place, by its present most valuable and faithful incumbent and lecturer.

There hath been also another eminent minister of this name among the dissenters, who died in January 1700, and whom Dr. Watts hath honoured by an elegant poem in his Hora Lyrica.

Mr. Timothy Rogers, M. A. who collected our Author's works, before in separate treatises, and published them in one volume, says, in his preface, This excellent servant of Christ not only spake for his great and good Master whilst he was alive, but now he is dead he also speaks for him, though not from the pulpit, but the press; and hath sown the seed which shall arise to a glorious harvest. A mighty strain of seriousness runs through all the writings of this good man. A catholic spirit, and a zealous concern for moderation among PROTESTANTS of all persuasions, does every way shew itself; as he was in a remarkable degree very moderate, so would have his readers to be. His design in his works is manifestly this, that the readers should not dispute much, but live well; as knowing that there is a greater amiableness in charity than in controversy: That quiet and heavenly grace will abide, when the noise and hurry of this disagreeing world is over. Whilst I read his practical writings I am, as it were, in a house well furnished, where there is every thing for the convenience and delight of life; there wants nothing here to compose an entire body of religion in its beauty, power, and extent."'

6

The following are the titles of the several treatises contained in his Works: "I. A Word to Sinners: And a Word to Saints. II. The Principles of Christian Religion explained to the capacity of the meanest, with Prayers for Families, and on other occasions. III. The Surest and Safest Way of Thriving: Or, a Conviction of that grand Mistake in many, That what is given to the Poor, is a Loss to their Estate;' which is directly contrary as to the Experiences of the Charitable; so to the Testimony of GoD's Spirit in divers Places of Scripture: As Prov. xi. 2. Ib. xix. 17. Luke vi. 38. Psal. xxxvii. 26.” There are several large Prefaces to this treatise; one by John Owen, one by Thomas Manton, a third by William Bates, and a fourth by Richard Baxter. "IV. Christian Directions: shewing how to walk with GoD all the Day long. With a Dedication to the Inhabitants of St. Sepulchre's, then his Parishioners, dated December 20th, 1660. . The Christian Householder. Josh. xxiv. 15. As for

me

me and my house, we will serve the Lord. VI. The Young Man's Guide through the Wilderness of this World, to the heavenly Canaan, &c. With a large Epistle Dedicatory to the Youth of England, especially to those who are in or about the city of London. VII. The Principles of the Christian Religion, with Practical Applications to each Head, in two Parts, designed as an Help to Family Catechizing with Prayers for Families and particular Persons. With an Epistle Dedicatory to Parents and Governors of Families. The third of December 1678. VIII. A Sermon on Good Works, wherein several Cases of Conscience concerning Alms-giving are resolved. With an Epistle Dedicatory to Mrs. Parthenia Lowman."

MONSIEUR HOMEL.

M. HOMEL was pastor of the protestant church at Vivaretz, in the province of Cevennes in France; and was, with peculiar cruelty, broken upon the wheel at Tournon, a city in the same province, October 1683. The following account was written by an eye and earwitness, who declared he had trembled, and his hair stood upright, at the remembrance of it.

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"I count myself happy, said this saint at his execution, that I can die in my master's quarrel - What, would my gracious Redeemer descend from heaven to earth, that I might ascend from earth to heaven? Would he undergo an ignominious death, that I might be possessed of a most blessed life? Verily, if after all this, to prolong a frail and miserable life, I should lose that which is everlasting, should I not be a most ungrateful wretch to my God, and a most cruel opposer of my own happiness? No, no; the dye is cast, and I am immoveable in my resolution. I breathe after that hour. O when will that good hour come, that will put a period to my present miserable life, and give me the enjoyment of one which is infinitely blessed? Farewell, my dear wife: I know your tears, your continual sighs, hinder your bidding me adieu. Do not be troubled at this wheel, upon which I must expire; It is to me a triumphal chariot, which will carry me into heaven. I see heaven opened, and my sweet Jesus, with his outstretched arms ready to receive me; for he is the divine spouse of my soul.

"I am leaving the world, in which is nothing but adversity, in order to get into heaven, and enjoy everlasting

felicity,

to you.

felicity. You shall come to me; I shall never come back All that I recommend to you is, to educate our dear children in the fear of GoD, and to be careful that they swerve not from the way prescribed to them in the Holy Scriptures. I have bequeathed them a little formulary for their instruction, to the end that, if ever they be brought into the like condition with myself, they may undergo it courageously, and be confident in the goodness. of our God, who will send the divine Comforter to strengthen them in all their straits and distresses. Prepare them for suffering betimes, to the end that in the great day, when we shall appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, we may be able to bespeak him, Lord, here we are, and the children which thou hast graciously given us. Ah! I shall never have done. Ah! why am I hindered from departing? Farewell, my dear people. It is the last farewell I shall ever give you. Be stedfast; be fixed; and know that I never preached to you any thing but the pure truth of the gospel, the true way which leads to heaven."

.

Somebody telling him, that he had spoke too much : "How! said he, have I spoke too much? I have spoken nothing but the very truth. I have neither spoken nor done any thing that is in the least injurious to the sacred majesty of our august monarch; but, on the contrary, I have always exhorted the people, committed by the Lord to my charge, to render those honours which are due to our king. I have taught them, that our lives and fortunes are at his disposal, and that we are bound to employ them in the defence of his estate and crown. But as for our consciences, we hold them of our GOD, and must keep them for him." Then his judges turning from him, ordered the executioner to do his office; which thereupon he did, by breaking his arms and his legs.

And being then demanded, whether he would die a Roman catholic? He answered, " How, my Lords! Had it been my design to have changed my religion, I would have done it before my bones had been thus broken to pieces. I wait only for the hour of my dissolution. Courage, courage, O my soul! Thou shalt presently enjoy the delights of heaven. And as for thee, O my poor body, thou shalt be reduced to dust; but it is for this end, that thou mayest be raised a spiritual body. Thou shalt see things that never entered into the heart of man, and which are in this life impossible to be conceived." Again addressing himself to his wife, he said, "Farewell ence more, my well-beloved spouse; I am waiting for

you.