to do) in reference to his own particular; he looking on this dispensation of Providence as God's pronouncing him unworthy to do him service, "the reproaching" (to use his own words)" his former unprofitableness, by casting him out as straw to the dunghill." Nor should any consideration that terminated on himself have persuaded him at all to regard that tyrannous injunction, had not charity to the family where he was, made him content to admit of an expedient that secured all real duties, whilst he for some short time forbore that attendance on the altar which was the very joy of his life.

And now, though his physicians had earnestly forbidden his accustomed fastings, and his own weaknesses gave forcible suffrages to their advice, yet he resumed his rigours, esteeming this calamity such a one as admitted no exception, which should not be outlived, but that it became men to be martyrs too, and deprecate even in death.

While he thus earnestly implored the aids of heaven, and exhorted unto present duty, he omitted not a third expedient, by securing a succession to the church, thereby to preserve its future being. And this he did not only in reference to the superior order of episcopacy, which it has pleased God now to secure by another more gracious method of his favour, and even miraculous goodness; but also in the inferior attendance on the altar: the latter of which as it was an enterprize suiting well with his heroic mind, so was it no way answering his narrow fortunes. The thing in his design was this: Whereas the ancient stock of clergymen were by this edict in a manner rendered useless, and the church was at best like the Roman state in its first beginning, res unius ætatis, populus virorum, a nation of ancient persons hastening to their graves, who must in a few years be wasted;

he

he projected by pensions unto hopeful persons in either University, to maintain a seminary of youth, instituted in piety and learning, upon the sober principles and old establishment of the Anglican Church. In which work though the assistances he presumed on failed in a great measure, yet somewhat not inconsiderable in this kind by himself and friends he did achieve, and kept on foot until his death. In his instructions to them whom he employed in this affair, he gave in charge "carefully to seek out such as were piously inclined, and to prefer that qualification before unsanctified good parts;" adding this as a certain maxim, "that exemplary virtue must restore the church.

"

8 Not inconsiderable.] One of the persons upon whom a portion of this bounty was most deservedly bestowed was Isaac Barrow, afterwards the great precursor of Sir Isaac Newton, and the pride of the English pulpit; and another was the Rev. Clement Ellis, a divine whose writings in practical theology, for their eminent and fervent piety, for soundness of doctrine, and for a vigorous, unaffected, and manly style, have been very rarely surpassed; and deserve to be much more extensively known, than it is apprehended they now are, or ever have been.

"He received several donations towards his subsistence at Oxford from unknown hands; with anonymous letters to certify, that those sums were in consideration of his father's sufferings, and to encourage his progress in his studies. Several such presents and letters he had, both before and after his being in holy orders, without his knowing from whence they came but after the restoration of the church and royal family, he had some reason to believe that they came from Dr. (Jeremy) Taylor and Dr. Hammond, being part of those collections of money, put into their hands by charitable and well-disposed persons, for the support and encouragement of suffering loyalty." Veneer's Account of the Life and Writings of Clement Ellis, M. A. prefixed to the work intitled, The Scripture Catechist; or the whole Religion of a Christian. 1738. 8vo. See also the Life of Dr. Isaac Barrow, prefixed to his Theological Works.

And

And whereas that black defeat at Worcester, raising the insolent tyrant here unto that greatness which almost outwent the impudence of his hopes, made him to be feared by foreign nations almost as much as hated by his own, the loyal sufferers abroad became subjected to the worst effect of banishment, and even there expelled and driven from their flights: so paralleling in their exigencies the most immediate objects of that monster's fury. The excellent doctor, to whose diffusive virtue the limits of the nation were too straight a circle, thought this a season to exert his charity accordingly, though this greatest duty were solemnly declared treason, he then continued to send over several sums for their relief.

Which practice of his, by the surprise of the person entrusted, being discovered to the tyrant, he was alarmed with the expectation of that usage which was then a certain consequent of such meritorious acts. But this adventure brought nothing of amazement or disturbance to the doctor, his most im-. portunate reflection being only this, that he seemed to have gained an opportunity of saying something very home to that fierce monster concerning his foul deeds, and to discourse the appropriate ways remaining to alleviate at least, if not to expiate for them; which he purposed within himself to press to the highest advantage: and indeed this was the only issue of that so threatening accident, God's restraining power interposing here, and exemplifying upon him what in others he was wont to observe, "that they who least considered hazard in the doing of their duties fared still best."

And this success as it was indeed, and accordingly he frequently acknowledged it for, an eminent act of the divine providence; so we may likewise take it as a signal testimony of the commanding

worth

worth the doctor had, which extorted a reverence to his person from that worst of men, and rendered him a sanctuary, perhaps the only one this architect of mischief stood in awe of, and even his sacrilege preserved inviolate.

Nor did this danger being over, as with others in all likelihood it would have done, persuade to caution for the future; but with the wonted diligence that formerly he used, he immediately proceeded, and cheerfully went on in the pursuit of his heroic charity.

Amidst these diversions grew up the labours of this hero, the issue of his brain, being not only midwived into the world like natural births with torment and disease, but wrote, like Cæsar's Commentaries, in dangers and in war. And now besides the replies which the importunities of master Owen, master Jeanes, and master Tombs drew from him, W. S. continuing his loud clamours and impudent triumph at his own folly, the good doctor suffered himself to be engaged on that long answer, which proved the last of that kind he made, excepting that single sheet put out a few months before his death, as a specimen to what desperate shifts the patrons of the Roman cause were driven: for though some of his friends advised him to remit that divinity buffoon to be answered in his own way by a slighter pen, he by no means would admit of the proposal, resolving it unfit that another should do in his behalf what was indecent for himself to do; and though there was no respect to be had of W. S. yet was the sacred cause to be managed with reverence and awful regard. While this was in hand the second Review of the Annotations came to light, as also the Exposition on the Book of Psalms, and soon after the pacific Discourse of God's Grace and Decrees, ventilated

between

between him and his dear friend the reverend and most learned Dr. Sanderson, now lord bishop of Lincoln, occasioned by some letters which had passed on that subject between the said doctor and the reverend Dr. Pierce. To this inmediately succeeded the Latin tract of Confirmation, in answer to the exceptions of Mr. Daille, which was then prepared for the press, though detained much longer upon prudential or rather charitative considerations, a respect to which was strictly had in all the doctor's writings; it being his care not only to publish sober and convincing, but withal seasonable, useful truths.

He was likewise enterprizing a farther Commentary on the Old Testament, and began on the book of Proverbs, and finished a third part of it: but the completion of this and all other the great intendments of the equally learned, pious, and indefatigable author, received here a full period: it pleasing the Divine Providence to take to himself this high example of all moral and christian excellencies in a season when the church and nation would least have been deprived of his aids towards the cementing of those breaches which then began to offer at a closure.

It is easily to be presumed the reader will not be disobliged, if we a while divert from this remaining sadder part of the undertaken narrative, and entertain him with a survey of the personal accomplishments of the excellent doctor. The particulars whereof would not readily have fallen into the thread of history, or at least had been disjointed there, and under disadvantage; but will be made to stand in a much fairer light, when represented to the view by way of character and picture.

And therefore to this prospect we cheerfully invite all eyes in whose esteem virtue itself is lovely.