The Life And Testimony Of Daniel Herbert
The Sower 1892:
On August 29th, 1833, departed this life, aged eighty-two years, Mr. Daniel Herbert, servant of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and occasional Independent Minister of the everlasting Gospel, Sudbury, Suffolk. He was one whom his Lord had made valiant for the truth, independent of that alloy which is attached to many who, at this day, tend only to tarnish and eclipse the glory of a free-grace salvation; and, being taught by God the Holy Ghost, he was enabled to rejoice in the merits, blood, and righteousness of his dear Lord and Master.
In early life it pleased Jehovah to meet him with omnipotent grace, and put him into the happy possession of Gospel peace, at which period He gave him a promise that “his shoes should be iron and brass, and as his day so should his strength be;” which, in the after stages of Christian conflict, was truly verified. This indeed was exemplified in the conduct and experience of our beloved friend, who, for more than sixty years, knew what it was, by a living faith, to view his multiplied transgressions buried in the great fountain of a Redeemer’s blood. His dear Lord imparted to him a clear perception, spiritually, to enter into the great mystery of iniquity, so opposed to the reign of grace in the hearts of God’s elect, so that he knew how to speak a word of advice to the tempted and tried followers of the Lamb; and, as his Lord had designed him to be an instrument in His hand for good to His chosen and scattered abroad, He gave him a talent for humble verse, by which great numbers have been blessed in England, America, France, and in various other parts of Europe as well as Asia. In order to the more accomplishing of the Lord’s glory, it pleased his Heavenly Father to lead him through a long scene of providential losses and crosses, that bore down upon him like a torrent, and being of weak constitution, his nerves became so shattered as to leave upon him a depression of animal spirits, which he afterward never fully conquered.
Respecting the last few months of his frail abode, his friends evidently saw the gradual approach of dissolution, and for some few weeks prior to that period, the Lord was pleased for wise ends to suffer the great foe to shoot his fiery darts; yet under those dark seasons light sprang up, and faith would say, “All, all is well. I know whom I have believed. Jesus is mine. He paid down a price for me, and I should be the basest wretch were I not to declare it.” Sometimes he would say, “Satan is at his old work again, but he cannot come near. No! no! My precious Jesus will not leave me. He has promised me that which I am sure He will perform. He does supply my need. Ah! my precious Christ, what a sink of iniquity I am! I feel it, but I am washed! I will praise free grace as long as I have breath. All my hope beyond the grave is Christ. I am justified by His righteousness. I have peace within, and will glory in my enfeebled state. I have been called an Antinomian for many years, but tell the professing world my faith is fixed upon Christ the Rock, who is the self-existent independent God, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. I feel His power and love His dear name, and I care not a rush what they say. I have an anchorage steadfast and sure, and shall outride the storm, and enter the port where envy and malice cannot come.”
Drawing to his end he added, “It will soon be over. Redeemed by precious blood, saved by sovereign grace rich and free, I shall soon sing as loud as Paul the Apostle. Come, Lord, with Thy smiles and take Thy poor servant home.” This prayer his God answered, and gave him to enjoy a “peace of mind that passeth all understanding.” On the evening of the day he died his spirit was calm and joyous. He entered the valley and shadow, exclaiming as his last words: “Ah, my Father! My Father! My Father!” and fell asleep upon his couch by his fire-side, without a sigh.
“Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
Daniel Herbert (1751-1833) was a sovereign grace preacher and hymn-writer. For many years he served as Minister of a Congregational church meeting at Sudbury, Suffolk. His hymns were published in three volumes.
