The Life And Death Of Samuel Wilson

J. A. Jones, “Bunhill Memorials: Sacred Reminiscences Of Three Hundred Ministers And Other Persons Of Note, Who Are Buried In Bunhill Fields, Of Every Denomination” (1849): [1]

Samuel Wilson, Baptist.—Mr. Samuel Wilson was born about the year 1702; he was descended from godly Dissenting ministers, both by his father’s and mother’s side. Mr. Ebenezer Wilson, pastor of the Church in Walbrook, was his father; and Mr. John Wilson, an eminent minister at Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, was his grandfather. He received his first serious impressions under the preaching of the Rev. Daniel Wilson, an eminent Presbyterian minister of Monk-well Street. He was baptized by Mr. Edward Wallin, and joined the Church at Maze Pond, while he was pursuing his academical studies, under Dr. Ward at Gresham College. About the year 1721, the Rev. John Noble, of Tallow-chandlers’ Hall, being aged and needing an assistant, Mr. Wilson accepted an Invitation to that office. “He came forth (says Dr. Gill) with clear evangelical light, with great warmth, zeal, and fervency of spirit; and like another Apollos, with a torrent of eloquence, being mighty in the scriptures; which made him exceedingly popular.”

About the year 1724 he was invited to settle with the Church, at Old Gravel Lane, Wapping, which invitation he accepted and was ordained pastor over them. In 1730, a part of the Church, with their Pastor, separated themselves, and built the Meeting House which is situated in Little Prescot Street, Goodman’s Fields, and there Mr. Wilson successfully laboured for 20 years; that is to the end of his days. His popularity increased, so that at the close of his ministry, the Church was in a very prosperous condition.

This eminently distinguished minister was removed to his heavenly rest, in what may be termed the midst of his days upon earth, as he had not completed his forty-eighth year when his Master said to him, “Give an account of thy steward­ship, for thou mayest be no longer steward.”

The state of his mind in his last illness is thus described by Dr. Gill, in his funeral sermon.—“He was seized at first with such a stupor as rendered him but little conversable, so that nothing of his gracious experience could be obtained from him, only some broken words and expressions now and then were dropped by him, which showed him to be in a spiritual frame: but, from a small manuscript, written by him when in health, I shall give a few extracts; in which he observes the gracious dealings of God with him, and his experience of the Divine favour. He says, “I have had many sweet visits of his love, especially in secret, and at his table. God in Christ I hope is my portion, his providence my defence, and his good Spirit my guide and comforter.” In another place he expressed a sense of the corruption of his heart, the infirmities of his life, and his faith and hope in a bleeding Saviour: he complains of a polluted, proud, peevish heart; prone to atheism, folly, and every evil;—of a life tarnished with many blemishes, indiscretions, and heart­ breaking ingratitude:—“surely God hath hardly done more for any, nor have any been left to do more against Him.”

The remains of this good, and we may add, great man, were interred in Bunhill Fields, October 12, 1750; but the lapse of ninety-nine years, prevents our now pointing out the exact spot. The funeral Oration was delivered by Dr. Stennett, and contained an eloquent description of the character of Mr. Wilson. His funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Gill, from Acts 20:38, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. O this is indeed a noble sermon; it is now on the Editor’s table, and gladly would he reprint it; it ought to be done. The heads are,—1, What principally affects and afflicts a people at parting with a gospel minister. 2, The nature of that sorrow which is expressed by them. 3, Some reasons which induce such sorrow, and which serve to justify it. 4, Offer some things for consideration, in order to keep it within proper limits. “Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, lives; and will live for evermore; to protect, defend, and provide for you. Though the under-shepherd is removed from you, the chief and great Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, is still “the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” And, moreover, though the fathers where are they, and the prophets do they live for ever? No; they do not, yet the Word of God lives and abides for ever: the Gospel is an everlasting gospel, and there will be men to preach it to the end of the world.” Even so, Amen.

 

[1] The reader is encouraged to visit Bunhill Fields, a nonconformist cemetery located at 38 City Road, London, England.</p>