The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)Watts, Isaac
Religion
The works of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. in nine volumes (volume 1 of 9)
Watts, Isaac
Dissenters, Religious -- England; Sermons, English -- 18th century; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- 18th century
On retiring to rest, he has been heard to declare, that if his Master
had no more work for him to do, he should be glad to be dismissed that
night, “I bless God,” he would say, at other times, “I can lie down with
comfort at night, not being solicitous whether I awake in this world or
another.” When he was almost worn out by his infirmities, he observed in
conversation with a friend, that he remembered an aged minister used to
say, that the most learned and knowing christians, when they came to
die, have only the same plain promises of the gospel for their support,
as the common and unlearned: “and so,” said he, “I find it. It is the
plain promises of the gospel that are my support, and I bless God they
are plain promises, that do not require much labour and pains to
understand them; for I can do nothing now but look into my bible for
some promise to support me, and live upon that.” In this way the
promises became a present inheritance of support and consolation both as
the security and prelibations of his future exaltation before the throne
of God; and “As the setting sun appears of greater magnitude, and his
beams of richer gold than when in his meridian, so this dying believer
was richer in experience, stronger in grace, and brighter in his
evidences for heaven than was usual in any period of his life.” With
some view, no doubt to this happy state of mind, Dr. Grovesnor, being at
the funeral of Dr. Watts, a friend said to him, “Well Dr. Grovesnor, you
have seen the end of Dr. Watts; and you will soon follow him: what think
you of death?” “Think of it.”—he replied, “why when death comes I shall
smile upon him, if God will smile upon me.”
His freedom from corporeal pain, and his uninterrupted assurance that
all was well, excited the strongest sentiments and expressions of
gratitude in his last moments, when without a struggle or a groan,
November 25, 1748, in the 75th year of his age, he departed this life,
eminently beloved of God, and lamented by all wise and good men. Such
are the joys and honours derived from the doctrines of Christianity.
Such are the joys and honours by which the true believer shall be
faithfully attended through the valley of the shadow of death, and which
will be consummated in the fruition of an eternal weight of glory. Let
those who doubt and despise our faith consider of what importance
religion is to the sick and dying, and till they possess the power of
healing, and of restoration from the borders of the grave, let them not
take away the only support of our hopes, the only solace of our
afflictions: Let them not interpose between us and the bright prospects
of life and immortality.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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