large portion of the zeal and spirit of Austin and Broadwardin: and, like them too, to have bent the whole force of his genius against the Pelagian and Arminian heresies. The narrow escape which, through the grace of God, he made, from being entangled in the fascinating toils of Arminianism might, perhaps, determine him the more to embrace every opportunity of exposing the danger to others. Being born and educated in the bosom of a church which was overrun with this error, he boldly stood forth as a resolute defender of the doctrines of grace, from both pulpit and press. Arminians

of every denomination smarted under his lash. This error seems to have been his favourite game; and, whenever it started, he followed the chace until he run it down. So fully was he versed in this controversy, that he never seems more master of his subject than when dissecting and confuting Arminianism. Many a sore drubbing poor Mr. Wesley, and his adherents, received from his able pen. Upon the whole, he was a burning and shining light-a skilful champion in the cause of God-and a lively and zealous Christian. He died as he lived-glorying only in the cross of Christ, and triumphing in the freedom and riches of adorable grace.

A little before his death, a report was in circulation, raised and industriously propagated by the Arminian faction, that he had recanted those Calvinistic doctrines which he had all along publicly maintained with such strength of argument and warmth of zeal. When the false rumour

came to his ears, he was filled with much indignation at this weak and wicked effort of his enemies against him. And, although he was very much weakened through long and severe distress, yet he determined openly to contradict this lying invention from the pulpit, and close his ministry by exhibiting an open testimony in vindication of the doctrines of grace. With the greatest fortitude of soul he executed his resolution; although his voice was now become so weak that he could not be distinctly heard.

Speaking to a friend about this matter, he said, "My dear friend, these great and glorious truths. which the Lord, in rich mercy, has given me to believe, and which he has enabled me, though very feebly, to stand forth in the defence of, are not (as those who believe not, or oppose them say) dry doctrines, or mere speculative points-No: but, being brought into practical and heart experience, they are the very joy and support of my soul and the consolations flowing from them, carry me far above the things of time and sense." In his last moments, he was favoured with much comfortable experience of the divine presence ; and finished his course under a strong gale of sensible assurance. "Oh, what a day of sunshine this has been to me !" (would he sometimes say) "I want words to express it-it is unutterable. Oh my friends, how good is God !-almost without interruption, his presence has been with me! -What a great thing it is to rejoice in death!— Christ's love is unutterable !" Some passages of

scripture he frequently repeated; and descanted with peculiar emotions of joy and rapture upon the latter part of Rom. viii. When very near the end of his conflict, on his awaking from a slumber, he cried out, "Oh what delights! who can fathom the joys of the third heavens !-I cannot find words to express the comforts I feel in my soul!-they are past expression. The consolations of God to such an unworthy wretch are so abundant, that he leaves me nothing to pray for but a continuance of them. I enjoy a heaven already in my soul. My prayers are all converted into praise.-Nevertheless, I do not forget, that I am still in the body, and liable to all those distressing fears which are incident to human nature, when under temptation, and without any -sensible divine support: but so long as the presence of God continues with me, in the degree in which I now enjoy it, I cannot but think that such a desponding frame is impossible."

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Within an hour of his death he called his friends and servant, and asked them, If they could give him up? they replied in the affirmative, since it pleased God to be so gracious to him: then said he, "I bless the Lord you are brought so cheerfully to part with me, and give me up into the hands of my dear Redeemer ! it will not be long when God will take me; for no mortal man can live, (bursting into tears of joy) after the glories which God has manifested to my soul." Soon after this, he closed his eyes, and slept in Jesus

Thus died this great and good man. May such striking displays of divine love and sovereign grace encourage all who truly believe in the Lord Jesus, to trust him more confidently, to love him more ardently, to follow him more submissively, and to serve him more zealously; in the well-grounded hope, that they too, in the end, shall find death prove their unspeakable gain.

PREFACE.

WHEN I consider the absolute independency of God, and the necessary, total dependence of all created things on him their first cause; I cannot help standing astonished at the pride of impotent, degenerate man, who is so prone to consider himself as a being possessed of sovereign freedom, and invested with a power of self-salvation; able, he imagines, to counteract the designs even of Infinite Wisdom, and to defeat the agency of Omnipotence itself. Ye shall be as gods, said the tempter, to Eve, in Paradise: and ye are as gods, says the same tempter now, to her apostate sons.-One would be apt to think, that a suggestion so demonstrably false and flattering, a suggestion the very reverse of what we feel to be our state; a suggestion, alike contrary to scripture and reason, to fact and experience; could never meet with the smallest degree of credit. And yet, because it so exactly coincides with the natural haughtiness of the human heart; men not only admit, but even relish the deception, and fondly incline to believe that the father of lies does, in this instance at least, speak truth.