THIRDLY, To consider the uses to which the doctrine in our text may be applied.

Many are the changes to which we are all liable in the present life, as hath been just observed. But whatever the revolutions may be which at any time take place in our persons and families, in the church of God and the world, however sudden and unexpected, and with whatever pleasing or alarming consequences they may be attended; the truth held up to our view in this discourse will have a happy effect, if duly regarded, to animate us to our duty, to reconcile us to our troubles, and to inspire us with tranquillity and joy. The aspect it bears to a great variety of cases, which might be profitably insisted on, we have not time particularly to consider. We shall therefore confine ourselves to the two objects which the inspired writer seems to have had chiefly in view.

1. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines a. Many there were of this description in the primitive age of Christianity, such there have been in every age since, and such there are in the present times. If you ask me what these divers and strange doctrines are? instead of entering into a particular detail of them, I shall content myself with just mentioning certain first principles, which if duly applied, will assist you in determining what they are, and not fail to put you on your guard against them. The doctrines then that vacate and annul those eternal truths on which the authority of Scripture is built;-the doctrines which evidently tend to inflate the mind with pride, conceit, and self-confidence, and to lessen if not destroy our obligations to the duties of piety and benevolence;-the doctrines which are built on such a construction of Scripture, as would not occur to the mind of any plain and honest reader, and for which reason we frequently hear it applauded as the fruit of distinguished wit and penetration; the doctrines whose principal recommendation is their novelty;-in fine, all those doctrines which militate against the proposition in our text, the grand hinge upon which the gospel of Christ turns: all such I cannot but think

a Verse immediately following the text,

strange doctrines, foreign to the Scriptures, and injurious to men's everlasting interests.

Novelty, to which the leading idea in the text stands opposed, cannot surely be applied to the gospel without manifest impropriety, indecency, and I will add, absurdity. Natural science, it is acknowledged, is in a progressive state. New discoveries are continually making. But they who would insinuate that the gospel is a novel business, or at least that a true statement of it is a discovery reserved to the present times, and in the course of things is yet further to be very materially improved; such men do great dishonour to the gospel. It ever was, is, and ever will be the same. And although the modus of many facts, and of some doctrines built thereon by the express authority of Scripture, was never designed to be fully explained in the present life, and therefore it is in vain to look for it to faculties incompetent to such explanation; yet the gospel itself, wonderful as it is, is clearly revealed in the Bible and the very attempt to refine upon it, and make it palatable to the vitiated taste of depraved nature, may well induce a jealousy of the evil we are here guarded against. Let us then, bearing upon our minds this great truth, that Jesus Christ, and of consequence his gospel, is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, see to it that we are not tossed to and fro, not triflingly amused, not vainly puffed up, not incautiously led aside, by divers and strange doctrines. And the best means to this end are, a diligent attention to the word of God, and the having the heart established with grace a.—But it is time I turn your view to the other practical use to which the sublime aphorism in our text is directed, and that is,

2. "A patient acquiescence in the will of God, when the ministers of this blessed gospel are taken from us by death b."

Regard to our own interest, accompanied with an anxious concern for the cause of religion, induces many painful feelings on these occasions. But when we reflect that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and of consequence, that deprived as we may be of eminently useful ministers, neither our interest nor his cause can essentially a Verse after the text. 4 Verse preceding the text,

suffer, for the one he will take effectual care of, and the other shall most certainly prevail, and gloriously triumph over all opposition; when we reflect, I say, on these things, our minds are relieved and comforted, and with cordial submission we say, Let the will of God be done! This is the consolation I wish to offer you, my friends, on this mournful occasion. It is solid consolation, the noblest and indeed the only effectual consolation that can be proposed. May your thoughts dwell on this great truth! May you enter into the spirit of it! So will your countenances assume a cheerful air, and your dejected minds become serene and happy.

But affliction ought to be felt: it cannot otherwise be salutary. It is à debt too we owe the memory of our departed friend, to pour tears over his tomb. The blessed Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, even though he knew his death would be quickly fruitful of the happiest consequences to him, his family, and the interests of religion. To assist your sorrows therefore by calling up to your view the person, countenance, and attitude of our friend; his cliaracter, manner of life, anxieties, and joys; reminding you at every step I take, that Jesus, whom he so affectionately loved and faithfully served, is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; is not only allowable but expedient.

Were I then to describe him to you, standing where I now stand, dispensing to this numerous audience, with heart-felt pleasure and earnestness, that gospel, the sum of which hath now been given you; and then saying, in effect if not in so many words, I know that ye all shall see my face no more; were I thus to present him to your view, you would I am sure, like the Ephesian Christians at Miletus, weep sore, fall on his neck, and kiss him, sorrowing most of all for the words he spake, that you should indeed see his face no more a. But it is not to his person, his diction, his attitude only that I would recal your attention, but chiefly to his character and manner of life. And how glad should I be, pained as I am at my very heart for the loss of so good a man, and so affectionate a friend, had I his pen, his lips, to do that justice to his memory, which

a Acts xx. 25, 37, 38,

some of

you cannot forget he did on a similar occasion to the memory of his honoured father a. We will however attempt it.

Dr. Evans was the son of the Rev. Hugh Evans, many years pastor of this church, and colleague of the venerable Mr. Bernard Foskitt. The son he was of his tender love and fervent prayers. The piety and abilities of that excellent man he inherited, of which he gave early proofs under his parental care and instruction. Of the warm and exemplary devotion with which he took upon him a profession of religion, in the church where I have the honour to preside, it was my happiness to be a witness. Having gone through the usual course of studies in the neighbourhood of London b, with the full approbation of able judges, he soon appeared in the character of a minister, with the hearty good wishes and prayers of the Christian society to which he belonged. His talents, which were highly pleasing and popular, were some time exercised in a congregation in the metropolis c, to the great satisfaction of his judicious friends, who solicited his continuance among them. But at your earnest and affectionate request he returned to Bristol, and after having preached about eight years among you, became colleague with his father in this church. So that he was your minister about thirty-two years d.

At his settlement I had the pleasure of assisting, and proposing to his imitation the example of the apostle Paul, who served the Lord with all humility of mind, and many tears and temptations e.—To serve the Lord, in this Christian society,

a In a Sermon on his decease, entitled "Elisha's Exclamation."

b At the Dissenting Academy at Mile-End, now at Homerton.

c Unicorn-yard, Southwark.

d He married in 1762 Miss Sarah Jeffries, the only daughter of the Rev. Joseph Jeffries of Taunton, Somerset ; whose amiable character endeared her to all who had the happiness of her acquaintance. By her he had five children, three of whom are now surviving. She deceased in 1771. In June 1774 he married Miss Sarah Hazle, the daughter of a very respectable family in Bristol, and now his mournful relict.-In 1789 the Principal and Professors of King's College in the University of Aberdeen conferred on him the degree of Doctor in Divinity.

e Acts xx. 19.

in the seminary over which he presided, and in his extensive connections with the churches, I may venture to affirm was his grand aim, his persevering object.-That he served him with humility is evident, among many other proofs that might be mentioned, from the striking tokens he gave of a disposition, accompanied with the most candid and disinterested friendship, to prefer others before himself. Nor need you be told that his services, ever highly acceptable and edifying to you, were attended with many tears and temptations.

As a pastor he was faithful, laborious, and affectionate. His preaching was evangelical, experimental, and practical. His manner of address was grave but not formal, animated but not affected, commanding but not assuming. And it pleased God to crown the word thus preached with great success, as appears from the present flourishing state of this numerous congregation. Over the affairs of the church he presided with prudence, candour, and steadiness. He rebuked with all longsuffering, exhorted with all simplicity, and with a feeling heart administered comfort to the afflicted.

But his labours, in the pastoral office, were not confined to the house of God and the houses of his friends. Many occasional sermons he published, and other tracts a in defence of the leading truths of the Christian religion. Particular mention should here be made of his late" Discourses on the doctrine of a crucified Saviour," which you received at his hand with so much pleasure, and which he presented you and the world, as a memorial of his firm attachment to that fundamental doctrine of Christianity, the atonement, which he had ever made the grand topic of his ministry. So far was he from being ashamed of the cross of Christ, that he gloried in it; for it had been the power of God to his salvation, and to the increasing joy of his heart.

And yet amidst the zeal he felt for the truth, he knew how to exercise charity towards those from whom he differed. He was no bigot, he could not be such, for he well understood the

a His Address to the serious and candid Professors of Christianity, should here be particularly noticed, as it was so well received: it passed through five editions.