those dispositions and affections, which he mentions as proper for that ordinance. As I endeavoured to prepare my heart, according to the preparation of the sanctuary, though with many defects, God was pleased to meet me, and give me sweet communion with himself, of which I desire always to retain a grateful sense. I this day, in the strength of Christ, renewed my covenant with God and renounced my covenant with sin. I vowed against every sin, and resolved carefully to perform every duty. The Lord keep this in the imagination of my heart, and grant I may not deal treacherously with him! In the evening I read and thought on some of Mr. Henry's directions for a suitable conversation after the Lord's-supper: and then prayed, begging that God would give me grace so to act as he requires, and as I have bound myself. I then looked over the memorandums of this day, comparing the manner in which I spent it, and in which I designed to spend it, and blessed be God, I had reason to do it with some pleasure, though in some instances I found cause for humiliation."

In his sermons on the Education of Children, he, in a note, returns his public thanks to Mr. Mayo, of Kingston in Surrey, and Dr. Clark, of St. Albans, for the many excellent instructions they had given him, both in public and private, when under their ministerial care in the years of childhood; of which he expresseth his resolution to retain a grateful and affectionate remembrance. He often acknowledged his great obligations to the latter of these gentlemen, and, in his sermon on his death, says, "I may properly call him my friend and father, if all the offices of paternal tenderness and care can merit that title. To him, I may truly say, that, under God, I owe even myself, and all my opportunities of public usefulness in the church; to him, who was not only the instructor of my childhood and youth in the principles of religion; but my guardian when a helpless orphan, as well as the generous, tender, faithful friend of all my advancing years." He here refers to the influence Dr. Clark had over him to persuade him to devote himself to the ministry, the encouragement he gave him to pursue his academical studies, and the sufficient supply, with which, by his own, and his friend's contribution, he furnished him to go through with them. Serious minds observe with pleasure and thankfulness the methods of providence in leading persons into public and useful stations, contrary to their own expectations. Those by which Mr. Doddridge was led into the ministry were remarkable.

In the year 1718, he had left the school at St. Albans, and was retired to his sister's house to consider of his future pro

fession. He had an uncle, Philip Doddridge, after whom he was named, who was bred to the law, was a steward to the earl, afterwards duke, of Bedford, and lived in his family at least from the year 1674 to 1689. By this means his nephew became intimately acquainted with some of that noble family: And while his mind was in this state of suspence, the Duchess of Bedford, being informed of his circumstances, character, and strong inclination to study, made him an offer, that if he chose to be educated for the ministry in the church of England, and would go to either of its universities, she would support the expence of his education; and, if she should live till he had taken orders, would provide for him in the church. He received this proposal with the warmest gratitude, but in the most respectful manner declined it; as he could not then satisfy his conscience to comply with the terms of ministerial conformity. He continued some time in great distress from an apprehension, that he should not be able to prosecute his studies for the ministry. Thus he writes, "I waited upon Dr. Edmund Calamy to beg his advice and assistance, that I might be brought up a minister, which has always been my great desire. He gave me no encouragement in it, but advised me to turn my thoughts to something else. It was with great concern, that I received such advice; but I desire to follow providence and not force it. The Lord give me grace to glorify him in what ever station he sets me: Then, here am I, let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight."

About three weeks after this discouragement, he had thoughts of entering on the study of the law, to which he was encouraged by the celebrated Mr. Horseman. He recommended him to a counsellor, Mr. Eyre, who made him some very good proposals; and he was just on the point of determining to settle with him. But before he returned his final answer, he devoted one morning solemnly to seek to God for direction; and while he was actually engaged in this suitable exercise, the post-man called at the door with a letter from Dr. Clark, in which he told him, that he had heard of his difficulties, and offered to take him under his care, if he chose the ministry on christian principles: And there were no other that in those circumstances could invite him to such a choice. "This, to use his own words, I looked upon almost as an answer from heaven ; and, while I live, shall always adore so seasonable an interposition of divine providence. I have sought God's direction in all this matter, and I hope I have had it. My only view in my choice hath been that of more extensive service; and I beg God would make me an instrument of doing much good in

the world." Thus was he led into the ministry, and a foundation laid for his eminent usefulness. He continued some months at St. Albans under the instructions of his generous friend, who furnished him with proper books, directed him in his studies, and laboured to cherish religious dispositions and views in his heart.

In October 1719 he was placed under the tuition of the reverend Mr. John Jennings, who kept an academy at Kibworth in Leicestershire, a gentleman of great learning, piety and usefulness; author of two Discourses on Preaching Christ and particular and experimental Preaching, first published in 1723*, and also a Genealogical Table of the Kings of England, Scotland, and France, for the space of 900 years. He was brother to Dr. David Jennings, lately an eminent minister and tutor in London. Dr. Doddridge always spoke with the highest veneration and respect of his tutor. During the course of his studies at Kibworth, he was noted for his diligent application to his proper business, serious spirit and extraordinary care to improve his time.

As a specimen of his vigorous pursuit of knowledge, I find, from a paper in which he kept an account of what he read, that, besides attending and studying the Academical Lectures, and reading the particular parts of books, to which his tutor referred his pupils for the illustration of his lectures, he had in one half year read sixty books, and about as many more in the same proportion of time afterwards. Some of these were large volumes, viz. Patrick's Commentaries, Tillotson's Works, most of the sermons that had been preached at Boyle's Lecture, and all the rest were learned or useful treatises. Nor did he read these books in a hasty careless manner, but with great care and close study. Some of them he abridged; from others he made extracts in his Common-place-Book; and when he found in any of them a remarkable interpretation or illustration of a text of scripture, he inserted it in his interleaved Testament or Bible. Thus he laid up rich stores of knowledge; and it contributed greatly to his improvement, that Dr. Clark favoured him with his correspondence, through his academical course,

*These discourses were translated and published in the German language by order of the reverend Dr. Frank, professor of divinity in the university of Hall in Saxony. They were reprinted in London 1736, and there was added to them Dr. David Jennings's Translation of a Latin Letter from the professor's Father to a Friend, concerning the most Useful Way of Preaching. This is a Book that deserves the serious attention of every minister; and I have been informed, that at its first publication, two bishops of the church of England, with an amiable candour, publicly recommended it to the perusal of their clergy, at their visitations.

A new edition of this work is found in "The Christian Preacher," a work lately published by Dr. WILLIAMS.

and gave him his reflections and advices, grounded on the accounts Mr. Doddridge had sent him of his lectures, studies and particular circumstances. He applied himself in this period to the further study of the classics, especially the greek writers. I find, from his papers, that he read these with much attention, and wrote remarks upon them, for the illustration of the authors themselves or the scriptures; and selected such passages, as might be serviceable to him in his preparations for the pulpit. His remarks upon Homer in particular, would make a considerable volume. "Thus a foundation was laid for that solidity, strength and correctness, both of sentiment and style, which must seldom be expected, where those great originals are unknown or disregarded."*

But he still kept the ministry in view and therefore made divinity his principal study, especially the scriptures and the best practical writers. He furnished himself with Clark's Annotations on the Old Testament, for the sake of many valuable interpretations, a judicious collection of parallel texts, and the conveniency of a large margin, on which to write his own remarks; and with an interleaved testament. In these he inserted illustrations of scripture which occurred to him in reading, conversation or reflection; together with practical remarks, which might be drawn from particular passages, their connection with others, or the general design of the sacred writers; especially those which might not, on a cursory reading, appear so obvious, but on that account might be more striking and useful. He laid it down as an inviolable rule (and herein he was an excellent model for students) to read some practical divinity every day. He laboured assiduously to attain an eminent degree of the gift of prayer. For this purpose he made a large collection of proper expressions of supplication and thanksgiving, on common and special occasions, both from scripture and devotional writers, that he might be qualified to perform this part of public service, in a copious, pertinent, and edifying manner.

While he was thus pursuing his studies for the ministry, he was intent upon his work as a christian, and ambitious to improve in all the graces of the christian character. To this end

By forming his taste upon the great models of antiquity, to which he added an acquaintance with the polite writers of his own country, he acquired an ease and elegance of style which he would not otherwise have attained. His merit was the greater in this respect, as few of the Dissenters had hitherto cultivated the graces of composition, and perhaps not many of them had excelled even in the perspicuity and correctness of their langeage. It is desirable, that the cause of truth, piety, and virtue, should come recommended with every possible advantage.-K.

he spent much time in secret devotion, examining the state and workings of his own heart, and keeping alive an habitual sense of God, religion and eternity. I find under his hand a solemn form of covenant with God, written in this period, agreeable to the advice of many writers upon religious subjects. There he expresseth his views, purposes, and resolutions with regard to inward religion, and his whole behaviour; and devotes himself, his time and abilities to the service of God with the greatest solemnity and chearfulness. It so nearly resembles the form he recommends to others, in his Rise and Progress of Religion, chap. 17, that it need not be here inserted. At the close, he records his determination to read this covenantengagement over, once a month, as in the presence of God, to keep him in mind of his vows. It appears from his diary, that he did so, and generally the first Lord's-day of every month, and then made such additions, as in present circumstances seemed best calculated to answer the great end he proposed by it. He drew up some rules for the direction of his conduct, while a student, which he wrote at the beginning of his interleaved testament, that he might be often reminded of them and review them. I shall here insert them, as they may be useful to the rising generation, especially students. "1. Let my first thoughts be devout and thankful. Let me rise early, immediately return God more solemn thanks for the mercies of the night, devote myself to him, and beg his assistance in the intended business of the day. 2. In this and every other act of devotion, let me recollect my thoughts, speak directly to him, and never give way to any thing internal or external, that may divert my attention. 3. Let me set myself to read the scriptures every morning: In the first reading, let me endeavour to impress my heart with a practical sense of divine things, and then use the help of commentators; let these rules with proper alterations be observed every evening. 4. Never let me trifle with a book, with which I have no present concern. In applying myself to any book, let me first recollect what I may learn by it and then beg suitable assistance from God, and let me continually endeavour to make all my studies subservient to practical religion and ministerial usefulness. 5. Never let me lose one minute of time, nor incur unnecessary expences, that I may have the more to spend for God. 6. When I am called abroad let me be desirous of doing good and receiving good. Let me always have in readiness some subject of contemplation, and endeavour to improve my time by good thoughts as I go along. Let me endeavour to render myself agreeable and useful to all about me by a tender