Flint on Francis's Final Days

J Ryland

Flint felt that Francis's final years were among his most fruitful. The church continued to grow and he had the joy of baptising his daughters. A third enlargement of the building was necessary and Francis threw himself into the fund raising necessary. At the same time is enthusiasm was sometimes dampened by the thought that he might not live to see the work completed, which proved to be the case. A day was appointed for the opening and Dr John Ryland invited but he was called away to the funeral of Samuel Pearce. In the end Francis fell ill and grew worse and worse so that when Ryland did come to Horsley it was to preach at Francis's funeral. Remarkably, Francis was able to preach three times on his final Sabbath on earth.

In a letter written in 1796 Francis writes

Alas! how few professors are there who seem in every respect ornamental, and what we would wish them to be. One has this, and another has that glaring imperfection. One is too forward, and another too slothful. One is too loquacious, and another too reserved. One is too indifferent about doctrine and discipline, another is too rigid and censorious. One is vain, volatile and fickle, another is morose, sour and headstrong. One is generous with his money, but dishonorable in his walk; another strict in his morals, but unfeeling and penurious. One has a great gift, but little grace, while another has much grace, but no abilities. Alas! why do not all professors strive to cultivate every Christian virtue, and live to excel in all things which are praiseworthy? Why not all lay their whole selves out, for the honour of religion, and the glory of God? What value can they find in life, but under this impression and pursuit? To me, life with all its enjoyments, detached from religion and usefulness, is a poor, low, insipid thing. O to live, indeed the Christian's Life! What self-denial, what constant watchfulness, what faith and hope and love, what patience and resignation and what heavenly mindedness should I daily exercise!

Flint declares that Francis was an orthodox preacher who was not cool towards

... the leading sentiments of Scripture, whenever he considered the minds of his auditors as needing to be refreshed by the evidences of such facts. But though in many instances, he might have been censured by individuals, as introducing in each discourse too large a portion of practical religion, yet he persevered in urging the necessity of inward sanctity and an upright conversation. In his public prayers, a holy fervor, like a powerful pulse indicated the influence of the divine Spirit, renewing the life of God in his own soul, and seemed as if it could hardly fail of rousing the affections of the most languid believer. In all his sermons he would insist on the nature of vital faith, as productive, not only of transient emotions of the passions but of uniformity of character, and devotedness to the service of God.