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LEATHER-LANE.-Presbyterian, Extinct.

and the circumstances of his death were consistent with the general tenor of his life. In his last moments, his piety and patience, his devotion of spirit, and the happy composure of his mind were very distinguished. Death was to him not a formidable or unwelcome messenger; but he submitted to the stroke with the fortitude, magnanimity, and resignation of a Christian. He was removed to a better world on the fourth day of his illness, February 10, 1788, in the seventyninth year of his age. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr. Jervis, from 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7, 8. and afterwards printed.

Mr. Pope was held in great esteem for his many excellent qualities. An unaffected benevolence was the prevailing habit of his mind, and he delighted in being useful to others. He possessed a rational zeal for the truth, as tend, ing to promote the virtue and happiness of mankind; but discountenanced narrow prejudices, and an intolerant spirit. Mr. Jervis says, "He was an enemy only to vice, and did not estimate the worth of other men by the peculiar complexion of their religious and speculative opinions: But purity of heart, and rectitude of conduct, he considered as the proper test of the true Christian character." With all due difference to so respectable an authority, it may be observed, that the same test of character was observable in many virtuous pagans who never heard of the Christian name; from whence it may be concluded, that Christianity teaches some principles that were either unknown, or else but imperfectly known before, otherwise its utility seems very problematical. We have been informed by one who knew him well, that Mr. Pope was not so indifferent to the doctrines of Christianity; but that he was very zealous for the doctrines of the atonement, and of divine influence. As became a minister of the gospel of peace, he was ever solicitous to promote a spirit of liberality and kindness amongst its professors; to heal all disputes and animosities; and to establish the Christian law of liberty and forbearance. His mind was open,

LEATHER-LANE.-Presbyterian, Extinct.

candid, and sincere; superior to dissimulation and disguise. In the intercourse of society, he was generally and justly beloved. The cheerfulness of his temper, and the mildness of his deportment, rendered his conversation, even to the latest period of his life, amiable and acceptable to all. His vivacity was always tempered with a becoming seriousness; and his advanced age, long acquaintance with the world, and observation of human life, together with his general knowledge, and uniformly exemplary character, every where commanded respect. In his daily walk he was an ornament to his profession. A strong and prevailing sense of religion. dwelt in his heart, regulated his conversation, and animated his public ministry. He was never more happy than when leading the devotions of social worship. His discourses were practical and useful; distinguished by their simplicity and energy; and enriched with a pertinent variety of scriptural expressions. His devotional exercises were peculiarly suitable, serious, and pathetic; and he concluded his long ministerial services with the administration of the Lord'sSupper.*

EDMUND BUTCHER.-Mr. Pope was succeeded in 1789, by Mr. Edmund Butcher, who received his education at Daventry. He continued at Leather-lane, till 1797, when, on account of the bad state of his health, he resigned the pastoral charge in that place, and went into the country. In the following year, he accepted an invitation to settle at Sidmouth; but left that place also, and is now at Bridgwater.

WILLIAM HUGHES.-This gentleman pursued his studies at Hoxton, under Doctors Savage, Kippis, and Rees. In June, 1784, he settled with a congregation at Sidmouth; but in 1797, removed to London, to succeed Mr. Butcher,

Mr. Jervis's Sermon on the death of Mr. Pope, p. 26-35.

PETTICOAT-LANE.-Extinct.

at Leather-lane. After continuing there about three or four years, he removed in 1801, to the Isle of Wight. He was the last pastor at Leather-lane. After his removal, the congregation was supplied in the morning by Mr. Nathaniel Phillips, of Hanover-street; and after he left London, by Mr. Joseph Barrett, of Carter-lane; Mr. John Evans, a General Baptist, supplying in the afternoon. This was its state till 1812, when the congregation dissolved, and the place was disposed of to Mr. Smith.

PETTICOAT-LANE.

EXTINCT.

PETTICOAT-LANE, formerly called Hog-lane, stands near Whitechapel Bars, and runs northwards towards Spitalfields. On both sides of this lane, in ancient times, were edge rows, and elm trees, with pleasant fields; and gentlemen used to have their houses there for the benefit of the air. In the reign of James I. Count Gondamar, the Spanish Ambassador, had his house there; also Hans Jacobson, jeweller to the same king, in whose house Mr. Strype, the celebrated historian, was born. When the French Protestants fled to this country from the persecution of the grand monarque, they resided principally in this neighbourhood, and Petticoat-lane soon rose into a regular row of buildings on both sides of the way. In later times it has been more disreputably inhabited, being a common receptacle for thieves, and other notorious characters.*

Maitland's London, vol. ii. p. 1009.

PETTICOAT-LANE.Baptists, Extinct.

BOARS'-HEAD-YARD is situated on the eastern side of Petticoat-lane, at a short distance from the end leading into Whitechapel. In this place was situated the meeting-house now under consideration. Tradition says, that it was occupied originally by the Papists, and had been used as a place of worship for about two hundred and fifty years. How far this is correct we cannot take upon us to say. In the reign of Charles II. if not earlier, it was used by nonconformists, of the Particular Baptist persuasion. From them it passed to the Independents; and in a course of time reverted back again to the Baptists, who were its final occupiers. Of these different people we will procced to give some account in separate order.

BAPTISTS.

Of the Baptist society that first occupied the meetinghouse in Petticoat-lane, but few memorials remain. It seems to have been of the Particular persuasion. The earliest pastor that we find upon record, was a Mr. HILTON, to whose name we can add no particulars. He preached here at the time of the Revolution. In 1691, and the following year, the church was destitute. The next elder in succession was Mr. RICHARD ROBINS, for whom there is a funeral sermon in print, by Mr. John Noble; but it is barren of information respecting him. It was preached on the day of his interment, January 11, 1701-2. It appears from a memorandum, that Mr. Robins was instrumental in gathering a church at Chichester, in 1699. Mr. Noble speaks of him as a very useful minister, and one who bore a dying testimony to the doctrines he preached. He appears to have been of the Crispian school. We can discover no account of this church after the death of Mr. Robins; but as the place was soon afterwards occupied by another society, it is probable that his congregation removed to some other meeting-house.

PETTICOAT-LANE.-Independents, Extinct.

INDEPENDENTS.

The next society in succession that met at Petticoat-lane, was of the Independent persuasion, and collected by Mr. JOHN HUMPHREY, an ejected minister. In the year

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1700, his people met in Duke's-place, from whence they removed to a new meeting-house in Rosemary-laue. They afterwards went back again to Duke's-place, but at length fixed in Petticoat-lane. This congregation appears to have been of the high-flown cast. A manuscript says, "Mr. Humphrey was inclined to Autinomianism, and his people more so. It is certain that he was of the Crispian school, and wrote on that side of the controversy. He was succeeded by the famous Mr. JOSEPH HUSSEY. After the death of the latter gentleman, the principal part of his people removed to Turners'-hall, where, after a time, they chose Mr. WILLIAM BENTLEY, for their pastor. In 1741, he removed his people to Crispin-street, Spitalfields, where they assembled for a considerable number of years, but some time since dissolved. The remainder of Mr. Hussey's people who remained behind in Petticoat-lane soon scattered; and in 1728, the meeting-house was disposed of to another society. Of Mr. Humphrey, and Mr. Hussey we will proceed to lay before the reader a brief account.

JOHN HUMPHREY, M. A.-He was born in 1622, at St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire. At sixteen years At sixteen years of age, he was entered a student of Pembroke College, Oxford; and in 1641, took the degree of B. A. He left the university about the time that Oxford was garrisoned by the Parliament, and settled in Devonshire; being then of the episcopal persuasion. He afterwards took the degree of M. A. and receiving orders from the Presbyterians, became vicar of Frome-Selwood, in Somersetshire. There were some peculiarities in the principles and conduct of Mr. Humphrey,

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