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means of propagating that; she then grew fastest when most pruned; was then of the best complexion and most healthy when fainting through loss of blood." He feared that the laity, in their several stations and estates, “had so much perverted the healthful dispensations of judgement, that it was most improbable they should make any tolerable use of mercy." And he even looked upon the king as an object of compassion, since in taking his rightful sceptre he would be brought into many difficulties and cares from which he was exempt before.

As for himself, Dr. Hammond was convinced that the retirement in which he had passed the latter years of his life was more to be desired than the honourable public station to which he was likely to be promoted. He had long enjoyed, as Dr. Fell expresses it, “ a constant equable serenity, and unthoughtfulness in outward accidents."

"I must confess," he remarked one day to a friend with much feeling, "I never saw the time in all my life wherein I could so cheerfully say my Nunc Dimittis, [Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,] as now. Indeed I do dread prosperity, I do really dread it. For the little good I am now able to do, I can do it with deliberation and advice; but if it please God I should live, and be called to any higher office in the church, I must then do many things in a hurry, and shall not have time to consult with others, and I sufficiently apprehend the danger of relying on my own judgment."

It pleased Almighty God to answer the earnest desires of his servant in a most remarkable manner, both by granting at that time the return of the king, and by removing Dr. Hammond to a higher and purer sphere, before he could share any of the tem

poral advantages which might have accrued to him from that event.

In the early part of the year 1660, the fifty-fifth of his age, he was invited to London to consult with several other divines upon the measures to be pursued on the restoration of the church. He felt that he ought to attend to that summons, particularly as he knew that he had been fixed upon to have the charge of a diocese.

Important duties were now about to devolve upon him, and he prepared to discharge them faithfully. He entered upon a serious examination of his own heart, prayed earnestly to God for his assistance, and the disposal of him entirely to the divine glory; and solemnly enjoined the friend who had the greatest opportunities of knowing his character," to study and examine the last ten years of his life, and with the justice due to a christian friendship to observe his failances of all kinds, and show them to him."

He also gave some thoughts to the diocese of Worcester, over which it was intended that he should preside, considering how he might best serve God, and advance the public good, if permitted to exercise that sacred function. Amongst other plans which he contemplated at this time was one for the repair of the cathedral church.

Dr. Hammond, thus prepared, waited for the summons which was to call him from Westwood to the important consultation in London. But a more imperative summons was first issued, and he received it without regret. On the 4th of April, he experienced a severe attack of the painful disease with which he had for some years been afflicted. After a few days it returned with greater violence, and he then believed that his life was near its end. Speaking to his friends of his approaching death,

he told them that "he should leave them in God's hands, who could supply abundantly all the assistance they could either expect or desire from him, and who would so provide that they should not find his removal any loss."

When one of them prayed with much earnestness that he might be spared for the present and restored to health, he said—“I observe that your zeal spends itself all in that one petition for my recovery; in the interim you have no care of me in my greatest interest, which is, that I may be perfectly fitted for my change when God shall call me: I pray let some of your fervour be employed that way."

Some of them pressed him " to make his own request to God to be continued longer in the world for the sake of the church. He immediately began a solemn prayer, which contained, first, a very humble and melting acknowledgment of sin, and a most earnest intercession for mercy and forgiveness through the merits of his Saviour: next, resigning himself entirely into his Maker's hands, he begged that if the Divine Wisdom intended him for death, he might have a due preparation for it; but if his life might be in any degree useful to the church, even to one single soul, he then besought Almighty God to continue him, and by his grace enable him to employ that life he so vouchfafed, industriously and successfully. After this, he did intercede for this church and nation, and with particular vigour and enforcement prayed for the sincere performance of christian duty now so much decayed, to the equal supplanting and scandal of that holy calling; that those who professed that faith might live according to the rules of it, and to the form of godliness superadd the power. This, with some repetitions and more tears, he pursued, and at last closed all in a prayer

for the several concerns of the family where he was." He also gratefully acknowledged the goodness of God in bringing on this malady before he had left Westwood, and so sparing him the distress of being taken ill upon his journey; and he always blessed God whenever the pains of his disorder abated.

Dr. Hammond did not forget that the admonitions of a dying person commonly arrest the mind in a remarkable manner. He therefore called together the younger members of the family, the lambs of that little flock whom he had guided and watched with such tender care, and warned them of the dangers which beset a christian's path, besought them to remember their baptismal vows and their early training, and gave them good advice concerning the selection of their friends and their conduct towards each other. In the same affectionate manner he communicated his opinions and advice to lady Pakington at her own particular request.

His gratitude for every little kindness shown to him was now conspicuous, and his sweetness of temper and charity never forsook him. When the chaplain, kneeling in the sick chamber, prayed to God according to the Office for the Visitation of the Sick, he desired that a neighbouring lady who was ill might be included in their petitions; and when, in consequence of Dr. Hammond's increasing danger, the chaplain afterwards mentioned him only, he feelingly observed -"O no, let me not be the cause of excluding her!"

On the 20th of April, being Good Friday, he received the most comfortable sacrament of the body and blood of Christ; and again, on Easter day. When those words of St. Paul were read" This is a true saying and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," he ejaculated in ac

cents of deep humility and sincerity-" Of whom I am the chief."

The same lowliness of mind was manifest on other occasions. Receiving a letter, in which, amongst many expressions of esteem, there was added an intimation"That there was now hope the days were come when his deserts should be considered, and himself employed in the government as well as the instruction of the church," he was greatly discomposed, and "expressed a grief and anguish beyond that his sickness, in any period, however sharp, had extorted from him."

When the bystanders were alarmed at a violent bleeding of his nose, he bade them to "lay aside impatience on his behalf, and to wait God's leisure, whose seasons were still the best." When the great loss of blood occasioned a drowsiness which prevented him from giving full attention to the devotions offered up by his friends, he said mournfully-"Alas! is this all the return that I make for these mercies, to sleep at prayers!" And while he" was dumb and opened not his mouth" to complain of the most acute suffering, he would exclaim when temporary ease was afforded him "Blessed be God! Blessed be God!"

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During this illness, news of the defeat of General Lambert arrived at Westwood. This event sealed the success of that cause to which Dr. Hammond had been sincerely attached through life. But now, when it was related to him, it only called forth his charity, as he said with tears in his eyes" Poor souls! I beseech God to forgive them."

The 25th of April ended all his sorrows, and removed him to happier scenes. On that day the bleeding returned, and left him completely exhausted, but happily in full possession of his faculties. He continued in fer

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