sermons, my mind was in an extraordinary manner impressed with those words, " By whom shall Jacob arise, for he is small?" and I preached from two or three imperfect hints, although before so large a congregation, neglecting other sermons which were written at large. The other particular was, that Mr. King told me that there was a very pious young woman in that neighbourhood who told him expressly that she was confident I would come among them; and continued in a steadfast persuasion of it against all imaginable appearance of probability, and when she was almost alone in the opinion. To which I may add the following circumstance, which greatly confirms my belief

in the rest.

On Friday, October 15, I called upon her again, and she asked me whether Mr. Some had not been under some extraordinary struggles and afflictions of one kind or another? I asked her why she imagined it; and she gave me the following account. The very morning in which she had visited me before, that was, August 1, she was praying for me and my family; not knowing at that time that dear Betsey was at all dangerously ill, when an impression was made on her mind as if a voice had spoken to her, "pray for him that he may be supported under the affliction: for I will take the child to myself. And pray also for him who is his chief fellow in the ministry, for an hour of sore distress is coming upon him!" Now it is certain that this has been remarkably fulfilled to Mr. Some, not only in the death of Mr. Saunders the day before, of which she knew nothing, and of Lady Russell on the first of September following; but also in the sad scene which was immediately after opened, and about which Mr. Some that very day had sent for me and my wife, and had opened it to us, and which but five or six people besides in the whole world knew of, none of whom could possibly discover it to her, nor were there any others from whom she could learn it. And it was further remark

able, that both her mother and sister, a pious girl then in a languishing illness, and as I believe a consumption, assured me, that immediately after she declared to them very confidently, that my child would die; and that she has been talking of some great trouble to come upon me and Mr. Some, about which she has been praying for us daily for these ten weeks and more.

I own this is wonderful to me; and I cannot but think, that God designed to humble me, by letting me see what discoveries he sometimes makes to meaner Christians; and also to comfort me, by showing me what gracious purposes he had concerning me in the former instance, and what gracious care he takes of me in the latter. Nor has it been any little encouragement to me with regard to the state of my dear Betsey; who I hope and believe is taken away from the evil to come, and taken to a better Father's house, though the dear lovely tabernacle of clay is indeed mouldering in the dust.

I cannot forbear observing, that these words have often been deeply impressed upon my mind of late, " Thou hast showed me that I must shortly put off this tabernacle." Which when I mentioned it to her, she startled, and looked as if she had some secret intimation that it would be so; at least she intimated nothing to the contrary. May I also be ready; and then I shall cordially acquiesce in the will of God.

October 22, 1736.

SOME REMARKABLE PASSAGES WHICH OCCURRED TO ME IN CONVERSING WITH MRS. GOODWIN AND MR. BUNYAN.

WHEN talking with Mrs. Goodwin concerning Mrs. Thomas, once of Petworth, my correspondent and friend, though personally unknown. She gave me such an account of her and her family as then struck my mind, though some particulars have escaped it.

VOL. V.

B B

She said, that she never knew a more eminent Christian, and

yet that for sixteen years together she never saw her one quarter of a year free from affliction..

She added, that among other afflictions, she lost an excellent son, just entered upon the ministry; from whom the world had the highest hopes, as a second John Janeway, whom, so far as I can remember, both in temper and in circumstances, he greatly resembled. He had a great friendship with Mrs. Goodwin and Mr. Griffith of Wells, intò whose heart God has lately put it to set up an Academy there, for which I desire to be very thankful. Mr. Thomas expressed his desire that these two friends might be with him when he died, if it were the will of God; and without any previous appointment they happened both to meet at his mother's house the day before, and continued there, I think, until his funeral was over. His last words were, "The glorious hour is come." And his pious mother standing by him, closed his eyes with a steady countenance, and said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;-blessed be the name of the Lord."

There was a daughter of this Mrs. Thomas, who was once carried to Bath upon account of a lameness; in which the physicians discouraged her, telling her that neither the water nor any method they knew of could help her. The child retired one day alone into the parlour, being then about twelve; and resting on her crutches, she thought something said, " Throw away your crutches;" which she did, and immediately was enabled to go without them; and I think from that time was perfectly well. But this is a story into which I would gladly inquire further.

Mr. Bunyan on this occasion told me another, which I cannot forbear recording, as having so great a resemblance to it. He has an uncle belonging to Mr. Hunt's congregation, and a very pious man, who with his family make lace. He had a fine child, that at six years old was struck

with a disorder in her foot, which not only rendered her utterly incapable of setting it to the ground, but disordered the whole nervous system, so as to quite take away her understanding, so that she could neither read nor work, nor did she know even her most intimate friends, nor the way to her father's house, if she had crept out of doors in the broad day. This continued for three years; and she was at length given up by all the physicians and surgeons, after great application to them. The matter was referred to prayer. Many meetings were on that account kept; and at last the child, standing on her crutches by her mother, said on a sudden, with a cheerful countenance, “Mother, I can stand without my crutches." And immediately after, " Mother, I can walk." And in a few minutes after, "Mother, I believe I can read." And in a few after that, "Mother, I believe I can make lace." Accordingly she tried at both; read a lesson very well; went to the place where her pillow stood, then indeed mouldy and much out of order, and went to work as well as the disorder of the materials would give leave. Thus she was cured in a moment; and to this day continues perfectly well. What greatly increases the wonder to me is, that this happened but about three years and a half ago, that is, since my settlement here, and that I never heard Mr. B. speak a word of it; though, upon inquiry into it, I find all imaginable reason to believe it to be true: and Mr. B. thought he had told it me. I ascribe the mistake to my being at London at the time it happened.

REFLECTIONS UPON THE ORDINATION OF MR. P.

THIS day we had a meeting of ministers at F. upon a very solemn occasion; the setting apart to the work of the ministry the pious Mr. P. He opened the work of the day with a short prayer: then Mr. Drake prayed. I preached from Heb. xiii. 17. "They watch for your souls," &c. A

plain, serious, awakening sermon, followed by a hymn, which I composed on that subject. Then Mr. Some took the ordination vows, confession of faith, and prayed. Mr. Morris preached from these words, "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." Then Mr. Hunt concluded with prayer. It was a very solemn, and I hope also a very useful day, and left some deep impressions on my heart; improved by the preservation received in our dark and dangerous journey home.

I would remember, that teaching others, I teach myself. I have many cares as a tutor, and an author. The Lord forgive me, that in these I am so apt to forget those of a pastor. I watch for souls; therefore I would resolve, 1. To take a more particular account of the souls committed to my care. For which end I propose to look over the churchbook, and the book in which the subscription is contained, and to keep an additional register of such persons as come among us. 2. I will very quickly take a tour over the whole congregation, to learn more particularly the characters and circumstances of them, their children, and their servants. 3. I will make a list of unconverted, of unawaked, and converted, and those fit for communion as well as actually in it. 4. When I hear any thing particular relating to the circumstances of my people, I will visit them and talk with them. 5. I will visit the sick more carefully than I have of late done. 6. For this purpose, I will generally contrive to get out quickly after dinner, that I may not be caught and detained by business at home. O my soul! thy account is great! It is high time that it be got into a better order. Lord, I hope thou knowest, I am desirous of approving myself a faithful servant of thee and of souls. O, watch over me, that I may watch over them, and then all will be well. Continue these things on the imagination of my own heart, that my own sermon may not another day rise up in judgment against me. Friday, October 22,