438 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. speaking witness in those words of mine, against such as slight the instruction of them." He then gave thanks to God for the hope he possessed of eternal life through Jesus Christ, and warned his friends to improve the present dispensation, and the religious oppor- tunities now afforded. fie spoke, with the deepest concern, of the national guilt in persecuting God's faithful servants ; and, with the, strongest assurance and joy of the delight which God takes in his suffering saints, and the ample recompence with which he will crown ;heir present sor- rows. He then addressed his friends as follows : I charge you," said he, " in the name of the Lord Jesus, and as you will ever answer it at the great day, that you make religion your business, and that you make not godliness a slight thing, nor walking with God a small matter, as ever you hope to stand with boldness before God in judgment. God, indeed, bath taken strength from these arms of mine. I speak it not as if I murmured at it, or by way of discouragement, as if he could not, if it pleased him, raise dead bones, and of stones make children to Abraham.". This pious servant of God, having thus addressed those about him, desired them to lift up his arms,, when he . solemnly charged them, that they , would, by lifting and holding up his hands, bear witness to it as his dying charge. to them all. Be pressed them to make it' their great business the remainder of their days, to live to the praise and glory of the Lord Jesus, and in true obedience to his will. During nearly the whole of his illness, he continued glorifying God, and exhorted all who visited him to stead- fastness and perseverance, notwithstanding the perils of the times. About three hours previous to his dissolution, a friend perceiving him under great pressures, said to him, They looked unto the Lord, and were lightened : a right look will bring down relief under all difficulties." " Yea," replied be, with great earitest ness, " and their faces werenot ashamed:" utter which he spoke no more, but fell asleep in the Lord. 'Mr. Cheare, during - his imprisonment, wrote many excellent letters to his friends, in which he warmly and affectionatelyexhorted them to holy constancy and stead- fastness. One of these epistles was occasioned by certain Crosby's Baptists, vol. iii. p. 13--16.
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