hath,' of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119: 20; that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23 and August 10, 1723.

Resolved, Very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz: with the greatest openness of which I am capable, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to Him; all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance, according to Dr. Manton's sermon on the 119th Psalm. July 26, and August 10, 1723.

Resolved, That I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect and air of acting and speaking, in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.*

Shortly before completing his studies, preparatory to the ministry, Doddridge removed with his tutor, Dr. Jennings, to Hinckley, a populous and thriving town, situated in the county of Leicester, thirteen miles southwest of the city of Leicester. The country in the vicinity of

* See Life of President Edwards, by S. E. Dwight, pp. 67-74.

Hinckley, he writes, is rather more pleasant than the neighborhood of Kibworth,' but from the window of his very pretty little chamber' he had no very delightful prospect.' He remarks again, with reference to this removal to Hinckley: We have certainly changed for the worse in our removal from Kibworth, both as to house, garden and fields.'

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Doddridge finished his course of preparatory theological studies at Hinckley; and, on being licensed to preach, delivered his first discourse there in the summer of 1722, just after he had completed his twentieth year. The sermon was founded on that striking text: 'If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema, maran-atha.' 1 Cor. 16:22. It was a plain, practical discourse,' on a very moving subject,' preached to 'a very large auditory.' It is interesting to know that it was evidently accompanied with the divine blessing. I find in Doddridge's diary,' says Mr. Orton, 'that two persons ascribed their conversion to the blessing of God attending that sermon, with which he appears to have been much affected and encouraged.'

With such happy results opened the ministry of Philip Doddridge - a ministry which was signally blessed by the Chief Shepherd in the bring

ing of many a wanderer into the gospel fold, and in the edification and consolation of many a Christian pilgrim on the journey heavenward. And though he had not yet attained that distinguished excellence of Christian character-that solemnity of deportment, spirituality of mind, and entire devotedness to God, which marked his future career, yet Doddridge's path henceforward was like the shining light, that shinetb more and more unto the perfect day.'

CHAPTER III.

HIS PASTORATE AT KIBWORTH AND MARKET HARBOROUGH.

HE first pastoral settlement of Doddridge commenced in the summer of 1723. He then accepted a unanimous invitation to become the successor of his tutor, Dr. Jennings, in the charge of a small congregation at the village of Kibworth.

In assuming this charge, he drew up the following excellent rules respecting his ministerial duties, which he was very careful to observe:

1. I will spend some extraordinary time in private devotion every Lord's day, morning or evening, as opportunity may offer, and will then endeavor to preach over to my own soul that doctrine which I preach to others.

2. I will take every second evening in the week, in which I will spend half an hour in devotional exercises, on such subjects relative to

the congregation as I think most suitable to that occasion.

3. At the close of every week and month, I will spend some time in its review, that I may see how time has been improved, innocence secured, duties discharged, and whether I advance or lose ground in religion.

4. When I have an affair of more than ordinary importance before me, or meet with any remarkable occurrence, either merciful or afflictive, I will set apart some time for contemplation and to seek God upon it.

5. I will more particularly devote some time every Friday to seek God, on account of those who recommend themselves to my prayers, and to pray for the public welfare; a subject which I will never totally exclude.

6. In all the duties of the oratory, I will endeavor to maintain a serious and affectionate temper.

I am sensible that I have a heart which will incline me to depart from God. May His Spirit strengthen and sanctify it, so that I may find Him in such seasons of retirement, and that my Heavenly Father may behold me here with pleasure, and at length openly reward me, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Doddridge found his settlement at Kibworth