and he a wayfarer, tarrying in it as short a time as possible, and then hasting away to his Father's house. Besides, he considered it undesirable to be surrounded by weeping friends and officious domestics, whose sorrowful attentions might unnerve and distract the mind, when it ought to be wholly collected and set upon God; whereas no such disturbance of spirit would result from the unconcerned ministry of strangers. This singular wish was gratified, for he breathed his last in the Bell Inn, Warwick Lane.

'The other circumstance is this. While he resided on his diocese in Scotland, his forbearance with his tenants was so great, that at the time of his resignation considerable sums were due to him. His subsequent income seems to have arisen principally from these arrears, which dropped in slowly from time to time; and the last remittance that he had to expect was made about six weeks before his death, so that (to adopt Bishop Burnet's happy phrase) his provision and journey failed both at

once.'

His remains were conveyed to Horsted Keynes, the parish in which he had spent his concluding years, and were interred in an ancient chancel of the church, with no other pomp to hallow his obsequies, than the unbought attendance and inexpressive tears of the surrounding neighbourhood. On his tombstone is the following simple epitaph.

DEPOSITUM

ROBERTI LEIGHTOUNJ ARCHIEPISCOPI GLASGUENSIS

APUD SCOTAS

QUI OBJT. XXV DIE JUNIJ

ANNO DMJ 1684
ÆTATIS SUE 74.

The Archbishop's character is admirably depicted in the following extracts from Bishop Burnet, which, though often published, should not

The next is from the Pastoral Care,' where Burnet states that the ideas there recorded had been the subject of his thoughts above thirty years.

I was formed to them by a bishop, that had the greatest elevation of soul, the largest compass of knowledge, the most mortified and most heavenly disposition, that I ever yet saw in mortal; that had the greatest parts, as well as virtues, with the perfectest humility, that I ever saw in man; and had a sublime strain in preaching, with so grave a gesture, and such a majesty, both of thought, of language, and of pronunciation, that I never once saw a wandering eye where he preached; and have seen whole assemblies often melt in tears before him; and of whom, I can say with great truth, that in a free and frequent conversation with him, for above two and twenty years, I never knew him say an idle word, that had not a direct tendency to edification and I never once saw him in any other temper, but that which I wished to be in, in the last moments of my life. For that pattern, which I saw in him, and for that conversation, which I had with him, I know how much I have to answer to God: and though my reflecting on that which I knew in him, gives me just cause of being deeply humbled in myself, and before God; yet I feel no more sensible pleasure in any thing than in

:

going over in my thoughts all I saw and observed in him.'

Yet

While frugal and self-denying in all his habits, Leighton was eminently distinguished by an enlarged and well-directed benevolence. He appears to have possessed some private property, but his ecclesiastical income was, according to our ideas, small, not exceeding when Bishop of Dumblane, £200 per annum, nor when Archbishop of Glasgow, £400 per annum. every situation which he occupied retains permanent proof of his bounty. At Edinburgh, he gave £150 for the support of a bursary, or scholarship in philosophy. At Glasgow, he founded bursaries for the maintainance of two students, each of which now produces £9 per annum; and he also devised £150 to the hospital of St. Nicholas in that city, for two poor men of good report, from which fund three poor pensioners now receive annually, £4 10s. each. To the diocese of Dumblane, he bequeathed his valuable library, and made over for the benefit of the poor, a considerable sum of money due to him from a gentleman of that place.

But the most permanent and valuable memorials of Leighton arise from those works of literature and piety which he has left behind. His Prelectiones in the University of Edinburgh have long endeared his memory to the pious classical student. His Exposition of the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and his Meditations and Exposition on Psalms iv. xxxii. xxxix. and cxxx. and the eight first chapters of St. Matthew, together with his Rules and Institutions for a Holy Life, are deserving of careful and frequent perusal; but his most valuable production is his Commentary on the first Epistle of Peter, a work which has long been regarded as among the first of uninspired productions, and as combining in an unusual degree, sound interpretation, deep experience, and holy affection. That library is essentially defective which contains not Leighton on Peter; while delight and enjoyment in this Commentary will usually be found to increase in proportion as the believer is advancing to a participation of the inheritance of the saints in light.

THE word is spoke, the plague begun,
And England from her God hath won

The guerdon of her shame;
Lo, here His blazing chariot rolls,
And pestilence, like burning coals,
Enkindles at its flame.

But we, invited by thy Word,
Lay hold upon thy strength, O Lord,
And find our terrors cease;
Despoiler of death's venom'd sting,
We hide us underneath thy wing,

And claim thee for our peace.
Lord of our life! behold we stand,
We bow before the awful hand

Uprais'd to seal our doom;
For, oh, in that dear hand we see
The deep-struck prints of Calvary
The trophies of the tomb.

RECORD.)

Here tainted with rebellious sin,
Defiled without, corrupt within,
These bodies we resign;
Do thou renew their forfeit breath,
Or bind each guilty face in death,
For every pulse is thine!

O Father, glorify thy name!
O Saviour, thy dear purchase claim!
O Comforter, descend!
Now, in temptation's coming hour,
Omnipotent! put forth thy power,
And keep us to the end.
Around be nature's ruins spread,
We'll raise aloft a fearless head,

And hail redemption nigh;
So thou faith's firm assurance give,
That tells us, 'twill be Christ to live,
And glorious gain to die!

CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,-Never since my first connexion with you, did I feel more deeply than at the present moment the awful responsibility which attaches to me as your pastor. Never was I more firmly convinced of the duty of reproving, rebuking, and exhorting "with all long-suffering and doctrine." Never did I see more clearly the necessity of pressing upon you the study of the Holy Scriptures, as affording the only sure and steady light in this dark world, the only system of truth that can instruct, and comfort ignorant and unhappy man, the only anchor by which he can take hold of the blessings that are within the veil, the only rock upon which "a sure and certain hope of everlasting life" can be founded, the only bread that can nourish the soul, the only medicine that can heal its diseases, the only balm that can assuage its sorrows. It is no wonder that these Scriptures, striking as they do at the root of pride, prejudice, and selfishness, should excite opposition. But it is strange, that this opposition should proceed from persons of most discordant opinions, so that the scene of the Messiah's rejection appears to be acted, over again, while the modern Pharisee and Sadducee shake hands together, the approver of revelation and the stickler for tradition agree in spirit and in purpose, and "the truth as it is in Jesus," is treated as if it were an " idle tale." Expediency, not christian principle, liberalism, not christian love, are now too generally regarded as the motives. which should sway human conduct. The fruit they have produced is forbidding to the eye, and bitter to the tongue of every one who has "tasted that the Lord is gracious," and who can testify to the sweetness of his word. Let us hope and pray that good may yet arise out of all

this evil, which is likely to prove a test of character, by more strongly drawing the line of demarcation between those who " serve God," and " worship him in spirit and in truth," and those who do not. There may be less profession, but there will probably be a more decided separation from all that is ungodly, a more open confession of Christ a greater "fellowship of the Spirit." When the enemies of truth are not only leagued together against it in a firm bond, but are assaulting it with their utmost power and virulence, its friends should combine their efforts and rally round the standard of the cross, with all the promptitude and vigour which a consciousness of the excellence of their cause is calculated to inspire. We cannot penetrate into futurity, nor presume to say, what may, or may not be the will of the Lord concerning our nation, but it is to be feared, that the present signs are indicative of coming judgments, and that while irreligion and immorality pervade all ranks to so great an extent, He may be about to re-issue his threatening, "Shall I not visit for these things? shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"-Only for his restraining hand, we should be as Sodom and Gomorrah. The atrocities committed at Bristol, as well as those which are almost daily taking place in our neighbourhood, afford a striking but melancholy comment upon the truth, that "sin is a reproach to any people."-When we witness the daring attempts which are made to break up all orders of society, to maintain that the voice of the people (impelled by infidelity-or ignorance-or superstition-or bigotry) is the voice of God, whose name is HOLY-to invade property which the constitution regards as

sacred-to amalgamate all religions

"

-to condemn as 'bigotry an adherence to the doctrine of justification by faith, (11th article) and to turn into ridicule the hopes which spring only from Christ's merits-is it any wonder that in addition to our ordinary visitations, we should be threatened with a disease rapid and violent in its attack, and most malignant in its character? Whether or not this plague shall be stayed it is impossible for us to tell; but while it exists our duty is plain, to “ prepare to meet our God"-to flee to the sanctuary which his infinite love has provided in Christ Jesus-to put on, and to wear His righteousness, as that only garment in which we can hereafter be presented "faultless before the throne of his glory with exceeding joy."-If he be the "Lord our righteousness," we shall possess his mind, and then we shall bear such a resemblance to him as will prove the sincerity of our profession, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men," and lead others to examine into the nature and properties of the truth which produces effects so contrary to the depraved workings of the heart. The life of God in the soul of the genuine disciple of Christ, is perhaps too much lost sight of in the present day, and hence it is that so many are "led away by every wind of doctrine," that there is such a lack of ballast in professors-that new and strange, and unscriptural opinions are so much sought after, and so readily embraced that there is so little union among those who are agreed in essentials-and that the enemies of godliness have so much reason to remark (not "See how these Christians love")—but See how they 'bite and devour one another." Christian love emanating from Christian principles is the " excellent way" in which we are all called to walk, and if we are found in it, we shall "not think

more

more highly of ourselves than we ought to think," we shall esteem others better than ourselves and we shall "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' What a privilege to be enabled thus to hold forth the word of life," thus to appear as "the sons of God without rebuke" in a sin ful and gainsaying world! But is this the case with us? Does our faith lighten every burden-assuage every sorrow-silence every fearand brighten every prospect? Can we individually appeal to the great searcher of hearts, and say "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him unto that day?"-the man who commits his soul to Christ, is enabled by the Holy Spirit to do so, and he is both wise and happy. His language, though but faintly expressing his feelings, is, 'I can, not commit my soul into the hands of an angel, nor of an archangel, or of all the heavenly host, for they are creatures like myself, and therefore there is in them no security for my peace, my hope, or my salvation. I must look to one who is above them all-that one is Jesus Christ, "the true God and eternal life." He is all my salvation and all my desire, for in him all fulness dwells-fulness of gracefulness of glory.' It is with no ordinary pleasure that I have lately beheld among you, an increasing attention both to the word and worship of God, and I would hail it as a token for good. If "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," then we may indulge the hope, that such attention, especially if accompanied by earnest prayer, will be followed by a revival of "pure and undefiled religion. Why should we not look for a time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord?" Have not multitudes in days past enjoyed this great blessing, especially in seasons of trial and persecution? Is not the

promise sure-"Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world?" Then, ought it not to be pleaded at the throne of grace? Ought we not to pray in the Spirit -"walk in the Spirit"-and "live in the Spirit?" Ought we not to be looking out for "greater things" than we have ever felt or witnessed? Not for visions or special revelations, or miracles, such as were vouchsafed in the infancy of Christianity, and marked the darker dispensations which preceded it—but more enlarged communications of divine wisdom and light, and love, and strength-elevating the soul far above this present scene-producing greater devotedness to God

-more active zeal in the propagation of his truth-and greater humility of mind. There is now nothing new to be discovered in the way of religious truth, nor are we to expect a supplement to the written word-neither are we to believe that the Holy Spirit will cease to operate upon the minds of sinners by means of that word, or make any thing save the Gospel "the power of God unto salvation." It was not by miracles that conversion was effected in the apostolic days, but by the preaching of "Christ and him crucified,” "Christ delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification." This great subject, so opposed to all human wisdom, was brought prominently forward by the Apostles and Evangelists in all countries and in the hearing of all ranks-and every care was taken to keep it quite distinct from all those matters of 'doubtful disputation' which were calculated to gender strifes,' and which, if they had been dwelt upon, would have effectually prevented the exhibition of that beautiful spectacle of Christian affection and disinterestedness which is brought under our observation in Acts ii. 44-47. I feel an anxious solicitude that your" faith may not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the

power of God," and that you may receive from Him "the spirit of power and of love, and of a sound mind"-thus shall you be guarded against every delusion-directed in every duty-and supported under every trial: thus will "crooked ways be made straight," and "rough places plain;" thus will you be led

to "

commune with your own hearts and be still," and amidst the most overwhelming perplexities be enabled to " possess your souls in patience." "Sitting with Christ in heavenly places," the redeemed soul can contemplate without dismay the loss of all earthly comforts, and the dissolution of all earthly ties; it can be calm amidst the most fearful alarms-be comforted by the persuasion that "the wrath of man shall praise the Lord," who has placed a "hook in his nose and a bridle in his lips," Isa. xxxvii. 29, and says to his raging passions, as he does to the tempestuous ocean, "Hitherto shalt thou go, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Let then the children of Zion be joyful in their King" they have no cause for fear; if they have arduous fights to maintain they are sure of victory at last; if they are spoiled of their goods, they have an eternal soul-satisfying treasure, which cannot be corrupted by moth or rust, and which cannot, by the exercise of any ingenuity be stolen from them. If they sail upon a troubled ocean, amidst shoals and quicksands, they shall be brought by their pilot wise' to their destined haven, where no rough blast shall ever assail them. Do you belong to that blessed company? Does the Prince of Peace sway the sceptre of his love over your souls? Is his cause Is his service your your cause ? delight? Are you made willing to follow him whithersoever he leads, and are you comforted by the thought that you will one day see him as he is"-be made perfectly