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 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 cheerfulness. 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 covenant engagement 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 so

lemn thanks for the mercies of the night, devote my, self 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 pro per 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 expenses, 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, compassionate, and friendly behaviour, avoiding all trifling, impertinent stories; remembering that imprudence is sin. 7. Let me use great moderation at meals, and see that I am not hypocritical in prayers and thanksgivings at them. 8. Let me never delay any thing, unless I can prove, that another time will be more fit than the present, or that some other more important duty requires my immediate attendance. 9. Let me be often lifting up my heart to God in the intervals of sacred worship, repeating those petitions, which are of the greatest importance, and a surrender of myself to his service. 10. Never let me enter into long schemes about future events, but in the general refer myself to God's care. 11. Let me labour after habitual gratitude and love to God and the Redeemer, practise self-denial,

and never indulge any thing that may prove a tempta. tion to youthful lusts. Let me guard against pride and vain glory, remembering that I have all from God's hand, and that I have deserved the severest punishment. 12. In all my studies let me remember, that the souls of men are immortal, and that Christ died to redeem them. 13. Let me consecrate my sleep and all my recreations to God, and seek them for his sake. 14. Let me frequently ask myself, what duty or what temptation is now before me? 15. Let me remember, that through the mercy of God in a Redeemer, I hope I am within a few days of heaven. 16. Let me be frequently surveying these rules, and my conduct as compared with them. 17. Let me frequently recollect, which of these rules I have present occasion to practise. 18. If I have grossly erred in any one of these particulars, let me not think it an excuse for erring in others." Then follow some rules about the hours of rising and study, what part of the day to be devoted to particular studies, &c.-Such pains did he take to train up himself for usefulness in the church.

I think it proper here to remind the reader, once for all, that, when such specimens as these are inserted of the rules he laid down and the resolutions he formed with respect to his conduct, they are to be considered chiefly, as suggesting hints, that may be useful to others in like circumstances; and not as testimonies to his character, or a proof that he, in every instance, acted up to such a standard. Yet on the other hand, it must be owned, that when a person frequently renews such pious resolutions, and examines himself by the rules he has laid down, it shows at least a deep concern about inward religion, and is a strong presumption that he has taken great pains with his own heart. That this was the case with Dr. Doddridge, I am well satisfied, from the perusal of his private papers, in which he has kept a very particular and exact account of the state of his mind, and from which it is easy to trace the evidences of his religious

character. The extracts which I have made from his manuscripts in this work, when compared together, and taken in connexion with his public character, will enable the reader to judge of this for himself, and will I believe convince him of the truth of what I have asserted. It may be proper in this connexion, to repeat the caution, already given in the preface, to the young Christian, into whose hands this book may fall, that he is not to be discouraged, because he finds himself, after his sincere endeavours, fall short of the standard which such rules hold forth. He should remember that the person, of whom he is reading, often saw reason, as will appear in the course of this work, to lament his neglect of some of his own rules, and his acting, in some instances, inconsistently with his own best resolutions. The Christian character is not formed at once; but those who are diligent in watching over themselves, and using the means of grace, though their good resolutions be sometimes overcome, shall, through divine assistance, grow stronger and stronger, and at length inherit the reward of the faithful servant.

CHAP. II.

HIS ENTRANCE ON THE MINISTRY AND SETTLEMENT IN LEICESTERSHIRE.

IN 1722, his tutor, Mr. Jennings, removed from Kibworth to Hinckley, in the same county, and about a year after, viz. July 8, 1723, died in the prime of his days, to the great loss of the church and world.

D

This his pupil, after a previous examination by a committee of ministers, (who gave an ample testimonial to his qualifications for it) entered on the ministerial work, July 22, 1722, being then just twenty years old. In a letter to a friend, he thus expresseth himself: "I was struck with the date of your letter. July 22, was the anniversary of my entrance on the ministry. God has been with me, and wonderfully supported me in the midst of almost incessant labours for the space of twenty-seven years. I esteem the ministry the most desirable employment in the world; and find that delight in it, and those advantages from it, which I think hardly any other employment upon earth could give me. It would be one of the greatest satisfactions of my life to see my son deliberately choosing the ministry. But I must leave this with God; and be thankful for the honour he has done me, though he should not see fit to perpetuate it in my family." He preached his first sermon at Hinckley, from 1 Corinthians, xvi. 22. If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha. I find in his diary that two persons ascribed their conversion to the blessings of God attending that sermon; with which he appears to have been much affected and encouraged. He had continued at Hinckley about a year after this, preaching occasionally there and in the neighbouring places, and going on with his course of lectures and studies, when the congregation at Kibworth invited him to be their minister; at the same time a like application was made to him from Coventry. But he chose Kibworth, principally on the account of his youth, and that he might pursue his studies with greater advantage. He settled there in June 1723. As this congregation was small, and he lived in an obscure village, he had much time to apply himself to study, which he did with indefatigable zeal. Ministers in general have been too unwilling, even at their entrance on their work, to live or preach in small country places; but he reflected on it with pleasure all his days, that he had