and see the content I have taken in beauty, in wit, in music, and pleasant conversation, are now all past by me like a dream, or as a shadow that returns not, and are now all become dead to me, or I to them; and I see, that as my father and generation hath done before me, so I also shall now suddenly (with Job) make my bed also in the dark; and I praise God I am prepared for it; and I praise him that I am not to learn patience now I stand in such need of it; and that I have practised mortification, and endeavoured to die daily, that I might not die eternally; and my hope is, that I shall shortly leave this valley of tears, and be free from all fevers and pain; and, which will be a more happy condition, I shall be free from sin, and all the temptations and anxieties that attend it:  and this being past, I shall dwell in the New Jerusalem; dwell there with men made perfect; dwell where these eyes shall see my Master and Saviour Jesus; and with him see my dear Mother, and all my relations and friends.  But I must die, or not come to that happy place.  And this is my content, that I am going daily towards it:  and that every day which I have lived, hath taken a part of my appointed time from me; and that I shall live the less time, for having lived this and the day past,” These, and the like expressions, which he uttered often, may be said to be his enjoyment of Heaven before he enjoyed it.  The Sunday before his death, he rose suddenly from his bed or couch, called for one of his instruments, took it into his hand and said,

  My God, my God,
  My music shall find thee,
      And every string
  Shall have his attribute to sing.

And having tuned it, he played and sung: 

    The Sundays of man’s life,
  Threaded together on time’s string,
  Make bracelets to adorn the wife
  Of the eternal glorious King: 
  On Sundays Heaven’s doors stand ope;
  Blessings are plentiful and rife,
    More plentiful than hope.

Thus he sung on earth such Hymns and Anthems, as the Angels, and he, and Mr. Farrer, now sing in Heaven.

[Sidenote:  His Will]

[Sidenote:  Last words]

Thus he continued meditating, and praying, and rejoicing, till the day of his death; and on that day said to Mr. Woodnot, “My dear friend, I am sorry I have nothing to present to my merciful God but sin and misery; but the first is pardoned, and a few hours will now put a period to the latter; for I shall suddenly go hence, and be no more seen.”  Upon which expression Mr. Woodnot took occasion to remember him of the re-edifying Layton Church, and his many acts of mercy.  To which he made answer, saying, “They be good works, if they be sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and not otherwise.”  After this discourse he became more restless, and his soul seemed to be weary of her earthly tabernacle; and this uneasiness became so visible, that his wife, his three nieces, and Mr. Woodnot, stood constantly about his bed, beholding