bear, as we now do, the image of the earthy in its corruption and dishonour and weakness; but now thou art gone to thy Father and thy God and thy lifeless clay, sown in its parent earth, shall spring forth at length in thy Saviour's heavenly image of incorruption and power and glory and immortality. Yes, we think we yet see thee lying on thy bed of death, and the Redeemer stooping, as it were from his glory to watch thy departing spirit. He bids thee trust his power and his love. He sustains thee as thou passest through the gloomy valley. Hark! He says to thee, in the moment of dissolution, in the language of the ancient church, Proficiscere, anima Christiana; Go, Christian soul; depart from a land of captivity and temptation, to the glorious mansions which I have prepared for thee from the foundation of the world; Corruptible frame! go, put on incorruption! Dishonourable body, be adorned with glory! Weak and animal nature, assume thy new and spiritual transformation! Thy race is run! Thy conflict is ended! Death has lost its sting: The grave its victory. My sufferings have secured thy pardon. My resurrection, thy glory. Well done, good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord'. Matt. xxv. 23. A SERMO N, OCCASIONED BY THE Death OF THE REVEREND WILLIAM GOODE, M. A. LATE RECTOR OF ST. ANDREW BY THE WARDROBE Sunday Afternoon Lecturer of St. John, Wapping, AND LADY CAMDEN'S TUESDAY EVENING LECTURER AT ST. LAWRENCE JEWRY, CHEAPSIDE. SERMO N, &c. II PETER, i. 13, 14. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. DEATH is always a solemn subject. The transition, from this changing world to an eternal state of happiness or of misery, must ever be deeply interesting. But how much more so when it is connected with circumstances such as those which now call us together. The death of a Minister, who has for a long period of years presided over a large and important parish, is peculiarly affecting, both as it respects the tender bonds which it dissolves, and the solemn obligations which it imposes. To meet, as we now do, to weep over the memory of a departed pastor, and to remember the instructions and example which he has left behind, is a mournful as well as important duty. I have only to regret that, owing to the previous engagements of the older friends of your late excellent Minister, which it was not possible for them to avoid, it has fallen to me to discharge the present office. Suddenly called to it, in a manner the most unexpected, I have been led to consider the language of the apostle St. Peter previously to his decease; when, pressed with the reflection of his speedy death, he excites the Christians whom he addressed, to a remembrance of the truths which they had received, and professes his purpose to endeavour that after his departure they should continue to preserve in their memories the doctrines and duties of the Gospel. A review of these feelings of the holy apostle will serve, I trust, to remind you both of the labours of your late excellent pastor, and of the obligations you are under to remember his instructions; at the same time that it will naturally introduce a few observations on his life and character. May the Holy Spirit of God," without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy," assist us by his sacred inspiration, while we notice, |