that he might take much comfort from his labours and usefulness, he replied, " All is nothing without aSaviour. Without him my best works would condemn me. Oh ! I am ashamed of them, being mixed with so much sin. Oh ! I am an unprofitable servant. Ihave not done any thing for God as I ought. Loss of time sits heavy upon my spirit. Work, work apace. Be assured nothing will more trouble you, when you come to die, than that you have done no more for God, who has done so much for you." He said, " I never saw the worth of Christ, nor tasted the sweetness of God's love, in so great a measure as I do now." When his friends asked, what they should do for him, he replied, " You mustcot only pray for me, but praise God for his unspeakable mercy to me. 0, how good is God ! Entertain good thoughts of him. We cannot think too well of him, nor too ill of ourselves. Jam now going home, even quite spent. I am on the shore, but leave you still tossing on the sea. Oh ! it is a good time to die in." Afterwards, being asked how he did, he said, " In no great pain, I praise God, only weary of my useless life. If God hath no more work for me to do, I would be glad to be in heaven, where I shall serve him without distractions. I pass from one death to another; yet I fear none. I, praise God that I can live, and dare die. If God hath more work for me to do, I anrvvilling to do it, though my infirm'body be very weary." He professedthat he lived and died in that faith which he preached, and found its unspeakable comfortsnow in the immediate prospect of death. He closed his eyes in

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=