_Then_ he charged all his brethren and sisters as they would answer it before God, to carry it dutiful to their dear mother. And for his eldest brother _William_ (at whose house he lay sick) his prayer was that he might be swallowed up of Christ and love to souls; and be more and more exemplary in his life and successful in his ministry.
His next brother’s name was _Andrew_, a citizen of _London_, who was with him sometimes; but (his necessary business calling him away) he could not then be by. Yet he was not forgot, but he was thus blessed, _The God of heaven remember my poor brother at_ London; _the Lord make him truly rich in giving him the pearl of great price, and make him a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the houshold of God; the Lord deliver him from the sins of that city; may the world be kept out of his heart. Oh that he may be as his name is, a strong man, and that I may meet him with you_.
_Then_ he called his next brother whose name was _James_ (whom God had made him a spiritual father to) and said _brother_ James, _I hope the Lord hath given thee a goodly heritage; the lines are fallen to thee in pleasant places: the Lord is thy portion_. I _hope the Lord hath shewed thee the worth of Christ_. Hold on, dear brother; Christ, heaven and glory, are worth striving for; the Lord give thee more abundance of his grace.
_Then_ his next brother _Abraham_ was called, to whom he spake to this purpose, _the blessing of the God of_ Abraham _rest upon thee, the Lord make thee a father of many spiritual children_.
His _fifth_ brother was _Joseph_, whom he blessed in this manner; _Let him bless thee, Oh_ Joseph, _that blessed him that was separated from his brethren. O that his everlasting arms may take hold on thee! It is enough, if yet thou mayest live in his sight. My heart hath been working toward thee poor_ Joseph; _and I am not without hopes, that the arms of the Almighty will embrace thee. The God of thy father bless thee with the blessing of heaven above._
_The next_ was his sister Mary, to whom he spoke thus, _poor sister_ Mary, _thy body is weak and thy days will ♦be filled with bitterness; thy name is_ Marah; _the Lord sweeten all with his grace and peace, and give thee health in thy soul. Be patient, make sure of Christ, and all is well._
♦ “he” replaced with “be”
_Then_ his other sister whose name was _Sarah_ was called; whom he thus blessed, _Sister_ Sarah, _thy body is strong and healthful: Oh that thy soul may be so too! The Lord make thee first a wise virgin, and then a mother in_ Israel; _a pattern of modesty, humility, and holiness_.
_Then_ another brother, _Jacob_ was called, whom he blessed after this manner; _The Lord make thee an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile! Oh that thou mayest learn to wrestle with God, and like a prince mayest prevail, and not go without a blessing_.
Then he prayed for his youngest brother _Benjamin_, who was then but an infant; _Poor little_ Benjamin, _O that the Father of the fatherless, would take care of the poor child, that thou, which never sawest thy father upon earth, mayest see him with joy in heaven; The Lord be thy Father, and portion: mayest thou prove the son of thy mother’s right hand, and the joy of her age._
‘O that none of us all may be found amongst the unconverted in the day of judgment! Oh that every one of us may appear (with our honoured father and dear mother) before Christ with joy, that they may say, Lord, here are we, and the children which thou hast given us. Oh that we may live to God here, and live with him hereafter.’
“And now my dear mother, brethren and sisters, farewell; I leave you for awhile and I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.”
“And now dear Lord, my work is done. I have finished my course, I have fought the good fight; and henceforth there remaineth for me a crown of righteousness! Now come, dear Lord Jesus, come quickly.”
Then the minister came to give him his last visit, and to do the office of an inferior angel, to help to convey his blessed soul to glory. When the minister spake to him, his heart was in a flame of love, and joy, which drew tears of joy from him, to hear a man just dying, talk as ♦if he came from the immediate presence of God. One might have read _grace_ and _glory_ in his countenance. Oh the praise, the triumphant praises that he put up! And every one must speak praise about him, or else they made a jar in his harmony.
♦ “of” replaced with “if” per Errata
And indeed most did, as well as they could, help him in praise. So that I never heard, or knew more praise given to God in one room, than in his chamber.
A little before he died, in the prayer or rather praises, he was so wrapped up with admiration and joy, that he could scarce forbear shouting for joy. In the conclusion of the duty, with abundance of faith and fervency, he said aloud, _Amen, Amen_.