PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF DR. DODDRIDGE. capacity for executing it in the most desirable manner, kept me long from the attempt. After I had entered upon it, it was interrupted for months and years by my ill state of health, and the necessary duties of my station, which took up all the time I could devote to study. It hath been often quite laid aside, without hope of pursuing it; and, through repeated solicitations from some persons of eminence abroad, who knew the Doctor only by his writings, hath, at some lucid intervals, been resumed. As it hath been executed with great care and honesty, and those of my brethren who have revised it have thought it adapted to serve the cause of MEMOIRS OF THE LATE REV. DR. PHILIP DODDRIDGE. CHAP. I. DR. DODDRIDGE'S BIRTH, EDUCATION, EARLY Diligence AND PIETY. I CANNOT trace the family from which Dr. Doddridge sprung very far back; nor is it material. Wise and good men lay very little stress on any hereditary honours, but those which arise from the piety and usefulness of their ancestors. Of what profession his great grandfather was I cannot learn; but he had a brother, John Doddridge, who was bred to the law, and made a considerable figure in the reign of King James I., by whom he was knighted, and made one of the judges of the court of King's Bench. He wrote several learned treatises in his profession. He left an estate of about two thousand pounds per annum, whether hereditary or acquired I cannot learn; but it was lost out of the family in the time of the civil wars. The Doctor's father, as eldest surviving branch of the family, was heir-at-law to it, and often urged by his friends to attempt to regain it; but through an apprehension of the great hazard and expense attending the attempt, he chose to decline it. The Doctor sometimes acknowledged the good providence of God, in so ordering events, that the estate never came into his father's possession; as it would then have descended to him at a time of life, when, through the natural warmth and gaiety of his temper, it might have been his ruin. The Doctor's grandfather was John Doddridge, who was educated for the ministry at the university of Oxford. He was minister of Shepperton in Middlesex, and was ejected from thence August 24, 1662, by the act of uniformity. The family from which Dr. Doddridge descended, appears to have been originally settled in Devonshire.-K. t He was born at or near Barnstable, in Devonshire, and educated at Exeter college, in Oxford; from whence he removed to the Middle Temple, where he became so eminent in the practice of the common law, that he was first made serjeant-at-law to Prince Henry, then solicitor general to King James I.; after that, principal serjeant-at-law to the said king in 1607, and knighted the next year. In 1612 he was constituted one of the justices of the Common Pleas, and afterwards second judge of the King's Bench, where he spent the rest of his days, being 17 years. He was so general a scholar, that it is hard to say whether he were a better artist, philosopher, divine, common or civil lawyer. He had likewise the character of a person of great integrity and courage, being perfectly proof against interest and fear. He died at Forsters, near Eghain, in Surrey, Sept. 13. 1628, about the 73d year of his age; and according to his desire, was interred in the Lady Chapel of Exeter cathedral, where there is a handsome monument erected to his memory, on which his effigies is lively portrayed in alabas Dr. Calamy, in his account of the ejected ministers, gives him this character, that "he was an ingenious man and a scholar, an acceptable preacher, and a very peaceable divine." Some of his sermons, which I have seen, show him to have been a judicious and serious preacher. This his grandson, in a letter to a friend, saith of him, "he had a family of ten children unprovided for; but he quitted his living, which was worth to him about two hundred pounds per annum, rather than he would violate his conscience, in the manner he must have done, by submitting to the subscriptions and declarations required, and the usages imposed, by the act of uniformity, contrived by some wicked politicians to serve their own interest, and most effectually to humble those who had been most active in that general struggle for public liberty, in which the family of the Stuarts had fallen." His funeral sermon was preached by one Mr. Marriot, September 8, 1689; from thence it appears that he had preached to a congregation at or near Brentford, that he died suddenly, and was much respected and beloved by his people. The Doctor's father, Daniel Doddridge, was brought up to trade, and was an oilman in London; he had a very large family, all of which died young, but one daughter,§ and the Doctor, who was the twentieth and last child of his father's marriage. His mother was the daughter of the reverend Mr. John Bauman, of Prague, in Bohemia. This worthy confessor, foreseeing the troubles which so soon ter, in his scarlet gown and robes, and a court-roll in his hand. In an escutcheon are his arms, sc. argent, two pales, wavy, azure, beneath nine cross croslets, gules; with this epitaph inscribed, Learning, adieu; for Doderidge is gone Izacke's Antiquities of Exeter, p. 151, 152. Fuller's Worthies, and Athen. She married Mr. John Nettleton, a dissenting minister at Ongar in Essex, and died in the year 1734. She was a lady of distinguished good sense and piety, and bore some heavy afflictions with great patience and tranquillity; under which her brother behaved to her with the greatest tenderness, and even while at the academy, and in his first settlement, generously contributed all he could spare out of his small stock for her assistance. : THE LIFE OF DR. DODDRIDGE. followed the expulsion of Frederick, Elector-Palatine, left his native country about the year 1626. He was then but just come to age, and quitted a considerable estate, and all his friends, for liberty of conscience. He withdrew in the habit of a peasant, on foot, carrying with him nothing but a hundred broad pieces of gold, plaited in a leathern girdle, and a Bible of Luther's translation, which the Doctor had. He spent some time at Saxe-Gotha, and other parts of Germany, and came to England, in what year is uncertain, with ample testimonials from many of the principal divines in Germany. He was made master of the free school at Kingston-upon-Thames. He died about the year 1668, and left one daughter, afterwards Mrs. Doddridge, then a little child. The Doctor thought it a great honour to be descended from these suffering servants of Christ, who had made such sacrifices to conscience and liberty. The care of Providence over them and their families was remarkable: for though none of their descendants were rich and great, yet they were all comfortably and honourably supported. Dr. Doddridge was born in London, June 26, 1702. At his birth he showed so little sign of life, that he was thrown aside as dead. But one of the attendants, thinking she perceived some motion or breath, took that necessary care of him, upon which, in those tender circumstances, the feeble flame of life depended, which was so near expiring as soon as it was kindled. He had from his infancy an infirm constitution, and a thin consumptive habit, which made him and his friends apprehensive that his life would be very short and therefore I find him frequently, especially on the returns of his birth-day, expressing his wonder and thankfulness that he was so long preserved. He was brought up in the early knowledge of religion by his pious parents, who were, in their character, very worthy their birth | and education. I have heard him relate, that his mother taught him the history of the Old and New Testament, before he could read, by the assistance of some Dutch tiles in the chimney of the room where they commonly sat: and her wise and pious reflections upon the stories there represented, were the means of making some good impressions upon his heart, which never wore out: and therefore this method of instruction he frequently recommended to parents. He was first initiated in the elements of the learned languages under one Mr. Stott, a minister who taught a private school in London. In the year 1712 he was removed to Kingston-upon-Thames, to the school which his grandfather Bauman had taught, and continued there till the year 1715. During this period he was remarkable for piety and diligent application to learning. His father died July 17, 1715, upon which he made this reflection, "God is an immortal Father. My soul rejoiceth in him. He has hitherto helped me and provided for me. May it be my study to approve myself a more affectionate, grateful, dutiful child!" That his mother likewise died when he was young, appears from a passage in his sermon to young people, entitled, The Orphan's Hope, "I am under some peculiar obligations to desire and attempt the relief of orphans, as I know the heart of an orphan; having been deprived of both my parents at an age, in which it might reasonably be supposed a child should be most sensible of such a loss."+ About the time of his father's death he was removed to a private school at St. Albans, under the care of a worthy and learned master, Mr. Nathaniel Wood. Here he was so happy as to commence his first acquaintance with Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Samuel Clark, minister of the dissenting congregation there; to whom, under God, he owed his capacities and opportunities of service in the church. For, while he continued at St. Albans, the person, into whose hands the care of his affairs fell after his father's death, proved so imprudent, as to waste the whole of his own and Mr. Doddridge's substance. Dr. Clark was an entire stranger to him; but, with that condescension and benevolence for which he was remarkable, he took notice of him, and when he heard of his necessities, diligence, and seriousness, stood in the place of a father to him." Had not • It is observable, that he unhappily left his girdle behind him at the inn in which he lay, the first night after the commencement of his journey; and, not being used to such a cincture, did not miss it, till he came to his inn the next evening. He immediately went back to his former lodgings, with the united painful apprehensions of being met by pursuers, and unable to recover his substance. When he arrived at the inn, he inquired of the chambermaid if she had seen a girdle he had left in his chamber? She told him she saw it, but imagining it of no value, she had thrown it away, Providence raised him up such a generous friend, he could not have been carried on in the course of his studies. And I hope the wonderful kindness of God to him in this respect, will be considered by orphans as an encouragement to commit themselves to that ever-gracious Being, in whom the fatherless findeth mercy. During his residence at St. Albans he began to keep a diary of his life, in the year 1716: from thence it appears, that he kept an exact account how he spent his time, took great pains to improve his understanding, and make himself master of the several lectures and books which he was taught. He likewise set himself to do good to his schoolfellows, by assisting them in their studies, introducing religious discourse, strengthening any good dispositions which he saw in them, and encouraging and assisting at social meetings for prayer, especially on the Lord's day. When he was walking alone in the fields, he either read, or reflected upon what he had read; and would sometimes, in his walks, call upon poor ignorant persons at their houses, give them a little money out of his own small allowance, converse seriously with them, read to them, and lend them books. He often mentions the great satisfaction he felt in his own mind in consequence of these attempts to serve them, especially in their best interest, and some instances, in which he had reason to hope they had not been in vain.--As he had then the ministry in view, besides his application to the languages, he read portions of the Scriptures every morning and evening, with some commentary upon them; and this was seldom neglected, whatever were his school business, avocations, or amusements. He recorded the substance and design of the sermons he heard, what impression they made upon his heart, what resolutions he formed in consequence of them, and what in the preacher he was most desirous of imitating. It was his signal felicity to have so kind and experienced a friend as Dr. Clark, to direct him in these important concerns. On February 1, 1718-19, he was admitted to the Lord's supper with the church under Dr. Clark's care, who had taken much pains to give him right notions of that ordinance, and prepare him for it. His own reflections upon it will show the seriousness of his spirit in that early part of life; and, I hope, be an encouragement to young christians to make a solemn dedication of themselves to the Lord in that ordinance. "I rose early this morning, read that part of Mr. Henry's book on the Lord's supper which treats of due approach to it. I endeavoured to excite in myself those dispositions and affections, which he mentions as proper for that ordinance. As I endeavoured to prepare my heart, according to the preparation of the sanctuary, though with many defects, God was pleased to meet me, and give me sweet communion with himself, of which I desire always to retain a grateful sense. I this day, in the strength of Christ, renewed my covenant with God, and renounced my covenant with sin. I vowed against every sin, and resolved carefully to perform every duty. The Lord keep this in the imagination of my heart, and grant I may not deal treacherously with him! In the evening I read and thought on some of Mr. Henry's directions for a suitable conversation after the Lord's supper: and then prayed, begging that God would give me grace so to act as he requires and as I have bound myself. I then looked over the memorandums of this day, comparing the manner in which I spent it, and in which I designed to spend it, and blessed be God, I had reason to do it with some pleasure, though in some instances I found cause for humiliation." In his Sermons on the Education of Children, he, in a note, returns his public thanks to Mr. Mayo, of Kingston in Surrey, and Dr. Clark of St. Albans, for the many excellent instructions they had given him both in public and private, when under their ministerial care in the years of childhood; of which he expresseth his resolution to retain a grateful and affectionate remembrance. He often acknowledged his great obligations to the latter of these gentlemen, and, in his sermon on his death, says, "I may properly call him and could not recollect where. After having told her, that he had a great value for his old belt, that it would be very useful to him in the long journey he had before him, and promised her a reward if she found it, she searched diligently, and at length found it in a bole under the stairs, where the family used to throw their worn-out useless furniture. The good man received his girdle with great joy, and pursued his journey with thanktulness to Providence for its recovery, and often spoke of it to his friends, as a wonderful and seasonable mercy. Sermon v. HIS BIRTH, EDUCATION, EARLY DILIGENCE AND PIETY. my friend and father, if all the offices of paternal tenderness and care can merit that title. To him I may truly say that, under God, I owe even myself, and all my opportunities of public usefulness in the church; to him, who was not only the instructor of my childhood and youth in the principles of religion; but my guardian when a helpless orphan, as well as the generous, tender, faithful friend of all my advancing years." He here refers to the influence Dr. Clark had over him to persuade him to devote himself to the ministry, the encouragement he gave him to pursue his academical studies, and the sufficient supply with which, by his own and his friends' contribution, he furnished him to go through with them. Serious minds observe with pleasure and thankfulness the methods of Providence in leading persons into public and useful stations, contrary to their own expectations. Those by which Mr. Doddridge was led into the ministry were remarkable. In the year 1718, he had left the school at St. Albans, and was retired to his sister's house to consider of his future profession. He had an uncle, Philip Doddridge, after whom he was named, who was bred to the law, was a steward to the Earl, afterwards Duke, of Bedford, and lived in his family at least from the year 1674 to 1688. By this means his nephew became intimately acquainted with some of that noble family: and while his mind was in this state of suspense, the Duchess of Bedford, being informed of his circumstances, character, and strong inclination to study, made him an offer, that if he chose to be educated for the ministry in the church of England, and would go to either of its universities, she would support the expense of his education; and, if she should live till he had taken orders, would provide for him in the church. He received this proposal with the warmest gratitude, but in the most respectful manner declined it; as he could not then satisfy his conscience to comply with the terms of ministerial conformity. He continued some time in great distress from an apprehension, that he should not be able to prosecute his studies for the ministry. Thus he writes, "I waited upon Dr. Edmund Calamy to beg his advice and assistance, that I might be brought up a minister, which has always been my great desire. He gave me no encouragement in it, but advised me to turn my thoughts to something else. It was with great concern that I received such advice: but I desire to follow Providence and not force it. The Lord give me grace to glorify him in whatever station he sets me : then, here am I, let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight." About three weeks after this discouragement, he had thoughts of entering on the study of the law, to which he was encouraged by the celebrated Mr. Horseman. He recommended him to a counsellor, Mr. Eyre, who made him some very good proposals; and he was just on the point of determining to settle with him. But before he returned his final answer, he devoted one morning solemnly to seek to God for direction; and while he was actually engaged in this suitable exercise, the post-man called at the door with a letter from Dr. Clark, in which he told him, that he had heard of his difficulties, and offered to take him under his care, if he chose the ministry on Christian principles: and there were no other that in those circumstances could invite him to such a choice. "This," to use his own words," I looked upon almost as an answer from heaven; and, while I live, shall always adore so seasonable an interposition of Divine Providence. I have sought God's direction in all this matter, and I hope I have had it. My only view in my choice hath been that of more extensive service; and I beg God would make me an instrument of doing much good in the world." Thus was he led into the ministry, and a foundation laid for his eminent usefulness. He continued some months at St. Albans under the instructions of his generous friend, who furnished him with proper books, directed him in his studies, and laboured to cherish religious dispositions and views in his heart. These discourses were translated and published in the German language, by order of the Rev. Dr. Frank, professor of divinity in the university of Halle in Saxony. They were reprinted in London 1736, and there was added to them Dr. David Jennings's translation of a Latin letter from the professor's father to a friend, concerning the most useful way of preaching. This is a book that deserves the serious attention of every minister; and I have been informed, that at its first publication, two bishops of the church of England, with an amiable candour, publicly recommended it to the perusal of their clergy, at their visitations. vil In October 1719, he was placed under the tuition of the Rev. Mr. John Jennings, who kept an academy at Kibworth in Leicestershire, a gentleman of great learning, piety, and usefulness; author of two Discourses on Preaching Christ, and particular and experimental Preaching, first published in 1723,* and also a Genealogical Table of the kings of England, Scotland, and France, for the space of 900 years. He was brother to Dr. David Jennings, lately an eminent minister and tutor in London. Dr. Doddridge always spoke with the highest veneration and respect of his tutor. During the course of his studies at Kibworth, he was noted for his diligent application to his proper business, serious spirit, and extraordinary care to improve his time. As a specimen of his vigorous pursuit of knowledge, I find, from a paper in which he kept an account of what he read, that, besides attending and studying the academical lectures, and reading the particular parts of books, to which his tutor referred his pupils for the illustration of his lectures, he had in one half year read sixty books, and about as many more in the same proportion of time afterwards. Some of these were large volumes, viz. Patrick's Commentaries, Tillotson's Works, most of the sermons that had been preached at Boyle's Lecture, and all the rest were learned or useful treatises. Nor did he read these books in a hasty careless manner, but with great care and close study. Some of them he abridged; from others he made extracts in his common-place book; and when he found in any of them a remarkable interpretation or illustration of a text of Scripture, he inserted it in his interleaved Testament or Bible. Thus he laid up rich stores of knowledge; and it contributed greatly to his improvement, that Dr. Clark favoured him with his correspondence, through his academical course, and gave him his reflections and advices, grounded on the accounts Mr. Doddridge had sent him of his lectures, studies, and particular circumstances. He applied himself in this period to the further study of the classics, especially the Greek writers. I find, from his papers, that he read these with much attention, and wrote remarks upon them, for the illustration of the authors themselves or the scriptures; and selected such passages as might be serviceable to him in his preparations for the pulpit. His remarks upon Homer, in particular, would make a considerable volume. "Thus a foundation was laid for that solidity, strength, and correctness, both of sentiment and style, which must seldom be expected, where those great originals are unknown or disregarded."+ But he still kept the ministry in view, and therefore made divinity his principal study, especially the Scriptures and the best practical writers. He furnished himself with Clark's Annotations on the Old Testament, for the sake of many valuable interpretations, a judicious collection of parallel texts, and the conveniency of a large margin, on which to write his own remarks; and with an interleaved Testament. In these he inserted illustrations of Scripture which occurred to him in reading, conversation, or reflection; together with practical remarks, which might be drawn from particular passages, their connexion with others, or the general design of the sacred writers; especially those which might not, on a cursory reading, appear so obvious, but on that account might be more striking and useful. He laid it down as an inviolable rule, (and herein he was an excellent model for students,) to read some practical divinity every day. He laboured assiduously to attain an eminent degree of the gift of prayer. For this purpose he made a large collection of proper expressions of supplication and thanksgiving, on common and special occasions, both from Scripture and devotional writers, that he might be qualified to perform this part of public service in a copious, pertinent, and edifying manner. While he was thus pursuing his studies for the ministry, he was intent upon his work as a christian, and ambitious to improve in all the graces of the christian character. To By forming his taste upon the great models of antiquity, to which he added an acquaintance with the polite writers of his own country, he acquired an ease and elegance of style which he would not otherwise have attained. His merit was the greater in this respect, as few of the dissenters had hitherto cultivated the graces of composition, and perhaps not many ot them had excelled even in the perspicuity and correctness of their language. It is desirable that the cause of truth, piety, and virtue, should come recommended with every possible advantage.-K. viii THE LIFE OF DR. DODDRIDGE. | this end he spent much time in secret devotion, examin- the day to be devoted to particular studies, &c.-Such pains ing the state and workings of his own heart, and keeping did he take to train up himself for usefulness in the church! alive an habitual sense of God, religion, and eternity. I I think it proper here to remind the reader, once for all, find under his hand a solemn form of covenant with God, that, when such specimens as these are inserted of the rules written in this period, agreeable to the advice of many he laid down, and the resolutions he formed, with respect writers upon religious subjects. There he expresseth his to his conduct, they are to be considered chiefly as sugviews, purposes, and resolutions with regard to inward reli-gesting hints that may be useful to others in like circumgion and his whole behaviour; and devotes himself, his stances; and not as testimonies to his character, or a proof time, and abilities, to the service of God with the greatest that he, in every instance, acted up to such a standard. Yet solemnity and cheerfulness. It so nearly resembles the on the other hand, it must be owned, that when a person form he recommends to others, in his Rise and Progress of frequently renews such pious resolutions, and examines Religion, chap. 17, that it need not be here inserted. At himself by the rules he has laid down, it shows at least a the close, he records his determination to read this cove- deep concern about inward religion, and is a strong prenant engagement over, once a month, as in the presence of sumption that he has taken great pains with his own heart. God, to keep him in mind of his vows. It appears from That this was the case with Dr. Doddridge, I am well satishis diary, that he did so, and generally the first Lord's day fied from the perusal of his private papers, in which he has of every month, and then made such additions, as in pre- kept a very particular and exact account of the state of his sent circumstances seemed best calculated to answer the mind, and from which it is easy to trace the evidences of great end he proposed by it. He drew up some rules for his religious character. The extracts which I have made the direction of his conduct, while a student, which he from his manuscripts in this work, when compared together, wrote at the beginning of his interleaved Testament, that and taken in connexion with his public character, will he might be often reminded of them and review them. I enable the reader to judge of this for himself, and will, I shall here insert them, as they may be useful to the rising believe, convince him of the truth of what I have asserted. generation, especially students. "1. Let my first thoughts It may be proper, in this connexion, to repeat the caution be devout and thankful. Let me rise early, immediately already given in the preface to the young christian, into return God more solemn thanks for the mercies of the whose hands this book may fall, that he is not to be disnight, devote myself to him, and beg his assistance in the couraged because he finds himself, after his sincere enintended business of the day. 2. In this and every other deavours, fall short of the standard which such rules hold act of devotion, let me recollect my thoughts, speak di- forth. He should remember that the person, of whom he is rectly to him, and never give way to any thing internal or reading, often saw reason, as will appear in the course of external, that may divert my attention. 3. Let me set this work, to lament his neglect of some of his own rules, myself to read the Scriptures every morning: in the first and his acting, in some instances, inconsistently with his reading let me endeavour to impress my heart with a prac- own best resolutions. The christian character is not formed tical sense of divine things, and then use the help of com- at once; but those who are diligent in watching over themmentators; let these rules, with proper alterations, be ob- selves and using the means of grace, though their good served every evening. 4. Never let ine trifle with a book resolutions be sometimes overcome, shall, through Divine with which I have no present concern. In applying my-assistance, grow stronger and stronger, and at length inherit self to any book, let me first recollect what I may learn by the reward of the faithful servant. it, and then beg suitable assistance from God, and let me continually endeavour to make all my studies subservient to practical religion and ministerial usefulness. 5. Never let me lose one minute of time, nor incur unnecessary expenses, that I may have the more to spend for God. 6. When I am called abroad let me be desirous of doing good and receiving good. Let me always have in readiness some subject of contemplation, and endeavour to improve my time by good thoughts as I go along. Let me endeavour to render myself agreeable and useful to all about me by a tender, compassionate, friendly behaviour, avoiding all trifling impertinent stories; remembering that imprudence is sin. 7. Let me use great moderation at meals, and see that I am not hypocritical in prayers and thanksgivings at them. 8. Let me never delay any thing, unless I can prove, that another time will be more fit than the present, or that some other more important duty requires my immediate attendance. 9. Let me be often lifting up my heart to God in the intervals of secret worship, repeating those petitions, which are of the greatest importance, and a surrender of myself to his service. 10. Never let me enter into long schemes about future events, but in the general refer myself to God's care. 11. Let me labour after habitual gratitude and love to God and the Redeemer, practise self-denial, and never indulge any thing that may prove a temptation to youthful lusts. Let me guard against pride and vain glory, remembering that I have all from God's hand, and that I have deserved the severest punishment. 12. In all my studies let me remember, that the souls of men are immortal, and that Christ died to redeem them. 13. Let me consecrate my sleep and all my recreations to God, and seek them for his sake. 14. Let me frequently ask myself, what duty or what temptation is now before me? 15. Let me remember, that through the mercy of God in a Redeemer, I hope I am within a few days of heaven. 16. Let me be frequently surveying these rules, and my conduct as compared with them. 17. Let me frequently recollect, which of these rules I have present occasion to practise. 18. If I have grossly erred in any one of these particulars, let me not think it an excuse for erring in others." Then follow some rules about the hours of rising and study, what part of To be assistant to Mr. Warren.-K. CHAP. II. His entrance on the ministry, and settlement in Leicestershire. IN 1722, his tutor, Mr. Jennings, removed from Kibworth to Hinkley, in the same county, and about a year after, viz. July 8, 1723, died in the prime of his days, to the great loss of the church and world. This his pupil, after a previous examination by a committee of ministers, (who gave an ample testimonial to his qualifications for it,) entered on the ministerial work, July 22, 1722, being then just twenty years old. In a letter to a friend he thus expresseth himself, "I was struck with the date of your letter. July 22, was the anniversary of my entrance on the ministry. God has been with me, and wonderfully supported me in the midst of almost incessant labours for the space of twentyseven years. I esteem the ministry the most desirable employment in the world; and find that delight in it, and those advantages from it, which I think hardly any other employment upon earth could give me. It would be one of the greatest satisfactions of my life to see my son deliberately choosing the ministry. But I must leave this with God; and be thankful for the honour he has done me, though he should not see fit to perpetuate it in my family.' He preached his first sermon at Hinkley, from 1 Corinthians xvi. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. I find in his diary that two persons ascribed their conversion to the blessing of God attending that sermon; with which he appears to have been much affected and encouraged. He had continued at Hinkley about a year after this, preaching occasionally there and in the neighbouring places, and going on with his course of lectures and studies, when the congregation at Kibworth invited him to be their minister; at the same time a like application was made to him from Coventry.* But he chose Kibworth, principally on account of his youth, and that he might pursue his studies with greater HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY. advantage. He settled there in June 1723. As this congregation was small, and he lived in an obscure village, he had much time to apply himself to study, which he did with indefatigable zeal. Ministers in general have been too unwilling, even at their entrance on their work, to live or preach in small country places; but he reflected on it with pleasure all his days, that he had spent so many years in a country retirement. Soon after his settlement at Kibworth, one of his fellow-pupils, in a letter, condoled with him on being buried alive there; to which he makes this sensible and spirited reply: "Here I stick close to those delightful studies, which a favourable Providence has made the business of my life. One day passeth away after another, and I only know that it passeth pleasantly with me. As for the world about me, I have very little concern with it. I live almost like a tortoise, shut up in its shell, almost always in the same town, the same house, the same chamber: yet I live like a prince: not indeed in the pomp of greatness, but the pride of liberty; master of my books, master of my time, and I hope I may add, master of myself. I can willingly give up the charms of London, the luxury, the company, the popularity of it, for the secret pleasures of rational employment and self-approbation; retired from applause and reproach, from envy and contempt, and the destructive baits of avarice and ambition. So that instead of lamenting it as my misfortune, you should congratulate me upon it as my happiness, that I am confined in an obscure village; seeing it gives me so many valuable advantages, to the most important purposes of devotion and philosophy; and, I hope I may add, usefulness too." Here he studied and composed his expositions and sermons with great care and exactness, transcribed almost every one of them in the neatest manner, and thus contracted a habit of preaching judiciously, when his other business would not allow so much time for composition. His favourite authors in this retirement were Tillotson, Baxter, and Howe.+ These he read often and carefully. He hath mentioned it as an advantage to him, that having but few books of his own, he borrowed of his congregation what books they had in their houses, which were chiefly the practical works of the earlier divines of the last century. By reading these he was led into a serious, experimental, and useful way of preaching. Fond as he was of his study, he would often leave it to visit and instruct the people under his care. I find, in his diary, hints of the persons he had visited, what he could discern of their religious character and state, what assistance they needed in their great concern, and what he had learned in conversation with them, which might improve himself as a christian and a minister. He condescended to men of low estate in his sermons, visits, and manner of converse; and as his congregation chiefly consisted of persons in the lower rank of life, he was careful to adapt his discourses to their capacities. He thus expresseth himself in one of his devotional exercises at this time, "I fear my discourse today was too abstruse for my hearers. I resolve to labour after greater plainness and seriousness, and bring down my preaching to the understanding of the weakest." -Concerning his settlement at Kibworth, and care of the congregation, he thus wrote to his friend and counsellor Dr. Clark; "I bless God that he hath provided so comfortably for me here, where I may be doing some good, and shall be no longer burdensome to my friends. I heartily thank you for the excellent advices you give me, especially relating to humility. I must be extremely unacquainted with my own heart, if I thought that I did not need them. I am fully convinced in my sober judgment, that popularity is, in itself, a very mean as well as uncertain thing; and that it is only valuable, as it gives us an opportunity to act for God with greater advantage. Yet I find by the little of it that I have tasted, that it is of an intoxicating nature. I desire not to be solicitous about it; and can honestly say, that when I think I have been instrumental in making or promoting good impressions upon the hearts of some of my In a letter written in 1723 to a friend, giving him some account of his studies, he saith, "Baxter is my particular favourite. It is impossible to tell you, how much I am charmed with the devotion, good sense, and pathos, which is every where to be found in him. I cannot forbeau looking upon him as one of the greatest orators, both with regard to copiousness, acuteteas, and energy, that our nation hath produced: and if he hath described, as I believe, the temper of his own heart, be appears to have been so far Experior to the generality of those, whom we charitably hope to be good rea, that one would imagine God raised him up to disgrace and condemna his brethren; to show what a christian is, and how few in the world deserve ix hearers, it gives me a much nobler and more lasting satisfaction, than I ever received from any approbation, with which my plain discourses have sometimes been entertained. I have now taken a particular survey and account of the state of religion in my congregation, and I bless God I find it in a better condition than I expected. My attempts to introduce prayer and a proper method of instruction into some families have, through the divine blessing, been so successful, that I shall be encouraged further to pursue my scheme. The knowledge I have obtained of the temper and character of the people, and the interest which I have in their affections, make me hope that my settlement among them will be to mutual satisfaction. The marks which I daily discern of an honest undissembled friendship and respect, expressed with the greatest plainness and sincerity, is a thousand times more agreeable to me, than the formal and artificial behaviour, which is to be found in more polite places. And now, sir, I cannot but reflect, as I very frequently do, that, under God, I owe this pleasure and satisfaction to the goodness of my friends, and particularly to your generosity and kindness. If God had not wonderfully provided for me by your means, instead of this honourable and delightful employment, which I am now entering upon, and which I should from my heart choose before any other in the world, I should in all probability have been tied down to some dull mechanic business, or at best been engaged in some profession, in which I should not have had any of these advantages for improving my mind, or so comfortable a prospect of usefulness now, and happiness hereafter." Though he kept up the same plan of devotion which he had followed while a student, yet upon his settlement with the congregation, considering the importance and difficulty of his work, he thought it necessary to perform some extraordinary acts of devotion. Accordingly, having read that most useful treatise, Bennett's Christian Oratory, he came to these resolutions; "1. I will spend some extraordinary time in devotion every Lord's-day morning or evening, as opportunity shall offer, and will then endeavour to preach over to my own soul that doctrine which I preach to others, and consider what improvement I am to make of it. 2. I will take one other evening in the week, in which I will spend half an hour in these exercises, on such subjects as I think most suitable to the present occasion. 3. At the close of every week and month, I will spend some time in the review of it, that I may see how time has been improved, innocence secured, duties discharged, and whether I get or lose in religion. 4. When I have an affair of more than ordinary importance before me, or meet with any remarkable occurrence, merciful or afflictive, I will set apart some time to think of it and seek God upon it. 5. I will devote some time every Friday evening more particularly to seek God, on account of those who recommend themselves to my prayers, and of public concerns, which I will never totally exclude. In all the duties of the oratory I will endeavour to maintain a serious and affectionate temper. am sensible that I have a heart which will incline me to depart from God. May his Spirit strengthen and sanctify it, that I may find God in this retirement; that my heavenly Father may now see me with pleasure, and at length openly reward me, through Jesus Christ. Amen." I It will not be unpleasing nor unprofitable to the serious reader, if I insert some specimens of the manner in which he preached over his sermons to his own soul; heartily wishing that it may excite ministers to do the like. "July 23, 1727, I this day preached concerning Christ, as the physician of souls, from Jer. viii. 22. and having, among other particulars, addressed to those sincere christians, who through the neglect of the gospel remedy are in a bad state of spiritual health, it is evident to me, upon a serious review, that I am of that number. I know by experience, that my remaining distempers are painful. God knows they are the great affliction of my life; such an affliction that, methinks, if I the character. I have lately been reading his Gildas Salvianus, which hath cut me out much work among my people. This will take me off from so close an application to my private studies, as I could otherwise covet, but may answer some valuable ends with regard to others and to myself." + I remember to have heard him speak of Barrow with great energy of commendation. Many of the divines of the latter part of the last century were incomparably excellent for the high spirit of devotion, the fulness of sentiment, and the energy and copiousness of style; and the neglect of them has been of no advantage to modern times.-K. |