main scope of all his preaching. It is true, he did often preach law and terror to awaken men's consciences, and drive them out of themselves to Christ. He did often press duty in a circumspect, exact, and holy walking; and urged a spiritual, and diligent worshipping of God; but still demonstrating, that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.* It was his element, and most agreeable to his evangelical spirit to know and preach nothing but a crucified and glorified Redeemer. He enlarged much on the gospel mode of justifying a sinner, by the imputation of Christ's perfect righteousness through faith.† His active thoughts ran still upon this theme, sleeping, and waking; so that once, many years ago, he was heard in his dream to say, there are vast heaps of free grace. His heart was greatly enamoured with the love of God in sending Christ; as appeared to the satisfaction, profit, and wonder of many, from a sermon he preached the year in which he died, on Rom. v. 8. This was the proper sphere in which he moved; and few dived so deep into that unfathomable ocean of love which passeth knowledge, as he did.‡

15. He was a zealous defender of truth, and impugner of errors; he strenuously "contended for the faith once delivered to the saints." || He much delighted in the form of wholesome words, and loved not new coined phrases, which are apt to amuse men's minds, and instil into them poisonous principles. He loved and used sound speech that cannot be condemned, as well as sound orthodox truth; standing at an equal distance from Arminians on the one hand, and Antinomians on the other. He had a wonderful sagacity in discerning persons, things, and doctrines that swerved from, or agreed not with the scripture dialect. He * Rom. x. 4. + 1 Cor. ii. 2. + Eph. iii. 19. Jude, 3.

kept close to the analogy of faith; yet he was not against proficiency, or cautious extension of knowledge. . He had well studied the Arminian controversy, and told some friends, that if the Lord should recover him, and lengthen out his life, he had a design to write something on that subject, which might, perhaps, have given further light in the controversy. For as his genius led him that way, so he had the advantage of many years' intimate converse with that aged and learned divine, Mr. Thos. Johnson, of Halsall, a man of great ability, and unwearied application to study, a non-such on those points; but he told Mr. Heywood his intimate friend, that it much repented him, because he had spent so much time in reading books, and studying controversies, which might have been more profitably employed in conversing with, and instructing his ignorant and worldly minded neighbours. Let ministers think of this, for one soul won to God by personal conference, will tend more to God's glory, and a minister's comfort, than a thousand notions obtained by reading. Howbeit, a due mixture of a contemplative and active life, must needs be the best.

16. He was exemplary in his relative connections. He was an obedient child, an exceedingly kind husband, an indulgent tender-hearted father, an affectionate master, a faithful friend. He maintained a paternal awe, authority, gravity, mixed with gentleness and lenity, and both with incredible prudence, so that those connected with him, had not occasion either to slight him, or to be discouraged by him. He instructed them with faithfulness; admonished them with tenderness; prayed for them with faith and fervency, and walked before them with a holy exemplariness and sincerity. As God had made him a Nathaniel, Godwards; so he was a Joshua, resolving that "he and his house should

serve the Lord."* It is a true maxim, that he who is not relatively good, is not really good; but he was faithful in the discharge of duty in every relation. He kept his children much at home, being very jealous lest they should meet with temptations abroad, which occasioned many cares and prayers about their disposal.

17. He attained to a considerable measure of assurance. Though he had walked in darkness, and saw no light in his first convictions; yet staying himself on the Lord his God, he at last shone upon his soul with the light of his countenance, and he walked many days through much darkness with the candle of God shining upon his head. † How frequently in prayer did he express his joy and gratitude for everlasting consolation and good hopes through grace relative to his own salvation! But the infinitely wise God, after he had enjoyed many delightful days, thought fit to withdraw his wonted religious enjoyments, and left him under some doubts and dissatisfaction. For, about two months before he died, one Lord's day, as he and his family were sitting together, he told his wife with tears in his eyes, that he had great trouble concerning his spiritual state, and some doubts about his condition, desiring her to pray for him. Yet the Lord dispelled those dark clouds, and in due time did graciously shine into his soul with the beams of his love. Thus God is a free agent, and doth not always entail comfort upon sincerity, but sometimes the best of God's children suffer eclipses: such sad days, however, lead to self-searching and deeper humiliation, and such shakings tend to firmer establishment; yea, such discouragements are often attended with more enlargement, such dark spots in a Christian's evidences produce † Isa. 1. 10. Job xxix. 3. 2 K

* Josh. xxiv. 15.

VOL. I.

more clearing of them up. God hereby hath more glory, and heaven will be sweeter.

18. He had a strong persuasion of God's care of his numerous family, both in point of education and provision. As God had mercifully looked after them in his lifetime, so he conceived great hopes of their supply after his decease. It is true, he had some temptations, and sad thoughts of heart concerning them; but at last faith gained the victory over unbelief, and having left his mournful partner with her better husband, and his fatherless children with their heavenly parent, he was tranquil, and these thoughts did not prevent his cordial welcome of his dearest Lord, when he summoned him by death. He had by faith and prayer devolved the care of them upon the Lord, and he freely acquiesced in his good providence about himself and them. On Tuesday before he died, getting into his bed, his breath being very short, his wife broke out into sore weeping; to whom he said, "Be not troubled, God will provide necessaries for thee and thy posterity for ever" which brings to mind the anecdote of Bucer, who dying, stretched out his hand, with his eyes lift up to heaven, saying, Ille, ille regit et moderatur omnia-" He, he alone rules and governs all things:" and the event in the present instance hath abundantly answered the good man's prediction and expectation.

19. It is remarkable that he had his desire in a leisurely, lingering death. He had often expressed his willingness (if that were God's will) that death might come on gradually, and not surprize him; he even prayed that he might be long in his sickness, and also that he might be sensible to the last: the Lord condescended to hear him in both these things, had been long habitually prepared, but he desired to be actually ready: for it is an important concern to die

He

and go into another world, a world of spirits. This good man had frequent warnings, and continued strong in his intellect all the time of his illness. On Friday night, his brother-in-law coming to him, asked him if he had made his will; he answered, no: he desired to have his son Nathaniel at home when he did that. But he perceiving that he was weakening apace, and that his time would not be long, being urged again, he willingly consented, and sent for a clerk, and despatched that worldly concern the same night; then he was in perfect composedness of mind, there being but one night more intervening before his death.

20. As he was highly qualified with personal accomplishments, christian graces, and ministerial abilities, so God gave him favour in the sight of all with whom he had intercourse. It is true, he had adversaries, but it was for the matters of his God, wherein his principles led him to act differently from them; yet even those commended him for his abilities and preaching. At death, some that had been bitter enemies to him, were well reconciled to him; one instance was very remarkable, a Mr. Brownlow, an old gentleman, that lived in the town, had conceived a bitter grudge against Mr. Heywood, after king Charles's return, because he would not read the common prayer; but on his death-bed he sent for Mr. Heywood, and entreated him to go to prayer with him; and when Mr. A. the vicar, would have come to read the common prayer, he would not suffer him; but would not part with Mr. Heywood while he lived.

Thus I have given a brief narrative of what was memorable in this holy man of God, and imitable by I may say to every one, "Go thou and do likewise." Let Christians pray that God would send forth

us;