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COLLECTION OF PURITAN AND ENGLISH THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE

I

LIBRARY OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY

■■■Ill

A

SERMON,

ON THE DEATH OF

r

J*t9 H N II O W A R D, Esq^.

[PRICE ONE SHILLING.]

SERMON,

OCCASIONED BY THE DECEASE OF

JOHN HOWARD, Esq^

PRE A CHIP IN

LITTLE WILD-STREET.

K E A R

LINCOLN' S-INN-FIELDS, March 21, 1790.

By SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR T. CADELL, STRAND 5 C. DILLY, POULTRY i

R. BISHOP, NEWPORT-STREET, LEICESTER-FIELDS j

AND T. KNOTT, LOMBARD-STREET.

M.DCC.XC.

TO THE

CHURCH and CONGREGATION

ASSEMBLING IN LITTLE WILD-STREET, NEAR LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS,

THE FOLLOWING SERMON,

PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

IS,

WITH GREAT RESPECT,

INSCRIBED,

BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE

AND OBLIGED

HUMBLE SERVANT,

The AUTHOR.

Muswell-Hjll, April 5, 1790.

SERMON, &>c.

kk9

Acts x. 38. ■—who went about doing good — -

IT is a fad providence that directs my at- tention to thefe words — words fodefcriptive of the character to which I mean to accom- modate them, that the name of Howard fcarce need be mentioned to inform you whom I intend. To raife a monument to his me- mory is not my objeft. It does not require it, nor am I equal to the fervice. The obli- gations however I owe to his friendship and your edification, will not allow me to be filent. His benevolent regards to this Chriftian So- ciety; his regular attendance with us for

B manv

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many years paft, as opportunity permitted ; the fatisfadlion he expreffed in the word here preached -, and the particular mare I had in his affectionate efteem, are all considerations which will I hope fecure me from the im- putation of vanity, in thus taking notice of fo public a character.

The words of our text were fpoken by the Apoftle Peter to Cornelius, of our Lord Jesus Christ. " God anointed him with " the Holy Ghoft, and with power, fo that " he went about doing good, and healing all " that were opprefled of the Devil : for God " was with him/' The two particulars I mean to illuftrate and improve, are,

I. His Bufinefs, which was " doing good;" and

II. The Diligence with which he purfued it — " He went about'' doing good.

I. His Bufinefs. It was " doing good.

ft

He was a " Benefactor'7 to mankind. A title affumed by one of the Egyptian Kings, how juftly I will not enquire. But whatever good

offices

[ 3 1

offices a Ptolemy Euergetes might perform, his character is not to be mentioned at the fame time with that of our Lord Jefus Chrift. He is indeed Jesus the Benefactor. Not to (beak here of the grand object of his appearance in oar world, the offering his life a facrifice of fin : how benevolently was he employed during his pilgrimage on earth ! u He went about doing good" — good, both to the Souls and the Bodies of men. To the latter indeed our text principally refers. And though it in- stances only one fpecies of good he did, that of " healing them who were oppreffed of the Devil ;" yet the phrafe itielf comprehends all pollible ways of being beneficial to mankind. And the inftance here mentioned plainly inti- mates, as feme have obferved, that he who took fuch pains to refcue the bodies of men from the power and pofTeflion of the devil, would not fuffer their fouls to remain under his dominion. He <c did good" then both to their Souls and their Bodies,

First, To their Souls.

This he did by his public preaching, and his private inftrudtions. He fet himfelf to oppofe the paffions of depraved nature, and

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the prejudices arifing from the ignorance and fuperftition of the times. He laid the axe to the root of the tree, and refolutely com- bated the abfurd and dangerous principles of the Scribes and Pharifees, who fat in Mofes's feat, and lorded it over the confciences of men. He (hewed the fallacy of their reafon- ings, and the evil tendency of their doctrines. And knowing the fecrets of their hearts, he warned men to beware of their hypocrify, affirming that they -were " blind leaders of the blind *." And while he thus attacked the prevailing errors of the times, which had confirmed men in ignorance and fin, he failed not to give them juft apprehenfions of God, his Law, the Sou/, the Way of life and fa/- vation, Religion, and a Future fate.

The character of the bleffed God he placed in its true light, by afcribing to him the perfections of wifdom, juftice, holinefs, good- nefs, and truth ; and by drawing out the lively expreffions thereof in his own pure and perfect example. •

The divine Law he refcued from thofe falfe glories and abfurd interpretations, which had been impofed upon it by wicked and defigning

* Matt. x\'. 14.

men;

[ 5 ]

men ; giving its true and genuine fenfe, and explaining its fpirituality, extent, andauthority.

The Soul he affirmed to be immortal : and whilft he afferted its dignity, importance, and amenablenefs at the divine tribunal, gave a ftriking picture of the fad ftate to which it is reduced by fin ; laying open the ignorance, pride, paffion, and iniquity of the human heart, and infifting on the neceliityof a moral change, or of the " New-birth *f"

All haughty pretences to merit he treated with fovereign contempt, teaching men that he alone was " the Mediator between God and them -j-," that " none could come to God with acceptance but by him J," and that " they only who believed on him, the Saviour of the World, fliould have life through him §."

Thenatureof Perfonnl Religion he explained, and the obligations of Chriftians to it he en- forced by the nobleft motives. The bleffings of a peaceful confcience, and the pleafures remit- ing from a hope of the divine favour, he let in the moft engaging light. And while he recom- mended the virtues of humility, faith, and benevolence, with their genuine fruits, he

* Johniii.'3. t i Tim. ii.5. + John xiv, 6. § John ill - 36.

B 3 pointed

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pointed to the Bleffed Spirit as the Author of thefe heavenly gifts, and directed his followers to look for them as the effect of his influence.

To qrown all, he gave the mofl plealing and animated defcriptions of the felicity and glory of heaven, and the ftrongeft affurances of its certainty and everlafting duration. — Such was the doctrine our Saviour taught, ever accompanied with the cleareft reafoning, the moit forcible arguments, and the warmeft per fua lions.

Itisalfo ohfervable of his inftructions, that they were fo conducted as to the feafpn, man- ner, and other circumftances of them, as beft to attain the end he had always in view of " doing good." He taught both publicly and privately, at home and abroad, in the temple and the iynagogues, in the city and the defart. He took occaiionfrom the com- mon occurrences of life to engage die atten- tion of men to the great truths of religion, and to fix a deep impreffion of their importance upon their hearts. He addrelfed himfelf to the different characters, paflions, and con- ditions of his hearers. The ignorant he taught with gentlenefs and forbearance, pity- ing

{ 7 J

ing their prejudices, and condescending to their weakneiTes. The diftreffed he comforted, like a companionate phylician, healing the brokenhearted, and pouring oil and wine into the wounds of the bleeding confcience, The proud and felf-confident oppofer he reproved with feafonable freedom, and juft fe verity. Nor would the peculiar affection he bare to his own difciples, fuffer him to foothe their irregular paflions, or palliate their criminal miftakes. As occaiion was, he reprehended or he pitied them, he exhorted or he com- forted them, he cenfured or he applauded them. And his inftrudcions he cloathed with fuch language, figures, and parables ; and uttered them with fuch a voice and gefture, as were beft adapted to convey them with clearnefs and energy to the mind and con- fcience.— Thus did our divine Saviour, in every poffible v/ay, ferve the interefts of the immortal fouls of men* Which leads me to fpeak,

Q

econdly, Of his " doing good" to their

Bodies.

Their temporal .in terefts, every fpecies of which I include in this phrafe, were an obje£t

B 4 he

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he did not deem unworthy of his attention. As he was not himfelf a ftranger to poverty and affiiftion, fo neither was he inieniible of the miferies of others. So far from it, that he is faid to have " borne their griefs and carried their forrows * :'; and " he came not to be miniftered to, but to minifter -j»/J

How much he was concerned for the civil interefts of his native country, appears from the tears he fried over jerufalem, while he looked forward to the dreadful calamities that were coming upon it. The offices too of private friendfLip he performed with the greateft chearfulnefs, as is evident from the provident care he took of his difciples, whom he confidered as his family, and the affectionate farewel he gave them at iaft. And of the good he did to individuals of every rank and condition where he came, the inftances are innumerable.

He was himfelf poor, and fo had little of this world's good to diftribute to the needy. Yet what he had he freely communicated to

* Ifa. liii. 4. t Matt. xx. 28,

them 4

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them; and the widow, the orphan, and the ftranger all fhared of his bounty. Having no other way to provide for a large multitude that followed him into the wildernefs, and were almoft fpent with hunger, he miracu- lously multiplied a few fmall loaves and fifhes, and fo kindly fupplied the cravings of animal nature #, The fick he healed, The cries of tender parents for their children, of mailers for their fervants, of the humane ior their afflicted friends and neighbours, he heard and anfwered. He gave eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and feet to the lame. The hungry he fed, and the naked he cloathcd. Little children received his benediction, and " the bleffing of thoufands that were ready to perifh came upon him *f%,: By his prefence, houfes hung round with forrow and mourning, were rnade chearful and happy. The widow of Nain, through his tender compafnon, had her only fon reftored to life, and given back to her embraces J; and Martha and Mary their be- loved brother Lazarus §,

* John vi. 5 — 14, f Job xxix. 13. t Lukevii. 11 — 17. (j John xi. 1 — 46.

In

±n fhort, every place he vifited had fome monument of gratitude to raife to his libe- rality. And his difciples long after, well remembered what he was ufed to fay, with heart-felt pleafure and delight, " It is better to give than receive *." The favorite maxim this by which he governed his life, and which he found means to prac- tife amidft all the poverty and mifery he en- dured.— Thus have we taken a general view of " the good he did both to the Bodies and Souls of men." — And now let us fee,

II. With what attention and diligence he pet formed this the great bufinefs of his life. — " He went about" doing good.

Such was his conftant, unwearied, and moil delightful employment. He coniidered it as his proper work, juft as men do the follow- ing their feveral trades and occupations of life. — So he calls it " his Father's bufinefs." " Wot ye not that I was about my Father's bufinefs -fr" — And " the work which was given him to dot." To do the will of God was " his meat and drink § ;" as natural to him,

* Ads xx. 3 r . + Luke ii. 49. J John xvii. 4.

5 John iv. 34»

as

[ « ]

as it is to men in common to gratify their fenfes. And that it was thus his object will appear, if you confider thefe three things, manifeftly included in the expreilion of "going about" to do good,— the Wide Extent of his labors — the Pains which of neceflity mult attend his work— and his Perfeverance therein.

First, As to the Wide Extent of his la- bors.

He did not move in a narrow fphere. His aim of doing good was not confined to his own proper family, to his neighbourhood, to the town where he lived, or to the villages round about it, no nor to Judaea itfelf. It was not confined to his immediate difciples, or to his own party, as they were perhaps called ; no nor to the Jews themfelves. He did good to all forts of men, high and lew, rich and poor, young and old, perfons of every defcription. "He went about" doing good. He did not flay at home, and receive all that came to him, as Paul was obliged to do at Rome, in his own hired houfe. But he went abroad, went wherefoever he wras fent for, or where

there

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there was any proipect of doing good. Some- times he is feen in the city, and fometimes in the wildernefs ; fometimes in the towns and villages, and fometimes in the fields and by the way-fide : now in Galilee, then in Judaea.

Secondly. The Pains and Fatigues too attending his work were very great.

His conftitution was probably as tender, and as fufceptible of languor and wearinefs as that of the moft delicate. This however was no temptation to him to floth and indulgence. Urged by a vehement defire of doing good, he is forgetful of himfelf, and indifferent to thofe precautions which would be generally thought prudent. Hunger, thirft, and cold, he willingly fuffers to accomplifh his defigns. Hazardous and fatiguing journeys he takes to compafs the ends of his miniftry. Some- times we fee him fitting on the fide of a well, and afking a little water to quench his thirft*. And again, entering a village where the in- hofpitable inhabitants refufe him any enter- tainment. " The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nefts : but the Son of man

* John iv. 6, 7.

hath

[ *3 I

hath not where to lay his head *," yet none of thefe things difcourage him.

Nor does his love of folitude, which muft have been peculiarly grateful to him who had in himfelf fuch fources of divine entertain- ment, divert him from his grand object. If he may but do good he is content to live in a croud. Nor is he difcouraged by the oppo- sition he meets with. Nothing is fo great a trial to a good man, as to be traduced for a defigning hypocrite, and reprefented as aiming at popularity, or fomething worfe. So our Lord was treated. Yet this cruel treatment does not provoke him to defift from his at- tempts to do good; no nor the bafe ingra- titude of many who received favours at his indulgent hands. — Once more,

Thirdly. The phrafe intimates his Con- jlancy and Perfevera?zce in this his delightful employment.

He did not in one or two inftances only do good. He did not upon a few occafions only exert himfelf for the good of his family, his

* Matt. viii. 20.

neigh-

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neighbourhood, his friends, or his country. It was not in his early days only that he was thus employed, or when incited to duty by fome fair opportunity that offered. To do eood was the buiinefs of his whole life. At twelve years of age he was doing good in the temple *, and the very la ft- day of his life he was employed in the fame work. His zeal never abated, nor did his buiinefs fuffer any the leaft intermiffion. " I have finifhed the work/3 fays he when he came to die, " which thou ggtveft me to do -f."

Thus have you the out-lines of our Saviour's moftperfed and amiable character — a character which never was or can be equalled. " He went about doing good/' and acquitted himfelf with entire fatisfadion to his divine Father, and the requifitions of his holy law.

Let us now coniider the Inftrudion which this pleafing fubjed affords.

First. This view of our Saviour's cha- rader lhoukt excite in our breafts the warmeft

* Luke ii. 96. t John xvii. 4.

love

[ *S I

love to him, and the firmefl confidence in him.

Can we have fo fair a pattern before our eves without beins; enamoured with it? efpecially when we reflect that to this zeal and diligence of his we owe our hope of ever- lafHng life. It was not only in obedience to his Father's commands, but to gratify his own ardent defires for our welfare, as well as that of his immediate difciples, that he thus wxnt about doing good. From his toils and la- bours we derive bleffings of infinite value. He has by thefe means laid open to our view the immeafurable grace and compaffion of his heart; given us the moll ftriking idea of the divine character ; provided effectually for our forgivenefs, acceptance, and falvation • and fet us an example the moft engaging — the moil animating. Behold the Son of God thus <c going about doing good," thus providing for the happinefs of myriads of rational creatures, and fecuring to them joys the moft refined and that know no end. And then fay, Whether he is not worthy of our highefl love and moil chearful obedience. — Nor can there remain

the

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the leaft ground to fufpeft either his €< dbi* lity9 or his willingnefs > to fave them to the ut- termoft that come unto God by him*/' after his having given fuch proofs of the perfection of his character, and the benevolence of his heart.

Secondly. In this mirrotir of our Savi- our's example we have a clear and humbling view of our own defects. His pattern juftly upbraids the fin and folly of all. " He went about doing good."

•

But ah ! how many are there, on the con- trary, who go about doing evil ? like their father the devil, " who, as a roaring lion, walketh about feeking whom he may de- vour f." — Doing evil to God, trampling under foot his righteous law, and cafting contempt upon the gracious propofals of his gofpel. Doing evil to their fellow-crea- tures, to their reputation, fubftance, and per- fons. And doing evil to themfelves, laying violent hands on their immortal fouls, " mak- ing a mock at fin %" and " cafting about

* Heb. vii. 25. t 1 Pet. v. 8. J Prov. xiv. 9.

1 fire-

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fire-brands, arrows, and death, faying they are in fport*." — And not only do evil, but " go about" to do evil; confider it their bufinefs, " make pravifion for the flefh to fulfil the lufts thereof "j-j" and " not only do thefe things," but, as the apoftle expreffes it, " have pleafure in thofe that do them J." How deplorable thefe characters !

Others there are who think it enough if they abftain from grofs fins, and doing no one any harm, take it for granted they may be excufed doing any good. But fuch men, while fheltering themfelves under the fond notion of innocence, aft in diredl oppofition to their own reafon ; fince the fame law that requires them to abftain from vice, requires them alfo to do good. To men of this character I would fay, — Behold, I befeech you, in the mirrour of the Saviour's life, your own lamentable defects; and fo be convinced of the neceffity, on the one hand, of that provifion he has made for the pardon and acceptance of the penitent finner; and on the other, of new views, difpofitions, and

* Prov. xxvi. j 8, 19. f Rom. xiii. 14.. % Rom. i. 32.

C affwdtions

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affections to conftitute you his difciples, and engage you to the imitation of his example.

Others indeed are fenfible, in a degree at leaft, of their obligations not only to preferve fober characters, but alfo td^do good : yet, alas ! while faintly attempting it, they con- fidently build their hopes on their fuppofed merit. They go about, or rather feem to go about, doing good, and therefore think they have a claim to the rewards of heaven, on the ground of ftrict equity. But let fuch men compare their works with thofe of Chrift, and they will fee fuch deficiencies in them, as muft, unlefs extravagant ftupidity prevent, ftrike them dumb in the prefence of a Being who is omnifcient and all-perfect. — Again,

Another deception, no lefs fatal, is that of thofe who, wholly taken up with fpeculations in religion, and furioufly zealous in their con- tention for the faith; are perfectly indifferent to the great bufinefs of imitating the example of Chrift. But what evidence does that man give of the genuinenefs of his faith, who acts as if he thought his zeal was to excufe him from offices of love and obedience; and as if, becaufe 2 he

[ *9 ]

he ferved the king in his wars, as fome one exprefles it, he is to be exempted from taxes ? A due consideration of the life of Chrift, every where propofed for our imitation, would -make fuch pe-rfons aftumed of their preten- fions to religion. — Once more,

While we thus behold our divine Matter ever employed in doing good, the very beft of us ft and reproved for our many failures in duty. Alas ! how little good have we done ! how little for the glory of God ! the honour of Chrift! and the real welfare of our fellow-creatures ! Let lis therefore be deeply humbled at the feet of divine Mercy, look by faith to the crofs of Chrift, and fhed penitential tears there for our ingratitude and diiingenuity. And let us,

Thirdly. Be perfuaded to the imitation of his moft excellent example.

To do good is thenobleft employment we can be engaged in : nor is there a Chriftian living who has it not in his power to do good. If then we have abilities, though but in the fmalleft de- gree, for inftrucling others, let us chearfully ufe them to that end. " Let him that hath

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the gift of teaching, wait on teaching ; or of exhorting, on exhortation *." Be our ftations in life what they may, whether public or private, let us cherifh in our bofoms the amiable graces of humility, meeknefs, con- tentment, and benevolence; and by the genuine expreffions of thofe graces in our lives, allure others to the imitation of our example, and fo do them good. Particular! y by ads of charity, if bleffed with wealth, let us diffufe happinefs among the poor, and animate thofe of the fame rank with ourfelves to the like kind offices. Let us feed the hungry, cloath the naked, vifit the lick, and take under our patronage the oppreffed and the friendlefs, the widow and the orphan. And to our en- deavours for the good of others, let us add our fervent prayers to God for his blemng. Thus let us become the friends and benefactors of mankind.

To animate us to our duty, let it be re- membered, that while we are doing good, we are imitating the example of the bleflcd God. " He is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works -j-." O how various,

* Rona. xii. 7, 8. t Pfal. cxlv. 9.

how

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how numerous, how prodigious are the ex- preffions of his bounty ! And how great muft the honour be to refemble him, the beft of all Beings ! " Be ye therefore followers of God, brethren, as dear children *."

By doing good we imitate the example of Chrift, And when to the dignity of his character, we add the obligations we owe to his friendihip in dying for us, how powerful, how irrefiftible is the motive to do as he did ! O think, Chriftian, on the one hand, of the immenfe value of your foul, the miferies to which your guilt had expofed you, and the glory to which you ftand entitled in heaven; and think, on the other, of the painful fer- vices your divine Saviour performed, and the bitter furferings he endured, to redeem you from death and hell, and to make you the heir of immortal blifs : think of all this, and then fay, Whether you are not bound by every pof- fible obligation to imitate the example of fuch a Friend ?

There is alfo the higheft pleafure, to a renewed mind, in this God-like employ-

* Ephef. v. r.

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ment of doing good. Is he a happy man whole only object is, to guard again ft tem- poral evils and to gratify his animal appe- tites ? O ! no. Rightly inftrufted in our relation to God and one another, the noble ft fenfations we can poilibly feel, are thofe which arife from a perfuaiion of his favour, and the recollection of having; contributed to the happinefs of our fellow-creatures. How earneftly did the apoftle exhort the Ephefians to remember the words of Chrift ! " how he faid, it is more blcffed to give than to re-

ceive *.

Let me add the animating confideration of the infinitely glorious rewards of a future ftate. Yes, Chriftian, the blefied Jefus, who him- felf went about doing good, will not fail, on the great day of account, to acknowledge your fervices performed in obedience to his com- mands, and from a grateful fenfe of your ob- ligations to his grace. With what ufrUtter*- able joy will you hear him fay, in the prefence of angels and men ! " I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat : I was thirfty, and ye gave me drink : I was a ftranger, and ye took me in :

* Ads xx. 35.

naked,

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naked, and ye clothed me : I was lick, and ye vifited me : I was in prifon, and ye came unto me *." " Well done, good and faithful fer- vant ! enter thou into the joy of the Lord -j-;"

But there is one further confideration to animate us to our duty, and that is, the example of men eminent for their benevo- lence and piety. Such an example I have now to hold up to your view. A pattern which is not, indeed, to be copied, in many particulars of it, as few have ability and op- portunity for the exertions of fo diftinguifhed a character. The confideration of it may, however, have a happy effect to engage us, in our little circles, to put out all our ftrength in the fervice of God and our fellow- creatures.

Permit me then to give youfome general ac- count of this extraordinary man, and then relate a few hiftorical facts concerning him, which wrill eflablifh what has been faid of his cha- racter, and make impreiTions on our minds fuited to the prefent occafion.

* Matth. xxv. 35 — 39. + Matth. xxv. 21.

' C 4 I (hall

[ 24 ] I fhall not take up your time with the particulars of his birth, education, and for- tune. The advantages of this kind with which Providence indulged him, and of which he was truly fenfible, were, of trifling con- fideration, when brought into view with thofe perfonal endowments, natural and religious, by which he was diftinguifhed from moft other characters.

He poffefled a clear underftanding and a found judgment, which were enriched and improved by a variety of ufeful knowledge. And as he had a tafle for polite literature, fo he was well verfed in moft of the modern languages, which he took no fmall pains to acquire, that he might be the better enabled to carry his benevolent purpofes into effect. He had a juft idea of the civil and religious rights of mankind, accompanied with a true fenfe of the worth, importance, and dignity of man as a reafonable, focial, and immortal crea- ture. And as no man had a more extenfive knowledge of the world than he, having con- verfed with perfonages of the firft rank in life, and with thofe in the meaneft ftationsj with characters eminent for virtue and piety, and

the

[ *5 ]

the mofl abandoned and wretched ; fo no man was more fully perfuaded than he of the univerfal depravity of human nature. With the difcernment both of a Philofopher and a Chriftian he entered into the principles, maxims, and views of men of all ranks and conditions of life ; and knew how to apply the knowledge he thus acquired to the moft important purpofes.

His moral endowments wrere perhaps more extraordinary than thofe juft mentioned. Here he ihone with diftinguifhed luftre. The two virtues of Fortitude and Humanity were the prominent features in his countenance. Nor could his modefty conceal them from the public eye, no not from the view of all Europe. They were interwoven with his nature, and always acted in unifon with each other.

Such was the Firmnefs of bis Mind that no danger could deter him from his duty — not the painful fatigues of long and hazardous journies — not the perils of feas infefted with mercilefs barbarians — not the loathfome in- fection of dungeons — not the dread of affaffi- nation bv the hands of mifcreants, who draw

their

[ 26 ]

their gains from the vitals of thofe committed to their cuftody — nor the apprehenfion of the plague in a fhip with a foul bill, and in the confinement of a Lazaretto — no danger how- ever formidable could (hake his refolution. '{ Having made up his mind to his duty/' as he told me when expreffing my apprehen lions for his fafety, " he thrufted all confequences " from his view, and was refolved to follow " wherever Providence led.'1 And in a letter I received from him, when juft embarking on a dangerous ocean, with the profpect before him of performing a forty-two days quaran- taine, he thus expreffes himfelf, " I blefs God, €* my calm fpirits and jleady refolution have not " yet forfaken me"

He was fuperior too to the frowns and the contempt of the envious and the avaricious, who reprefented hirn as petulantly officious, or extravagantly infane. Difappointments he did meet with, and obftrudtions were thrown in the way of fome of his benevolent plans. But none of thefe things moved him. And more than one inftance I might mention of his afferting the caufe of the oppreffed, in the face of a kind of oppofition which would makemoft men tremble. — Nor on the other hand, could

the

[ 27 ]

the Sir en -long of eafe, indulgence, and plea- fure, prevail on him when on the career of duty and danger, in the leaft to relax his painful exertions.

u Firm to the mall with chains himfelf he bound, " Nor trufted virtue to th' enchanting found."

With this Roman fortitude was united un- common Humanity. He felt for the miferies of mankind in general. He felt for the miferies of the opprelTed. Yea, he felt for the miferies of the guilty, for he well remembered that we are all guilty before God. Their diftrefies exifted not in his imagination only, they were realized to his eye, his ear, his touch. As the Poet exprefles it, when fpeaking of him,

<; He quitted biifs that rural fcenes beftow,

iC To feek a nobler amidlt fcenes of woe,

u To traverfe feas, range kingdoms, and bring home

" Not the proud monuments of Greece cr Rome,

" But knowledge fuch as only dungeons teach,

" And only lympathy like his cou'd reach."

The number of prifons he viiited, at the hazard of his health and life, it would be difficult to collect. Nor did he flop at the iron-gate of the moil: gloomy dungeon. He entered thofe dreary man lions of filence and darknefs, and, in fome inftances, of cruel

oppreffion ;

[ 28 J

oppreflion ; poured tears of commiferation on the wretched inhabitant ; and with his own hand miniftered affiftance, while his heart was meditating plans of more general and effectual relief. " 'The impreffions* lays he, which thefe " fcenes of mifery made on my mind y no length of " time can efface." It may therefore eafiiy be imagined that, with a fenfibility peculiar to himfelf, he affixed that expreffive motto to his Book,

" Ah ! little think the gay

" Whom pleafurc, power, and affluence furround, ** How many pine in want and dungeon-glooms ; u Shut from the common air." Thomson.

Here I might paint, but I mail rather leave it to you to imagine, the extatic joy which many groaning under oppreffion felt, at ftarting into life and happinefs, through the interpo- lation of this tlieir generous Patron ; and the gratitude too, which even thole who juftly fuffered imprifonment felt, for the alleviation of their miferies by his kind offices.

His Di/interejtednefs alfo in thefe exertions for the good of mankind, is deferving of our particular notice. For befides the conlidera- tion of the fatigues he endured, the dangers to which he expofed his perfon, and the ex- pence

t 29 ]

pence of various kinds he incurred, he well knew the reports he made to the public would afford difguft rather than entertainment, and fo be read and regarded by few. He writ therefore not for the amufement of the curious, and could expert no applaufe from the un- feeling. Indeed his objed; was the informa- tion of Legiflature, of whom he fought, and from whom, to his great fatisfaftion, he ob- tained the redrefs of many evils he complained of. €t As nothing , fays he, but a confcionfnefs " of duty could have enabled me to go through " all the dif agreeable fcenes which lay in my " way, fo I had the happinefs of being placed ** out of the reach of other incitements J'

There is one more trait in his character which muft not be overlooked, and that is his Temperance, Such a maflery he obtained over himfelf that a little food, and that chiefly of the vegetable kind, fatisfied the demands of nature -y and with one night's reft out of three he could, for a long courfe of time, purfue his journies. No conlideration could prevail on him to partake of the luxuries of the moft elegant table, or to allow himfelf more reft than was abfolutely neceffary. Nor yet was he influenced, in this kind of difcipline

he

[ 3° J he obftrved, by cynical aufterity. Pie found this mode of living moll: agreeable to his con- ftitution,and bell qualified him for thofe active exertions which were the pleafure of his life.

Such were the moral endowments of this extraordinarv man — fuch his Fortitude, his Hu- ?nanity> his T)ijinterejle chiefs y and temperance. — I go on now to fpeak of his religious character.

He was a firm believer of divine Revela- tion. Nor was he alhamed of thofe truths he heard Hated, explained, and enforced in this place. He had made up his mind, as he faid, upon his religious fentiments, and was not to be moved from his ftedfaftnefs by novel opinions obtruded on the world. Nor did he content himfelf with a bare profeffion of thefe divine truths. He entered into the fpirit of the gofpel, felt its power, and tailed its fweetnefs. You know, my friends, with what ferioufnefs and devotion he attended, for a long courfe of years, on the worlhip of God among us. It would be fcarce decent for me to repeat the affectionate things he fays, in a letter writ me from a remote part of the world, reflecting the iatislaction and pleafure he had felt in the religious exercifes

of

t> 3

of this place. I fhall however be excufed, if I juft obferve, that his hours of religious retirement, whether on land or at fea, were employed in reviewing the notes he had taken of fermons delivered here. And " tbefe, adds " he, are my Jongs in the htinfe of my pilgrimage \ " Ohy Sir, bow many fab baths have I ardently ' ' longed to fpend in Wild-free t ! — God in Cbriji u is my Rock, the portion of my Soul J1

His Candour, as might naturally be ex- pected in a man of his exemplary piety, was great. As he fteadily adhered to his religious principles, fo he abhorred bigotry. Having met with difficulties in his enquiries after truth, he knew how to make allowance for thofe who met with the fame.

His a£ts of Charity to the poor were nu- merous. "For though he was not oflentatious, yet many of them could not be concealed. Providence bleffed him with affluence ; but all who knew him, know that nothing was more oppofite to his difpoiition than the heaping up wealth. His treafure was laid up in heaven. His neighbourhood in Bedford- fhire will bear witnefs to his gene'cfity ; and many a poor family there will, I doubt not,

feci

feel deeply for the lofs of fo kind a Friend, Nor were his charities confined to the circle of his own manfion. " He went about," like his divine Matter, " doing good/' Companion excited, prudence guided, and obligingnefs accompanied his benefactions. He well re- membered what the benevolent Jefus was ufed to fay when on earth, " It is more bleffed to give than to receive." Few who fought his affiftance were refufed, and many obtained it without feeking it. The advance- ment of the interefts of truth and religion, was an object in his view mod important. To the erecting of many a place of worfhip did he liberally contribute. And with what chearfulnefs he affifted in the building this Houfe you need not be told. " He accounted " it an honour, he faid, to join his name with " yours "

Good men of every denomination he affec- tionately loved. And while with a manly firmnefs he afferted and maintained his own religious fentiments, agreeably to the fenfe he felt of their importance ; he was a good deal hurt at every approach, in his apprehenfion, towards a little, narrow, contracted ipirit in matters of religion. Yet he was a Dijfenter 9 from

[ 33 ] from the Eftablifhed Church on principle. Nor was he aihamed to have it known to all the world that this was his proferhon. He well underflood the grounds of his Diffent, nor could he on any confideration think it his duty to take the facramental teft as a quali- fication, either for enjoying any place of honour and emolument, or ferving any burden- fome office in the ftate. Called upon, how- ever, to the latter, he did not avail himfelf of this juft excufe for declining the fervice^ but refolutely undertook it, at the hazard of incurring enormous pains and penalties, from which nothing but a bill of indemnity could fecure him.

Such was the Character of this excellent man. " He went about doing good.'3 The life of Chrift was the original, his the copy. How nearly the latter refembled the former you will judge from what has been faid. Nor am I afraid you will charge the account given of him with exaggeration. His character was a very extraordinary one. It was how- ever, not without its imperfections : nor fhould I do him juftice were I to omit adding that he was himfelf deeply fenfible of thofe imperfections.

D X It

[ 34 ]

It remains that I mention a few hiftorical facts, which will ferve to throw a further light upon the character we have drawn, and confirm the truth of what hath been faid.

In the year 1773 he was called upon to ferve the office of Sheriff for the county of Bedford. The prifons, of courfe, failing under his infpection and management, he became acquainted with fuch dlforders and abufes, as failed not to excite his companionate concern. He confidered that prifons, houfes of correction excepted, were not meant for punifhment but confinement. No man is in the eye of the law guilty, till legally tried and convicted. He therefore rightly con- cluded that to fubject a perfon in this ftate to any inconvenience, more than the neceffary one of confinement, is unjuft; and to fuffer him, when acquitted, to be loaded with ex- orbitant fees, is cruel oppremon.

The utmoft pains therefore he immediately took to effect a reform in the goals under his own cuftody. This naturally led to the idea, that what had happened in his own County, might have happened alfo in other Counties.

He

[ 35 3

He therefore refolved to vifit the prifons of neighbouring Shires. This he did, and his fears being realized by the miferable fcenes his eyes beheld, he extended his progrefs further, and vifited the whole kingdom. The information thus obtained, and which was committed accurately to writing, he imme- diately applied to the object he had in view.

In the year 1774 he was examined upon this fubject before the Houfe of Commons, when he had the honour of their thanks. And foon after a Eill was brought in te for the Relief of prifoners who mould be acquitted — refpecting their fees ;" and another Bill " for preferving the health of Prifoners, and preventing the Goal-diftemper/' Thefe two Acts which paffed that Seffion, he had printed in a different character, and fent them to the keeper of every County-Goal in England. By thofe ABs, as he obferves, the tear was wiped from many an eye ; and the Legiflature had for them " the blefjings of many that were ready to perifo" Thus had a Howard the honour of pouring confolation into the afflicted breaft ; and through him it might be faid, i( God looked down from the height of his

D 2 fanctuary

[ 36 ]

ianctuary, to hear the groaning of the prifoner, to loofe thofe that were appointed to death *.."

His views, upon this fuccefs, wrere quicklv enlarged. He refolved to vifit the prifons in foreign countries, not only to obtain relief for the oppreffed, and a mitigation of miferies to the diftreffed wherever he found them ; but to procure fuch new information, as might be necefiary to forward the reforms he had in contemplation at home. His vifits were re- peated, and fcarce a kingdom was there in Europe which he did not traverfe.

He then extended his views ftill further, and refolved to collecl: the rules, orders, and drafts of the principal Lazarettos in Europe, with the medical treatment of patients in the plague ; in hopes by thefe means to fet on foot fuch regulations, and bring forward fuch meafures as, with the bleffing of God, might prevent the future return of that calamity to this country. So he travelled into Turkey, and vifited himfelf one, if not more, who was actually in that dreadful diforder, the

* Pf. cii. 1 8, 19.

diftant

[ 37 3

diftant apprehenfion of which has made many a countenance turn pale.

To give you only a general account of his well-laid plans, for alleviating the miferies of the poor, for flopping the progrefs of vice, for promoting induftry and virtue, and for preventing the importation and fpread of in- fectious difeafes, would carry me too far. I muft therefore only add, that fuccefs has al- ready, in a degree, attended his endeavours. And it is to be hoped, that fuch a fuperftruc- ture will, in time, be raifed on the foundation he has laid, as will be of the greatcft utility to this country ; and which, fhould he have ac- cefs to the knowledge of it in the world above, would, I am perfwaded, add to the joy his benevolent heart there feels.

We have hinted before at the painful fa- tigues he endured, the great expence he in- curred, and the imminent dangers to which he expofed himfelf in thus going about to do good; and on this fubjedt I meant further to enlarge, but muft deny myfelf this fatisfadion, left I fhould trefpafs on your patience.

The

[ 38 ]

The attention which was paid to him by the principal Perfonages in Europe, and which he was fo far from courting, that, in fome inftances, he abfolutely declined it; I fay, this extraordinary attention of theirs, with the peculiar circumftances that accompanied it, fhews in what high eflimation his character flood with the Public. Indeed, his modefly muft not be paffed over without particular •notice. His reply to one of the principal officers of ftate in a great kingdom, upon being told that, however he would not fuf- fer a ftatue to be erected to him in his own country, a ftatue would in the prifons of that; I fay, his reply was memorable, and marks the character of the man. " / have " no objection, faid he, to its being erected where it flail be invijible" And in a letter he fent me from Turkey, fpeaking of this hajly mea- fure, as he calls it, and his wijh that it might be flopped, he adds, " Alas! our bejl performances " have fuch a mixture of folly and Jin, that " praife is vanity and prefumption, and pain to " a thinking mind"

He fat out on his laft journey the begin- ning of July, 1789. It was to have been of great extent, and to have taken up the

com-

t 39 ]

compafs of about three years. I expoftulated largely with him at parting, on the miftake of fuffering himfelf, through an earneft defire of doing good, to be precipitated beyond the clear line of duty, which might poffibly be fome times the cafe. He feemed to appre- hend he mould fcarce fee this country again, and when laft in this place, faid to a friend near him, " Well! we fhall not perhaps meet one another again till we meet in heaven"

What we feared Providence has permitted. Howard is no more ! He died at Cher Jon *, January the 20th, of a malignant fever, which he caught by humanely vifiting a perfon in that diforder ; to whom he adminiftered the ufual medicine, but without effedl. The fame medicine he took himfelf, which proving too powerful for his conftitution, the fever carried him off in ten days. He had the affiftance of feveral Phyficians ; and great attention was paid him by Prince Potemkin, who not only fent him his own Phyfician, but vifited him himfelf.

* A fettlement of the Emprefs of Rujfia, toward the northern extremity of the Euxine or Black Sea, not far from Oczakc-iv*

Thus

[ 4° '] Thus fell this great and good man a facrifice to humanity. The fad news has touched the hearts of thoufands. His country weeps. Who feels not on this mournful occafion ? It is no weaknefs to feel — to feel, when friendship and benevolence receive fo great a ihock from the mercilefs hand of death.

Submiffion, however, is our duty. May furviving relatives patiently acquiefce in fo very trying a providence ! And let us all endeavour to compofe our minds to this temper, by turning our attention from the lofs we fuftain to the immenfe gain be has acquired. w Blefled are the dead that die in the Lord : they reft from their labours, and their works follow them*. ': Yes, he hath ceafed from his labours, and is now m the perfect enjoyment of that freedom, health, and happinefs he fo benevolently wifhed all mankind to pofTefs :

— his weary foul he bathes

Jn feas of heavenly reft, And not a wave of trouble roils Acrofs his peaceful breaft.

* Rev. xiv. 13.

Glory

[ 4i ]

Glory too is his reward. While the angel of mercy wiped the falling tear from his eye, God, the Judge of all, placed a crown of righteoufnefs on his head. So, with a fatis- faclion unhurt by the pain he had often felt from the applaufe of men, he received the plaudit of his divine Mafter. " Well done, good and faithful fervant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord */' The fentence was heard by the heavenly choir, who inftantly, with one voice, echoed back their loud Amen.

* Matth. xxv. 23.

THE END.

Inthe Prefs, and fpeedily will be publijhed,

S E R M O 'N S,

ON THE

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or THE

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By SAMUEL STENNETT, D.D.

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