when Ephraim envies Judah, and Judah vexes Ephraim. How sad is it that those who are reconciled by the blood of Christ, should thirst after one another's blood! How unlike is this to the spirit and grace of the saints of God! Had it been a joint consent of all the household of faith against the kingdom of Satan, what cause of joy would it have been, and what grounds of hope should we have had! But, alas, I have lived to see every man's sword against his brother. O how angry is our God at this! and though he has brought them off with as little bloodshed as could be imagined, yet how may we fear it will heighten discord among dissenting brethren, fill them with jealousy against one another, and hinder hopes of an accommodation! In what desperate troubles is my native country involved, and also my dear relatives! How will the exasperated commonalty rage against the leaders in this affair! But there is hope in Israel concerning this thing, and all our help is from above. I desire also to make some improvement of the other sad afflicting providence relating to my child. Surely there is something amiss in us, or God would not have dealt so with us. O that his design may be thoroughly accomplished in us and upon us! It is good for us neither to slight it as an inconsiderable providence, nor be too much dejected by it, but to observe God's hand. David was affected with his illegitimate infant's death, though afterwards he encouraged himself; but the gospel covenant may revive our spirits in hope both for ourselves and seed. Were it not for a firm persuasion our souls have of covenant mercy, how sadly might we bewail the state of dying infants! but the promise belongs to us and our children. Though God hath taken one child, he hath left the other two, and will, I hope, make them of some service to glorify him

in his church militant. O how gracious is the Lord! sometimes he takes away those comforts we can best spare, and afterwards proceeds to take away those in which we conceive our life, and our all are bound up. O that by our non-improvement of this, we may not provoke him to touch us nearer the quick.”

Mr. Heywood's situation at this time was singularly distressing. His domestic trial was severely felt, being a man of strong natural feelings; his attempts to promote church discipline were violently opposed by some who ought to have been assistants in the work; and opposition was increased by vehement political prejudices. The unchristian and outrageous measures of his opponents would exceed belief, were they not recorded in his own words. "At this time," he says, "men triumphed over us with intolerable pride, threatened sequestration, shot off a pistol under our window, and had once almost driven me from my dear people. Once, indeed, I had resolved to go within a day or two, but being better advised, I thought it best to abide the trial; for I knew I was not guilty, no, not in the breach of their own law. Little, ah! little did I think, that persons whom God hath made instruments of my trouble would have proved so. A military gentleman in the neighbourhood, to whom my heart was much endeared as a christian friend, and who had expressed the like affection. for me, sent for me, and in private discourse obtained a full discovery of my opinion about state concerns, and, with some misinterpretations, divulged the same among the soldiers and in a public meeting at the chapel. Others were sent on purpose to tempt me to speak, and catch me in my words, whom I formerly judged as genuine friends. These strictly marked me, and without my observation wrote down what might be thought an accusation against

me. Some suspected me of having held correspondence with those in Lancashire, and have been much afraid for themselves, lest they should be unawares surprised in their houses. Others have watched all night, and kept an observant eye on my habitation, as if I were their enemy and contrived mischief against them; whereas the searcher of hearts knows that such things never entered my thoughts. Some have sent an unchristian-like note to me in the pulpit, while I was preaching, to distract me: and others have left the place with a resolution never to hear me again, circulated strange reports and lies concerning me, charged me with untruths originating in their own mistakes, called me and my way no better than popery, resolved and threatened, with bitter and insulting scorn, to thrust me from my dear congregation, took advantage from my too hasty resolution to send for another minister, and do still threaten to bring in another. Though some pretend more love, others wish to prejudice me to the utmost, to deprive me of my due rents, and resolve to hinder what they can of the people's subscription for my maintenance. These things seem sadly to make against me, and are very distressing, all circumstances being duly weighed; for some of those that oppose me are, I hope, truly pious: some of them have been my bosom friends, and if ever they have received good for their souls, it has been by my ministry, (as they have acknowledged) and have more reason to respect me than others, by the common law of gratitude. Some young persons have attained to a mighty height of pride and presumption, whose parents were my cordial friends, and gave them serious charges to be faithful to me. Some who have many times confessed their faults against me, have returned and done me much mischief. Sometimes I have been provoked to passion, and given

vent to the depravity of my heart, which has occasioned me much trouble. I have been charged with what my soul is most averse to, division and contention: this goes very near my heart. Whatever is or may be the issue, God is my witness how much my soul hath breathed after love and unity amongst Christians, how (too immoderately I fear) I have followed peace with all men, especially in endeavouring to produce concord between differing brethren. But, alas! what a sad thing that it has been unavailable, yea, that I should be charged as a fire-brand. I desire to take up my cross, it may be a direct punishment for my excessive desire for peace. God is just, but I am vile; I humbly kiss the rod, and accept the punishment of my sin. My comfort is, the testimony of my conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity I have had my conversation, in doctrine and practice, many years: and I can, by the grace of God, appeal to my adversaries. The charge is, I am a troubler in Israel and an enemy to Cæsar, though I have kept myself quiet and peaceable in my place and never advised an insurrection, when dissatisfied with the army's late innovations. I have been silent unto man, unless provoked to declare my apprehensions; for I have rather desired to open my complaints to God, who is able to redress these things in his due time. Surely God would teach me by these events, not to trust in man, nor to put confidence in a brother; and would shew me the instability of my surest comforts, and how bitter all my sweets may prove. O that I could open my bosom more to God, my sure and faithful friend in heaven, make more haste to get out of this world, and long more to be at rest. Then I shall never fear soldiers coming with weapons to apprehend me, courts of justice to try me, witnesses to swear against me, nor the executioner to take away my life."

About the commencement of Mr. Heywood's troubles at Coley, Sir Richard Houghton of Houghton Tower, together with the invitation of the people, sent him a presentation to the vicarage of Preston, worth at that time about £100. per annum. His resolution to re

main in the place where he had commenced his pastoral labours, and rejection of the flattering proposal, were not adopted but upon the most mature deliberation, serious prayer, and firm belief of the will of heaven, and give decisive evidence of the purity of his motives, and the integrity of his conduct. The impartial manner in which he endeavoured to ascertain the path of duty, and his willingness to walk in it, will appear from the following meditations on this occasion: "Reflect a little, O my soul," he says, " on a present providence which puts thee to a stand, and beware of adventuring upon any thing without direction from above. Thou hast an invitation to remove to another people look about thee, and inquire what is thy course. There are many cogent reasons both ways, and thy case is somewhat intricate. As things are represented to thee, the other is the more desirable place in many respects. They are a rich, numerous, and intelligent congregation; there is a pleasant situation, comfortable accommodation, abundant maintenance assured thee during life, discipline comfortably established, and the Lord's supper duly administered; the place also is near some of thy dear relations in the ministry, and many faithful ministers, whose praise is in all the churches, and whose society may be helpful to thee. Besides, thou hast a clear call on all hands, the unanimous invitation of the serious people without opposition from the rest, the full and free donation of it by the worthy patron, and encouragement by some neighbouring ministers. On the other hand, there are