498 LIVES OF. THE PURITANS. Lord recorded the following reflections, which are worthy of preservation : --" My wilderness, sea, city, and prison mercies," says he, afford me very many and strong con- solations. The spiritual sights of the glory of God, the divine sweetness of the spiritual and providential presence of my Lord Jesus Christ, and the joys and comforts of the holy and eternal Spirit, communicated to my soul, together with suitable and seasonable scriptures of truth, have so often, and so powerfully revived, refreshed, and strengthened my heart in the days of my pilgrimage, trials, and sufferings, that the sense, yea, thelife and sweetness thereof, abides still upon my heart, and hath engaged my soul to live by faith, to walk humbly, and to desire and endeavour to excel in holiness to God's glory and the example of others. Though, I confess, many of the Lord's ministers, and some of the Lord's people, have excelled and outshined me, with whom he hath not been at so much cost nor pains as he hath been with me. am a very unprofitable servant ; yet by grace I am what 1 am." The life of this holy and venerable person was prolonged to a good old age ; and he came to his grave like a shock of corn that is gathered in its season. During his last illness, which was of short continuance, he discovered extraordinary patience and resignation to the Divine will, longing to be dissolved and to be with Christ, not so much to be freed from pain and trouble as from sin. He kept his bed a few days only, and departed in a transport ofjoy, September 19, 1691, aged ninety-three years ; when his remains were interred in Bunhill-fields. Mr. Thomas Harrison preached his funeral sermon at Pinner's-hall, which was afterwards published; and Mr. Benjamin Keach published an elegy upon his death. About two years previous to the death of this venerable divine, liberty was afforded to all denominations of dissenters, when the baptists took immediate steps to improve their privileges and promote the prosperity of their churches. To convene a general meeting for this purpose, a circular letter, signed by some of the London ministers, was sent to the different churches. That which was sent to the chuTch at Luppitt in Devonshire, dated London, July 22, 1689, was signed by Mr. Knollys and several of his brethren. He also took an active part in several other transactions relative to the churches of his own denomination.. Therefore, o Crosby's. Baptists, vol. iii. p. 93, 94, iv. 299, 296.-biloWoHist. of Baptists, p. 478-480, 489-502.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=