whose piety and morals were less exalted than her own. Her serenity and cheerfulness of temper were so perpetual, that (except on the loss of her father and of her husband, and when she was witness to any case of distress in others) her whole life seemed to be a constant calm; or, rather, an uninterrupted sunshine and every hour of it sparkled with good humour, and inoffensive gaiety.

With regard to her religious principles, she was a doctrinal Calvinist and shone an eminent trophy of that distinguishing and efficacious grace, which she so richly experienced, and which diffused its sanctifying power throughout her practical walk. Agreeably to the scriptural views of the divine sovereignty, we find her thus expressing herself, to him whom her soul loved: "Why did thy watchful providence perpetually surround me, crossing all the methods I took to undo myself? Why didst thou pursue me with the offers of thy favour, when I fled thee with such aversion; and had fled thee for ever, if thou hadst not compelled me to return? Why wast thou found of one that sought thee not? Oh why, but because thou wilt be merciful to whom thou wilt be merciful?" [Devout Exerc. Medit. VIII.]-Again: “I lay a wretched slave, pleased with my chains, and fond of my captivity; till love, almighty love, rescued me. Blest effect of unmerited grace! I shall stand, for ever, an illustrious instance of boundless mercy. To that I must entirely ascribe my salvation; and, through all the ages of eternity, I will rehearse the wonders of redeeming love; and tell to listening angels, what it has done for my soul." [Ibid." Thy kingdom ruleth over all, O Lord; and thou dost according to thy will, in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth. I confess and acknowledge thy providence. ways of man are not at his own disposal, but all his goings are ordered by thee." [Ibid. Med. IV.]

The

The holy doctrine of final perseverance was, through the application of it to her soul by the blessed Spirit, the comfort and rejoicing of her heart. Hence those fine passages, which occur in Medit. X. of the above work. "Shall a soul, consecrated to thee, fall a sacrifice to hell? Shall the temple of thy spirit be profaned, and the lips that have so often ascribed dominion and glory and majesty to thee, be defiled with infernal blasphemy and the execrations of the damned? Shall the sparks of divine love be extinguished, and immortal enmity succeed? And shall I, who was once blest with thy favour, become the object of thy wrath and indignation? It is all impossible; for thou art not as man, that thou shouldest lie; nor as the son of man, that thou shouldest repent. Thou art engaged by thy own tremendous name, for my security. Transporting assurance! What further security can I ask? What security can I wish, beyond eternal veracity? The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but thy kindness shall not depart, nor the covenant of thy peace be broken."

AN ATTEMPT

TOWARDS A CONCISE CHARACTER

OF THE LATE

REV. MR. WHITEFIELD.

DEEM myself happy, in having an opportunity of thus publicly avowing the inexpressible esteem, in which I held this wonderful man; and the affectionate veneration, which I must ever retain, for the memory of one, whose acquaintance and ministry were attended with the most important spiritual benefit to me, and to tens of thousands beside.

It will not be saying too much, if I term him, The apostle of the English empire: in point of zeal for God, a long course of indefatigable and incessant labours, unparalleled disinterestedness, and astonishingly extensive usefulness.

He was a true and faithful son of the church of England; and invincibly asserted her doctrines to the last; and that, not in a merely doctrinal way, (though he was a most excellent systematic divine), but with an unction of power from God, unequalled in the present day.

He would never have quitted even the walls of the church, had not either the ignorance, or the malevolence of some who ought to have known better, compelled him to a seeming separation.

If the most absolute command over the passions of immense auditories, be the mark of a consummate orator, he was the greatest of the age. If the strongest good sense, the most generous expansions of heart, the most artless but captivating affability,

VOL. IV.

K

the most liberal exemption from bigotry, the purest and most transpicuous integrity, the brightest cheerfulness, and the promptest wit, enter into the composition of social excellence, he was one of the best companions in the world.

If to be stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the works of the Lord; if an union of the most brilliant, with the most solid, ministerial gifts, ballasted by a deep and humbling experience of grace, and crowned with the most extended success in the conversion of sinners and the edification of saints, be signatures of a special commission from heaven; Mr. Whitefield cannot but stand highest, on the modern list of Christian ministers.

England has had the honour of producing the greatest men, in almost every walk of useful knowledge. At the head of these are, 1. archbishop Bradwardin, the prince of divines. 2. Milton, the prince of poets. 3. Sir Isaac Newton, the prince of philosophers: and 4. Whitefield, the prince of preachers.

Bishop Benson was the prelate who had the distinguished honour of ordaining the greatest, the most eloquent, and the most useful minister that has, perhaps, been produced since the days of the apostles.

It appears from a passage in one of Mr. Whitefield's own letters, published since his decease, that he was the person, whom the gracious Spirit and providence of God raised up and sent forth, to begin that great work of spiritual revival in the church of England, which has continued ever since, and still continues, with increasing spread, to replenish and enrich the evangelical vineyard by law established. In the remarkable passage, to which I refer, Mr. Whitefield expresses himself, verbatim, thus, to Mr. John Wesley: "As God was pleased to send me out first; and to enlighten me first; so, I think, he still continues to do it: my business

On the

seems to be chiefly in planting. If God send you to water, I praise his name *." whole, he was the least imperfect character I ever knew; and yet, no person was ever more shockingly traduced and vilified, by those, who either were unacquainted with him, or who hated him for his virtues, and for his attachment to the gospel of Christ. But the pen of faithful history, and the suffrages of unprejudiced posterity t,

* See the Collection of Mr. Whitefield's Letters, in three volumes, octavo. Vol. i. lett. 214. p. 205.

† Already has this been exemplified by the testimony of several eminent persons, particularly by the inimitable pen of Cowper, whose poetical characteristic is truth and taste. The following lines are transcribed, as descriptive of that invaluable man, and by being inserted in proximity with the above, it is presumed cannot fail of being interesting to the reader. EDITOR.

"Leuconomus (beneath well sounding Greek,
I slur a name a poet must not speak)
Stood pilloried on infamy's high stage,
And bore the pelting scorn of half an age;
The very butt of slander, and the blot
For ev'ry dart that malice ever shot.

The man that mentioned him at once dismiss'd
All mercy from his lips, and sneer'd and hiss'd;
His crimes were such as Sodom never knew,
And perjury stood up to swear all true;
His aim was mischief, and his zeal pretence,
His speech rebellion against common sense:
A knave, when tried on honesty's plain rule,
And when by that of reason, a mere fool;
Th' world's best comfort was, his doom was pass'd;
Die when he might, he must be damn'd at last.
Now, truth, perform thine office; waft aside
The curtain drawn by prejudice and pride;
Reveal (the man is dead) to wond'ring eyes
This more than monster in his proper guise.

He lov'd the world that hated him the tear
That dropp'd upon his Bible was sincere ;
Assail'd by scandal and the tongue of strife,
His only answer was a blameless life: