knew not what to do, but dismissed the congregation and withdrew to W. Clay's, which showed my cowardice and pusillanimity. It is true, after those men were gone by, we mustered the company and proceeded again; but my spirit was much discomposed in preaching. It was intended that there should be preaching again at four o'clock, but people hung about all that time, and some thought there was danger, so I forbore preaching that evening. When the suspicious persons were gone, my heart was shut up and much hardened, and God did apparently withdraw from me, which greatly afflicted me. O what a distracted and disappointed sabbath was it! God had a hand in it; but I see my weakness, and desire repentance and assistance for the future. On Monday morn

ing, God melted my heart for these things."

The continued kindness of God to Mr. Heywood made deep impressions on his grateful heart, and he records some pleasant meditations he had about this time, on 2 Sam. vii. 20; while travelling to preach at Alverthorp. "How sweetly," says he, "did God melt my heart with a sense of his mercies toward me O my soul, review the remembrance of them, and see what fruit may fall from the tree at a second shaking. Let me recount a little the kindnesses I have experienced in my soul, body, estate, relations, and all that concerns me. 1. For my soul, what hath God wrought for it and in it? God the Father hath shewn me special favour; God the Son hath laid down his life to redeem me; God the Holy Spirit hath convinced, converted, comforted, and established me. The Lord hath given himself to be my portion, granted me pardon of sin, wrought saving grace in my heart, adopted me as his child, quickened and enlarged me in duties, vouchsafed to me communion with himself, assured me of future

glory, carried me graciously thus far towards heaven, and will guide me by his counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. And what could David say more? 2. In my conjugal circumstances I have been highly favoured, and my grateful acknowledgments are due for the distinguishing kindness Providence has shown me, in allotting me one and another companion to be my solace amidst the trying scenes of my life. 3. God has given me three sons, all living, only the youngest lives with God in his immediate presence, having died in infancy under the covenant. The other two have been devoted to God from their childhood, as Samuel. They are engaged in the service of the church, having voluntarily chosen it, are comfortably circumstanced, and profitably employed. They have made good proficiency, have conducted themselves hopefully, have gifts and fitness for their work, and are very promising, being under the covenant, and having a large stock of prayers and tears laid up for them and still increasing. And what could David say more? Thou, Lord, knowest thy servant,' and hast given hopes that my posterity shall bear up thy name as well as mine for many generations. 4. God hath blessed me as to public ordinances. He hath cast the lines for me in pleasant places, given me a goodly heritage, and maintained my lot. O the feast of fat things we have had while others have been famishing! Our eyes see what kings and prophets desired; our ears hear the joyful sound. O the blessed days of the Son of man, the sabbaths of rest, sermons, prayers, and ordinances we have enjoyed! And what could David desire more, who wished to see God's power and glory as he had seen them in the sanctuary? 5. God hath done more; he hath made me a dispenser of the blessed gospel. He hath orderly and suitably trained me up in advantageous places

and under proper tutors. He hath honoured me with gospel ordination, given me gifts for the work, made me laborious and useful in it, and given me a numerous, obedient, and peaceable people, and many gracious souls. He hath granted me credit and honour among God's people and others, and upheld me in my public work, (notwithstanding much opposition on all hands) these twenty-five years. And what could David, the sweet singer of Israel say more? Thou, Lord, knowest thy servant,' that more success of my poor labours is all that I desire as my reward. 6. Yet once more, the Lord hath vouchsafed me all outward, useful accommodations; I want nothing that is necessary for me in my circumstances. God hath given me the right exercise of reason, comfortable health of body, a house of my own to live in and entertain his people. He hath given me a sufficiency to supply my wants, though much of it from hand to mouth, suitable food and raiment, a servant to attend me at home, and a horse to carry me abroad, friends to receive me, employment to occupy me, civil and spiritual liberty, a good report among men, a study to retire to, a competent number of useful books, disentanglement from worldly affairs, all needful accommodations, and a heart to make a moderate use of them. And what could David say more? except that he was a potent prince, and I am a poor preacher. Well, be it so; this state of life is fitter for me on many accounts. Thou, Lord, knowest thy servant,' that I would rather be a minister in the pulpit to convert souls, than a king on the throne to rule over men. Farewell earthly crowns, welcome the cross of Christ."

Many indeed were the mercies Mr. Heywood received, and great was his enjoyment, yet he was also a man of sorrows, and found that his path sometimes

lay through a vale of tears. After his sons had been for a season with Mr. Frankland, he sent them to the University of Edinburgh, where they took the degree of Master of Arts. During their continuance at this place, he was alarmed by painful reports concerning them, when afterwards, to his great joy, they proved to be false; but they naturally occasioned, for a time, much anxiety and distress in the bosom of an affectionate and pious parent. His feelings on those occasions may be partly known by the following extracts: "Jan. 26th, 1677. I went to Rawden-hall to preach, where was a full assembly. Just as I was going to begin, R. T. gave me a letter from B. of Bramhope, which informed me of a report generally circulated in the country, that my two sons were both drowned in Scotland. It troubled me at the moment; but having other work before me, God put it out of my mind, and helped me in prayer and preaching, only in the latter part of my sermon, it overpowered me, and I was ready to faint. Immediately after I had finished, I went into the parlour, and inquired what had been heard of it. J. Smith told me it had been reported three weeks together. I despatched a messenger to Mr. Whitaker, to inquire the grounds of that report; but he not being at home, I received no satisfaction. When I went to bed, God melted my heart in secret prayer, and I was much helped to say, 'The will of the Lord be done.' O how sweet was it to lie at God's feet! I thought I could sleep and be satisfied; but the imaginations of my heart kept me awake most of the night.* God helped me in the morning duty, but

Painful as Mr. Heywood's feelings were on this occasion and at other times, under similar circumstances, yet these troubles were not without their spiritual benefit, and sixteen years afterwards, he thus expresses himself when writing his Treatise, entiVOL. I.

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all the way home my heart was full, and in great suspense between hopes and fears. When I came to my own gate, a boy called to me, and told me of a letter from my sons, and when I came into my house and read it, found that all was well with them. Blessed, blessed be my God, who hath dispersed my fears."

On one occasion, he says: "O how little power have I over my own thoughts! I feel the truth of that word: 'When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?' But now I feel the benefit of prayer. In the multitude of my sad thoughts within me, thy counsels and comforts, O Lord, delight my soul. Thou hast known my soul in adversity, and now I give up myself and mine unto thee, upon a new score and renewed obligations. How things are, or will yet be with my sons, I know not; but thou hast quieted my heart in the actings of faith and prayer, in consequence of which, I do resolve, by thy grace,

tled, "The Best Entail:" "I have found that the miscarriage of my child, which is the greatest cross I ever met with, hath been blessed for the good of my soul, as a good woman said, 'Bearing my children and my crosses has cost me dear, but I would not be without either.' It is not fit that I should choose my affliction, what God lays on me is welcome, and I will etseem Christ no worse for his cross; for I find these bitter waters the most medicinal, and the sweetest fruits grow on this bitter tree. The depravity of my child hath helped to make me better, and this heartbreaking hath proved a heart-melting. True it is, that wicked men are hardened by seeing the children of the covenant thus miscarry, (even as divisions and offences amongst God's people are occasions of ruin, yea, even gospel-preaching is to some the savour of death,) yet as God is just therein to them, so my soul hath cause to bless the physician of souls, who so tempers this poison as to make it salutary to me; for my crosses are better than their comforts. I will recommend religion, though I mourn over my irreligious child, for godliness is gain, though even I gain not grace for my child by it."-Vol. 4. p. 467.