THE LIFE

OF

JOSEPH WOODWARD.

MR. JOSEPH WOODWARD was born at Upper-Cam, in the county of Gloucester. He was educated at Oxford, where he took the degree of M. A. Then he was Master of the free-school at Wotton-under-Edge. His carriage was very obliging; but he had at that time but little seriousness, and was wont to frequent the company of some gentlemen, whose character for virtue or sobriety was not very eminent: but it pleased GOD, by a seemingly little accident, to awaken him to a serious consideration of the things of another world. Being out one evening late, returning home, some dogs began to fight about him, not without danger; which caused a serious reflection in him, what would have become of his soul, if he should have been torn in pieces by them: and so, leaving his former company, he changed it for those in Wotton who used to pray, and repeat sermons, and sing together; which society he found so beneficial to him, that he used to say, Though Oxford made him a scholar, yet Wotton fitted him for the ministry. I am told by another, that he did not so much as handle a Bible, till MR. SAMUEL SPRINT, (afterwards Minister in Andover, Hampshire,) his scholar, was privately reading the Scriptures, and praying, as his father had charged him. His master found him thus busy iii his chamber, and was thereby struck with shame and concern, that he, that was the master, should do less than a young boy. Hereupon he got a Bible, and read and studied it: and shortly after, whereas the school had only Latin prayers, he brought in English prayers, reading of the Scripture, singing of Psalms, and all pious exercises.

Some time after, he was ordained, and became very serviceable; and the people of Dursley sought him to be their Minister, all with one consent voting for him. Whereupon he fixed with them; and Though he was afterwards tempted to Wells, with a double stipend, he would not accept it. He took a great deal of pains among the people of Dursley: First he showed them the privileges of gospel-tinges, and then those of gospel things, and the absolute necessity of Caalsor, opening the nature of the two covenants.

After some time, he vigorously set about the reformation of many disorders in discipline and manners among the people; in aiming at which, he met with many discouragements. Some withdrew from his ministry; others withheld their part of his stipend solemnly promised to him; and others refused to pray, and sing, and receive the Sacrament. These troubles, and the disorders which they brought upon him, who was sensibly disturbed at the sad interruption of his work, so discomposed him that he fell into fits, and was afflicted with a fever: and the grief of his, mind had such au influence on his body, that it was Thought he received his mortal stroke by the disturbances among his people, and their carriage towards him.

He hereupon determined to leave them; and once there came about ten men, with a design to carry him to another place, where he might have a better prospect; and he was inclined to go with them. But the very men that opposed and slighted him before, when they found he was going, came and begged his pardon, and promised a better carriage for the future, and so.he stayed. Some time after, there were about seven men that resolved to ruin him, some by swearing against him, and some in other way:,. But it pleased GOD that several of them died; and his principal enemy fell desperately ill, and, upon hi* death-bed, sent for him to pray with him, desired him to preach his funeral-sermon, and confessed, that he and his companions had resolved to ruin him; but added, that he now saw he must die, and warned all his associates to desist from their design, as they would not provoke GOD to visit them with his judgments. Thus, at last, he was delivered from their malice; and he had the comfort to see his people become teachable, and conformable to the rules of the Gospel. His labors among them were very great. Besides the toil of a school, he preached twice every LORD's-Day, expounding in the morning, and catechising in the afternoon, before sermon. Every Tuesday he expounded for an hour or two, and carried on a lecture every Thursday, usually without any assistance from other Ministers. On LORD's-day evenings he repeated to his scholars, and many of his auditors, at his own house. And at funerals, he either preached or expounded; and was always very plain and warm in maintaining the foundations of religion. Twice a year he kept a public fast, besides many in private. Every Monday after dinner, he used to visit ten families, to instruct the ignorant, reprove the scandalous, and comfort the afflicted. He was very diligent in instilling the principles of religion into the younger sort, and collected money for teaching poor children to read. He himself also was very liberal in works of mercy. He was a very strict observer of the Sabbath; and used on that day to rise very early. He was a man of a very large soul, and public spirit; one of unshaken constancy and resolution, and sincere plainheartedness. He took great pains to oppose the sectaries, and disputed with them openly as an occasion offered, all round the country, and silenced them. He protested and preached against taking the Engagement. OLIVER, upon some occasion, appointing a day of public thanksgiving, he, thinking there was more need of fasting, appointed a solemn public fast, and kept it with his people.

When he declared his resolution to admit none to the sacrament of the LORD'S-Supper, but those who, together with a visible probity of conversation, had also a competent knowledge, a certain person said, he would not submit to examination, and vet he would come, and if MR. WOODWARD would not give hirn the Sacrament, he would take it. In pursuance of his resolution he was coming to church on the Sacrament-day, but he had scarcely set one foot over the threshold, before he fell down dead; at which many were much affected.

At length, being overborne with labor, and his infirmities growing upon him, by reason of a wasting consumption, he went to rest, a little before the Act of Uniformity took place.

Some persons in the country having a design to publish his life, DR. WOODWARD, his son, sent them this account of his father in a letter, I am assured that very few- (at least in these degenerate days) are blessed with such eminency of grace as he was; which seemed always to be in the height of pious zeal, without any considerable abatements at any time. In truth, such a pitch of ardor seemed to many to be above the common state of humanity itself, and to have a tendency to decay the health and course of nature. But the power of GOD bore him up for many years, till at last indeed the raised soul grew too big for the body, and by degrees rent it into pieces, to make way for a happy dissolution.

a About the twenty-third year of his age, he was so smitten in his breast with a sense of the evil of sin, (through what particular means I do not perfectly remember,) that he has professed he Thought himself the vilest creature breathing. He fancied the very dogs in the street were by their Maker set against him; and when they barked, probably on various instigations, he Thought that every yelp was a mark of his odiousness and monstrousness as a sinner: so that he was constrained to forbear company for a while, and to retire from the public, to set himself to the most important work of life, viz. to spread the wounds and ulcers of his soul before the Physician of souls, and to seek the healing balm of his REDEEMER'S blood; to which he applied himself (through the grace of GOD) with such earnestness, and to so good effect, that all his life after showed that he was saved through faith; there appearing little concern in him for any thing but the glory of GOD, and the insuring of eternal life.

" Yet he did not presently step forth into the ministry. He rather dreaded that awful and tremendous charge, in which, above all the employments beneath the skies, men ought to appear with the highest advancements of holiness, prudence, and diligence. He rather retired from such a work, which needs the zeal, purity, and wisdom of an angel, if men could attain them. And like NAZIANZEN, CHRYSOSTOM, and most of the primitive divines, he was by much entreaty drawn to so solemn an office, after he had spent a considerable time in the University of Oxford.

" But when his thirtieth year was come, GOD was pleased to send au inward warmth into his soul, which was more compulsive than all outward persuasion: for he seemed to nave such a zeal for GOD, and the souls of men, as burnt like fire, ands like that of the prophet JEREMIAH, (Jer. 20: 9.) was in no way to be made easy and tolerable, but by giving it outward vent; which the subject he first preached upon did plainly show. For his first sermon was delivered in the church of his native village, and on these words of ST. PETER and JOHN, (Acts 4: 2O,) ` For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.' And I have heard many, who were then his hearers, say, that they all wondered at the gracious things which proceeded out of his mouth.

" He had indeed such a readiness, or rather exuberance, in delivering the will of GOD, upon any subject before him, that Though he always wrote his sermons at large, yet he has often confessed, he has been carried into a field of doctrine, which he had never committed to writing; not in a roving and injudicious discourse, but is such melting and close argument, as seldom failed to reach the mark he principally aimed at, viz. the softening and reducing of obstinate hearts.

"The course of my good father's labors in the ministry, was suitable to this careful entrance upon it. He was earnest even as ST. PAUL' beyond strength;' and would never preach a sermon to others, but what had first warmed his own breast; for which cause, he sometimes either razed out a part of a sermon, or wholly threw it by. He was most affectionate and devout in prayer, earnest in preaching, bold in reproving, kind in admonishing, and ready to advise, succor, and comfort the feeble and disconsolate: and, in a word, he spent, and was spent, in his ministerial labors.

" He made frequent visits to all under his care at their own dwellings. He would pry into most of their failures and neglects, and would compassionate all their wants of soul, body, and estate. " I know not by what peculiar impulse it was that he particularly fixed his desires of exercising his ministry in Dursley, a place at that time very dissolute; insomuch that it bad the nickname of " Drunken Dursley." But if he found it so, it was very much altered by his labors of many years there; and it became one of the most wealthy and trading towns in the neighborhood. Some of the inhabitants have told me, that they cleared a Thousand pounds a year by the trade of clothing, in the time of his residence there.

" His presence in the streets made the Thouth grave, and the aged circumspect. It made the sober to rejoice, and the guilty to hide themselves in corners. He seldom went to church, but with a multitude with him: for his house being distant from the church the length of a long street, every one got their families ready as he came by, and stood at their doors, and so fell in with those that followed; so that he went with the multitude to the house of GOD. Arid every one's zeal seemed inflamed by the flame he beheld in his neighbor; so that I have heard, that there was

the most. composed and affected congregation that could any where be seen.

" I must indeed lament the fewness of those years of mine which passed under his excellent conduct. O what a blessing had such a guide been to my Thouth, when it came to any dawnings of understanding! But the good GOD, who took him, has not left me nor my relations comfortless. We now enjoy the blessings of so happy a descent, and of so many earnest prayers laid up in store for us. The LORD grant that we may not act in a way unworthy of so good a relation, but may so tread in his steps, that we may at last be partakers with him in glory.

" His sorrow for the death of King CHARLES 1:, his lamentation for want of a good foundation in the Interregnum, and his joy at the return of King CHARLES 2:, ought to be inserted; and also the raptures of his death. " Thus, Sir, I have complied with Thour desire, not to give materials for a book, so much as to give some hints to a friend.

Sir, Thours, &c.

" JOSIAH WOODWARD."

" P.S. He gave me my name in memorial of his desire of reformation; and named my younger brother JERS,MIAH, when he saw the little hopes of it,"

 

THE LIFE OF NICHOLAS LEVERTON.

MR. NICHOLAS LEVERTON was born about the year 16OO, at St. Wall, in Cornwall. His parents were of the middle rank; but provided him with the means of a liberal education at the country schools, and afterwards at Exeter College in Oxford. While he was there, he was addicted rather to Thouthful diversions, than to his studies. When he had taken the degree of Bachelor of Arts, his relations, no longer able to bear the expense, recalled him from Oxford.

At first he kept a little school near Padstow for his subsistence. But being ordained, he went over to Barbadoes, and met with good reception there; any thing of learning being a rarity in those parts. Though he had yet little seriousness, he soon grew weary of their profligate morals, and left Barbadoes, upon an opportunity that offered of going as Chaplain to a ship's crew, who designed to begin a plantation at the island of Tobago. By this means he met with a variety of remarkable Providences, which GOD blessed to awaken him to seriousness. Some of these are certainly worth recording.

Their company safely reached the island; part landed, and made a booth of poles, boughs, and palmetto-leaves, for their accommodation on the shore, over-against their ship. Upon search, finding the place agreeable, and discovering no Indians, they resolved to settle there.’The Captain, for this end, with half of his land-company, determined to wall: round the island by the sea-shore, to discover the most convenient place for beginning their settlement; among whom was Mx. LEVERTON. The Captain and two more went one way, and directed the rest to march another; but, meeting with difficulties, the latter returned to their booth, hoping their Captain would meet them there; but he and those with him never returned. In the mean time, a double calamity befell those on shore. The long-boat, by carelessness, was lost upon a rock, and thereby their communication with the ship was prevented; and a great rain falling, spoiled all the powder they had landed. By break of day, next morning after their return, some Indians attacked their booth, killed most of them with their arrows, and wounded others. Among the rest MR. LRVERTON was wounded in the head; but he, with some others, made a shift to escape into the woods.

Those in the ship had discovered these Indians, the evening before, making their way to the island in canoes, and fired some guns to give their friends notice; but unhappily they missed hearing them, and, being without apprehension of an enemy, kept no watch: and when they discovered them, they could not use their fire arms, Mr. LEVERTON, in his flight, losing a shoe in the woods, was left behind his companions. In this condition, wearying himself without success, for many hours, in endeavoring to recover sight of the ship, his strength failed him; and being without food or clothes, (for he had stripped himself to swim over a bay,) he laid himself down on a grass-plat expecting to die there. He spent the night without sleep in reviewing with sorrow his past life, and particularly his ends in undertaking this voyage; and that Scripture often occurred to his mind, " What doest Thou here, ELIJAH" The coldness of the night benumbed his naked body, and next day the heat was more intolerable, so that he began to faint away. In these circumstances he unexpectedly discerned a man making towards him, which proved, to his great joy, to be one of his companions, separated from the company, and in quest of the ship its well as he. He assured him, that he must return the way he came, if he would hope to find it.

Revived by his friend's arrival, and furnished with some of his clothes, MR. LEVERTON and he marched back. A third straggler soon joined them, and they marched together all day. Towards evening perceiving a smoke, they made to it, and found it to be the remains of a fire which the Indians had made, where they lay before they fell upon their booth. This fire, by which they stayed all night, was supposed to have been the means of saving their lives. Marching next morning towards the sea, they found a fourth of their company; but he being wounded in the knee, and unable to go with them, they were forced to leave him behind.

At length, through divine goodness, they descried the ship, which made a strange alteration in them: for now, their fear of the Indians increasing with their hope of deliverance, Though they had been nearly three days without rest, or sleep, or proper food, and marched along so faintly, yet now they all ran at a swift pace toward the sea, Mr. LEVERTON and one more swam to their ship. The other, unable, to swim, ran as far as he could into the sea, keeping only his head above water for fear of the Indians, till those in the ship sent and took him up in a pitiful boat which they had patched up. This wound and fatigue cost AIR. LEVERTON a dangerous fit of sickness, wherein his life was despaired of for many days. The ship fired signals to any alive on shore to make to them, by which six or eight more of their company were recovered. So this adventure ended with the loss of nearly half their company.

Not being able to return to Barbadoes, or any of our English plantations on that side, because of contrary winds, they resolved to make to the Isle of Providence, which was five hundred leagues off, near the Line. And notwithstanding many fears and difficulties, they had a prosperous voyage, and a welcome reception from their countrymen there. Many of the inhabitants were such as, upon a dissatisfaction with the English Hierarchy, had left their native country, and settled there, as others did in New-England. They had but one Minister among them, MR. SHERWOOD, who also was not satisfied with conformity. Yet some of the inhabitants were for the English ceremonies, and, upon MR. LEVERTON's arrival, would have had him minister to them in their own way. Hitherto he had never considered the controversy; but his impressions of religion were such as the general custom of his country and education had made. But now being made very serious by the remarkable Providences he had met with, and finding MR. SHERWOOD a pious person, he was disposed to hear his reasons; which induced him heartily to fall in with him in the same way. During his stay at the Isle of Providence, the Spaniards made an assault upon the island, but were repulsed with considerable loss; MR. LEVERTON, with great courage, continuing all the while on the shore to animate the people.

At length, the Governor leaving the island, a difference arose in the colony. He named his successor; but the people, pleading a right by charter to choose their own Governor, fixed a person of their own nomination in that station, one CAPTAIN LANE. But the other, privately arming some of the ruder sort, seized LANE and both the Ministers, and sent them prisoners to England, with an information against them to Archbishop LAUD.

When they arrived here, the state of things was changed, and LAUD was in custody of the Black-Rod. They were kindly received by the LORDs Patentees or Proprietors of the island, and encouraged to return Mr. SHERWOOD, the other Minister, being of a timorous temper, chose to stay here. But CAPTAIN LANE and MR. LEVERTON returned, plentifully furnished for their voyage, and authorised with a new commission. At their approach to the island, they found that the Spaniards had seized it in their absence.

After this they continued in those seas for two years, and saw many of GOD’s wonders in the deep,-too many to be here particularly related. They had many preservations, almost miraculous, from famine, from the Spaniards, and in violent storms. Twice they lost their ship, and were providentially taken up, once by a Frenchman, and another time by a Dutchman, and both times set afloat again in a Spanish pink, made prize. For these two years MR. LEVERTON declared he met not with one bit of bread. At length they resolved to return home, and by the assistance of a French vessel arrived safe at St. CHRISTopher's; and thence CAPTAIN LANE, and some of the men, proceeded directly to England.

MR. LEVERTON and some others inclined to settle there; but finding the dissoluteness of the place, and seeing little hope of doing good among them, after four or five' months' trial, he took the opportunity of a French frigate to return to Europe. But in this voyage he met with one of his greatest dangers. A dead calm continuing long at sea, all their victuals were spent. For many days they had but eight spoonfuls of peas, and a pint of water, per man. The Captain and MR. LEVERTON contented themselves with the same allowance. This lasted so long till they were all black with famine. He every day, morning and evening, called the English together, prayed with them, and instructed them; and with the more success when they were in such melancholy circumstances. The French were mostly Protestants, and would join with them as well as they could. At length, upon keeping a day’ of solemn prayer, no sooner was it ended, but they discovered a ship and upon making towards it, found it an English merchant-man; bound for Bermuda, who took all the English on board, and plentifully supplied the French for their voyage home. On board this ship was the Governor of Bermuda, who acquainted MR. LEVERTON, upon converse with him, that the ship's coming there at that time was by a very uncommon providence: "But I perceive," says he, `f MR. L.EVERTON, it was all in GOD’s great favor to Thou."

They soon arrived safe at Bermuda, where the Governor and he went into a long-boat, and were met at their landing by the Governor's lady, and a young gentlewoman of the country, whom he soon after married. Here he preached with great acceptance for about a year: but having a fit of sickness, and not perfectly recovering his health, it was Thought adviseable that he should return to England, and try his native air.

Arriving at the Downs, he landed at Sandwich; where as he was taking horse for LONDON, the ostler said to him, " MR. -, Thou are somewhat like our Minister; I believe Thou have lived in the hot countries as well as he." Upon inquiry he found it to be his old colleague MR. SHERWOOD, who was settled there; which brought them to an interview again, to their mutual joy.

Coming to LONDON, he was received with great honor and respect by the LORDs-Proprietors of the Island of Providence, and soon after settled as Minister of HighHenningham, in Suffolk; where he sent for his wife, and had his first child, whom he called GERSHOM, for the same reason that MosEs called his so; for he said, " I have peen a stranger in a strange land."

After some years' abode in Suffolk, MR. ANTHONY Nicol.s, one of the eleven excluded members, who had formerly known him in the University, took him down with him into Cornwall, and settled him at St. Tudy, the parish wherein his own house stood. Here he lived nine or ten years, signally useful in settling some that were inclined to fond opinions, and awakening many out of their carnal security; and kept up a weekly lecture there on Thursdays, with the assistance of his neighboring brethren, which was well attended by the gentlemen thereabouts.

Upon the King's coming in, he was not only ejected, but met with farther troubles. The former incumbent of St. Tudy had been sequestered, a year or two before MR. LEVERTON settled there, but died before the change. LORD MAHON, the Patron, was solicited to continue

MR. LEVERTON, but in vain; for he presented his Chaplain to the living, who treated him harshly, and, on pretence of dilapidations, would have seized.his goods; but that was prevented by the kindness of the people, who bought them, and carried them off. After this LORD MAHON prosecuted him for the main profits ever since he was in possession, and would not accept of any composition within the compass of his ability. This necessitated him to secure himself by absconding.

LORD WILLOUGHBY, of Parham, being appointed Governor of Surinam, MR. OXBNBRIDGE, a Minister of LONDON, who had been acquainted with Mr. LEVERTON at Bermuda, sent him an offer of going as Minister there; which, with the advice of his friends, he accepted. After long expectation of a ship at Plymouth, which was to convey him and his family over, it came at length, and safely carried him thither. But after he had been there a few weeks, and seemingly fixed to his satisfaction, he died. Thus ended the troublesome and unsettled life of this good man.

 

THE LIFE OF SIR NATHANAEL BARNARDISTON.

HE was born in Suffolk, in the year 1588, a year that ever deserves to be written in letters of gold. He derived his pedigree from an ancient family, containing no small number of noble ancestors. He was the twenty-third Knight lineally descended of that family, which still enjoys the paternal estate they had before the Conquest.

The LORD enabled him to " remember his Creator in the days of his Thouth," by casting in the seed of regeneration when he was at school. Living there more innocently than, for the most part, young gentlemen do, and upon a time hearing that prayer of the Psalmist opened, (Psal.li. 5,) "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me;" the greatness and odiousness of original sin being demonstrated, and pressed home, it pleased the LORD so deeply to affect his conscience thereby, that in the whole following course of his life, from that very time, it was a means of abasing all high Thoughts of himself, and of making him he down at the footstool of GOD, in the mournful sense of his own emptiness and vileness. Yea, he was more solidly and constantly humbled and broken for it, than for all the fruits of it, which every day appear by actual transgressions in the lives of most men, yet by this means were happily prevented in him. Some time after, he heard one preach on the Gospel, as it is the Law of Faith, held forth in 1 John 3: 23, "This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son JESUS CHRIST." From this text the Preacher happily urged, that in the Gospel there was not only granted a liberty to believe in CHRIST, if we please, but an obligation imposed, that requires us to believe, whether we like it or not. It pleased the LORD by this doctrine so to overpower his heart, that he durst not refuse, but submitted unto it; and so his confidence, in the foundation of his faith, was exercised out of pure obedience to GOD.

In order to give some account of his Life, I Shall set before Thou,

I. His personal capacity as a man.

II. His public capacity, as a Magistrate or Statesman.

III. His relative capacity, belonging to his family.

IV. His religious capacity, belonging to GOD and the Church.

I. His personal capacity as a man.-The make of his body, even from head to foot, was competently genteel and brave; his soul was comprehensive, vigorous, great, and active; his presence and aspect pleasant, yet grave, and such as often struck reverence and awe into the minds of those who looked upon him, especially such as came before him when he was exercising the office of a Magistrate. I may say of his, as was said of BASIL'S countenance, whilst he was performing holy exercises, namely, " that so much of the divine majesty and lustre appeared therein, that it made the Emperor VALENS tremble to behold it." And in like manner, this most exact and holy gentleman's severe deportment was so effectual, that it banished from his presence all those scurrilous gestures and practices, which the debauchery and impudence of too many of considerable degree fear not to act in the sight of GOD and their betters.

As there were none more flexible and complying than himself to the most easy desires of those who were just, honest, and good, even of the lowest rank of men; so,. on the other side, there was none who could put on a braver obstinacy than be would do, against the most lofty

Commands,- or most, zealous importunities, even of the greatest men, if what was urged was unjust, or against his happy rule of life, the word of GOD.

II. For his public capacity as a Magistrate, or Statesman.-As he was Justice of the Peace, he was exceedingly active and useful. He ever exercised justice in its own due time and way; he never befriended the great to the prejudice of those that were little or mean in the world; he ever held the balance of justice with an even band, and acted as impartially, as if all that came before him had neither had interest in him, nor any acquaintance at all; and he was not only " a terror to evil-doers, but a praise to all that did well, by this means making religion and justice to flourish round about him.

When he was High-Sheriff, (which he was in the twenty-first year of the reign of King JAMES,) he was to GOD, his King, and the county for which he served, one of the most exact that ever bore that office.-One passage here I must not let slip. As the serving of GOD was one principal business with him in every place in which he was employed through life; so here, Though he neglected no business that belonged to his present office, yet he had a special care to have GOD faithfully served, and that even on the week-day; taking with him his sheriff's men to a weekly lecture at some distance from his house, and thereby dignifying that office at a higher rate than usually is performed.

He was also usually placed in the high trust of a Member of Parliament, for he was constantly chosen on every occasion as a Knight for his own native county; which trust he received not out of any ambition, to advance his own greatness, nor out of any selfish end, to raise his own estate by exhausting the public treasury, but out of a mind and conscience devoted to the service of the church and commonwealth, beyond which neither fear, favor, nor flattery, could draw him to act or vote at all; for he absolutely refused to defile himself by any miscarriage,

let the inducement or temptation be ever so great.

For his country, and the defense of the just rights and liberties thereof, he did not refuse to expose himself to a gulf of hazards and sufferings; witness his suffering under the imposition of Ship-Money, Coat and Conduct Money, and the Lord; for refusing whereof he was a long time imprisoned in the Gate-House, and afterwards confined for a longer time in Lincolnshire, above six-score miles from his own abode.

III. For his relative capacity.-Here he was really what became a good and holy man; both as inferior and superior.

1. As an inferior, towards his father and grandfather; where he did in every thing answer that relation he stood in to them, so that he knew as well how to honor, serve, and obey, as to command, cherish, and love. He enjoyed his father a less time than his grandfather; but we may gather what his carriage to him was, from the value he set upon his memory. He used to please himself to discourse of his father, affirming that he was a very godly man, and that it was a great disadvantage for him to part with him so young. These things he would often declare to his children, dropping many tears; and when he made his will, he there expressed an importunate desire that the bones of his father might be Jigged out of the earth, where they were buried, and laid by his own body in a new vault, which he ordered his executors to erect for the same purpose. Thus, Though he could not live with his father as long as he would have desired, yet he designed that their bodies or remains should he together till the happy resurrection. And all the days of his grandfather's life, he was ever endeavoring to do him good, and help him in any of his affairs; all which he did with great humility, respect, and honor.

2. As a superior.-And, first, as a husband;-Here he seemed to imitate the practice of the LORD JESUS towards his church, in his conjugal love, protection, and full delight, until he became a pattern of matrimonial sweetness and faithfulness. A father he was also; and what manner of one, his children have declared in their hearts, lives, and filial deportment. They have always affirmed that he ever performed not only the part of an earthly father, in the due discovery of all tender affection to their bodies, but also performed the office of an heavenly Father to their souls, by a constant endeavor and serious study for their education in the most strict ways of pure and paternal religion; one testimonial of which was, his continually bestowing on them spiritual counsels and gracious instructions, the grand end of which was to incite them to a strict watchfulness over themselves, and a close walking with GOD. And it was usual with him, after giving such instructions unto them severally, to take them into his closet, and there pray over them, and for them. If at any time they had displeased him, so excellent was his moderation and wisdom towards them, that he would never correct them, nay, not so much as reprove them, in his displeasure, but still waited for the most cool and convenient time, wherein they seldom discovered that he was angry by any other effect but his silence. And on the other side, he was so ready to encourage them in any acts of well-doing, that, for the most part, his extraordinary respect and favors towards them were bestowed rather under the notion of rewards of their duty, than the issues of bounty; still professing before them, as he usually did to his friends upon their discoursing concerning the extraordinary blessings of GOD upon them in their travels abroad, and their return home again, " that he took infinitely more content in beholding one grain of grace, or evidence of true regeneration in his children, than if their estates and gains abroad had been multiplied a hundred fold." If withal they had come back again profane, or no more than merely civilized, without the power of godliness, he was ever a kind and tender father, as to his affections and wishes, his advice and prayers, and the numerous letters which he constantly sent to his children. In his will, he exhorts them all, c' to fear GOD and love one another; and enjoins that, if any difference happened amongst them, as ever they bore any duty or love to him, or as they would expect the like from their own children, they would leave all such differences to the arbitration of the rest of their brethren, and would stand to their award.

He was also a wise and careful grandfather; not only instructing his little relatives while he lived, but also using endeavors to command them to be good, honest, and obedient, when he was dead; as' appears by what he left under his hand, in his last will, where he bequeaths to them several legacies, but with this proviso, " that if any of them would not be ruled by their parents, it should be in the power of their parents to lessen or take away what he had left them, first giving it under their bands to his executors."

IV. We are to consider him in his religious capacity; in which he was no less excellent than in any of those that went before. Here we may, FIRST, see with how much piety he exercised himself TOWARDS GOD. He ever lived and acted with such a reverential awe, and most devout respect, towards the ALMIGHTY, that his life seemed little else but one entire series of devotion. Yea, we may a little see what he was in particular duties of religion; and here, whether we instance in secret or public exercises, he did so earnestly devote himself unto them, that, " for my part," says a godly Divine who was his close observer, " amongst persons of his quality, I think he has left very few superiors behind him, if any equals."

1. In private duties.-It was his constant practice to pour out his soul before the LORD in secret thrice every day, and sometimes oftener, if he could get opportunity; besides his family duties, and days of extraordinary humiliation, which he embraced on every occasion. Nay, his constant converse with individuals was so divine, as to merit a place among his private duties to GOD; for his speech consisted of nothing but love, sweetness, and modesty; all his discourse ever ministered grace unto the hearers; it was a pure stream from the pure fountain of his heart.

2. In public duties.-If we begin with his sanctification of the Sabbath, he rose early every day, but more early on the LORD's-day, so that usually he was the first up in the family. Then he called his children and others, that they might have sufficient time to prepare themselves for a more reverent and devout attention upon the LORD in his public ordinances; and for himself, he usually spent much time in private every Sabbath morning, before he came to the congregation.

His value of, and constant attendance upon, the ministration of the word publicly dispensed, showed him so eminent, and zealously concerned, and taken up therein, that it was difficult for any to outdo him. What the Apostle JAMES requires was his punctual practice; that is, he was " swift to hear: “ he could never satisfy his conscience, if he was not present to join with the congregation before there was one word spoken, or one petition sent up to the LORD. His unweariedness in this course while he lived, was always visible to the congregations near the place where he resided.-The congregation being dismissed, the first thing which he did usually, after he came within his own doors, was immediately to betake himself to his closet, to beg a blessed dew from heaven, to water the seed sown in his heart that day.

His preparation for the LORD'S-Supper was transcendent. For the most part he spent all the time he could redeem in a fortnight, before the sacrament, in his closet, in reading, prayer, and examination of his spiritual state, with other duties of preparation tending thereunto; and what he practiced himself in this kind, he constantly called upon others under him to do likewise. We shall see further how eminent he was in preparing for the sacrament, as also in advancing public catechizing, under the next head.

Consider him, SECONDLY, in his religious capacity, AS BELONGING TO THE CHURCH of GOD; in which we shall see his worth, if we seriously weigh the following particulars.

1. His warm love and affection to a holy ministry they who were faithful in this function had not, among persons of his quality, a more faithful and hearty friend and well-wisher in the whole world. None so earnestly and frequently prayed for them, none so highly prized their calling and labors, as he did. He was fully of that good man's mind, who openly professed, that he bad rather fall with the ministry of England, than stand in greatest power with their enemies. When some talked of dreadfully bloody times, and dark, black days, as coming upon us, he replied, that those would be accounted dark, black days indeed, when the lights of the ministry were extinguished.

2. His extraordinary care to present to every living, where he was patron, such as were well qualified and holy men.-When any place in his gift was vacant, he would spend many days in fasting and prayer, to invite the direction of GOD, to guide him in his bestowing thereof; professing many times, that his spirit did more tremble to set his hand and seal to a presentation, than to any other writing or deed whatsoever; " lest," said he, " I should thereby bring the loss of the people's souls to be required of me or my posterity, through my negligence." And therefore, when by all his own care, and the advice of friends, such an one could not be procured, as for sufficiency and abilities would give satisfaction to the conscience of this rare patron, then he left it wholly to the better sort of the people in that place, to choose their own Minister.

3. His doing all he could to draw his neighbors to the life, power, and universal practice of religion.-He always heartily joined with his Minister, MR. FAIRCLOUGH, in every design that might advance holiness; nay, he engaged himself to do all things that could be proposed for that end. I will here mention two excellent practices of his, tending directly to it; the first was about catechizing, the other the Supper of our LORD.

(1.) As to catechizing, he saw that it was so necessary for old people as well as young, in order to their obtaining saving knowledge, that he proposed it to the heads of the families in the town and parish of Ketton, both rich and poor, that when the children or servants were catechized, if they could not give answer at any time to the question asked, the father or master should answer for them, engaging that he would do the like for his children or servants. Having laid out some time, and used several importunate arguments, he prevailed in the setting up of this practice, which by his example succeeded well, and was of admirable advantage to the informing of ignorant minds, and the building up of them, and others, in the most holy faith.

(2.) As to the sacrament of the Supper of our LORD, here he did all he could to assist the Minister in hindering the openly wicked from participating of this holy ordinance. In order hereunto, he agreed with the rest of those that were to communicate, that he and they should publicly declare their acknowledgment of the baptismal covenant. Accordingly he did himself begin this holy undertaking, and, before all the communicants, did declare his faith in GOD through our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and did undertake, through the assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT, to perform whatsoever his sureties had promised in his baptism upon his account, in which he was imitated by all others that communicated; which kept the profane from meddling with that sacred action, they being fully convinced of the reasonableness of the practice. This surely was doing what he could to advance the life, power, and universal practice of religion; so was also,

4. His constant commemoration of, and joy in, the deliverances of the Church. although his practice was herein universal, and did contain his abundant joy in the success and deliverances of the churches abroad, in any part of the world; yet we shall confine his acting to our own church in this nation. He did annually commemorate the thrice happy day of Queen ELIZABETH'S inauguration; which gloriously rescued the Reformed Religion from the bloody designs of the Papists. He also did every year observe the fifth of November with all becoming expressions of joy.

I have but mentioned something of his graces and excellencies; for divers are omitted wherein he was as eminent as in any I have named. I instance in one, his charity to the poor. He did clothe and feed a great number of those that dwelt round about him, constantly, year by year, while he lived; and left them legacies in several parishes when he died: yea, so extensive was his heart in the practice of charity, that it reached even as far as the poor in New-England, whose necessities he did highly commiserate and supply.

Thus much for his Life; and now, lastly, for his Death, in which we shall find six things remarkable.1. His preparation for it at some distance: 2: His welcoming the messenger thereof when it drew near 3: His unwillingness, even then, to be absent from holy ordinances and exercises: 4: His fervent performance of such duties as he was capable of: 5: His excellent farewell-advice to his children: 6: His peaceable and joyful departure.

I. His preparation for death at some distance.-He was unwilling to be surprised, and therefore endeavored for several years before it came to be ready; but especially for two years before, he was ever thinking of, and fitting for it. Then he made his last will, upon this very ground, as he there expresseth, that after he had set his house in order, he might have nothing in the world to look after, or to look upon, but his blessed SAVIOR, and salvation by him. In this last testament, he discovers as much assurance and confidence of the LORD's everlasting grace and love to him, as if at the time he had embraced the LORD JESUS in his arms. As, in the beginning of his will, he heartily begs the guidance of GOD to direct him in the wise disposal of what divine goodness had bestowed upon him; so, in several other places, he does annex many

heavenly -counsels, and precious instructions, tending to the everlasting inheritance of his posterity. It was observed of him, that after his will was finished, he seemed to have little to do but to be gone to the better world; being as much at ease as if be had wholly done with this world.

II. His welcoming the messenger of death, when-it drew near.-He did not then, according to the method of most, seem averse to be gone, but was heartily ready; for as soon as ever there appeared on his side a small swelling, in which none but himself conceived any danger, he, being then at Hackney, did send fifty miles for MR. FAIRCLOUGH, his Minister, to discourse with him; and taking him to walk with him, presently fell to conference on the worth and immortality of the soul, on the manner of its subsistence and acting when it was separated, on the joys of the other world, and on the vanity and emptiness of all things in this; judging these subjects to be most suitable to his present condition: and herewith he was so deeply and spiritually affected, that, at their parting, he expressed himself in the following manner to MR. FAIRCLOUGH: Sir, I now much wonder that any man that fully believes these things to be realities, and not mere notions, should be unwilling to die; for my own part, I will not be so flattered as to be desirous to live longer in the world, where there is little hope left that the LORD has any more work for me to do, except it be to suffer for keeping a good conscience, in witnessing against the apostasies and impieties of the times. And now it is a great favor of GOD to be sent for speedily." After this, being removed to LONDON, for greater conveniency of physicians, he there made the same profession of his desire to be dissolved, and to be with CHRIST.

III. His unwillingness even then to be absent from holy ordinances and exercises.-His pains and weakness growing so fast upon him that he was thereby hindered from the enjoyment, first, of public ordinances in the church, and presently after of those that were in. the family; this was the greatest grief that burdened his mind. One Sabbath morning, observing the people of the family, where he lodged, to be getting themselves ready to join with the congregation belonging to that place, he fell into a great passion of sorrow, and wept very much, because he had gone with the multitude, and led them to the house of GOD, but now was necessitated to want the benefit of that which his soul so much thirsted after. Again, the week before he died, he was persuaded, in respect of the extremity of his pain, once or twice to go to bed before family prayers; but the night following, being again persuaded to it, he told them, " that he would not be entreated to do so any more; " for he said, " he was sure that he slept the worse those nights for the want of it."

IV. His most fey vent performance of suck holy -duties as he was capable of.-Because he could not enjoy those that were public, he therefore gave up himself the more earnestly to the exercise of secret reading of the Scripture, meditation, and prayer, so long as his strength would hold out; but one wave followed another so fast, that he was disabled thereby from being so frequent and constant in those secret duties as he desired; of which he made many complaints to his sons, and others, as they came about him.

V. His excellent advice to his children.-The day before his death, his children being about him, after he had blessed them all, and offered up his prayers to heaven for them, he gave them his last advice in four particulars. First, He admonished them to take heed of worldliness and vain glory. Secondly, He persuaded them to live in unity together; yet so that they should ever count it their duty to watch over one another, and never be afraid to tell one another of their faults lovingly. Thirdly, He exhorted, that they should take heed of timorousness, and shrinking from the truth, by reason of the opposition of the times against the power of godliness. Fourthly, He commended them unto the word of GOD’s grace, and the word of grace unto them; requiring them to be constant in. reading the Scriptures, and to join thereto prayer for a blessing, before and after.-After these counsels, one of his Sons (telling him how much he hoped the words of a (lying father would he regarded by them) desired him to deal impartially with each of them, and discover unto them what evils he had noted each of them most prone unto, and what duties he had observed any of them most negligent in. He did perform what was desired with so much plainness, that one of his brothers standing by, desired him to use the same fidelity to him, which accordingly he did.

VI. His peaceable and joyful departure out of the world. He enjoyed before his death, even to the last, such an abundant peace, and ravishing joy, as could not be hid; his soul being so filled therewith, that it even overflowed, and poured upon all those that inquired after his condition. This appeared, first, to his second son, who observing him to grow faint, did desire him to be cheerful; to whom he answered, " Son, I thank the LORD, I am so cheerful in my heart; that I could laugh whilst my sides ache: “ Then to his brother, inquiring how he found himself, he answered, "O brother, blessed be GOD, I have abundance of ravishing joy within me." The same answer he gave to his eldest son, who inquired how it was with him. He presently fell into an earnest prayer, " that the LORD would be pleased to give him a happy deliverance out of this world, and a glorious meeting with his SAVIOR." This prayer was so graciously answered, that as long as he enjoyed any use of speech, he acknowledged the sense of- this inward joy. After he had said, " I have peace within, I have peace within," he spoke no more, but lying for a while, as it were in a slumber, at last he opened his eyes again, and lifting up his hands towards heaven, fell asleep in the LORD.

He left the miserable, and went to the happy world, on the 25th of July, in the year 1653, when he had lived full threescore and five years.

THE LIFE OF SAMUEL FAIRCLOUGH.

SAMUEL FAIRCLOUGH was born April 29, 1594, at Haverill, an ancient market-town in Suffolk. His father, MR. LAWRENCE FAIRCLOUGH, was a branch of a very ancient family in Lancashire, from whence he was sent to the University of Cambridge, and thence removed to be incumbent at Haverill, where he lived, an able and worthy Preacher of the Gospel, for many years, Having preached a sermon of thanksgiving for the coming in of King JAMES, in the year 16O3, he caught so great. a cold by it, that he died the next day, leaving this son then but nine years old.

There were many pledges of a great and good mind discerned in this child when very young, which his father perceived; but more especially a desire to study, and a love to search after knowledge: and accordingly his father, upon his death-bed, laid a particular command on his mother to breed this son a scholar, and advised that he should be educated under one MR. ROBOTHAM, the most famous schoolmaster of that age. Before he was fourteen years of age, he was sent to the University, with this testimony from his master, a that he was the best scholar that ever went from that school, whereof he had been master near thirty years." This could not but be a great comfort to his mother; but there was something of another kind, which rejoiced her much more; and it was this, that GOD was pleased to begin a work of grace in his heart very

early, awakening hiss conscience by the terrors of the law, bestowing a sincere repentance upon him thereby, and worlking; an effectual faith in him. All this was done by the ministry of the word preached by MR. SAMUEL WARD', then Lecturer of Haverill. Me. WARD had answered for him in his baptism, and had always a hearty love to him. Preaching one LORD's-day upon ZACCHEUS'S conversion, and discoursing upon ZACCHEUS's four-fold restitution in case of rapine and extortion, he used that frequent expression, *, " No man cnn expect pardon from GOD of the wrong done to another's estate, except he Makes full restitution to the wronged person." This Was a dart directed by the hand of GOD to the heart of our young school-boy; who, together with one JonN TnIGG, afterwards a famous physician in LONDON, had the very week before robbed the orchard of one GOODMAN JUDE, of that town. At and after sermon he mourned much, and took not any sleep all the night following'; and early on the Monday morning, he went to his companion TRIGG, and told hini that he was then going to GOODMAN JUDE'S, to carry him twelve pence, by way of restitution for three penny-worth of pears, of which he had wronged him. TRIGG, fearing that if the thing were confessed to GOODMAN JUDE, JUDE would acquaint MR. ROBOTHAM therewith, and that correction would follow, did earnestly strive to divert this poor child from his purpose of restitution but FAIRCLOUGH replied, that GOD would not pardon the sin, except restitution was made. To this TRIGG answered thus, “Thou talkest like a fool, SAM; GOD will forgive us ten times, sooner than old JUDE will forgive us once." But our SAMUEL wets of another mind, and therefore he went on to JUDE's house, and there told him his errand, and offered him a shiiline; which GOODMAN JUDE refusing, (alThough he declared the forgiveness of the wrong,) the Thouth's wound smarted the more thereby; so that he could get no rest until he went to MR. WARD, and opened to him the whole state of hit soul, both upon the account of this particular sin and many others, and most especially, the sin of sins, the original sin of his nature Mr. WARD received him with great affection, and proved the good Samaritan to him; pouring wine and oil into his wounds, answering all his questions, satisfying his fears, and preaching JBsus to him so fully and effectually, that he dedicated and devoted himself to his SAVIOR and REDEEMER all the days of his life after.

Being designed for Cambridge, he was recommended by a friend of his, one MR. ALLINGTON, to MR. BERRY, a fellow of Queen's-College, to whom he went, and, having delivered MR. ALLINGTON'S letter, begged leave to speak a few words to him. He then informed him, that he was the son of a worthy divine, who died five years before; that he had continued at school ever since; and that his elder brethren had carried away almost all his father's estate with them into the Low Countries, so that he had but little to spend, and not any thing to recommend him to a tutor,_ but the knowledge he had obtained in the Greek and Latin tongues, and a cheerful observance of the commands of any gentleman who would make trial thereof. He added, that it might seem a great piece of impudence that a poor boy should thus address himself to so reverend a person; but it was the report which MR. ALLINGTON had given of his kindness, that made him hope now to find charity there, where many other persons had experienced so much goodness at all times.

MR. BERRY, who was in truth a very kind and good man, was mightily pleased to see a Thouth deliver himself so humbly, and yet so freely. He therefore first examined him in all school-authors, both Latin and Greek, and finding him a perfect master of both those languages, he told him that if DR. TINDALL, the Master of the College, would approve of him, he should then be admitted into the College, and he sent him to the Doctor accordingly; who had no sooner made trial of him, but he also did greatly approve of him. But there was yet a mighty difficulty ill the way; for there was not one study empty in the whole college, and for want thereof many scholars had been rejected that year. Yet MR. BERRY would not upon this account reject him, but set up a bed in his own chamber for him, and gave him liberty to study there, till another study should become void.

He had not been above two years in the college before SPENCER, LORD COMPTON, eldest son Of WILLIAM, Earl of Northampton, was designed for the University, and for that college also. The Earl would needs have his son to have two tutors, whereof one or other might always be with him. Dr. TOWERS, afterwards Bishop of Peterborough, was chosen by the Earl for his head-tutor, and the Earl wrote to DR. TINDALL to provide a sub-tutor, who might converse with the young LORD, and take care of him as often as DR. TOWERs was absent. The Master was then at his Deanery of Ely, with some Fellows of the College, where he received the Earl's letter; which he had no sooner done, but he concluded with himself that FAIRCLOUGH would be a most fit person for this place. The next (lay, therefore, he sent for him to Ely; and told him that he must write immediately a Latin letter to the Earl, and offer his service to the young LORD, his son. The task was very difficult for so young a person to undertake; but the employment was honorable and profitable, and thereby also a door of preferment was certainly opened for the future. All this DR. TINDALL did intimate to him, and then left him to compose such a letter, whilst himself and the Fellows that were him, went to dinner in another room; where they had not fully dined, before the letter was sent in finished Mr. PRESTON, afterwards the renowned DR. PRESTON, was one of the Fellows then at dinner. The Dean, and the whole company, were amazed when they read the letter, both for the manliness of the sense, the richness of the fancy, and the elegancy of the Latin. But MR. PRESTON discerned especially the seriousness, sobriety, and piety, that breathed in every line, and from that time he received this young man unto intimate familiarity with himself.

The epistle was sent by the Doctor to the Earl, who having read it, and observed much accuracy therein, did rejoice that his son should converse with, and in many things be guided by, such a scholar, who did manifestly appear learned, grave, and prudent beyond his years. The next day, therefore, after the receipt of the letter, tllcre were many rich goods and much furniture sent to this lad to take care of; and orders were given him further to furnish the chambers with every thing that should be wanting. There were several trunks sent also, full of rich clothes, and much money; the keys of alt which were delivered to him, with notice that the Earl's son would be at the college in about three weeks. This was done, because the Earl afterwards acknowledged, that he did hereby make trial of the scholar's temper, both as to his faithfulness, and also as to his discretion.

The Earl coming and finding all things that were sent taken good care of, and all the money secured, and all things necessary provided, he declared not only his present satisfaction, but his great confidence that his sets would be under excellent government, both as to his and also as to all his moral concerns. The Earl, therefore, putting two broad pieces into this sub-tutor's hands, told him that he had made trial of his faithfulness in his stewardship about smaller matters; and now he believed that he might safely trust hill, ill greater concerns, and therefore he would commit the richest jewel and the greatest treasure he had in tile world to the oversight of DR. TOWERS and himself. But

i truth, the greatest care lay upon the shoulders of the sub-tutor; inasmuch as DR. TOWERS was much out of town, and the sub-tutor, being constantly with him, had the fairest opportunities to forewarn him of evil, and to reprove him for any miscarriage;-which he always did with such great prudence, deep humility, and apparent affection, that the young- LORD loved him as his brother, and valued his words as an oracle.

About this time, King JAMES came to Cambridge, and promised to give the University a second visit within a short time. The Heads therefore resolved to welcome the Icing's second coming with a comedy, namely, with that famous one called Ignoramus; and thereupon the greatest wits were selected to be actors therein, among whom the LORD COMPTON was pitched upon for one, and his sub-tutor designed for another. But it so happened, that the part which was to be acted by the sub-tutor, who was but little and of low stature, was that of Surda, all old woman, and it required him to be clothed in woman's apparel. This had an appearance of evil in it, as the young mart Thought, which, by the Apostle's rule, was to be avoided. He therefore went to the Vice-Chancellor, desiring to be excused from acting that or any other part. The Vice-Chancellor told hirn, that he was unwise, for by his acting he would become known to the Court, and by acting well, he would gain the King's favor immediately, and get preferment in a short time; to which the young scholar replied, that he judged it unlawful for a roan to wear women's apparel. The Vice- Chancelior at first laughed at him, and argued the point awhile with hire; but met with some' such arguments, at last, as turned his senile, into a frown: so that the contest between the Vice Chancellor and hint had proceeded higher, had riot the LORD Couiron offered, that he would act his own part, which was that of Vince, a page, and his sub-tutor's part also.-'Thus did this Thouth choose to lose the smiles of the Court, and to bear the frowns of the Vice- Chancellor, rather than to hazard the light of GOD’s countenance, or to endure the least lash of his own conscience.

After Ire had taken his degree, the Earl of Northampton, designing to send his son beyond sea, wrote to hint, offering hint the privilege of traveling with hi, son into era c and Italy; that so far a t he had power oven` himself, he did most thankfully accept of the offer; but he was not his own; he had a mother yet alive, whose content he sought and preferred above his own, and with whom he would first advise, and then return a

speedy answer. His mother being consulted, made an answer something like that of JACOB to his sons;

` JOSEPH is riot; and SIMEON is not; and will ye take BENJAMIN also " " RAPHAEL," said she, " is not; LAWRENCE is. not;" (these were the names of her two elder sons, who died in the wars beyond sea;) " and will ye take SAMUEL also " All these things are against me, and will bring my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave." She was proceeding farther, but he prevented her, falling upon his knees, and saying, " Dear Mother, although my inclinations are strong, and my desires great to travel with my LORD, in such company, and in such an equipage, as I may now do, yet since I know Thour pleasure, I can assure Thou, I feel already far greater satisfaction in denying my own will for Thours, than I can find in the journey, should it answer all my desires and expectations," He therefore the next day went to the Earl's house in Northamptonshire; he begged his LORD for his pardon that he could not serve him herein; and acquainted him with the reason which hindered his going.

Suddenly after this invitation was given him to travel, his old friend MR. ALLINGTON did procure the presentation of the living of Halson, in the County of Suffolk, which presentation he sent to him; but MR. FAIRCLOUGH was not yet of age to receive Priest's orders, or to be instituted and inducted into a living; which being understood by MR. GRIQUSE, a Fellow of the College, he did offer himself to go to Norwich and take the institution in his own name, to allow the whole profit of the living to this his young curate, and to restore the living to him so soon as he should be capable to receive it. When MR. FAIRCLOUGH entered upon it, a greater congregation was soon gathered to hear him, than the church of Halson could hold. But when the two years were expired, and Mr. GRIQUSE a had resigned, MR. FAIRCLOUGH did not

think himself sufficient for these things. For Though his learning and pacts were beyond his age, and his labors were abundantly acceptable, yet he did not think himself furnished for so great a work as that of taking the care of souls upon him. He therefore resolved to retire again, and to betake himself to his private studies for a year or two longer; desiring to enter into the family of some eminent Minister, where he might again go through, and complete, a course of Divinity-studies, and, by converse with an experienced person, gain a more full knowledge of the nature of his work, and attain greater measures of grace in his own heart. Having, therefore, first consulted with his spiritual father, MR, WARD, he was by him recommended to the house of MR. RICHARD BLACKERBY, Of Ashen, in Essex; a man justly reputed one of the holiest men on earth, and accounted the greatest scholar in that county. Here he sought to accomplish himself in all pieces of human literature. And he had undoubtedly consumed his whole life, and buried himself, in history and antiquity, and in arts and sciences, if GOD had not touched his conscience by that text of Scripture, viz. " The world by wisdom knew riot GOD;" on reading which, one morning, he became thereby convinced, that he might spend too much time in gratifying his natural inclinations. His conscience also told him that he was not born for himself, but for public use and service. Hereupon he turned the stream of his studies mostly into the channel of Divinity. The grace of GOD now so far prevailed upon him, that he was taught to judge of things aright. It is true, he valued human learning above all human things, and did both covet and attain to a greater measure than most men do; but he was so happy as to know, that as the concerns of eternity are greater than those of time, so the knowledge of things eternal highly transcends the knowledge of things temporal.

He afterwards allotted four days in the week for the study of Divinity, and two for studying human learning and although he had left his stated preaching, at one particular place, yet he preached constantly, every Louzv's day, in one place or another; and Providence so ordered it, that he was sent for, far and near, especially by Ministers and congregations of market-towns, and those in divers counties. In Essex he was invited often to preach at Colchester, Braintree, Walden, and Thacksted. In Suffolk; he preached often at Hadicigh, Sudbury, and Clare; in all which places his name and memory are precious to this clay, and will be so, as long as any of his auditors shall be found alive; for in all places GOD gave him many seals of his ministry.

In the year 1619, the Mayor of Lynn, in Norfolk, and nine of the Aldermen of that town, sent him a letter, subscribed with all their names, entreating him that he would come and be their Lecturer. He so far complied with, their desires as to go to Lynn, and preached amongst them.’They then offered him 5O per annum, and a fair dwelling-house, at the charge of the Corporation. The people also petitioned him to come thither, and promised to make his salary up to. 1OO per annum; both desired some tune to consider. Returning to AIR. BLACKERBY, and advising with him, and with divers other friends, they all persuaded him to go to Lynn. Hereupon he went, and continued there some time. But it happened to him there, as it did to the Apostle, to wit, to be greatly envied by some other Ministers, whose people flocked to hear this new Lecturer. Moreover, he was openly opposed by the generality of the inn-keepers, alehouse keepers, and vintners, whose trade became less. But above all, DR. HARSNETT began to be angry, being informed that he had baptized children without the sign of the Cross, upon which he was cited to the Bishop's court. AIR. FAIRCLOUGH, perceiving that his enemies would wake Lynn too hot for him, went to the Mayor and Aldermen of the town, and besought then) to provide themselves with another Lecturer, At this they were greatly troubled; but Mr. FAIRCLOUGH them with what had passed at the Bishops’s court and recommending a learned and godly man to succeed in his place, he obtained leave to return to a small lecture at Clare.

And now, being resolved to sit, clown in this place, he considered about entering into a married state. At his first cotping into AIR. BLACKERBY's family, he had observed not Only a great beauty, but. a wonderful modesty, in his eldest daughter.; and having lived for some years with her, he had discerned, that as she was of an excellent temper and sweet conversation, so she was sincerely pious. He therefore, having spent much time in prayer for direction, resolved first to address himself to her father, and then to herself; which he did, and obtained the consent of both: and they were a most happy couple, every way suitable to each other, and rejoicing in each other's love.

In the mean time the word of GOD at Clare " ran and was glorified" by his ministry, upon which all sorts of persons, rich and poor, did attend. Amongst those of quality, was Sir NATHANAEL BARNARDISTON. He was Patron to divers livings: and one of thorn becoming void, the Patron immediately purposed that FAIRCLOUGH should be the incumbent of that parish, called BARNARDISTON. Hereupon the presentation was sent to MR. FAIRCLOUGH; but he sent it back; acquainting the Patron, that he understood some persons had moved in the behalf of one Al ti. WELD, with whom he did heartily join in the petitions himself having present employment at Clare, whereas Ma. WELD was wholly destitute. Sin NATHANAL was much pleased with the kindness Of AIR, FAIRCLOUGH; but was troubled at this answer. He therefore sent his servant the same day back to acquaint him, that he did not only offer the presentation, but earnestly request his acceptance thereof; because GOD bad much blessed his labors already to his own, and his lady's heart, and therefore it was their joint desire that he would conic to be their neighbor minister. Importunity from such a person, it, such a case, could not be long denied; MR. FAIRCLOUGH removed to the town of Barnardiston, where he

constantly preached twice oil every LoaD's-day, and also on every festival-day, when the people could best attend; and once in every mouth, he preached a preparation-sermon for the Sacrament. Here he also set up the great duty of catechising young and old; which he practiced (as opportunity allowed) to his life's end. Neither did he content himself with public preaching alone; but he went to all the houses in Barnardiston (they not being many) once every month, discoursing there with his people about the state of their souls, and giving them assistance and counsel, according to their present condition.

He compared public preaching to sowing of seed, and private discourse to harrowing or covering the seed, without which, the fowls of the air, that is, a multitude of diverting Thoughts, and the Prince of the air also, would soon pick up the word, without fruit or benefit. At another time, he compared public preaching to that which falls upon many narrow-mouthed bottles, the greatest part whereof falls beside the mouths of the vessels, so that they arc rarely filled; but private instruction and admonition, he would say, was like a man's taking a single bottle into his hand, and pouring in water into it with a funnel, whereby it was soon filled.

Whilst he was Minister here, which was not above five years, he was desired, riot only by the people, but by the Minister also of one of the Churches of Sudbury, to supply the place of the Minister, who was then sick, one LORD'S-day. This was granted; and lodging at the house of one MR. RUGGLE, in that town, he, in the Sabbathevening, repeated both his sermons in that family, with whom were present divers other persons of the town also. Hereupon one of the other Ministers of the town, being displeased, (lid draw up certain Articles against him, as a factious and seditious man; and exhibited them in the Star-chamber, grounding his accusation only upon this repetition of his sermons. He was convened before the LORDs of the High Commission; and, although he made a legal, clear, and full defense, yet, that Court being arbitrary, he could riot obtain a dismission, till after two years' attendance. The charge of his journeys, and the fees of proctors, advocates, and counsel, did swallow up, in those two years, the whole profit of his little living; and he had continued longer it) trouble, if SIR NATHANAEL BRENT, his chief counsel and advocate, had not at last humbly petitioned the Court, in the name of his client, that the business might be referred to the petitioner's diocesan at Norwich; which being granted, a lady in Norwich gained such a certificate from the Bishop, as obtained a full discharge. This account we have from his own diary, which he kept constantly, from the age of twenty years; and in which he daily wrote down a full history of all GOD’s dealings with him, of the frame of his own heart, and of SATAN'S temptations, and his victory over them. A great part of his diary is penned in the Greek tongue; but the greatest part of it is written in elegant Latin.-That now follows, relating to his removal to Ketton, is taken wholly from his own hand.

DR. GIBSON, who was incumbent of the rectory of Ketton, had certain friends at Court, who gave hire some hopes, that in case he would come up to LONDON, and petition the LORD Keeper for a prebendary's place, then void at Norwich, he might obtain it. Up went the Doctor hereupon; but it pleased GOD to afflict him, so soon as he came to the city, with a severe sickness, whereof he died. News hereof was sent down to the Patron, Sin NATHANABL BARNARDISTON. He sent his eldest son with a presentation to MR. FAIRCLOUGH; who returned a very thankful letter, acknowledging his great obligations, but withal told him, that he now stood so engaged to his present people, that, without their consent, he could not leave them. Hereupon, his Patron did, the same week, summon all the people of Barnardiston to his house; and told them, that as in love to their souls he had formerly presented this Minister to them, so in love now to the souls of the people of Ketton, he was resolved to bring him to Ketton; but he still would take care that a godly and learned Minister should succeed, one that might watch over their souls, naming Mr. Wesltley, the Lecturer of Haverill. The nearness of the parishes one to the other, the authority of the land LORD, and his conscientious care in providing a good successor for then, produced a silence in them, and a half-consent; which was interpreted by the Patron to be sufficient, because, at MR. FAIRCLOUGu'S first going to Barnardiston, the people had notice that he was placed there but for a time.

He was about thirty-five years of age when he carne to Ketton, and he continued nearly thirty-five years there; all which time, saving a little interval by reason of sickness, he constantly preached four times a week, (besides his daily expositions in his family,) to wit, twice every LoRn's-day,-once every Thursday, a public lecture,and once every Saturday night, in his own house, in preparation for the Sabbath. The frequency of his preaching hindered not the elaborateness of his discourses. He never preached any thing which he had not first duly considered, and written with great deliberation. It is true, he never used any notes in the pulpit; but he never preached without them. His Thursday lectures were preached to a great number of the Clergy; all the Ministers, for many miles round, coming constantly to hear them: and there were frequently not less than ten or twenty scholars, both Fellows of colleges and others, from Cambridge`: In his Lord's-Days' exercises, which were addressed to a plain country people, of his own and neighboring parishes, he very rarely preached about any controverted point; and did never stuff his sermons with nice speculations and intricate disputes. He loved not to meddle, in his popular sermons, with those points that he out of common reach, and are apt to perplex holiest minds. He industriously studied plainness; therein following the pattern of his old acquaintance, Archbishop Usher, and the special counsel and advice of his old friend, DR: PRESTON; GOD had given him also a mighty gift in prayer, and did bless the use of both prayer and preaching to the great benefit of his people, The inhabitants of the town, when he first called to it, were very ignorant and profane; being generally "aliens and strangers from the commonwealth of Israel, and without GOD in the world." There was not one family in twenty, which did then call on the name of the Lord, or had the worship of GOD set up ill it. But in a short time after his coining, he had so preached to them, and so prayed with them, and for them, that there was not one family in twenty which did not profess godliness, or whose governors did not offer up their morning and evening sacrifice constantly.-Upon himself GOD poured out an abundant measure of the SPIRIT of grace and supplication. Whatever gifts or graces were requisite to make the ordinances of prayer acceptable to, or prevalent with GOD, were communicated to him, in an extraordinary manner. He always poured forth his very heart and soul before GOD with great faith; and from thence flowed great freedom of expression, but always joined with tile greatest reverence, and deepest humility. It was very affecting to discern gifts and graces thus in conjunction. He well knew how to suit his expressions properly to every particular occasion, whether he petitioned for any special mercy, or supplicated the removal of any evil; all which he performed, Though with great fervor and zeal, yet with such entire resignation and submission to the divine will, that in all things it was manifest, that love to GOD and his glory gave life and breath to all his desires. He had a tender heart; and in a day of humiliation he discovered such brokenness and contrition of spirit as did soon melt the hearts of others. On such days, all that joined with him wished, and many found, with JEREMIAH, " that their heads were rivers, and their eyes fountains of tears." Every LORD’s Day, especially in the last prayer after his afternoon-sermon, he was very large in the thanksgiving part of that ordinance; which he performed as if he had been one of the heavenly choir. At this new service he seemed to recover new life and strength; and O how great were the raptures, how lofty were the strains, how wonderful were the enlargements of soul which he experienced, in the performance of that angelical work of praise! He never forgot Zion, but begged as often, and more earnestly, that GOD’S name might be hallowed, and that the kingdom of his SON might come, than ever he did for his own daily bread.-He prayed much for others, and desired the like from them; which that he might obtain, he appointed stated times, when he and his friends engaged to each other to meet together at the throne of grace, which engagement, on his part, was strictly performed. A visitant once coming to him, and the question being asked, whether he had kept the promise of mutual prayer, the person blushed, and confessed that some omission had happened on his part; to which this holy man replied, Well, but I have been true to my word; and could either this table, or chair, near which I have prayed, speak, they might witness for me, that for seven years together, I have made mention of Thour name before GOD in prayer, between four and five o'clock every Saturday in the afternoon, unless hindered by extraordinary occasions."

As he was a man much with GOD in prayer, so he was one whose prayers GOD did often, and sometimes very signally, answer. We must not transcribe the many instances of that return of prayer, which he has recorded;* but we should be greatly wanting, if we did not make mention of some. His wife, about a year after his marriage, being great with child, became very sickly, and continued so, till within a fortnight of her time. He had all along wrestled with GOD upon her behalf, and had spent much time in prayer with her; but now he was resolved to spend a day in fasting and prayer, by himself, upon her account; and his wife set apart the same day for prayer by herself in another room. In this duty, he earnestly begged of GOD, that she might obtain mercy, and find help in the time of her need. In the evening and close of the day, while he was the seventh time upon his knees, he heard a mighty shriek not far from the house, which he guessed to be the voice of his wife; and so it was; for she having also spent most part of the day in prayer, did in the evening walk abroad,--meditating upon the promises of GOD to persons in her condition, and contemplating the infinite power of GOD, whereby he was able to make good his promise in the greatest difficulties. While her mind was deeply engaged herein, going by the side of a pond, in an adjoining field, her feet slipped, so that she fell over head and ears into the water. She shrieked in her fall; which her husband hearing, came down hastily, and, missing her within doors, ran so quickly to the pond, that, although she had sunk twice, he caught her by the hand before she sunk the third time. This happened in the month of October, when the water was exceedingly cold; but it pleased GOD, that no evil effect was produced.

A more memorable instance of the answer of prayer occurred in the case of his youngest son; for whom, upon a Saturday, about four in the afternoon, which was one of his stated times of prayer for his friends and relations, his heart was ouch enlarged in prayer. He was walking in the fields, and pouring out his soul for all his relations; but especially for that little one, who was his youngest, and then about two years old. This child, at that hour, a servant had taken up with her into the garret, and set him by the window, while she swept it. She carelessly neglected to have her eye upon the little one; and the child, looking out at the window, upon a company of young ducks, which were swimming in a vessel of water just under the casement, thrust his body so far out, that he fell down, and pitched first upon the eaves of the next floor, with so much force, as to break off above a dozen tiles from the place. With these tiles, he fell down to the ground; but not into the vessel of water, which stood perpendicular to the window, but exactly between that vessel_ and a large door which lay very near it, and upon which the food for those ducks was laid. Had he fallen a quarter of a yard on either hand, his brains must have been dashed out, either by the door or vessel; but GOD, by the ministration of his angels, so ordered it, that although the height of the place caused a dizziness and a swoon for a few moments, yet the child was no sooner taken up, but he immediately recovered. There was not the least bruise or hurt, inward or outward, nor the smallest razing of the skin by any of the tiles that fell with him; but, within one quarter of an hour, he went up and down the house, as he had formerly clone. His good father looked higher than to any natural means for the cause of his child's_ preservation. When he returned from his walk,. which was nearly half an hour after the fall, at which hour he hart prayed so earnestly to GOD for this child, being told the story of the fall, and having observed the height of the window, the broken tiles, the posture of the vessel and door, and the place where the child was taken up safely; he presently called all his family, and many of the neighbors together, to oin with him in giving GOD praise for the wonderful return of prayer, made at that instant, on behalf of that little one.

To mention but one instance more: GOD having given him a seventh child, it pleased GOD, that when it was about half a year old, it was strangely afflicted with pain and sickness, of which neither Physicians nor Surgeons could give any account. Many eminent persons, of both sorts, had inspected the child, but could not in the least guess the nature of its distemper. Many weeks passed wherein the child languished, and did daily fill the ears of its parents with its loud and frequent shrieks. The parents hereupon set apart a day of prayer, solemnly to seek GOD for this poor afflicted infant; in which service GOD was pleased to give to MR. FAIRCLOUGH great assistances of his Servant, and enlargement of heart. The very next morning, as the mother had the sick child in her lap, and was rubbing its naked head with her hand, she felt a pin to prick her hand; at which very much wondering, she looked narrowly into the ear of the child, and there espied the small end of a large pin. It was

very difficult to discern the end thereof, and more difficult to draw it forth, the head of the pin being downward, and almost eaten up with rust; but it being pulled out, the child was presently at ease, and recovered its health in a very short time.

The work of GOD at Ketton greatly prospered in his hand. The whole town was more and more reformed, so that his parish was a pattern to all the neighboring towns. Former profaneness was forced now to hide its head; drunkenness, swearing, cursing, and the like, as they were not practiced, so they were scarcely known. Divers persons lived many years in that parish; and, in the whole time, never heard an oath sworn, or saw one person drunk.

Many years were thus spent by this faithful servant of JESUS CHRIST, wherein GOD was pleased abundantly to endue him with bodily strength to go through his labors; and wherein GOD also did secure him from all molestation and trouble from abroad, which some others met with. But about the year 1635, he was seized with dizziness in his head, which afterwards turned to a violent pain. His physicians told him, that his distemper proceeded from over-much study, and from a sedentary life, for the cure whereof they advised him to forbear preaching; which he did a while, but found no relief. Then they advised him to try change of air, and recommended to him the air about Newmarket. He went, therefore, and lived with the Lady THORNTON, who had a seat within little more than a mile of that town, and GOD was pleased very much to bless that air to his recovery; so that having gotten a little strength, he was resolved to return to his work, and to lay it out in his Master's service; which he did for nearly two years.

It pleased COD afterwards to exercise him with a greater trial; for, upon a LORD's-Day morning, in his passage from his own house towards the parish-church, he went over a gate in his way, which he supposed had been locked, as it was wont to be; but while he was almost over it, the gate opened, and caused him to have a very severe fall, by which he was much hurt. His wife besought him to return home, and retire to his bed; but considering that his congregation was at that time met, and finding that he was able still to walk, Though not without pain, he went forward to church, and there preached the former part of that day, but was forced to procure a supply for the afternoon. The next day his pain increased more and more; and although he. loved not to keep his bed, yet he was confined thereto for some days, and unto his chamber for some weeks. He was at length able to travel on foot; but wholly hindered from riding on horseback for several years. This affliction, Though it was uncomfortable, inasmuch as it barred him from the only recreation in which he delighted, was, however, a sufficient plea for his not appearing at the Bishop's Court; and thereby it was providentially a means of his continuing in his ministerial work longer than probably he might otherwise have done.

About this time the Book of Sports was enjoined to be read, to which he neither did, nor could submit; and for this he was often cited to appear before the Archdeacon and Commissary at Bury: but answer was always given, that by reason of his distemper be was unable to ride so far. Hereupon, articles were drawn up against him; and the Commissary had orders to adjourn the Court from Bury to the parsonage-house of Ketton. And now, all persons feared that he would have been suspended; but the providence of GOD prevented it; for the Commissary and Surrogate, who were deputed to examine hire, were both hindered at that time by sickness, and none came but the Secretary, and one Minister with him, who did bale more than take cognizance of his bodily lameness, and then departed; leaving him at liberty to go on in his work as formerly. In this he was very diligent and constant; for although he was not well able to get up into the pulpit for some years, yet he preached twice every LORD'S-Day, sitting in his desk. But over-much study, after some time, had almost brought his first distemper upon him; for his spirits began to decay, and dizziness began to seize his head, besides the effects of his fall, which still troubled him. Having consulted many doctors, they all advised that he should go down in a horse-litter to the Has, which they counted would be a most effectual remedy for him. But such a long journey required more time than the statute does allow to any Incumbent to be absent from his place. This, therefore, put him upon petitioning the Archbishop for a dispensation; which, by interest of friends, was obtained. One argument which the presenter of the said petition used to the Archbishop

was this, that his LORDSHIP had no man dwelling in his whole province who was so like himself, as to bodily shape and face. To which the Archbishop answered, " Is it so Then let him go to the Has."-If any person, upon occasion, shall desire to have some account of his bodily shape and form, let them know, that he was a pretty fat and corpulent man, full-faced, of a grave majestic aspect, and had a very quick and piercing eye; but withal was low of stature.

This dispensation being obtained, he resolved to undertake his journey to Has, so soon as GOD should give his wife safe deliverance; sire being then pregnant. But this time never came; for his wife fell into premature labor, which cost her life. He was now left alone, with a great number of small children, and with a large family of servants. The education of the one, and the government of the other, it was impossible for him to discharge, in the way in which he knew that it ought to be done; because his ministerial work did necessarily take up most of his time, if not all of it. Yet he grappled with these difficulties for three years; and was then persuaded by friends to endeavor to repair the breach which GOD had made in his family, by marrying a second time. And Providence bringing an excellent gentlewoman to live in that town, she was recommended to him by all his friends, but especially by his first wife's relations, as one that would take off much of the burden of educating his daughters, who were the youngest part of his children. This gentlewoman was a person of great piety, and of a sweet disposition. She was the relict of MR. WILLIAM FOLKE, of Cambridgeshire, and bad but one child, a daughter, an heiress of a fair estate, who was much of the same age with his youngest child and daughter. After much prayer and seeking of GOD, the thing was accomplished, to the great joy and comfort of them both; she being a very affectionate yoke-fellow to him, and a most indulgent mother-in-law to his children; so that there never happened the least strife between them, but only this, whether he should show more kindness to her only child, or she show more love to all his seven children. And this contest also was most pleasingly composed, afterwards, by the inter-marriage of his third son with that daughter.

About this time, the first Long Parliament was convened, who, after a while, Thought fit to call an assembly of the most eminent Divines of the nation, and those of different persuasions, to sit at Westminster, and to consult about making some alteration in the discipline and government of the Church. His Patron being one of the Knights of the Shire for Suffolk, nominated him to be one of this assembly. But, although he had much recovered his health, without going to the Has, yet he was not fully cured; and therefore he went not to LONDON till that assembly had met, and sat some time. When he came to Westminster, and observed the state of things, he petitioned to be discharged, and obtained of his Patron to nominate another Minister to succeed in his place; which being granted, he returned to his own charge. He ryas a great lover of peace, and a great promoter of it. Find was wont greatly to bemoan, that those who did heartily agree in the fundamental articles of our creed, should, with great heat and animosity, contend about modes and ceremonies of worship, and forms of discipline and government.-He was no lawyer, and therefore might be ignorant of the legality of the proceedings of either party, during the civil Wars. Hence, he always chose to be passive therein rather than active; but no man lamented more the sins of those times than he did, being greatly wounded when he heard of Protestants fighting one against another. The wars were no sooner begun, than he foretold the ruin both of Church and State; for he discerned that the designs of the Jesuits were to foment the -differences on both sides, till both Church and State should be destroyed; which sadly came to pass in the. year 1648, when the emissaries of the Church of Rome, who bad listed themselves in both armies, did so influence and leaven their counsels, that the army rebelled against the very persons from whom they received their commissions, and Offered great violence to them. First they excluded the most eminent Members of the House of Commons, with the whole House of LORD’s; and then they killed the King himself at his own door;--throwing the scandal of all upon the Protestants, Though a learned Dignitary of the Church has abundantly proved it to be the act of the Papie is chiefly. O how greatly did the soul of this worthy person bleed for these things. Upon all occasions, he constantly bore public testimony against those proceedings. When the engagement for excluding the King's posterity was imposed, upon him, upon the penalty of forfeiting his living, he declared that he would riot only part with his living, but his life also, rather than subscribe to that which his soul abhorred. He was sometimes threatened with loss; at other times tempted by great offers of gain but nothing could prevail with him, to bring him to a compliance in any thing which he judged sinful.

After nearly fifty years went in preaching the Word of GOD with faithfulness and diligence, it pleased GOD now to honor him, by enabling him to suffer for adhering to the word of his patience, and for the testimony of a good conscience. He had been eminently active, and done much for GOD’s honor and glory; and now he was called to be passive, and to forsake all and follow his Master. Conscientious doing of the divine will, is a good preparation for conscientiously suffering it. He that has been sincere in obeying GOD’s other commands, will obey that, among the rest, which requires us to take up CHRIST'S cross. He was wonderfully tender in judging any of his brethren, who, so far as he knew, might follow their light, in declaring their assent and consent to every proposition contained in several human books; but he himself had no such large faith; much less had he the implicit faith of making such declarations upon trust, relying upon the judgment of others.

All his people were greatly desirous of his continuing with them, if his conscience would have permitted. The poor Thought they should greatly suffer by his leaving them; fearing a want of that charity which he was wont to extend towards them. Others Thought of their great loss of an able and willing peace-maker, in case of differences; for he made anc,` kept agreement between his neighbors. Others feared, that in his absence they should want a person to appear for the fatherless and widow, against their injurious enemies and cruel oppressors. All these might desire his continuance out of love to themselves. But others came to him out of a principle of friendship to him and his; advising him to be kind to himself, and not to lose a living off 2OO per annum, or to part with such a fine parsonage-house, or with such a. fine glebe, or with such a great auditory, or with such a loving people and kind neighborhood. And others did desire his continuance upon yet more weighty reasons;

they questioned whether any would succeed, like-minded with him, who naturally had care of their souls, by opening the mysteries of the Gospel, and by revealing the way of life to there, and that, with great evidence and demonstration, with great power and plainness. They doubted also, whether they should ever have such another pattern of holiness, or such an example of mortification, or such an instance of heavenly-mindedness set before their eyes. To all these he replied diversely. To the poor, afflicted, and oppressed, he answered, that he blessed GOD he should leave a good Magistrate behind him, who had formerly done, and could still do, more for them than he could; and he knew that he was ready so to do. To the second sort he answered, that their love was great, but not right, being of no other kind than that of PETER, when he dissuaded CHRIST front going to Jerusalem; and therefore he desired them to desist from tempting him. To the last sort he used the words of the Apostle, Sirs, why do Thou break my heart. For my own part I am willing not only to be bound, but to die,"" rather (he added) than sin against the light of my conscience; and for Thou I shall not cease to pray, that GOD would send Thou another Pastor, one after his own heart; and I hope GOD will hear me herein." Ile desired them therefore to join with the Patron and himself, in setting some time apart to seek GOD upon that account; which they did: and he did also in Private give himself earnestly to beg of GOD that he might have such a successor, as that he himself (night not be wanted.

When the Act requiring all dissenting Ministers to leave not only their parsonages, but their parishes and people also, came forth, this grieved him far more than the loss of his living; for this hindered him, not only frow preaching, but from conversing with many of his spiritual children, whose education and increase of grace were dearer to him than any temporal concern. But where active obedience cannot be given, passive obedience must be shown. He therefore resolved upon a remove; and the first place he went to, was to board with his eldest daughter, who had married an Essex gentleman, and lived in a very fair large house, called Sculpons, in Finch in-field. He had two sons, and two sons-in-law, who

were all Ministers, and had left their livings also. The father, and these his four sons, had lived at great distance from each other, in five several counties; but now they all agreed to live together in one house, which made a very numerous family, and erected a kind of little college

of divines. It was a constellation of stars, every one whereof had afforded a very fair light when it was separate; but being now all in conjunction, they drew the eyes of much people, in that corner, upon then. Neither could so many candles be so put under a bed, or under a bushel, but that they still yielded a most benign influence to all those parts. Their habitation was about two miles from the parish-church; unto which, Though some of the family sometimes went, yet it was impossible for the whole family to repair thither,-and especially for the aged among them, who were more than one or two. For his second wife living a very few years with him, he was forced to marry, a third time, an aged gentlewoman can be his nurse in his old age. Moreover, the housekeeper had a mother above threescore and tell years old, who lived with him. Oil account therefore of these persons, and of divers children in the family, whose tender years kept them also from Lhe public service, the father and his sons did engage to preach constantly on the LORD's-Day in their turns, and once or twice on the week-days, in the family; whither sonic neighbors also did repair. Great were the comfort and joy which the father and his children took in each other's company. It was a most happy family, and a very delightful society. But to the great grief of all, it continued not thus above four or five years. For although the seat was pleasant, yet the air was bad, and proved very unwholesome, which caused a dispersion of the whole family. His own Sons then removed to LONDON, and his two sons-in-law to High Suffolk; and he himself went and boarded with his youngest Son, who was then a Preacher at Kennet, in,

Cambridgeshire. Here the father did constantly go every LORD's-Day to church, it being near, and heard his son, and usually preached himself every Lord's-Day evening in the family. He was then near fourscore years old; yet his parts continued quick and strong, and, although aged, he retained much of the smartness and vigor of his Thouth. Those who stood without doors, and saw not his face, might suppose the Preacher to be about fifty years old; whether they judged by the matter of his discourses, or by the manner of his delivery. He would often say, that although, at this age, he might be discharged from labor, both by the laws of GOD and men; (the Jewish law allowing the Levite at fifty, and the Roman law allowing the soldiers at sixty, to be exempted;) yet he loved his work, and therefore would not leave the altar, or quit the field, so long as he could lift up his hand, or wield the sword of the SPIRIT.

After some years he removed to Heveningham, in High Suffolk, to the house of his second daughter, who was there married to Mr. JONES, the Rector of that town. There also he kept on his course of hearing in public, and preaching in private, for about two years. At that time, his youngest daughter, who was married to MR. SHUTE, the Incumbent of Stow-Market, was covetous also to have her child's part of his presence and company; wherein he gratified her: and this was the last place of his abode in this world. He was above fourscore years old when he came to Stow-Market, until which time his parts and memory continued sound; but after that, a great change suddenly appeared, yet not so great, but that he still retained his understanding to a very good use and purpose,-none coming to visit him, without going away better. Even when he was much decayed, and almost fallen, the ruins of the building were such as did evidence that the fabric had once been large and stately. His natural heat and fervor were almost extinct; but the remains thereof manifested that the fire had been great, the glowing embers of which gave so much heat, He was now going off the stage; and before the curtain be drawn, that is, before an account be given of his last exit, it will not be amiss to intimate some particular excellencies in him, worthy both of remark and imitation.

None surely can be found, who walked in a more constant course of Private Duties; such as reading, meditation, self-examination, and prayer. These four duties he seldom or never divided; and by a daily-continued performance of them all, he had much of his conversation in heaven, and lived in close communion with GOD. The sun is not more true to its time of rising and setting, than he was to his stated course of secret prayer, both morning and evening. So soon as he was awake, which was early every morning, (till he was very old,) be did immediately rise, and prostrate himself at GOD’s footstool; after which, he constantly read some portion of Scripture, upon which he first perused the best commentators, and then constantly, for some time, meditated thereon; observing the counsel of PYTHAGORAS to his scholars, " If Thou will not purify Thour food, arid ruminate upon it, do not cat." Having thus digested truth himself, after some time he came down to perform family worship; which he always began with a short prayer, and then expounded that portion of Scripture to them, wherewith he had first warmed his own heart. He then prayed again with them more largely than before; and so betook himself to his study.

Through the whole day, he kept a most strict watch over his heart and tongue; and when he was engaged in civil converse, and in worldly affairs, he was even in then spiritual and heavenly, his discourse being savory and profitable. It was the language of Canaan, and such as might administer always grace to the hearers. He also learned that excellent sort of chemistry, which enabled him to extract spiritual notions from earthly occurrences. He Saw GOD in all things, and enjoyed him in all his appearances. He managed all things, and in all things was managed, by the HOLY SPIRIT; as it was said of JUSTIN MARTYR. Every evening, he constantly called himself to an account; examining and reviewing, as much as possibly he could, all his Thoughts, words, and actions.

It was his business to live to GOD’s honor. He was full of designs for CHRIST, and endeavored fully to copy out the life of his LORD and Master. All that saw him, saw, as it were, Religion embodied, showing itself the greatest reality, and making itself to appear, what in truth it is, the most sweet and pleasant life in the world. They that beheld him, saw that it was possible for a man, while on earth, to have his heart in heaven, and, while he is in the body, both to live in the SPIRIT and walk in the SPIRIT.

He was eminently solicitous to discharge all relative as well as personal duties. In his family he walked as a man of understanding, and with a perfect heart; and was one of the Apostle's Bishops, " blameless, ruling his own house, and having his children in subjection." He was as another faithful ABRAHAM, who " taught his household, and his children after him, to keep the way of the LORD." He designed to govern his family by the law of GOD, " of whom all the families on earth are called." He commanded nothing, but what he knew himself to be commanded to command. He did not conceal, but declare, what his own duty, as well as the duty of his inferiors, was. He spoke his mind clearly and intelligibly; and forgave all faults committed ignorantly and by mistake, being angry for nothing but willful disobedience. Great were the pains which he took to instruct his family in the narrow way to life, by causing them to read the Scriptures frequently every day, to abound in the knowledge

of them, and to treasure them up in their memories; (which he would often inquire into;) and also, by catechizing them, using first a shorter catechism of his own composing, and then larger ones. All his children, when grown up, and many of the servants who lived with him,

could not only answer every question in a very large catechism, but could prove every answer by express Scripture-texts; for they answered not like parrots, but as understanding the sum and substance of the Christian religion. He moved in his family as an Angel, or an Intelligence, in his orb, ruling it with perfect harmony. He beheld his yoke-fellow with a pleasing and pleased eye of love; he looked on his children with an eye of watchfulness, as well as affection, and upon his servants with an eye of authority and government; so that all things were dispatched in his house with peace and order. He would tell his servants, that he hired them first to be GOD’s servants, and then his; and required them to look through and beyond him unto GOD, whereby they might at once do two works, and serve two masters, the one subordinate to the other, and would be sure to receive double wages,-from GOD and from him. He added, that GOD may, by a holy person, be as truly served in cleaning a horse, or milking a cow, in obedience to GOD, as in going to church, or in private prayer. He was careful in hiring servants. If it were possible, he would gain the children of godly parents; and would never permit any to serve him, who refused to serve GOD in any of his institutions. He had one servant that managed all his concerns without doors;-a servant very skilful and very careful, to whom his master once spoke thus, " JOHN, since I have left my estate to Thour care, GOD has greatly blessed me; and I perceive the less I meddle with the world, the more I thrive; the more I give away, the more I have at the year's end." The servant replied, " No doubt, Sir,- but it is so; for I have taken notice, that the more Thou pray, and study how to plant and water the grace of GOD in Thour people's hearts, the greater blessing has GOD given to my ploughing and sowing in the field; and the whole town cdoes take notice how much the crop in Thour ground is better than theirs, although nought but a little hedge does part them."

As to the children which GOD- gave him, he did " travail in birth with them till he saw CHRIST formed in them." GOD made him not only a natural, but a spiritual father to seven children. He did believe, that most children are capable of discerning good from evil much sooner than most parents are aware of; he therefore began very early to instruct his own children; and all of them, like TIMOTHY, had knowledge of the Scriptures from their very childhood. He instructed them not only by precept, but by his own heavenly example. His whole life was worthy of imitation. It might be said thereof, as CHRYSTOSTOM says of the life of IGNATIUS, " It was a teacher and tutor of piety." He took care as much as possible, that no evil example should be given to his children, and commanded his servants that they should not dare to do or speak any thing before his children, which they would not do or speak before himself; well knowing that great reverence is due to children. He spike to them with much gravity, and some reservedness; but yet always kindly and affectionately, keeping frowns only for their faults_ And indeed his children feared to see a frown in his face, as much as some children fear a blow from their father's hands. He seldom corrected any of them, and some of them never. As a father he maintained his authority; and as a good father he exercised great clemency. If at any time he was forced to be severe, he showed that it was altogether necessary, by the sudden return of his kindness, immediately upon their repentance. He bore the soul of every child upon his, heart, and daily prayed, that not one who proceeded from his loins might ever stand at GOD’s left hand; and few men had ever greater comfort in their children than he had. He died in the belief, that he should meet all his children with comfort at the great day. He sent all his four sons to the University, where three of them were Fellows of Colleges_ They all four were called into the Ministry, and were able and faithful in their places; none having better repute than they, in the places where they lived, until they were removed, either by death or otherwise. GOD blessed them in temporals also; for he, and his, gave up above a Thousand pounds per annum, when they laid down their public ministry. He lived in an age wherein great contempt was thrown upon the office of the Ministry; which caused this champion to appear, both doctrinally and practically, against such condemners of the institution of CHRIST. By his doctrine he declared often, and proved, that neither gifts nor graces; single and separate one from the other, did fully qualify persons for this work; nor cdoes even the conjunction of them constitute a stated officer in the church, without due approbation by church officers, upon examination, and ordination, after approbation, if possibly it can be obtained. Practically he appeared against such condemners, first, by begging earnestly of GOD that he would give grace unto all his sons, and then would incline the hearts of them all to devote themselves to this work; secondly, by administering all the helps of education that might qualify them thereto. And to show yet more his esteem of this office, he married two of his daughters unto Ministers; and farther, he did not only send his own sons to the University, but he sent divers others thither also, and maintained some of them much at his own charge. There are divers Ministers yet alive, who will acknowledge, that unto some of them he was the sole founder, and many others confess him their greatest benefactor, as to the University's maintenance. He once hired a young man, of about twenty years old, to wait on him, and to ride abroad with him. He was a good scholar, whose parents wanted the means of sending him to Cambridge. Of this his master was ignorant, at his first coming; but a while after, accidentally observing him reading the Greek Testament, he tried him therein, and in other books, and finding him fit,

sent him immediately to his eldest son in the University, and provided for his sustenance. At another time he preached the funeral-sermon of a worthy Minister, who had fitted his son for Cambridge, but died poor, so that the son despaired of proceeding in his learning. Being made acquainted with this circumstance, he, at the close of the funeral-sermon, desired all those of his auditors, who loved and valued the deceased, to testify their affection by contributing towards the yearly maintenance of his son; and, after sermon was ended, he called divers gentlemen and yeomanry together; and first he himself subscribed four pounds per annum; the gentlemen then subscribed forty shillings per annum, and some yeomanry twenty; so that the young scholar was provided for at the university as comfortably as could be desired, and proved very useful in the church of GOD.

He was an excellent orator upon all accounts; but he would use and show it most effectually in moving his auditory to be charitable; many occasions whereof were offered to him, which he willingly embraced.-When the plague was in the University of Cambridge, the Vice Chancellor sent to him, and some other neighboring Ministers, to make a collection in his congregation for the town of Cambridge; which he did so effectually, that he sent him above fifty pounds within a few days after. The Vice-Chancellor wrote him a long letter of thanks, and told him, that his gift was more than he had received from any six towns in all the county besides.-At another time, when the plague was at Hadleigh, in Suffolk, he gathered nearly as much for that town. On that occasion, he did not only persuade the good people, but even compelled, as it were, many covetous usurers to be bountiful; as the Prophet NEHEMIAH did, (Neh. 5: 13.) The case of the Prophet was that of famine, and this case was that of the plague; yet he Thought, that both the words, and the action also, of NEHEMIAH might well be applied to it, and he used them in this case with the like effect;-many hard-hearted persons professing, that when he shook his garment, as the Prophet did, at that very action their hearts melted within them, and they so trembled, that had their pockets been full they had given it all to him at that collection.-At another time, a neighboring Minister's house being burned down, wherein his goods were consumed, he, in a short time, procured him above a hundred pounds towards the repairing of his loss, and induced also his own third son, then Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, to take the distressed Minister's eldest son to be his pupil, and to allow him a good part of his maintenance. He was charitable both to the souls and bodies of men; both mediately, by interceding with others for them, and immediately, by contributing and distributing of his own plentifully to them, and that not only occasionally, but statedly. He commanded all the poor of his parish to come weekly to his door for relief; and required always that his eldest daughter first, before she was married, and then his next daughters successively, should be his stated almoners, and should distribute alms with their own hands; accustoming themselves to works of mercy, wherein he commanded them to be very bountiful. Vast was the sum of money which he gave away with his own hand. He clothed the naked, and fed the hungry. He put not only many young men to Cambridge, as has been said, but many poor children to school. He gave away as many catechisms and good books as were asked of him; and they were many. When the sight of old people was decayed, he would furnish them with Bibles of a larger print; and he gave an incredible number of spectacles away, always speaking of the invention of them with expressions of love and praise to GOD for his great goodness to the souls of men thereby.

He loved all the ordinances and institutions of JF,sus CHRIST. Preaching was his delight, prayer his joy, administration of sacraments the pleasure of his soul. He counted the Sabbath honorable. He was most solemn in the observation of public days of humiliation, and kept many days of private fasting and prayer by himself in his study. But, above all, he delighted in reading the Scriptures; which were always " sweeter to him than the honey, or the honey-comb."-He would never engage in the performance of any ordinances rashly, or without due preparation. He would never read a chapter, or rarely suffer a chapter to be read in his presence, without invocating GOD for the co-operation of the Divine SPIRIT therewith. His preparation for solemn days of fasting, for the sanctification of the LORD'S Day, and for the administration of the LORD'S Supper, was not to be paralleled in the whole country where he lived. He never kept any solemn public fast, without preaching some pre

paration-sermons before the day came. He never administered the LORD'S Supper, until he had first preached three or four sermons at least, either opening the Institution, as to the nature, the use, or the end thereof, or showing the duties of communicants before, in, and after receiving.-His constant preparation for the LORD'S Day is beyond all. It has been already said, that he did constantly preach, every Saturday in the evening, a sermon in order to the right sanctification of that holy day. It must now only be added, in short, that he commanded' all his servants to lay aside all household work early upon Saturday evening; declaring that he desired and hoped, that when the world was taken out of his servants' hands, they would endeavor by prayer, reading, and meditation, to get it out of their hearts also; so that both their bodies and souls might be free and ready for a most cheerful performance of GOD’s service on the day following, which should always be done without the least distraction of mind.-This preparation was not without great reason; for it is, as he would say, no easy matter to " cleanse our hands,’and purify our hearts" before we "compass GOD’s altar." It is not easy to lift our feet out of the mire and clay, unto which they have too much cleaved, and into which they have too much sunk, all the week before. The Royal Preacher therefore biddeth us to "look carefully to our feet," that is, our affections, " before we enter into the house of GOD."" Holiness becomes his house for ever;" it therefore behooves us to be careful that our souls be properly dressed and adorned, when we wait on the great GOD, and that our hearts be fixed and prepared, and our heart-strings rightly tuned, before we offer to sing and give praise to a Being of infinite glory; and all this requires time and pains beforehand, with much diligence. Being thus prepared, how did he welcome the arrival of the LORD's-day, which he sanctified in a manner equal to his preparation! The Jews call the Sabbath G the Queen of Days;" and he loved it accordingly. He rose earlier on that day than on any other, and caused his family so to do also; admonishing both children and servants to spend some time with GOD in private in the morning, if they desired to meet GOD in the public ordinances of that day. The morning and the evening sacrifice was by him doubled upon the LORD's-day; for he always prayed four times with his family every Sabbath, besides six times in public, -to wit, immediately before he went to church, and immediately after his return from thence, in the forenoon; and before repetition, and after supper, in the evening. His forenoon-sermon was usually repeated by one of his children after dinner. In the evening he repeated it himself. After repetition, he examined his whole family, not only as to what they remembered of the sermons, but as to what good they had gained by the worship of that day. After supper, he caused some part of Fox's Martyrology, or some other profitable book, to be read; and having prayed, he concluded the day with singing a psalm.

Common readers, and such as delight not in beholding the image of GOD drawn upon the hearts and lives of his servants, would be tired, if one quarter of this person's excellencies should be related; therefore, after an instance or two more given of his piety, we will leave the rest to be admired only by those that personally knew him:-but it is pity, that the victory which he had obtained over the world by faith should ever be forgotten. Whatever is in the world, is either the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life; he therefore who is mortified to riches, pleasures, and honors, has vanquished the world; this MR. FAIRCLOUGH had done. He condemned riches as the dirt of the streets. It is true, that GOD by his own immediate hand, gave him plentifully; but it is as true, that he gave away most plentifully to others. He was so dead to the world, that he would scarcely deal or meddle with it. After the death of his first wife, and of that servant with whom he had entrusted his estate, he put off all his stock, and let all his grounds; and never increased his real or personal estate above five pounds per annum, for nearly forty years together, nor ever put out a farthing of money to usury. He never sued any man in his life.' He had great advantages for growing rich in many ways; but if he had died forty years before he did, he had been just as rich as he was at his death. He would often say, that we read not of any good man in all the history of Scripture, or of the primitive times, that was covetous; and that it was a shame that any who now pretend to the Christian Religion should degenerate. After the loss of his living, Though he preached often, yet he never would receive one penny for that work; and some of his children have imitated him therein.-As to sensual pleasure he scarcely knew what any of that kind did mean. He was as temperate in his diet as possible. He never used any sort of recreation at any time. It might be said of him, as was said of GEORGIUS LEONTLNUS, that he did never do any thing for pleasure. In his Thouth he loved music and riding. In music he had good skill; but on the sad news of the death of GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS, the King of Sweden, that great warrior in defense of the Protestant Religion, he "hung his harp on the willow," and never touched any musical instrument after. He used to keep as good horses as any man in the country; and therefore a dying gentleman bequeathed to him a horse of very great price, in these words, " that he might ride about, to preach the Gospel;"-which he did as long as he was able; but he never took a journey of mere pleasure.

Being once heartily thanked for an excellent discourse, which proved successful to the conversion of some there present; he replied thus, " Pray, Friend, give GOD the glory. No praise was due to the rams' horns, Though JERICIIO's walls fell down at their blast. If GOD will vouchsafe that his SPIRIT shall breathe through Ministers, it is GOD, and not the means, that should have the praise." At another time, being greatly assisted by GOD in a sermon, he wrote these words on the back of his notes; 11 Earthen vessels, and leaden pipes, are either full or empty, according to the measures which they receive from their fountain. Though free grace filled my soul this day, yet let me take heed of preaching this sermon again in my own strength."

As his heart was humble, so his behavior was meek and lowly. Though his countenance was very grave and severe, yet his conversation was full of sweetness and affability. It was a kind of riddle in the eyes of common beholders, to see so much worth and grandeur of such easy access. He never despised or spoke haughtily to any plan, and from good men he would never keep any distance. If any were godly, although never so mean or poor, he received them, not only with civil respect, but with hearty love; but, on the other hand, he was a most bold and undaunted person in reproving the wicked and profane, and had a spirit which could abase the proudest of them all, when he Thought fit, and in its due time and place.

His humility, joined with so much grace and wisdom, caused him to be of a very peaceable spirit, and to have a large charity for good men of all persuasions. His own understanding being great, made his love also very large. He discerned, that honest men mean the same thing, when they are apt to quarrel about their expressions of it; and therefore in dividing times, he was always of an uniting spirit. Whilst others sought to wound the reputation of men who differed from them, he did what he could to heal and compose all animosities. He was abundantly sensible of that bitterness with which some men were ready to treat others upon small differences of opinion, and by which the life of religion and the power of godliness were almost extinguished; so that while they pressed uniformity in little matters, conformity to the more weighty precepts of CHRIST, such as those of love and forbearance to each other, were neglected. He was a hearty lover of, and had a great kindness for every man, in whom he saw any thing of GOD’s SPIRIT appearing; and he valued men more and less, only as he saw more or less of the divine image stamped upon them. He entreated all that he conversed with, to labor that the truth of grace in others might be the most powerful loadstone to draw their hearts towards them. He would often say, that when one man loved another, only because he was of his own opinion and party, and neglected another, who might be led in greater things by the Divine SPIRIT, merely because he differed in smaller trifles; such a temper as this did manifest, that such an one had little or nothing of the true love of GOD in him; for while such a man did pretend to love his brother, he did no other thing, in fact, than hug himself, and embrace his own shadow, which he saw falling upon another's breast.

Abundantly candid and charitable, meek and moderate, was this person at all times; and yet notwithstanding, this meekness and moderation were such as did not hinder a mighty heat and activity for GOD, in all weighty and important matters. He wanted not zeal, when the main articles of the Christian Religion did call for, and require it. At the same time when he commended CONSTANTINE the Great, for his reproving the hot contest of the Nicene Fathers about ceremonies, he also honored that Emperor for his warmth in opposing the Arian heresy. Indeed this learned Divine was, as to his zeal, a most excellent pattern, worthy of all imitation. He was in this grace, as well as in other things, a burning and shining light. Heat and light were never divided in him. His fire sometimes burned very hot, but always clear, and without any manner of smoke. In his love to the salvation of souls, he burned like a lamp, consuming himself, his body, and estate, even all the oil that he possessed; and therein rejoiced, if hereby he might show any one the way to GOD and glory. And hence it was, that a great and learned man, who often heard him, said, that no man was more judicious and weighty in the doctrinal part of his sermons; and none could be more affectionate and zealous than he was, in the application of his doctrine. Indeed, it is a rarity to find a man of great reading, and deep judgment, endowed with much zeal, or with strong affections; but this man's sacrifices were all kindled with a fire which came immediately from heaven, and which did at once enlighten his head, and inflame his heart.

He was a man of great prudence, as well as zeal. His sails and ballast were exactly proportionate each to the other. He could not be dull and sluggish in the service of so good a Master; but he did never run before he was sent. He would always stand still to hear his full errrand, and stay to understand perfectly and plainly all his Master's will; which being so made known to him, he then was most bold and courageous in delivering his message.

He had always great love for GOD; and no man could be more concerned either for church or state. He had such a public spirit, that he scorned to prefer any private concern before the least public good; yea, he constantly valued all persons and things, according as any man, or any thing, had either a greater or less influence upon the public. Those that observed him might easily discern, that the glory of GOD, and the welfare of his church, were as the great wheels that did set at work and govern all his actions. He was a man most ready to deny himself at any time, if in any thing he might advance the interest of another man; provided, that other person did move in a higher and more public place than himself.When by reason of his extreme age he could not openly and publicly do any thing more for GOD, or his church, and when he could scarcely suffer any thing more for the honor of either, having parted already with all his stated maintenance for the testimony of a good conscience; he gave himself wholly to prayer to GOD for his church in private; in which work he usually spent four or five hours, sometimes six or seven, every day. Indeed, at that age, he did, and could do, little else but pray; and in this he was constant, both for the public, and for all his friends and relations. Every age of man has its proper work, and its peculiar excellency and blessing. The life of prayer was his employment, during all those years, wherein he exceeded fourscore; which was four years, within a few months. It might be said of his age, as it was of ABRAHAM'S; (Gen. 25: 8;) it was " a good old age." It was a good old age on many accounts. It was good in respect of its duration. It is a mercy, when a man "comes to his grave in a full age, as a shock of corn, ripe in its due season." (Job 5: 26.) And it is remarkable, that the most eminent servants and children of GOD, of whom mention is made in the Scripture, were long-lived. Thus ADAM and METHUSELAH, before the flood; thus NOAH and SHEM, immediately after it; thus ABRAHAM and JOB, before the law; thus MOSES and AARON, immediately after the law; thus ELI and JEHor

ADA, High-Priests of the LORD; DAVID and HEZEKIAH, the best of Kings; JOHN and JAMES, the LORD'S brothers, the best beloved disciples; ST. LUKE and ST. PAUL, the most eminent penmen of the’ New Testament; of all these it is recorded, that they were eminently holy, and that they were blessed with length of days. The wise man tells us, that " the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." (Prov. 16: 31.) And it was thus in the instance before us; " His old age was good, because he was good, and did good in it. "His age was good also, because it was an healthy old age; saving those times wherein he was troubled with a swimming in his head, by reason of over-much study, which lasted not above two months the first time, and three months the last time. It might be said of him, that he never had one sick day for above threescore years together; (for the injury received from his fall, left no sickness) although great inconvenience; it did never

hinder him above ten days, either from his study or labors;) so that almost all his days were halcyon-days.

His old age was, as PETER MARTYR says of ABRAHAM'S, facilis senectus, " an easy old age," because free from those troubles that are usually incident thereunto. This healthfulness in old age is reckoned as a double mercy, both by MOSES, (Deut. xxxiv. 7,) and also by CALEB, (Josh. 14: 1O, 11.) From the healthfulness of his natural constitution, it came to pass, that he died of no disease, but of old age. There was no thief in his candle to hasten its consumption, nor any acute distemper to be as an extinguisher to it; but his lamp burned clear, so long as there was left one drop of natural oil to feed it. He kept his bed but one day before his departure,-a departure he had long desired and waited for. The very day before his last day on earth, some company being with him, he expressed how much comfort he had in considering that his SAVIOR had tasted death for him, and that CHRIST (by his resurrection) had given him an assurance, that he was the " First-fruits of those that sleep in Him;" telling some that stood by him, that it was very much the duty of believers to rejoice that death had lost its sting, and that the power of the grave was quite vanquished.

A while after, he exclaimed, " O the height, length, breadth, and depth of the unsearchable riches of the grace of GOD in CHRIST JESUS! O the height of that love, whereby GOD has declared pardon to poor penitents! O the freeness of his grace, who does offer CHRIST to all that will receive him humbly and believingly; that is, who will take him with an empty hand, joining nothing of their own works with the merits of CHRIST in point of justification!" Some while after, some persons coming to see him, he told them, that he knew not how to requite them for that love which they had shown him, better than by exhorting them to redeem the time, especially the time of Thouth and of health: " for," said he, "except there be first, in health, a principle of grace wrought in the heart, the time of sickness and old age would be very unfit for so great a work as that of gaining evidences for heaven. Times of sickness and old age are times of considering, not of gaining such evidences." He advised them,. therefore, now, in time, to prepare for eternity; and told them, that this work was only to be done by entering into covenant with GOD, and making their peace through CHRIST; which being once sincerely done, then neither a sick-bed, nor a death-bed, could do them the least hurt.

The night after, he grew very weak, and his spirits decayed more and more, till the morning of the next day, December 14, 1677, when he resigned his last breath, and immediately entered into that everlasting rest, for which he had so often prayed.

It has been told, how greatly this learned man did love all good men of all persuasions. This made him also to be beloved and admired both by Conformists and Non-conformists, who came jointly to visit him, and pay equally their respects to him so long as he lived; and both sorts did greatly lament their loss in his departure. All the neighboring Ministers and people, of differing judgments, solemnized his funeral with great sorrow.