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review of that afflictive dispensation can now never be indulged in by his hearers, without a crowded recollection of his fidelity, vigour, diligence, and piety-that rare assemblage of excellences which distinguished him as a friend, a pastor,

and a Christian.

Thus the great head of the church, while removing his honoured servant to his reward, fixed the seal of perpetuity upon his virtues, and consulted the benefit of his bereaved flock, by making the final impression of his character and his ministrations, the most sacred and the most complete. Hereby his very all has become pregnant with good.

I have made an effort to embody, for the use of others as well as for his own friends, the recollections which are yet fresh and stimulating in the minds of those who knew him; and whatever may be thought of the delineation here presented, or whatever measure of attention it may seem to deserve from the rising ministry, there are none of those he has left behind, whether young or old, that may not derive instruction from his example, and encouragement from his

success.

All who knew him, or who feel interested in the sketch here presented to the public, will at least join the writer in the importunate supplication, that his privileged people may not soon forget the man that had the rule over them, but follow his faith, considering the end of his conversation; and that the emphatic description so judiciously applied to him, may be equally deserved by his esteemed successor, and by all who come after him in the Christian ministry-A BE

LOVED BROTHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER IN THE

LORD+.

Heb. xiii. 7. The text of the Funeral Discourse, by the Rev. A. Douglas. See page 123.

The text of the Funeral Discourse, by the Rev. J. Griffin. See p. 123.

SELECT REMAINS

OF

THE LATE REV. JOHN COOKE,

&c. &c.

SELECT REMAINS, &c.

No. 1.

ON DEATH.

NOTHING wears a more formidable appearance, to many persons, than Death. Several things which precede, others which accompany, and some which follow Death, enhance its awful importance. The philosopher said, "it is the most terrible of all terribles." But to the believer, why should it be so? For,

1. Christ has drawn out its sting. It is no penal evil to a Christian. It cannot hurt.

"Burden'd and groaning then no more

My rescu'd soul shall sing,

As up the shining way I soar,

Death! thou hast lost thy sting."

Perhaps it will be said, that many professed Christians die in selfdelusion, awful insensibility, or in the tortures of despair.

It is granted; because many who profess faith in Christ, are Christians only in name, sentiment and profession; who are deists in heart and practice. "They profess that they know God; but in heart and works deny him."

I know professed Christians who live in adultery, fornication, or uncleanness.

Others who are dishonest extortioners.

A third class, who are habitual liars and slanderers.

A fourth class, who are habitually passionate, resentful and malig

nant.

A fifth class, who are proud of their knowledge, proud of their wealth, proud of their liberality, proud of their orthodoxy and proud of their religion.

They thirst for power, for office, for pre-eminence in religious societies and to whom a faithful minister of the gospel, is considered as Elijah was to Ahab, "a troubler of Israel."

But these men know not "the grace of God in truth;" they are Christians in name, and deists in practice.

These professors of religion, whether in the established church, or in dissenting societies, are the WORST of deists.

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146

Their conduct is the stumbling-block over which many fall into avowed deism; and affords the deist, in principle, a fatal excuse for his infidelity. But I am acquainted with "a peculiar people," who believe the truth of revelation, follow its counsels, obey its commands, imbibe its spirit, enjoy its consolations, triumph in death, and rejoice in the hope of a blessed immortality. For "the righteous hath hope in his death;" while the wicked is forced out of the world-DRIVEN AWAY-IN HIS WICKEDNESS."

He may produce arguments to prove that there is no hell; but he cannot conquer his own FEARS of hell, when death approaches. They endeavour to satisfy other persons that they are sincere and impartial in opposing revealed truth; but cannot satisfy themselves.

Whoever heard a Christian acknowledge in his last moments, he was sorry he was a Christian? What Christian, in that solemn season, does not wish he had believed the truth sooner and more heartily? What Christian does not cry, "Lord, increase my faith!"

And do not the fears, the desires of deists, in dying moments, form an awful contrast to the Christian's experience? Is not the spirit of their language," let me die the death of the righteous?"

A deist, in health, may sneer at the Bible, laugh at those who believe it, use his talents to disprove it; but "in the bands of death he fears, trembles and despairs, and the fear of the wicked shall come upon him!"

2. Death is numbered with the Christian's blessings. "Death is your's." To the Christless only 'tis a curse. To the soul, interested in Christ, and such only, it is a blessing. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." This is no human guess, but "the voice from heaven;" a voice from heaven, where their souls are at rest, said so. They do not return to tell us so; but it is revealed to us for our comfort. To the believer, death's nature is changed; it hides and shelters their bodies in the grave from disease and pain; and, by a stroke, strikes off the soul's fetters, and transmits it to heaven. Is this death? Let Jesus answer! " unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death." Verily, verily, I say John viii. 51. "Never see death? No, surely! An entire separation from all evil, and an instant possession of heaven, in its "fullness of joy," cannot be death. The body, also, God "hides in the grave," Job xiii. 14, from all enemies, pains, and sicknesses, till the great rising day.

3. It is the last enemy: we have many enemies, secret and avowed, against body, name, property, soul, and peace. Should it terrify, nay, should it not transport us with eager wishes to meet with the last of them! Especially, when we are sure of a victory; for "death, the last enemy, shall be destroyed." with and conquered, but completely and eternally destroyed. The Not merely fought victory is sure, and also complete. Nor can he ever rally his forces and make a fresh attack; for not a single trace of his power shall

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