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ally about their spiritual affairs. His visits were short, but edifying. He managed then like one who was a good husband of his time, and seldom parted without prayer.-He governed his family with great strictness and prudence. Every morning, in his family worship, after he had briefly implored the divine assistance, a psalm was sung, then a chapter in the Old Testament in the morning, and one in the New in the evening, was read, which he expounded; pointing out the several parts of which it consisted; then giving an ac count of the substance of it in as few words as possible; then explaining the chief difficulties that occurred; concluding with. useful instructions. He then spent a quarter of an hour in prayer and praise, usually improving much of the chapter that was read, as matter for both. He was eminent in all the parts of prayer; but commonly abounded most in the confession of sin, in admiring all the divine excellencies, and in praising God for all his benefits. On all occasions he was importunate for the church of God, and for the enlargement of the kingdom of Christ. His regard to justice was uncommonly exact; and his charity, considering his circumstances, (which were not affluent) was stupendous. Having no child of his own, he freely took into his family three or four poor children, whom he boarded and cloathed at his own expence, and instructed in human literature and religion. These and his servants he catechized twice a week, explaining every thing to them in the most easy manner.

When he could no longer exercise his ministry in the church, he performed most parts of it in his family, with the same care and diligence he was accustomed to use in public, tho' no other person was present. He was a strict conscientious observer of the Lord's-day. His family constantly had their work done by four or five o'clock on Saturday afternoon. He then spent an hour and an half in explaining scripture, and in prayers. After this all retired to their apartments, to learn their catechism, and for devotion. At eight they supped, and then he dismissed his family as usual every other day. He was always up early on the Lord's day. Every one in his house read a chapter in the morning, and he spent an hour and half in expounding and prayer. Then he and his family went to public worship, and upon their return (after his being silenced) he prayed and repeated the sermon, and then preached and prayed as he was wont to do in public. After dinner he went to church, and at his return performed the same as before. After supper, every one of the family

gave an account of what they could remember of the sermon, and he concluded the day with singing a psalm, and with soJemn prayer and praise. He went through all this labour with surprising vigour, chearfulness and fervour of spirit *. He was a great follower of peace; civil, courteous and obliging, but a stranger to that ceremoniousness which has since be come so fashionable. He was very free in reproving his relations and all his acquaintance, as occasion required; and was mightily concerned, when he heard of the prosperity of any of them, that they might be provided against the tempta tions of their condition; and he was an earnest intercessor for the afflicted. His abstinence and self-denial, his strict watch over himself, and regard to divine providence in all instances, were very uncommon: as also was his humility. He fortified himself to an uncommon degree, against every thing he could suspect of having a tendency to tempt him even to a moderate conceit of himself.

Though he was not, free to join in the Common-prayer, and bore his testimony against prelacy, and the ceremonies with zeal, he managed his dissent from the established church with great candour and christian moderation. He sometimes keenly reproved such as reflected on a conformist, though in a matter which he himself could not approve. And his great piety, integrity and charity, recommended him to the respect of many that differed from him. He was a great scholar, and continued a hard student to the last. So far was he from entangling himself in the affairs of this life, that he knew not what he had, save the bread which he eat: nor was he very conversible about worldly matters; but in discourse on the things of God, none were more free and affable. He lived and died a great example of close walking with God, and a heavenly conversation. Mr. Samuel Bold, who was brought up under him from his childhood, says of him in a tract dedicated to his widow, " He was the greatest instance of an indefatigable, faithful minister, and practical believer, that he was ever acquainted with." When he lay on his death-bed, an aged friend of his asking him, If he had not comfort in reflection upon his labours in the work of God, he

*This might be the case with regard to himself; but it is scarcely credible that it was so with his whole family; such rigour would incline many young persons to say of the Sabbath, What a weariness is it! ED.

§ Mr. Bold was a clergyman at Steple in Dorsetshire: an intimate friend and an able advocate of Mr. Locke. He published several practical pieces in the strain of the Nonconformists. J. O,

replied,

replied, "I have nothing to boast of."-He finished his course with joy, July 4, 1684, aged 72. Though for some time hefore he died, such was the heat of the persecution, that he durst not shew his face in the city, many persons of consequence were very forward to do him honour at his death.

WORKS. An Answer to a book entitled, The vanity of childish Baptism.-The Font uncovered for Baptism; an Answer to the Challenges of the Baptists at Stafford.

St. WARBURY's. The CATHEDRAL. THOMAS HARRISON D. D. Born at Kingston upon Hull, and brought up in New England. He was a celebrated preacher in London, where he succeeded Dr. Goodwin at St. Dunstan's in the East. After he left the city, (the reason of which doth not appear) he lived for some time at Brombrough Hall in Wirrall, where he preached constantly; and afterwards went to Dublin, with Harry Cromwell, when he was sent to Ireland as lord lieutenant. He lived in his family with great respect, and was for several years a preacher at Christ Church with universal applause. He continued there till the turn of the times, and then came back into England, and fixed in Chester, where he had a large and attentive auditory. Here he was silenced by the Act of uniformity; upon which he returned to Dublin, where he exercised his ministry as a Dissenter, having a flourishing congregation, and many persons of quality for his constant auditors. He was extremely popular, and this stirred up much envy. He was a most agreeable preacher, and had a peculiar way of insinuating himself into the affections of his hearers; and yet he used to write all that he delivered: but he afterwards took a great deal of pains to impress upon his mind what he had written, that he might deliver it without using his notes. He had also an extraordinary gift in prayer; such a fluency, and such flights of spiritual rhetorics, suited to all occasions and circumstances, as excited the admiration of all that knew him.-He was a complete gentleman, much courted for his conversation: free with the meanest, and yet fit. company for the greatest persons. Lord Thomond (who had no great respect for ecclesiastics of any sort) expressed a singular value for him, and a high opinion of his abilities. often used to say, that " he had rather hear Dr. Harrison say grace over an egg, than hear the bishops pray and preach.”—

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§ Some of them, however, it is to be feared, were rather extravagant, if we may judge from his Topica Sacra, not long since reprinted. E». He

He was congregational in his judgment; and though his people were universally of another stamp, yet he managed all matters with such discretion, temper and moderation, that there never was the least clashing or danger of a faction. When he died, the whole city of Dublin seemed to lament the loss of him, and there was a general mourning. His funeral was attended by persons of all ranks. The sermon was preached by Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Daniel Williams, then pastor of another congregation in that city.

WORKS. TOPICA SACRA; or Spiritual Pleadings.-Old Jacob's Account cast up: a Fun. Serm. for Lady Sus. Reynolds, on Gen. xlvii. 9. He left behind him many MSS. and among the rest, a System of Divinity, in a large fol. vol.

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ST. JOHN'S. Mr. PETER LEE. After his ejectment he lived a Nonconformist at Knutsford, but through bodily indisposition, was not capable of constant work. Mr. Tong, in his life of Mr. M. Henry, speaks of him as living among the Dissenters in that town about the year 1686, and says, "He was a gentleman by birth, a humble upright person, and a good scholar."

St. PETER'S. Mr. JOHN GLENDAL.

Mr. JOHN BAILEY. He was born near Blackburn in Lancashire, Feb. 24, 1643, of a very pious mother, who early dedicated him to the service of God. From a child he knew the holy Scriptures, and was wise unto salvation. He very early discovered his delight in religious exercises, and was much given to prayer One effect of this was remarkably happy. His mother, while he was but a child, one day put him upon praying in the family. His father, who was a man of a very licentious character, hearing in what a manner he performed the service, was struck to the heart with such a conviction as issued in his conversion to God, and he proved one of the most eminent christians in the neighbourhood. This hopeful youth was instructed in grammar-learning by Mr. Sager, an eminent schoolmaster, and was after

Though Mr. Bailey was not ejected from any living by the Act of uniformity, he was thereby prevented enjoying one, as he might have done if the could have conformed, and therefore is as properly enteredon this list as many others. This interesting account of him is extracted from a sermon preached at his funeral by Mr. Cotton Mather, at his own desire, on Psalm xxxi. 5. It contains copious extracts from his Diary, and may be seen in Hist. N. England, B. iii. p. 224. Mr. Mather does not mention the church to which he ministered in America. His name is introduced in this place beCause he began his ministry here, and here suffered his first persecution.

wards

wards educated in other branches of learning under the eminent Dr. Harrison, of whom an account is given above. About the age of twenty-two he entered on the work of the ministry, at Chester.In that work his fidelity was soon put to the trial, by a hard imprisonment, which he suffered because he could not conscientiously conform to human inventions in the service of heaven. While he was quite a young man he often travelled a great way by night, even in winter, that he might enjoy divine ordinances purely administered; for which he was sometimes laid up in Lancashire jail.

He afterwards went over to Ireland; where his labours were so frequent and fervent as greatly to injure his health, which he never thoroughly recovered. He spent about fourteen years at Limerick, where he reaped the fruit of his labours in a very plentiful harvest. While he was here, a person of great quality, and his lady, nearly related to the Duke of Ormond, then Lord-lieutenant of Ireland, attended upon his ministry. This gave umbrage to the bishop, who made complaint of it to the Lord-lieutenant. This gentleman then offered Mr. Bailey, if he would conform, to procure him the office of chaplain to the duke, together with a Deanery, and a Bishopric upon the first vacancy But he refused the offer, which another eminent nonconformist minister near Limerick accepted, who afterwards obtained several places of preferment; pretending that he did it for the sake of opportunities to preach the gospel. It was remarkable that he was shortly after afflicted with such disorders that he was seldom able to preach at all. Mr. Bailey went on in the exercise of his ministry, without any factious designs, merely aiming at the conversion of men to Christ, and promoting faith and holiness. But though he was so unblameable in his whole conversation, that he was beloved wherever he came, he suffered another long imprisonment, while the Papists enjoyed liberty, and were greatly countenanced. When he was before the judges, he thus addressed them: "If I had been "drinking, gaming, and carousing at a tavern with company, "my Lords, I presume that would not have procured my being thus treated as an offender. Must praying to God "and preaching Christ, with a company of christians, who "are as peaceable, inoffensive, and serviceable to his Majesty and the government as any of his subjects-must this be "considered as a greater crime?" The recorder answered, "We will have you to know, it is a greater crime."

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While he was imprisoned, his church being divided into seven parts, visited him, one part every day, when he prayed

with

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