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I shall conclude this account by observing, that this advice and conduct appear to be thoroughly scriptural. The poor widow "sought" for her child, as well as for herself, " first the kingdom of "God and his righteousness, and trusted that all things else should be added to her." It would be of vast importance to the interests of true religion, if all parents, professing themselves the disciples of Christ, received, and were decided in following, such advice, when worldly advantages and religious advantages seem to come in competition, as to the education and disposal of their children.

THE DUTY AND ADVANTAGE OF REMEMBERING

DECEASED MINISTERS:

A SERMON,

PREACHED

IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY, WALLINGFORD,

ON OCCASION OF THE DEATH

OF THE

REV. THOMAS PENTYCROSS, M. A.

DURING MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS VICAR OF THAT PARISH.

HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH. HEB. xi. 4.

1808.

The Rev. Thomas Pentycross died November 11, 1808.-J. S.

A SERMON

HEBREWS XIII. 7, 8.

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.

THE pastoral office is "the ministry of recon"ciliation:" faithful ministers are the "ambassa"dors," or at least, the envoys or messengers, "of "God" to sinners, " beseeching them in Christ's "name to be reconciled to God:" and the stated parish-minister, if diligent and faithful, is an accredited resident ambassador, or envoy, of peace among his people. Some thoughts on this subject occupied our attention the last time that I was called to preach among you.1

But now, alas! your messenger of peace is called home by his Lord. I pray God that he may speedily be succeeded by another, who may enter into his labours with zeal and success: else, according to the doctrine laid down on that subject, the recall of the ambassador of peace may be con

1

Referring to a Sermon preached in Oct. 1807. on 2 Cor. v. 19, 20.

sidered as the forerunner of war, against those who slighted and rejected his intreaties to be reconciled unto God.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death "of his saints:" the event is very important; all things respecting it are ordered in subserviency to the glory of God, and their eternal good; and it often involves conséquences of the greatest moment to survivors. This especially must be the case, when a faithful pastor is taken away from the flock over whom he hath long and affectionately presided.

The lamented removal of my dear brother, your late pastor, calls on me and you to inquire what useful view we can take of the afflictive event, which may tend to console you under your present sorrows, and direct you in your future conduct. It behoves me also to consider what improvement may be made of the dispensation, in impressing the minds of those (of whom, I fear, there are numbers,) who have not hitherto profited by his labours; that while "he, being dead, yet speak"eth," I may be his faithful interpreter to them and to you.

The text which I have selected will, I trust, when duly considered, appear suited to the purpose: and, I doubt not, many will unite with me in prayer, that I may be enabled clearly and fully to declare the truth and will of God, and "rightly "to divide the word of truth;" and that a special blessing may be vouchsafed: that so the decease of your pastor may prove the occasion of spiritual and eternal life to many in this numerous assembly.

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