19. Some time after, fixing his eyes upon heaven, he said, “The holy Jesus, where is he?” They brought him his picture, which he affectionately kissed. Then turning himself he presently entered his last agony; which held about a quarter of an hour, the greatest part of which he spent in pronouncing the name of Jesus; making as well as he could, acts of resignation, and commending his spirit to God: After which he expired sweetly, and his holy soul departed to its place of rest.
20. Thus lived and died M. de Renty, one of the most glorious lights God hath bestowed upon his church in our age. He died at Paris, in the 37th year of his age, the 24th of April 1649, about noon. We have great reason to admire the secret counsels of God, in taking out of the world, in the flower of his age, a man so qualified to advance the honour of God, and the good of his neighbour. But when we say, it was the hand of God, all things are therein concluded. Hereby he is pleased to let us know, that he hath no need of us for the advancing his glory; and that when he does use us as instruments therein, we ought to behave with all humility in his presence. He hath translated him to another place, where he glorifies his majesty with greater perfection; and where he waits for us to glorify and love, together with him, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to all eternity! Amen!
An EXTRACT from the
LIFE and DEATH of
THOMAS WALSH.
THE INTRODUCTION.
THE exceeding riches of the grace of God our Saviour, and the effectual working of his mighty power, have in all ages shone most conspicuously in the holy lives and exemplary conversation of his eminent servants, the excellent of the earth, with whom are his peculiar delights.
And although, strictly speaking, He only is wise and good, nevertheless, there is a sense in which goodness is with propriety ascribed both to angels and to men. This consists in their resemblance of him who is the source and model of all goodness, holiness, and perfection; as proceeding from his fulness, whence life and blessedness flow to every creature, whether in heaven or in earth.
Of this kind the scriptures furnish us with several examples, Abraham, Enoch, Noah, Daniel and Job, (beside many others) are described in the Old Testament, as men walking before God, and perfect in their generation. And the eleventh chapter to the Hebrews contains little else than an account of ancient worthies, eminently remarkable for their faith, sufferings, patience, and glorious end; who considering themselves as strangers and pilgrims in this world, sought a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And God, saith the apostle, hath provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
The time would fail to mention particularly the names of all the eminently faithful, who have lived and adorned their profession, since life and immortality have been brought to light by the gospel. They are an innumerable company. It is enough for us to know, that if any one loveth God, the same is known of him. Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and shall at last be numbered amongst his jewels.