behind him; having much addicted himself to Compofures. The Reading the Holy Scriptures, and confidering the true Senfe and Meaning of them, was that which he chiefly delighted in; and, if the old Saying is true,Bonus Scriptuarius eft bonus Theologushe might justly be esteemed one of the best of our Divines. In all the useful and neceffary Parts of Learning he was very well vers'd, though leaft of all in the Critical part, which, a long Confinement to a Country Parish, might occafion. His Talent in Poetry was not inconfiderable, as appears from fome Manufcripts of his in that kind, fair, and correct, as though they had been defigned for the Prefs. He was a Courteous and good NaturedMan, and of a very pleafant and chearful Temper, nothing of Sournefs or Moroseness in it; though his Countenance, and hard Studying, might prefage the contrary. The Inftruction of fome Gentlemen's Sons in his own Family, was an Employment which, for fome Years, he was willing to undertake; and, among other things, it was his particular Care to form their Minds" Minds to a fober Senfe of Religion betimes; which feveral have found the benefit of. He was likewise of a most communicative Temper (the peculiar Excellency of a Schollar.) He could fay as pleasant things as any one, when he had a mind to give himself the liberty of any facetious Difcourse; but yet what was ever tempered with Innocence and Gravity. He delighted to converse with Schollars: He was an Encourager of young Divines, fo obliging in his Temper to them, fo ready to inftruct them, and fo willing to refolve their Doubts and Scruples when propounded, that no one went from him, but with Pleasure and Satisfaction. In any Matter of Difputation, or Argument, no one more free from Paffion or Pofitiveness; no one more happy in Delivering himself, and in a way both of Argument and Speech, that both Entertain'd and Convinc'd: In this we appeal to all that knew him, and, in any familiar manner, Convers'd with him. In a word, he was a moft useful Person, and a very great Blefling to the Neighbourhood, especially to his Brethren the Clergy; and his whole Converfation was Sincere and Honest, Discreet and Prudent, Grave and Profitable. We We fhall not pretend to give a perfect Draught of the Moral Improvements of his Mind; his Piety and Devotion towards God, his Friendship and Charity to Men, his Humility and Sobriety towards himself, (of which his Life was one entire piece, and continued Testimony) were eminently known. This may be faid of his Charity and Temperance in particular, that he was never want ing in any of the Duties or good Offices of the firft, being of a very Kind and Sympathizing Difpofition, to all under any Calamity or Neceffity; and of the latter Vertue he was a very rare Example, abstaining from all forts of Drink that were ftrong, and his Eating was, in the general Course of his Life, a fort of Abftinence from Flefh Meats, and which he very fparingly fed upon: He thought his Conftitution required all this from him, though probably he might be mistaken in it. His Labours in Preaching, Catechifing, and Vifiting the Sick, were extraordinary, and beyond moft Examples, which his whole Parish can give Witness to; and fuch a God-like Temper and Difpofition appeared in every Thing that he Said, or Did, that it it commanded Respect and Veneration from all. In a word, it must be own'd, that scarce ever was known a better Man, or a more fincere Christian. His Death (which he was the better prepared for by a lingring Illness) was attended with all the Tokens of an Humble and Devout Soul, and a Spirit entirely refign'd up to God: The Prayers of the Church (which he valued above all others) were to his last Minutes conftantly made use of, and he receiv'd the Holy Sacrament feveral times, (having always had a Monthly Sacrament in his Church) and during the whole Course of his Sicknefs, as well as at his Departure, fuch a Power and Prefence of God's good Spirit feem'd to be afforded him, that it was the greatest Ease and Pleasure to him to Die; and all Doubtfulness and Uncertainty, concerning his everlafting State, was, with true Reason, and upon good Grounds, removed from him. Upon |