He pined away, had his mother with him, whose breasts he sucked as long as he was able, and then died, leaving a sweet savour behind him, both of sound doctrine and holy life: he was much lamented. 5. Mr. Denton succeeded. He was a good minister of Jesus Christ, affluent in his worldly circumstances, and had several children. He continued here about seven years; times were sharp, the bishops being in their height. In his time came out the book for sports on the Sabbath days. He saw he could not do what was required, feared further persecution, and therefore took the opportunity of going into New England. He returned to Old England about 1659, and lived and died in Essex. In his time the chapel at Coley was enlarged. 6. Came Mr. Andrew Latham, a genuine Christian, born near Prescot in Lancashire: he was but a young man, yet very hopeful and pious. By his marriage he gave offence, but he soon and suddenly lost his wife. The first time he preached after her death was from 1 Cor. vii. 29, 30. Then came on the wars, and he fled with others when the Earl of Newcastle lay with his forces about Halifax. He settled at Bury in Lancashire, at which place he died. On his deathbed, he earnestly desired to see one seal to his ministry: and God at last brought one, a poor woman in Bury parish, who gave him great content and made him bless God for that mercy. He was congregational in his principles before he died, though he had been otherwise; but he never gathered a church, nor acted as an Independent: he was a holy man and a useful instrument. I received the Lord's supper from his hands at Bolton church in the Presbyterian way, not long before he died, and methought his garments shone as he came to me. He was a plain and powerful preacher: I be

lieve God did much more good by his ministry than he knew. I suppose he was at Coley nine or ten years. 7. Came Mr. Giles Clayton from Altham in Lancashire, a holy man and serious preacher; though not of eminent parts, yet desirous of doing good. He was between forty and fifty years of age when he came, and continued four or five years. He died and was buried at Halifax. He was succeeded at Altham by good Mr. Jollie: he made some attempts to set up discipline here, and to enjoy the sealing ordinance, but could not effect it, though he was resident in the proper season for that purpose, in the time of the Long Parliament. 8. The next was Mr. Cudworth, a good scholar, a holy man, (as was hoped) and a good preacher; but so exceedingly melancholy, that it obscured his parts. He was not at Coley above a year. Then came this poor, inconsiderable worm, and God took me from my public work by the Act of Uniformity."

"There were several attempts to bring a preacher to Coley after I was turned out: and some have been for a season. 1. Mr. Fisden. 2. Mr. Pattison, whose real name was White. 3. Mr. Hoole, who continued there about five years. 4. Mr. Moore, of Baildon, who staid about half a year. 5. Mr. Furman, who remained about a year. 6. Mr. Bramley, a young man born at Sowerby, but he soon went away. 7. Mr. Andrew Lothian, a Scotchman: he came Aug. 9, 1674, and died Dec. 6, 1675. 8. Mr. Hovey came May 1, 1676. He was a man of ability, and a high conformist, but took his leave Nov. 27, 1681. 9. Mr. Lambert, formerly lecturer at Halifax, supplied for them at Coley about six months: when some requested Dr. Hook to let them have Mr. Hoole of Bradfield; but he would not consent, saying, he would rather have Mr. Heywood. They said with all their hearts; and some

came to desire me to preach ;* but my friends did not judge it expedient. 10. Mr. Timothy Ellison born at Prescot, whose parents used to receive my brother to preach in their house: he came July 23, 1682, and continued to this present year 1695. He prays well, preaches zealously, and it is said, lives honestly. The people flock to him and are much affected. Blessed be God! O that he may be of some use to them."

The secret, invisible, but powerful hand of God was engaged in bringing Mr. Heywood to Coley. "I cannot but wonder," he says, "what the heads and members of this congregation saw in me, so affectionately to desire, and unanimously to choose a young lad of twenty-one years of age to be their minister, that I do not remember the opposition of any one person, rich or poor, to my election, though another had been tampered with between my first supplying and my engagement with them. I cannot also but wonder how my heart came to be persuaded to it, considering my aversion to settle in this hilly country; but God led me with a strong hand and deceived me into it, and I am willingly deceived, though contrary to the solicitations of another people in Lancashire to whom I was more inclined." Conscious of the vast importance of the work in which

* This was not the only time that attempts were made to obtain his return to Coley Chapel. "Jan. 10, 1676," he says, "there was a meeting of the townsmen, at which time, E. S. had prepared a paper, and presented it to the inhabitants, expressive of their desire that I might preach at the chapel He requested those present to subscribe it, which they did very freely, some of whom have neither heard nor owned me almost these fourteen years. This is wonderful, whatever may be the issue. They now profess they will either have me or none at the chapel, and if I may not preach it shall be vacant. This is strange all things considered, that they should own a poor, despised, persecuted minister, cast out as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. Blessed be God.”

he had engaged, and deeply sensible of his insufficiency for the right and successful discharge of the duties of the ministerial office, he entered upon it with trembling steps. His conduct at this season peculiarly commends itself to the imitation of young ministers. He was very earnest and frequent in his addresses to the God of all grace for those supplies which he needed. When walking abroad, his heart was often engaged in devout ejaculations, so that he called many places, "Bethels, Peniels, or Bochim." When in his study, he was very diligent in laying up a store of useful knowledge, and very attentive to his preparations for the pulpit. Nor did he neglect the important work of heart-preparation. Many were his tears and prayers and self-examinations before he ascended the pulpit, and having been much in communion with God in secret, no wonder that his face shone when he appeared before the people. The first-fruits of an abundant harvest of souls were given him to encourage him in the commencement of his work.

When he had been employed at Coley nearly two years, he thought it his duty publicly to recognize his pastoral and ministerial engagements by the solemn rite of ordination. The Presbyterian mode of church government was then established in England, and he made application to the second classis of Lancashire ministers who usually assembled at Bury. The reasons of his application to them in preference to others were, because Bury was not far from his native place, and because the ministers were those to whom he was personally known, and for whom he entertained a great esteem. The day appointed for this solemnity, was Aug. 4, 1652; and the persons engaged in that work were the Rev. John Tilsley, of Dean Church, Wm. Harpur, Peter Bradshaw, Jon. Scholefield, of Heywood Chapel, Tobias Furniss, of Bury, Thos. Pyke, of Rat

cliffe Church, Henry Pendlebury, of Holcome Chapel, Rich. Goodwin, of Bolton, and Robt. Bath, of Rochdale. He had previously been carefully examined as to his literary attainments, had disputed the question, An Pædobaptismus sit licitus? whether infant baptism be lawful? He had also preached before his examiners on Rom. x. 15, "How shall they preach except they be sent ?" It was a day much to be remembered, and the recollection afforded him pleasure a long time after. "It hath often," he says, "been much satisfaction to my spirit in the midst of my troubles, to review my regular entrance into the ministry. I had the unanimous call and consent of my people, manifested by subscribing their names; and some aged men sent as delegates to represent the whole, accompanying me to Bury, where by fasting and prayer, and imposition of hands, I was set apart to the important office. I confess I had many sad thoughts and fears about the time of my ordination, not so much respecting the the temporary exercises required as preparatory thereto; but principally, my great insufficiency for that high and holy calling. Such an impression it had on me, (though I knew not the tithe of duties and difficulties of what I have since felt,) that I should have been completely deterred and discouraged therefrom, had not the outward and inward call from heaven, the concernment of God's glory and the church's necessity, the intentions of my parents, the convictions of my conscience, the dedication of myself to God by former vows, and my putting my hand to the plough, prevailed with me and pressed me to this service. God was pleased to conduct me comfortably through the usual exercises, mightily to enlarge the hearts of his people in prayer, and graciously to afford assistance to all that were employed in the work of that day. Mr. Tilsley excellently