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(Phil. i. 6;) so that God shall say concerning them at last, notwithstanding the opposition of his malignant enemies, 'I have fulfilled my counsel, and I have done all my pleasure;' that though sin, death, and hell have conspired to defeat God's designs in creating man, yet he shall receive a tribute of everlasting gratitude from every redeemed soul in the happy realms of bliss."

This form of sound words, so clearly expressed, and so scripturally sustained, with but little or no variation, became the stratum of his faith and ministry during life. Compiled in the earliest stage of his christian profession, at a time, too, when a variety of subjects of diversified interest solicited and secured his earnest pursuit, it is most encouraging to find that, alike unmoved by the refinements of subtle speculation or the splendour of illustrious names, he continued, for almost half a century, with primitive steadfastness, to defend and adorn these evangelical principles.

CHAPTER II.

HE SEEKS ADMISSION INTO A THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION

HE UNITES WITH A CHRISTIAN CHURCH -HIS CALL TO THE MINISTRY-HIS ORDINATION.

BEFORE the subject of this memoir was eighteen years of age, his maturity of christian character and literary acquirement considerably exceeded the average attainments of those who have prosecuted their studies through the usual term of residence at a dissenting academy, yet, at this time, he made repeated, though unsuccessful, attempts to procure admission into one of those institutions. On one of the occasions referred to, he applied to Mr., afterwards Dr., Simpson, tutor of the Hoxton academy. In the "Memorial" he prepared and presented, he says:-"I feel myself the subject of two opposite principles; the one inclining me to universal holiness and virtue; by the other, if restraining grace prevented not, I should be hurried into every species of sin and immorality; for, 'in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.' In the presence of God I humbly confess it is not owing to me, but for ever to be ascribed to his grace that I have not been in every evil practice; and I trust to the same God still to keep me

humble, grateful, and obedient. I have infinite reason to be thankful for manifestations of his love to me, utterly unworthy of them, who deserve nothing but flaming wrath. I know I have enjoyed communion with God, and thence I conclude that Christ has died for my sins; for, I believe, God cannot, consistently with his justice and holiness, permit any sinner to have communion with him till a perfect satisfaction is made for his sins. I am conscious I have never experienced those awful convictions that many sincere christians have had; nor is it reasonable to expect I should, being never permitted to rush into open and notorious sins ; but, I trust, it may be said of me, as of Lydia, that my heart the Lord hath opened.' It is too late now, blessed be God, it is too late for me to go back to the world, the devil, or the flesh. Trusting to the strength of Divine grace, I am determined and resolved to press forwards to the mark of the prize of my high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' I have devoted myself to Christ, and him only would I serve. It is the top of my ambition-O may it ever be so, to be an instrument of good in the hands of Christ to perishing immortal souls.

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"In September, 1789, my mind was very deeply impressed about preaching the gospel, and studying with a view to that important work. With great difficulty and trembling I opened my heart to Mr. Ryland; told him I believed God the Holy Spirit had begun a good work in me; that I had, through

his kindness, an opportunity of acquiring useful knowledge for that purpose; that I considered it my duty as well as privilege; an act of gratitude to Christ my Saviour; for a power to do good, and an opportunity, make the doing that good a duty. To my great comfort Mr. Ryland encouraged me to go on; to continue in prayer, and lay up a good stock of knowledge. He said, 'Providence was the interpreter of God's will;' told me to wait, and seek, and see what the Lord would do for me; that if God intended to employ me, he would make it appear; desired me to follow Providence, not to force it.

"Since that time, agreeable to his fatherly advice, I have been making preparation, by studying the original languages in which the book of God is written, and the grand truths it contains, to the utmost of my ability and opportunity. I appeal to the Searcher of Hearts, that I aspire to the sacred office, not for the sake of riches or fame, or to promote a party, but to glorify God, in being an instrument of doing good in any manner to the souls of men. I feel that I trust as much to the free grace of Christ for ability, support, and success in my duty, as for the pardon of my sins; and relying on his strength, I desire to go forth, when and wherever he shall call me."

At a period much earlier than the date of this application, he had been assisted to perceive and renounce the error of infant sprinkling; and though

a favourable opportunity had not yet occurred for his admission to the privilege of christian baptism, yet his acknowledged convictions on this subject were considered, by an influential individual, to whom he was referred, as inconsistent with his reception at Hoxton, and his application was accordingly rejected.

The sentiments concerning baptism and its sacred adjunct, which he held with such distinguished consistency and perfect candour to the close of life, were inspired nearly, if not precisely, at the same time; and, perhaps, as no inconsiderable illustration of the power of principle, it may here be stated, that, notwithstanding his natural diffidence, his enthusiastic admiration of the revered friend with whom he was residing, and his impressive consciousness of obligation to him, he presumed, on the subject of communion, to adopt and defend a practice essentially dissimilar to that which approved itself to his valued instructor; but it certainly is not less deserving of being recorded, that this diversity produced, neither on the one side nor the other, the slightest alienation of affection.

Bristol academy, then the only institution of that nature, connected with the baptist denomination, in this country, was not forgotten, but, for some reason, not specified, that, also, was not available. It seems highly probable that he would have been received as a student at Oswestry, had not the worthy president, Mr., afterwards Dr., Williams, to

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