Page images
PDF
EPUB

paralytic stroke, and, though very ill, finished his journey. Mrs. Horne after this wrote me a letter full of hope, that, as the bishop could walk to the pump-room daily, he would still recover: in consequence of which, I went with some courage to London, intending to go on from thence to Bath; but was informed, as soon as I arrived in town, that he was not expected to continue many days: and the next day brought us the melancholy news

of his death.

My worthy friend and pleasant companion, the Rev. Charles Millard, his chaplain, was with him. at Bath, and was witness to many affecting passages which happened toward his latter end. Bad as he was, if Mrs. Horne entered the room, he spoke to her with his usual cheerfulness; although a stupor commonly oppressed him, under which his mind wandered, and his speech was confused: but from what could be understood, his thoughts were always at work upon some heavenly subject. When it was proposed that the holy communion should be administered to him by his chaplain, "By all means," said he, "you cannot do a better thing." In this service he joined with great devotion, and when it was ended, "Now," said he, "I am blessed indeed!"

On the Friday before his death, while his housekeeper was waiting by his bed-side, he asked her, on what day of the week the seventeenth day of the month would fall? She answered, on Tuesday. "Make a note of that," said he, "in a book:" which, to satisfy him, she pretended to do. This proved to be the day on which he died-as quietly as he had lived. From this occurrence, a rumour got abroad, as if he had received some forewarn

VOL. I.

h

ing of the time of his death. To this I can say nothing; but I can think, without any danger of being mistaken, that if ever there was a man in these latter days, who was worthy to receive from above any unusual testimony due to superior piety, he was that man.

The affliction of his family was much relieved at this time by the friendly and charitable visits of the celebrated Mrs. Hannah More, who was then at Bath, and well knew how much was due to the memory of the departed bishop.

Thus have I brought this good man to his end, through the labours and studies of his life; in all which his example may be attended with some happy effect on those who shall make themselves acquainted with his history.

A

COMMENTARY

ON THE

BOOK OF PSALMS.

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

THE Psalms are an epitome of the Bible, adapted to the purposes of devotion. They treat occasionally of the creation and formation of the world; the dispensations of Providence, and the economy of grace; the transactions the patriarchs; the exodus of the children of Israel; their journey through the wilderness, and settlement in Canaan ; their law, priesthood, and ritual; the exploits of their great men, wrought through faith; their sins and captivities; their repentances and restorations; the sufferings and victories of David; the peaceful and happy reign of Solomon; the advent of Messiah, with its effects and consequences; his incarnation, birth, life, passion, death, resurrection, ascension, kingdom, and priesthood; the effusion of the Spirit; the conversion of the nations; the rejection of the Jews; the establishment, increase, and perpetuity of the Christian church; the end of the world; the general judgment; the condemnation of the wicked, and the final triumph of the righteous with their Lord and King. These are the subjects here presented to our meditations. We are instructed how to conceive of them aright, and to express the different affections which, when so

VOL. I.

B

« EelmineJätka »