his Understanding, and make himself Master of the feveral Lectures and Books, which he was taught. He likewife fet himself to do good to his Schoolfellows, by affifting them in their Studies, introdu cing religious Difcourfe, ftrengthening any good Difpofitions, which he faw in them, and encouraging and affifting-at focial Meetings for Prayer, efpecially on the Lord's Day. When he was walking alone in the Fields, he either read, or reflected upon what he had read; and would fometimes, in his Walks, call upon poor ignorant Perfons at their Houses, give them a little Money out of his own fmall Allowance, converse seriously with them, read to them and lend them Books. He often mentions the great Satisfaction he felt in his own Mind in Confequence of thefe Attempts to ferve them, efpecially in their best Intereft, and fome Inftances, in which he had Reafon to hope they had not been vain. -As he had then the Miniftry in View, befides his Application to the Languages, he read Fertions of the Scriptures every Morning and Evening, with fome Commentary upon them; and this was feldom neglected, whatever were his Schoolbufinefs, Avocations or Amufements. He recorded the Substance and Defign of the Sermons he heard, what Impreffion they made upon his Heart, what Refolutions he formed in Confequence of them, and what in the Preacher he was moft defirous of imitating. It was his fignal Felicity to have fo kind and experienced a Friend as Dr. Clark, to direct him in these important Concerns. On February 1, 1718-19, he was admitted to the Lord's Supper with the Church under Dr. Clark's Care, who had taken

much

much Pains to give him right Notions of that Ordinance, and prepare him for it. His own Reflec→ tions upon it will fhew the Serioufnefs of his Spirit in that early Part of Life; and I hope, be an Encouragement to young Chriftians to make a folemn Dedication of themselves to the Lord 'in that Ordinance. I rofe early this Morning, read that Part of Mr. Henry's Book on the Lord's Supper, which treats of due Approach to it. I endeavoured to excite in myself thofe Difpofitions 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 fweet Communion with himself, of which I 'defire always to retain a grateful Senfe. I this Day, in the Strength of Chrift, renewed my Cove-· nant with GOD and renounced my Covenant with Sin. I vowed against every Sin, and refolved 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 fome of Mr. Henry's Directions for a 'fuitable Conversation after the Lord's Supper and then prayed; begging that GOD would give me • Grace fo to act as he requires, and as I have bound myfelf. I then looked over the Memorandums of this Day, comparing the Manner in which I fpent it, and in which I defigned to fpend it; and bleffed be God, I had Reafon to do it with fome Pleasure, tho' in fome Inftances I found Caufe for Humiliation.In his Sermons on the Education of Children, he, in a Note, returns his public Thanks to Mr. Mayo, of Kingston

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Kingston in Surrey, and Dr. Clark of St. Albans, for the many excellent Inftructions they had given him both in public and private, when under their minifterial Care in the Years of Childhood; of which he expreffeth his Refolution 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, fays, '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 fay, that, under GOD, I owe even myself, and all my Opportunities of public Usefulness in the Church; ¿ to him, who was not only the Inftructor 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 perfuade him to devote himself to the Miniftry, the Encouragement he gave him to pursue his Academical Studies, and the fufficient Supply, with which, by his own, and his Friends' Contribution, he furnished him to go through with them. Serious Minds obferve with Pleasure and Thankfulnefs the Methods of Providence in leading Perfons 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 Sifter's House to confider of his future Profeffion. He had an Uncle, Philip Doddridge, after whom he was named, who

was

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 fome of that noble Family: And while his Mind was in this State of Sufpence, the Dutchess of Bedford, being informed of his Circumftances, Character, and ftrong 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, fhe would support the Expence of his Education; and, if fhe fhould 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 fatisfy his Conscience to comply with the Terms of minifterial Conformity. He continued fome Time in great Distress from an Apprehenfion, that he should not be able to profecute his Studies for the Ministry. Thus he writes, I waited upon Dr. Edmund Calamy to beg his Advice and Affiftance, that I might be brought up a Minifter, which has always been my great Defire. 'He gave me no Encouragement in it, but advised 'me to turn my Thoughts to fomething elfe. It was ⚫ with great Concern, that I received fuch Advice ; but I defire to follow Providence and not force it.. The Lord give me Grace to glorify him in what ever Station he fets me: Then, here am I, let him ⚫ do with me what feemeth good in his Sight.' About three Weeks after this Difcouragement, he had Thoughts of entering on the Study of the Law, to

which he was encouraged by the celebrated Mr. Horfeman. He recommended him to a Counsellor, Mr. Eyre, who made him fome 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 folemnly to feek to GOD for Direction; and while he was actually engaged in this fuitable Exercife, the Poft-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 chofe the Miniftry on Christian Principles: And there were no other that in thofe Circumftances could invite him to fuch a Choice. This, faith he, I looked upon almost as < an Answer from Heaven; and, while I live, fhall always adore fo feasonable an Interpofition of divine • Providence. I have fought 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 exten< five Service; and I beg GOD would make me an • Inftrument of doing much good in the World.' Thus was he led into the Miniftry, and a Foundation laid for his eminent Usefulness. He continued fome Months at St. Albans under the Inftructions of his

generous Friend, who furnished him with proper Books, directed him in his Studies, and laboured to cherish religious Difpofitions 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 Ufefulness; Author of Prvo Difcourfes on preaching Chrift and particular and