wisest of men could not think on
without astonishment, that _God does in very deed dwell with men upon
earth_, (men a little too low for heaven, and much too high for earth);
nay more, dealeth "so familiarly with them, as to make them previously
acquainted with his secret designs, both of judgment and mercy,
displaying his divine power, and the efficacy of his grace thro' their
infirmities, subduing the most hardened sinners to himself, while he as
it were reigns himself to their prayers, and makes them the subject of
his divine care and superintendency."

_3dly_, Here we have as it were a mirror exemplifying and setting forth
all the virtues and duties of a religious and a domestic life.--Here is
the example of a virtuous nobleman, an active statesman, a religious
gentleman, a faithful and painful minister in the exercise of his
office, _instant in season and out of season_, a wise and diligent
magistrate, _one fearing God and hating covetousness_, a courageous
soldier, a good christian, a loving husband, an indulgent parent, a
faithful friend in every exigence; and in a word, almost every character
worthy of our imitation. And,

_Lastly_, In them we have the various changes of soul exercise,
experiences, savoury expressions and last words of those, once living,
now glorified witnesses of Christ. And "as the last speeches of men are
remarkable, how remarkable then must the last words and dying
expressions of these NOBLE WITNESSES and MARTYRS of Christ be?" For the
nearer the dying saint is to heaven, and the more of the presence of
Christ that he has in his last moments, when death looks him in the
face[4], the more interesting will his conversation be to survivors, and
particularly acceptable to real Christians, because all that he says is
supported by his example, which commonly has considerable influence upon
the human mind.--It is true, there is an innate and latent evil in man's
nature, that makes him more prone and obsequious to follow bad than good
examples; yet sometimes, (yea often) there is a kind of compulsive
energy arising from the good examples of such as are eminent either in
place or godliness, leading forth others to imitate them in the like
graces and virtues. We find the children of Israel followed the Lord all
the days of Joshua, and the elders that out-lived him; and Christ's
harbinger, John Baptist, gained as much by his practice and example as
by his doctrine: His apparel, his diet, his convers