' able to speak, but we had confidence that he ""died the death of the righteous." He was a 'lover of Jesus Christ; and an example in this

respect, to many believers, because "he cleaved 'with purpose of heart to the Lord." The many 'tears which he shed in his sickness, while he la'mented that he could not do the work for which he 'was sent out, are as a blessed dew on the heathen among whom he died, and on the land which he was permitted but to see. The short time that ' he lived in the country, he was much beloved by 'the natives, and respected by all who knew him. "His infirmities shall be remembered no more, and 'his soul is among those who worship the Lamb ' for ever.'

A SERMON

ON THE

LAMENTED AND AFFECTING DEATH

OF THE

RIGHT HON. LADY MARY FITZGERALD,

PREACHED AT ASTON SANDFORD, BUCKS,

APRIL 22, 1815.

PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS.

PSAL. cxvi. 15.

I AM PERSUADED THAT NEITHER DEATH,, NOR LIFE, NOR ANY CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. ROM. viii. 38, 39.

At the time when this sermon was first published, the distressing circumstances attending the death of the noble and venerable person, to whom it relates, were so well known as to render any preliminary statement of them unnecessary: but the reader who is unacquainted with them would do well to turn to the last paragraph but one of the sermon, before he proceeds to the perusal of the whole, that he may not feel the dissatisfaction arising from continual allusions to that of which he is not sufficiently informed.-J. S.

PREFACE.

THAT truly honourable and excellent Lady concerning whose affecting death this sermon is published, was constantly, when in town, and when her health would permit, an attendant on my ministry for above seventeen years.

I was also honoured with what might also be considered as an intimacy with her; as nothing prevented the cordial reception which I met with whenever I called, and the conversation which passed was most open and unreserved. She was very useful in strengthening my hands in my ministry, when concurring circumstances tended greatly to weaken and discourage me and she has always been ready to aid and concur with me in every plan for attempting usefulness, not only while I was in town but since I came to this place.

I have also to acknowledge many obligations in temporal things, which it would neither be proper wholly to conceal, nor yet to enlarge upon.

It will then scarcely need an apology, that thus circumstanced I should publish a sermon on the affecting occasion; were it only considered as a testimony of gratitude and high estimation: yet as I know that neither commendations given her by men on earth, nor the contrary, (if any can be found capable of the contrary,) can at all affect

her confirmed felicity; I might perhaps have declined to do it, had I not thought that a sermon on such a character, removed hence in so remarkable a manner, might give an opportunity of attempting with some hope of success, to promote the best interests of survivors, both in the circle of her friends and acquaintance, and among others also and I earnestly pray our gracious God to accompany the perusal of it with his special blessing.

Aston Sandford, April 25, 1815.