dial invitation to the metropolis of the Church; but this he thought proper to decline. In the eyes of Bede, the great world had no charms.

Of his numerous and important writings, the greatest and most popular was his "English Ecclesiastical History." All the knowledge which we have of the early age of Christianity in Great Britain is derived from this production. King Alfred so highly esteemed the work that he translated it from the original Latin into the Saxon language, and by this means increased its celebrity. The various merits of Bede acquire additional lustre from the general ignorance and corruptions of the time in which he lived. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, he appears to have been a man of eminent virtue, and to have possessed the happy association of learning with modesty, of devotion with liberality, and high reputation in the Church with humility and moderation.

In the last sickness of this pious and learned man he was afflicted with a difficulty of breathing, which continued about two weeks. His mind was, however, serene and cheerful; his affections were heavenly; and amidst all his infirmities, he continued daily to instruct his disciples. At this period, a great part of the night was spent in prayer and thanksgiving, and the first employment of the morning was to ruminate on the Scriptures, and make supplication to God.

Amidst his bodily weakness his mind was still so active that he employed himself in writing on religious subjects. His translation of the Gospel of St. John was not completed till the day of his death. When, at last, he perceived that his end was drawing near, he met the solemn event with great composure and satisfaction. "If my Maker please," said he, "who formed me out of nothing, I am willing to leave the world, and go to him. My soul desires to see Christ, my King,

in his beauty." He then, with pious elevation of mind, sung, "Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit," and expired with such tranquillity and devotion, as greatly affected all who saw and heard him.

25. REV. CHARLES SIMEON.

"Stronger by weakness, wiser men become
As they draw near to their eternal home;
Leaving the old, both worlds at once they view,

Who stand upon the threshold of the new."-WALLER.

THE Rev. Charles Simeon, of Cambridge, fulfilled a course marked by adherence to truths well called evangelical, while the position he occupied as fellow of King's College, Cambridge, and as a popular preacher in that town, contributed to invest him with a most enlarged influence, which he employed for good among the members of the university and the future clergymen of the Church of England. During his whole life, in storm and in sunshine, he remained a true and faithful follower of the Lord Christ, while all the words and actions of a long and singularly-successful course were animated by one object-the desire to glorify Christ.

His health had been almost always singularly good. In the month of September, 1836, he took cold, and was soon after, at the age of seventy-eight, laid upon his death-bed. In answer to an inquiry whether he were supported by Divine consolations, Mr. Simeon said, "I never felt so ill before; I conceive my present state cannot last long; but here I lie waiting for the issue without a fear-without a doubt-and without a wish." On a question being asked, "What had been lately passing in his mind, and of what he was at that time more particularly thinking?" he replied, in the most animated manner, "I do not think now-I am enjoying." He

also described his perfect acquiescence in the will of God, saying, with energy, "He cannot do anything against my will." "Whether I am to have a little less suffering, or a little more," he said on another occasion, "it matters not one farthing. All is right and well, and just as it should be; I am in a dear Father's handsall is secure. When I look to HIM I see nothing but faithfulness, and immutability, and truth; and I have not a doubt or a fear, but the sweetest peace-I CANNOT HAVE MORE PEACE. But if I look another way-to the poor creature-O, then, THERE is nothing-nothing, nothing, (pausing,) but what is to be abhorred and mourned over."

"As his end drew near, he broke out, 'It is said, “O death; where is thy sting?" Then, looking at us, as we stood round his bed, he asked, in his own peculiarly impressive manner, 'Do you see any sting here?'

"We answered, 'No, indeed, it is all taken away.'

"He then said, 'Does not this prove that my principles were not founded on fancies or enthusiasm, but that there is a reality in them? and I find them sufficient to support me in death.'

"Thus departed a laborious servant of Christ, entering into rest at the very moment that the bell of St. Mary's was tolling for the university sermon which he himself was to have preached, November 13, 1836."

26. MATTHEW HENRY.

THE last words of Matthew Henry were:-"You have been used to take notice of the sayings of dying men: this is mine-That a life spent in the service of God, and communion with him, is the most comfortable and pleasant life that any one can live in the present world."

27. REV. A. M. TOPLADY.

"How sweet the hour of closing day,
When all is peaceful and serene;
And when the sun, with cloudless ray,
Sheds mellow lustre o'er the scene:
Such is the Christian's parting hour,
So peacefully he sinks to rest;

When faith, endued from heaven with power,
Sustains and cheers his languid breast."

MR. TOPLADY was born at Farnham, in Surry, Nov. 4, 1740. In early life he became a follower of the Saviour. He exercised his ministry at Blagdon, in Somersetshire; then at Broad-Hembury, in Devonshire; and finally in London. A slow consumption removed him to eternal rest in August, 1778.

He had long been visibly declining in his health; but could only be prevailed upon to refrain from preaching, for some time before his decease, by the express injunction of his physician, and the particular entreaties of his friends.

As his strength wasted and decayed, his consolations abounded more and more. He looked not only with composure, but delight, on the grave; and groaned earnestly for his heavenly habitation. He had constantly, to use Dr. Young's expression,

"One eye on death, and one full fix'd on heaven."

In his experience was happily exemplified the truth of the observation, that some of the children of God who have been least favoured by Divine consolations during their pilgrimage towards heaven, have had the richest discoveries of Divine grace in the closing scenes of life. Then, as Mr. Toplady observed, "the celestial city rises full in sight; the sense of interest in the covenant of

grace becomes clearer and brighter; the book of life is opened to the eye of assurance; the Holy Spirit more feelingly applies the blood of sprinkling, and warms the soul with that robe of righteousness which Jesus wrought. The once feeble believer is made to be as David. The once trembling hand is enabled to lay fast hold on the cross of Christ. The sun goes down without a cloud."

To a friend, a day or two before his death, he said, with hands clasped, and his eyes lifted up, and starting with tears of the most evident joy, "O, my dear sir, I cannot tell you the comforts I feel in my soul—they are past expression. The consolations of God to such an unworthy wretch, are so abundant, that he leaves me nothing to pray for but a continuance of them. I enjoy a heaven already in my soul. My prayers are all converted into praise."

As he approached nearer and nearer to his departure, his conversation seemed more and more happy and heavenly. "O," said he, "how this soul of mine longs to be gone! Like a bird imprisoned in a cage, it longs to take its flight. O that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away to the realms of bliss, and be at rest forever! O that some guardian angel might be commissioned; for I long to be absent from this body, and to be with my Lord forever!"

At another time he cried out, "O what a day of sunshine has this been to me! I have not words to express it. It is unutterable. O, my friends, how good is God! Almost without interruption, his presence has been with me." And then repeating several passages of Scripture, he added, "What a great thing it is to rejoice in death!" Speaking of Christ, he said, "His love is unutterable." When he drew near his end, he said, waking from a slumber, "O what delights! Who can fathom the joys of the third heaven?" A little before his departure he blessed and praised God for