and as the physician knew what diseases were curable, there was no waste of medicines in fruitless attempts to cure cases, which, though actually incurable, persons of less judgment could not pronounce to be so.

He gave away a great number of good books, with suitable instructions for their use; and especially Bibles. In the blank leaf he frequently wrote something capable of making an impression, or else stuck in a printed paper relating to the promises of Gop, in and through Jesus Christ, or to creation, preservation, and redemption.

All the future profits of his works he has left to some of the charitable uses above specified, except his "Meditations," the copy of which he had sold, after it had passed through several editions; which sale of the copy, and the profits of the former impressions, amounted to about seven hundred pounds, all which he gave away in charity. He said, that it was devoted to GOD, and that he would on no account apply it to worldly uses; that he wrote not for profit or fame, but to serve the cause of GOD; and as Providence had blessed his attempt, he thought himself bound to relieve the distresses of his fellow-creatures with it.

In any expence relating to himself, he was extremely frugal, that he might be liberal to others; and it was always his desire to die just even with the world. "I will be my own executor," said he. And as he died on Christmas day, his fund expired almost with his life. What little remained, he desired might be given in warm clothing to the poor in that severe season.

In learning he was inferior to few. Greek was almost as familiar to him as his native language. He was a great master of the classics; and in the younger part of his life had written some copies of verses, which shewed no contemptible genius for poetry. He had a critical knowledge of the Hebrew tongue, and delighted in it. With respect to his private capacity, he was never known to be in a passion. No worldly concerns (though he sometimes met with very trying ones, ever affected him. His humility rendered him invulnerable.-When he was misrepresented and calumniated, he would say, "Our enemies are sometimes our best friends, and tell us truths; and then we should amend our faults, and be thankful for such information: And if what they say be not true, and only spoke through malice, then such persons are to be considered as diseased

See a copy of this printed paper among his "Tracts."

diseased in their minds, and that he would pray for them. They are to be pitied, says he, and I might as justly be angry with a man who is diseased in body." In his ordinary transactions with others, he was ever cheerful, punctual, just, and candid, to persons of every denomination. He frequently wrote religious letters to his acquaintance according to their different circumstances, in the most amiable and convincing manner.

The reverend Mr. Romaine, in an excellent sermon preached upon his death, says of Mr. Hervey, That he had an excellency, which he never saw in so great a degree in any other person. Mr. Hervey never let an opportunity slip of speaking of the love of Christ. He would take occasion from the most common incident, and yet it would not appear forced; for he had a wonderful talent of spiritualizing and improving things. This heart-love to GOD appeared evidently in every part of his character. As a minister, his faith wrought in love to the souls of men in all the offices of his function. He did not forget that he was a minister in his own house, for he called his family together twice a day to serve GOD. As a member of society, his faith wrought abundantly by love to his neighbour; for he was full of good works. His charities to the poor were very large; and that he might be liberal to them, he was very frugal in his own expences, Mr. Hervey walked close after Christ, and found that the belief of Christ's righteousness being imputed to him for his justification, was so far from being a licentious doctrine, that it inspired him with the noblest motives to a grateful obedience: His holy life was an excellent recommendation of his principles. God had enriched him with great gifts, and with great graces, and had made him humble, for he was humbled by the power of grace. He had been a very vain proud young man, but the grace of GOD emptied him of pride and self, and clothed him with humility. Having put on Christ, he had put on with him the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which appeared in his great patience and resignation to the will of GOD.?

Some have, with absurdity enough, objected to Mr. Hervey what they are pleased to call Calvinism, forgetting or not observing, that all the doctrines of free grace, fervently preached by Calvin, and therefore meant to he abused by his name, are the doctrines of the church of England, which every minister of that church is bound to observe and teach upon OATH. Hence, if he omit to

preach

preach them, and much more if he dare to preach contrary to them, he is not only a doctrinal dissenter from that church, but an impiously perjured person in the sight of GOD and man. Our dissenters in general have had but too much reason to say, that they have kept our own articles for us; and to the honour of many among them it must be added, that they have adorned the doctrines too by their lives and writings, as some accounts in these volumes do evidently testify and confirm. Indeed, it is in vain to expect vital religion upon false principles, or holiness of heart and life from unsound opinions. Men do not gather grapes of thorns, nor figs of thistles.

Mr. Hervey hath also been thought to verge too nearly to Antinomianism. But he was far from being an Antinomian. His writings every where shew, the necessary agency of the Holy Spirit to lead the heart to Christ, and to keep it holy through Christ. He disclaimed the boasted powers of fallen nature, and would know nothing but JESUS CHRIST, as the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, of all the people of Gov. Candid, undoubtedly he was, in the highest degree; and his candour upon some occasions, as is usually the case with minds like his, might lead him to think better of some men and of their views and professions, than they deserved. seemed much of the same temper with the apostle; notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, CHRIST IS PREACHED; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. His amiable spirit led him to think well, and his Christian spirit to do well, with respect to all men.

He

His writings afford a lasting and indisputable proof of his grace and abilities. These were given him for the use of the church of God; and they were laid out for that end. His style has been much admired. It must be owned, that there is much of brilliancy and floridness in all his compositions: But persons of refined taste have expressed themselves much less satisfied with his language than his thoughts. The nervous, chaste, and manly style of the ancient classics he certainly has not copied; but ra ther that laboured attention to words and turns, which has been objected to in Seneca, Austin, and others. However, this is but of small importance, compared with the heavenly truths he delivered, and the seraphic ardour with which he has delivered them. The casket indeed is brilliant, and carefully brilliant; but it is the jewel within, that renders the whole invaluable.

His Works. "I. Meditations and Contemplations, in two volumes. These had a prodigious sale, and have been much blessed to all ranks among us. II. Theron and Aspasio, in three volumes. These contain dialogues upon many divine truths, and particularly upon justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ. III. A Collection of his Letters, in two volumes, published after his death. These are eminently pious and valuable, and throw great light upon the course of his life. IV. Sermons and Religious Tracts, comprized in one small volume. V. Eleven Letters to the Rev. John Wesley, in answer to his Remarks upon Theron and Aspasio. These are highly excellent, and shew the mild and gracious spirit of their Author, under an attack that does but too little honour to him that made it. VI. Letters to Lady Frances Shirley, in one small volume; with a recommendatory preface by the Rev. Mr. Romaine. VII. Three Posthumous Sermons, published by the Rev. Mr. Toplady. And VIII. Sermons on the Trinity, Repentance, Scriptures, and the Love of GoD, published from his Manuscripts, 1779."

GRIFFITH JONES.

MR. JONES was born in the parish of Kilredin, in

the county of Carmarthen, and descended from a religious and reputable family. A thirst for learning, joined with a quickness of genius, engaged him in an early and successful application to study. Having spent some time at a country School, his mother (for he lost his father when very young) put him under the care of an eminent classical master, who then presided in the grammar-school at Carmarthen. Mr. Jones made great proficiency in the Latin and Greek languages, and in other branches of learning, though he laboured, at that time, under the great disadvantage of a very weak constitution of body. From his youth up, his turn of mind had been extremely serious: And he was often observed to retire from those pleasures and amusements which usually enchant the younger part of mankind. His inclination

strongly disposed him to the work of the ministry, though he always considered the office as unutterably weighty, and of the last importance. He received deacon's orders

from

from the learned Bishop Bull, on September 19, 1708; and was ordained priest, September 25, 1709, by the same prelate: Of whom Mr. Jones always spoke with the highest esteem, and from whom he received some advices and cautions, which were always recent in his mind. He was preferred to the rectory of Llandowror by the late Sir John Philips of Picton Castle, Bart. who honoured Mr. Jones with an intimate friendship till the day of his death. This promotion was given him by Sir John, entirely on account of his learning and piety, without solicitations from Mr. Jones himself, or from any of his friends.

After some time, the society for propagating the gospel in foreign parts, fixed on him as a person admirably qualified to be sent as a missionary amongst the Indians; and he was earnestly solicited by the society to undertake the charge, as appears by several letters yet extant. He gave his consent, and addressed himself to the studies necessary to fit him for that work. But Divine Providence ordered things otherwise. Mr. Jones's usefulness lay in his own country; and Wales was not to be deprived of so eminent a minister, whose labours proved so great a blessing to it. Divinity was the grand study of his life. As he had strong intellectual abilities, and a very tenacious memory, by a close and diligent application, he became well versed in the writings of the most eminent English and foreign divines. This circumstance contributed much to form and improve his style. His sermons were well composed and digested. He entered into the very heart of whatever subject he undertook. His divisions were obvious and perspicucus: His deductions natural: His matter solid, lively, striking, and judicious. These advantages, set off by an agreeable delivery, a musical voice, and a proper action, soon made him famous as a preacher, and great multitudes flocked to hear him wherever he went. In reading the church-service, he was devout and pathetic, without affectation. He did not hurry the prayers over, as is too often the case, with precipitancy and carelessness, but had a sacred awe upon his mind: ever remembering, that he was addressing himself not to man, but to GOD, who trieth the reins and the heart. He observed the stops and pauses with so great judgment, and pronounced his words with so grave and pleasing an accent, that he generally engaged the attention of all who heard him. Even the unconverted seemed to feel somewhat of the energy with which he spake. When he ascended the pulpit, it was with reverence and holy fear. His prayer was fervent. He had

an