of God.' Serve God in thy generation, and strive after the church's peace and comfort in thy station. Improve thy interest to recover a lost ordinance and build up the walls of Jerusalem. In the mean time make the best improvement of the loss."

From the sentiments expressed in the above soliloquy, it is evident he could not satisfy his mind, without making some attempt to restore the long-neglected, but important ordinance of the Lord's supper at Coley. He was well aware, that many a good design has failed through want of prudence in the manner in which the affair was begun: he therefore consulted his judicious father, Angier, and adopted that plan which was likely to give least offence, and yet effect his purpose. Fully persuaded he was walking in the path of duty, and aiming at the glory of God in the good of his church, he was regardless of consequences. He prepared the way by some sermons on the subject, and then appointed a day for those persons to meet him at the chapel who were favourable to the object. Many came, and it was proposed that a few individuals, of acknowledged piety and wisdom, should be appointed by that meeting to assist him in the examination of those who expressed a desire of becoming communicants: but this measure was not adopted, and the whole of the work devolved on himself. Above one hundred and twenty persons applied, from many of whom he received abundant and unexpected satisfaction. Several, labouring under trouble of mind, and prevented by timidity from making their situation known to him, were glad of this opportunity; and he rejoiced greatly to find his labours were far more blessed than he had supposed. The names of those approved were publicly announced to the whole, and if objections were entertained against any, they

were to be made known to him before the day appointed for the administration of the ordinance.* Some persons of improper character were offended at his mode of proceeding, and threatened to make a disturbance by applying at the time the ordinance was to be observed; but they were so impressed by the morning sermon that their courage failed.

Having so far succeeded, his heart was filled with joy, and he thus describes the state of his mind on the occasion: "Record, O my soul, the memorable acts of God's distinguishing providence, relative to distinguishing ordinances, and relinquish not the privilege of the supper so lately enjoyed. Time was, when thou longedst with David for the water of the well of Bethlehem, and thy soul fainted with hunger and thirst. Now, through some peril and hazardous attempts, thou hast obtained thy object, and the supply proves not water but wine-not wine, but blood-not the blood of David's worthies, but the blood of the Son of God; the bread is not ordinary bread, but manna; yea, above the bread that came down from heaven: the blood of Christ is drink indeed, and his flesh, meat indeed. How often hath the Lord's day been the delight of my soul, holy and honourable; but the last was the best, my soul was almost overjoyed: it was the first time this invaluable ordinance had been cele

In a private record of church-transactions among his MSS. he has the following entry: "I made an attempt to set up discipline; and by the good hand of my God did attain it, so far as to restore the sealing ordinance, while I was public preacher at Coley chapel; and we enjoyed that sweet ordinance from 1655 to 1660, and some time after the king was restored. The names of such as sat down with us are these, many of whom are now dead, and some join not with us." Then follows a list of seventy-three names. In a note, he says: "Almost forty of the old communicants have gone to their long home. July 12, 1676."

brated in this place for the last sixteen years. How did my heart leap at the restitution of it! With what joy did I read and repeat the institution! O whence is this to me, that I should be instrumental in restoring this solemn ordinance! It is true, indeed, all things are not as could be desired; there are many things amiss, too many inconsistent members, and too few assistant officers. Yet, O my soul, do not obscure the glory of the mercy thou enjoyest. The Lord hath helped thee beyond expectation; for though our beginnings are small, he doth not despise the day of small things. The adversaries mocked at our solemn assemblies, and derided our consultations; but 'wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them;' their words were but wind, and their threats of little force; God was on our side, and took our part, the enemies themselves being judges. Who would have thought so great a work could have been carried on so far, managed by so weak an instrument, with so little assistance, and in the midst of so much discouraging opposition! Surely the hand of the Lord was in all this! Though we were a poor, despised company of weak individuals, deserted, if not opposed, by the rich of the congregation, who would not put their necks under the yoke of Christ, yet hath the Lord helped us in the discharge of our duty. When some threatened they would offer themselves at the ordinance, to see if I would pass them by, the power of God's word did so prevail, that they withdrew from their intended design. With respect to some, who had been examined by me, and concerning whom I had no particular ground of objection, it pleased the Lord so to deal with them under the forenoon's discourse, that the most, with whom several of undoubted piety were dissatisfied, being conscious of their own unworthiness,

went away; so that the greater part of those that staid were, I hope, truly gracious: this, O this was the Lord's doing! Alas, the state of things is such, that we have not authority to suspend or banish persons visibly unworthy; but God himself hath undertaken the work. He it was that gave us a comfortable enjoyment of this ordinance, afforded his gracious presence, and conveyed to us divine influences on the occasion. "This is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.' We may say, with Abraham: In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.' He loves to own despised

worms, and to help where none else will or can.

'We are like them that dream. The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.""

ence.

The joy and peace that attended the first celebration of the death of Christ at Coley, after so many years of neglect, were of short duration. When a good work is begun, Satan is sure to provoke opposition either by pretended friends or avowed enemies; if the ruins of Jerusalem are to be repaired, Sanballats and Tobiahs will make their appearance or exert their secret influSome persons were highly offended because the door of admission to church-fellowship was not thrown open so widely as to admit persons indiscriminately, while some, on the other hand, were dissatisfied thinking the terms of communion were not sufficiently strict: from those who embraced these opposite sentiments Mr. Heywood experienced much opposition; and from this period we may date the commencement of his severe trials. It was a great trouble to him that some who were most violent in their opposition, were those to whom he had hoped his ministry had been useful. It is lamentable to find how far this opposition was carried,

particularly by those who were anxious that the rules of church-discipline should be of the strictest kind. "Such was their behaviour towards me," he says, "that their own party elsewhere disclaimed them. I voted some of them blameworthy at a church meeting, and the country did so ring with it, that the reproach will never be wiped off. True it is, there was such provoking occasion, all circumstances considered, that I could very ill brook or bear it, and I found great need of special grace, and had an opportunity to practise some of the hardest lessons in christianity; to bear injuries without desire of revenge, to suffer grievous indignities without animosity, to pray for such as despitefully used me, to love my enemies, and to overcome evil with good. I never knew what these lessons meant till now." At this time he experienced what he justly denominates, "direct opposition," in which he says, "If God be with me, why doth all this evil come upon me? If God be for me, why are men against me? Hath not God said, that if a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him? Surely something must be amiss, else God would not thus have permitted the devil and his agents to come in upon us. Have we not miscarried in the business; in matter, manner, or end? Is not this a punishment? Certainly there is cause for deep humiliation on our part; though the work was God's, the defects were ours; what is good was from heaven, and what was evil from ourselves. O my soul, never til. now didst thou feel the vigorous opposition of the prince of darkness, especially in such open hostility opposing the power of godliness. He has been accustomed to come under a visor, but now he comes in his own colours, and with mighty force strikes at the heart of religion. With what rage do men cast