There was also an excellent minister, a Mr. Sylvester,* of Mansfield, whom the Lord did very wonderfully carry out in the duty of prayer. Blessed be God for that day."

Mr. Heywood had remained in a state of widowhood above six years; but having formed a connexion with Miss Abigail Crompton, of Breightmet, near Bolton, not far from his own native place, they were married by Mr. Hyde, at Salford chapel, June 27th, 1667. On this event, he thus writes: "In this wandering state, God hath added another mercy to what he had previously granted-for he hath found me out a suitable partner. Our union was brought about through many interruptions, and the hand of God was evidently and eminently seen in the affair.

This union, under the circumstances in which it took place, was a convincing evidence of their mutual affection, and of their strong confidence in God. They were happily adapted for each other in reference to age, disposition, and religion. Mrs. H. proved what her husband expected-a prudent, faithful, and affectionate wife to him, and a tender mother to his sons.† Mr. Heywood remained about six weeks in Lancashire among his own and his wife's relatives, and, "July

• Mr. Sylvester was ejected from Gunnerly, in Lincolnshire, and became domestic chaplain to John White, Esq. of Mansfield. He went to London after the great fire in 1666, and was introduced to the celebrated Richard Baxter, who entertained for him the highest possible esteem. They preached together in the Charter-house Yard with much harmony: and when Mr. Baxter died, he left him his Manuscripts, some of which he edited. died at the age of seventy-one, on the Lord's day evening, Jan. 25, 1708. See Wilson's History of Dissenting Churches, vol. ii. pages 108-111.

He

+ She survived Mr. Heywood five years, and died at Northowram, June 12, 1707, in the 76th year of her age, leaving behind her an excellent character for hospitality and religion.

25th," he says, "I brought my wife into Yorkshire, to Coley-hall. Some friends went along with us to Middleton, and others met us at Littleborough: but I could not suffer many to go, because of my circumstances. We arrived in safety, and found all well. I preached in my own house on the Lord's day, had a considerable congregation, and God assisted and protected."

"After we had been a fortnight at Coley-hall, I took a journey with my wife, and came back August 16th. I went from home again August 23rd, and having preached nine times in seven days, returned. Blessed be God for work, and help, and hopes of a reward in due time. Sept. 19th, set forward on my journey towards Lancashire, where I preached with Mr. Pendlebury,* at Cockey chapel. Oct. 24th, we returned to Coley-hall, where we found my son John very ill of the measles, so that that very day, neighbours were called in to see him die; but God restored him. Eli

Mr. Pendlebury, though not so generally known as Mr. Heywood, was a most excellent man and useful preacher. He was a native of the parish of Bury, Lancashire. After having attended the grammar school, at Bury, he went to Christ's College, Cambridge, and when he had taken his degree of M.A. he returned home, and preached for twelve months at Horwich chapel, in Dean parish. In 1651, he removed to Holcomb, in his native parish, whence he was ejected by the Bartholomew Act. He continued preaching amongst his own people, and in neighbouring places, as he had opportunities, and was mercifully preserved from many of those outward sufferings which some of his brethren experienced for conscience and truth's sake. He laboured amongst his beloved people about forty-four years, and died in peace, June 18th, 1695. His memory is still revered in that neighbourhood. His works are: An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism; A Treatise on Transubstantiation; A Treatise on the Sacrifice of the Mass; The Barren Fig-Tree; Invisible Realities; the Books Opened. A few of his Sermons, copied from MSS. still in preservation, together with an account of his Life, may be seen in the "Select Nonconformists' Remains."

ezer had also passed through that disease in our absence, and Martha, our maid had been near death; but blessed be our God, who hath not made a breach upon us, nor laid them all under sickness at once, and hath now wonderfully raised them. O for a thankful heart! Friday week, after our return, we observed à solemn day of thanksgiving for the recovery of my family, wherein God graciously assisted such as helped me on that occasion."

Mr. Heywood sometimes occupied his old pulpit, during Mr. Hoole's ministry, at Coley chapel, when he was supplying elsewhere and had left the place vacant. "Jan. 5th, 1668," Mr. Heywood says, "I preached at Coley chapel, in public, Mr. Hoole having given notice the Lord's day before that he should be absent; and I took the advantage of the vacancy. We concluded on it only the evening before, and the morning was so exceedingly windy, that few could hear the bell; but in the afternoon, there was a very great assembly. The Lord graciously assisted, and it was a good day: as for the effects of it, the will of the Lord be done.""July 4th, (1669) I had resolved to preach at home; but Coley being destitute, they opened the doors and rung the bell, where I preached all day without interruption. There was a numerous congregation, though I did not know of preaching till after eight o'clock that morning. Blessed be God for this liberty. Sept. 19th, this Lord's day again, in the absence of Mr. Hoole, I preached at Coley chapel. O what a good day it was, and what a sudden congregation was collected! We had great peace, notwithstanding many threatenings and fears."

“Jan. 24th, 1668, I went, according to appointment, towards Bramley, to preach there on the Lord's day; but E. H. came to my house to prevent me, because

Mr. Hardcastle had been taken at a meeting at Leeds the Tuesday night before, and they were afraid of danger. Providence so ordered it that I had set off, and we missed each other. He found me at Pudsey, and we resolved to keep to our purpose. I lodged at Mr. Sales's that night, and on Saturday went to Bramley. Preached there on the Lord's day publicly, where was a numerous and crowded congregation. We had peace all the day, and it was a pleasant day. On Monday I went to Holbeck, and preached there that night at E. Wildman's house, and had a great auditory. I purposed going to Leeds, but a friend sent me a letter, to inform me a constable and others were watching for me there; this diverted my course to Beeston, then to Morley, where I lodged at Mr. Dawson's house, and preached to a large company which had been quickly assembled. Feb. 5. I journeyed to Wakefield, to visit Mr. Hardcastle in the House of Correction, sent there for holding a conventicle. The day after I dined with him in his degrading prison, and we had much conversation together. The two following Lord's days I preached in my house, but it could not contain the number of hearers that attended, because there was no preaching

* Mr. Hardcastle was ejected from Bramham, in Yorkshire. He was a man of good abilities and a bold spirit, fearing no danger; but of great moderation and catholicism. He frequently suffered imprisonment for his Nonconformity in various parts of the kingdom. He became the pastor of a Baptist church at Bristol, and died there in 1679. See Nonconformist's Memorial, vol. iii. p. 426 and 526.

+ Mr. Sales was born at Pudsey, he had exercised his ministry at Lincoln, Thornton chapel, and Leeds. After his ejectment, he lived at his native place, and was a great comfort to old Mr. Wales, the minister of the place. He preached much in the neighbourhood, till disabled by a lingering disease. He died, April 21st, 1679.

at the chapel. Both afternoons we were in the hall,* which was filled with hundreds of people. I was much affected to see so many of my old hearers in a private place. Blessed be God for these precious seasons. I preached at home on the day called Easter Sunday, God helped graciously. Though the constable hath a warrant to search my house for a conventicle, yet he came not. I spent the next Lord's day' at J. Brooksbank's, being persuaded to it, because of a proclamation the day before at Halifax against conventicles; but at four o'clock in the afternoon, I preached at home, and had a full auditory."

"April 12th. They having no minister, I preached at Cockey chapel. There was a numerous congregation, and God granted us liberty and peace, though the High Sheriff and his father-in-law, Dr. Bridgeman, Dean of Chester, were not far off, and the trumpeter came at noon to an alehouse near the chapel. Blessed be God! The Lord's day after, I preached publicly again at Cockey in the afternoon, though a conformist preached in the morning: but he was willing I should share with him in the work. At night, I preached at J. Pilkington's."

During his many wanderings and frequent labours, Mr. Heywood enjoyed a state of good bodily health; but on his return home from this journey, he was threatened with a severe fit of illness, which the Lord mercifully abated and speedily removed. "Returning from Lancashire," he says in a soliloquy, "April 30th, the Lord visited me with a sore sickness, which began as if it would terminate in a violent fever; but in about five days, he blessed the use of means for the recovery of this poor frail body. Health itself is a rich blessing; what would many give for the possession of this jewel? He now lived in part of Coley-hall.