NARRATIVE

OF

HIS LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH.

WE are now brought to the closing scene of the life of this devoted servant of God. His vigour and zeal were perhaps never greater than immediately previous to his last illness. He had preached on Thursday evening, (September 15,) with his usual animation and energy, from John xv. 8, 'Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples' and again on the Sunday morning after, from 2 Kings x. 16, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord;'-this was the last Sermon he delivered. On the Tuesday following he was in high health and spirits, and talked of the journey he proposed to make the next day to Ely with no ordinary delight. In conversation however at this time with the kind friend, who now became his constant attendant, he made the following remarks about his nearness to the eternal world. "Well, though I am talking of putting things by for my journey to Bath next June, the Lord knows that I am thinking, and longing to a certain degree, for a far better journey, which in a few days I shall take; but I find it difficult to realize the thought that I am so near the eternal world; I cannot imagine what a spirit is, I have no conception of it. But I rejoice in the thought, that my coffin is already cut down, and in the town at this very time; of this I

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have no doubt;-and my shroud is also ready; and in a few days I shall join the company of the redeemed above." His friend replied, "Why, dear Sir, should you talk so? you are in good health and strength; and November is so near, I think you will be permitted to preach your Sermons, and also to prepare the other set you are thinking of; and perhaps you may preach them too." He said, "That will be as the Lord pleases; but I do often wonder at the degree of strength and spirits which of late the Lord has blessed me with. I never remember to have had greater energy for work than at this time; and I do seem to think that it is now the Lord's will to spare me through November: but you know it is quite immaterial to me; the Sermons are finished, that is all I care about; I would not have to write them now for a thousand pounds. But if I should be permitted to preach them, I expect it will bring me down; indeed, I give you all leave to break all my bones in December. Still, I am fully determined, if I have any degree of strength left, instantly to begin a set of Sermons, on that grand subject out of Ephesians, 3d Chapter, 18th and 19th verses. I don't expect or desire to preach them; but if my life be spared, WRITE THEM I WILL.”

The next day (Wednesday, September 21,) he went over to Ely to pay his respects to the Bishop. He had been very anxious about this visit: for, as he was one of the oldest of the Clergy, it was his wish, he said, to be among the very first to shew all respect to his Diocesan. The day was damp and chilly, and he needed more than usual care to prevent any injurious effects from the journey; but he felt so strong and vigorous, that he imprudently dispensed

with his ordinary outer dress. The Bishop received him with marked kindness and attention; and proposed that they should go together to see the Cathedral. Here they lingered too long; the coldness of the building, increased by the rawness of the day, soon began sensibly to affect Mr. Simeon, and was the direct cause of the severe illness, from which he never recovered. The next morning early he was seized with a violent rheumatic attack, and, during the day, became so seriously indisposed as to be unable to leave his room for the Evening Lecture. The Sermon he had intended to preach was upon Luke xi. 1, 'Lord, teach us to pray ;'-and this was the last subject he ever prepared for the pulpit. During the whole of the next day he continued very feeble, though he cherished a hope of being able to go in his carriage on the following Monday to Ipswich; and wrote to his beloved friend Mr. Nottidge, to say that he should preach for him, according to promise, on the opening of his new Church.

Saturday, (September 24,) was his birth-day, when he entered his seventy-eighth year. Though he had passed but an indifferent night, he rose early this morning; and when his attendant came to him, he was sitting in a favourite spot before the window to enjoy the first beams of the sun, and employed in writing another letter to Mr. Nottidge, in which he observed, "Of course my University Sermons are laid aside; if not life itself." On repeating this to his attendant, he added, "What can I expect? I enter my seventy-eighth year today. I never expected to live so long: I can scarcely believe I am so old: I have as yet known nothing of the infirmities of age, though I have seen a good old age. I know however it will all be ordered well."

Soon after, when referring to his journey to Ely, he remarked, "If this is to be the closing scene, I shall not at all regret my journey to the Bishop; it was of vast importance to you all; and I shall rejoice to close my life from such a circumstance."

For some days he remained much in the same state; but subsequently so far recovered, as to make it probable that the malady might eventually be subdued. So far indeed was he restored, that occasionally he could take a drive in his carriage; and we began to indulge a hope of his ultimate recovery. On October 6, he dictated the letter at the conclusion of the preceding chapter, which exhibits all his usual precision on subjects which deeply interested him.

The good hope we had ventured to entertain of his recovery was soon at an end. On another damp and chilly day, he went out once more in his carriage, though earnestly entreated not to run the hazard of a relapse. This short drive was too much for his reduced frame; all the former pain and fever returned with increased violence, and he was obliged immediately to take to his bed. He was now fully aware that the hand of death was upon him; and having lately contemplated some changes in the disposition of his property, he was anxious, without delay, to make the necessary alterations in his Will. He had already indeed disposed of the greater part of his fortune in promoting a variety of religious and charitable designs; but during his late journey, he had been so much impressed with the importance of the work in which he had been so generously assisted, that he determined to devote the small remainder of his property (with the exception of a few legacies to his relatives) to the furtherance of

the great object which had so long engaged his regards. When his desire on this point was accomplished, his mind seemed relieved from every care, and he prepared himself with joy for his departure.

During the second week of October, when one of his particular friends had called at his rooms to inquire after his health, Mr. Simeon immediately begged to see him, and in a feeble whisper requested him to pray by his bedside. After the prayer, his friend expressed a hope that he was now supported by divine consolations: Mr. Simeon then replied to this effect: "I never felt so ill before-I conceive my present state cannot last long-this exhaustion must be a precursor of death; but I lie here waiting for the issue without a fear-without a doubt-and without a wish." To another afterwards who remarked, "Many hearts are engaged in prayer for you;" he rejoined, "In prayer? aye, and I trust in praise too-praise for countless, endless mercies."

On Friday, (Oct. 21,) all hopes of his recovery were taken away: the gout had at length attacked him internally, and the means used for his relief were evidently in vain; of this he was perfectly aware, and in consequence seemed more than usually calm and happy. The writer was sitting by his bedside, and on making some inquiry as to what had been lately passing in his mind, and of what at that time more particularly he was thinking, he immediately replied with great animation, "I don't think now-I am enjoying." He then expressed his entire surrender of himself to the will of God, and spoke of his extreme joy in having his own will so completely in unison with that of God, adding with remarkable emphasis, "He cannot do anything against my will." After a short he looked

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