KT8^ 
 
//ft 
 
 FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
 REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 
 
 THE   LIBRARY  OF 
 
 PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 
 
<& 
 
 fl'F 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 OCT  19  1931  ' 
 
 OF    THE 
 
 Rev.   ISAAC  WATTS,    D.  D. 
 
 B  Y 
 
 THOMAS    GIBBONS,    D.  D. 
 
 Then  in  the  hiftory  of  my  age, 
 
 When  men  review  my  days, 
 They'll  read  thy  love  in  ev'ry  page, 
 
 In  ev'ry  line  thy  praife. 
 
 Pfalm  lxxi.  v.  5,    in  Dr.  Watts's  Imitation. 
 
 That  ye  be  not  ilothful,  but  followers  of  them,    who  through 
 
 faith  and  patience   inherit   the  promifes,    confidering  the  end 
 
 of  their  converfation. 
 
 St.  Paul  to  the  Hebrews5 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed    for    James   Buckland    in  Pater-nofter-Rov/ ; 
 
 and   Thomas   Gibbons    at    No.   2,    in  Ncrton- 
 
 Falgate,  near  Bifhopfgate- Street. 
 
 MDCCLXXX. 
 
T  O 
 
 Mrs.  Elizabeth  Abney. 
 
 MADAM, 
 
 IN  your  family  Dr.  Watts  pafled  al- 
 moft  half  the  number  of  his  days, 
 during  which  period  you  had  the 
 beft  opportunities  of  knowing  his 
 eminent  worth,  at  the  fame  time 
 that,  in  confort  with  your  excellent 
 parents,  you  afforded  him  every  ac- 
 commodation and  afliftance  to  render 
 his  life  happy,  and  honoured  him 
 with  the  higheft  regards. 
 
 To  you  therefore,   Madam,   I  take 
 
 the  liberty  of  addreffing  the  Memoirs 
 
 A  2  of 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 of  this  truly  venerable  man,  though 
 the  work  has  not  in  the  leafl  degree 
 originated  from  you,  but  from  my- 
 felf :  and  I  feel  a  peculiar  pleafure  in 
 putting  the  following  pages  into  your 
 hands,  as  I  am  perfuaded  your  own 
 knowledge  attefts  the  truth  of  what 
 I  have  faid  concerning  him,  and  as 
 I  flatter  myfelf  that  you  will  confider 
 my  endeavours  to  delineate  his  cha- 
 racter, and  pay  a  juft  tribute  of  ho- 
 nour to  his  memory,  as  a  grateful 
 refpedl  from  a  perfon,  who  was  fo 
 long  favoured  with  an  intimacy  with 
 him  as  myfelf,  and  therefore  not  un- 
 worthy your  approbation. 
 
 That  you  may  continue  to  walk  in 
 the  fame  fteps  with  the  Doffor,  and 
 your  pious  parents,  and  that  after  a 
 life  of  eminent  comfort  and  ufeful- 
 nefs  you  may  arrive  at  the  fame  per- 
 fect 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 fe<5l  felicity  which  I  can  make  no 
 doubt  they  are  now  enjoying  with 
 their  God  and  Saviour,  is  the  fincere 
 and  fervent  prayer, 
 
 Honoured  Madam, 
 Of  your  obedient  humble  Servant, 
 
 THOMAS  GIBBONS. 
 
 Hoxton -Square,   . 
 London,  April  u,  1780. 
 
 A3 
 
..„. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 THE  following  Memoirs  of  Dr.  Watts 
 are  derived  from  the  manufcripts 
 given  me  by  himfelf,  and  his  Brother  Mr. 
 Enoch  Watts — from  the  various  intelligence 
 I  have  obtained  from  others— and  from  my 
 intimate  acquaintance  with  him  for  feveral 
 years  before  his  death.  In  the  courfe  of 
 the  work  I  have  largely  intermixed  my 
 obfervations  upon  his  writings,  and  inferted 
 feveral  compofures  to  his  honour  by  dif- 
 ferent authors  both  in  profe  and  verfe. 
 
 The  numerous  original  letters  which 
 conclude  the  volume  are  not  only  very  va- 
 luable in  themfelves,  but  abundantly  fhow 
 in  what  diftinguifhed  efteem  the  DoSlor 
 was  held  by  perfons  of  eminent  abilities, 
 and  therefore  the  beft  qualified  judges  of 
 the  accomplishments  of  others. 
 
 If 
 
viii  PREFACE. 
 
 If  it  fhould  be  found  in  this  my  per- 
 formance, which  has  coft  me  no  fmall 
 pains,  that  after  all  I  have  not  erected  a 
 monument  to  the  memory  of  this  uncom- 
 mon-man equal  to  his  tranfeendent  merits, 
 or'tliat  I  "have  not  gratified  the  church  and 
 world,  or  contributed  any  thing  to  the  ge- 
 neral good  in  the  account  I  have  given  of 
 liim,  yet  X  iha!l  ever  enjoy  the  confciouf- 
 nefs  that  I  haye  ufed  my  utmoft  endeavours 
 for  thefe  .purpofes,  which,  perhaps  with 
 too  forward  an  nope  of  fuccefs,  have  kin- 
 dled my  ambition,  and  animated  my  la- 
 bour. 
 
 I  will  add,  that  as  I  have  made  my  beft 
 attempts  to  exhibit  the  extraordinary  en- 
 dowments and  virtues  of  Dr.  Watts'*  mind, 
 fo  I  have  prefixed  to  my  work  a  por- 
 trait of  his  perfon  taken  from  an  original 
 painting  of  him  lately  become  the  poffeffion 
 of  Mrs,  Elizabeth  Abney*  This  painting 
 gave  me  the  beft  likenefs  of  him  1  had  ever 
 before  feen. 
 
 I  fhall  conclude  my  Preface  with  two 
 
 lines  from  Virgil  followed  with  a  couplet 
 
 of  my  own,  which  faithfully  reprefent  the 
 
 high  honour  in  which  I  hold  his  memory, 
 
 6  and 
 
PREFACE.  ix 
 
 and  my  purpofes  and  prayers  to  imitate 
 his  glorious  example. 
 
 Dum  memor  ipfe  mei,  dum  fpiritus  hos  reget  artus, 
 Semper  honos,  nomenque  tuum,  laudefque  manebunt. 
 Te,  venerande  Pater,  te  perfequar  omnibus  horis 
 Tramite  in  ssthereo :  O  utinam  quoque  pafiibus  aequis  ! 
 
 While  Heav'n  the  pow'r  of  mem'ry  {hall  prolong, 
 Shall  in  this  bofom  fan  the  vital  flame, 
 Thee  will  I  make  the  fubjedl:  of  my  fong, 
 And  all  thy  virtues,  all  thy  praife  proclaim : 
 
 Thee,  venerable  Sire,  will  I  purfue 
 In  thy  celeftial  courfe  throug'.     1  my  days: 
 Thy  fwift,  fwift  progrefs  could  my  foul  renew, 
 How  great  would  be  the  pleafure  and  the  praife  ! 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Chap.  Page 
 
 I.  /fIS  Birth,  Childhood,  and  claffical 
 
 Education  -  -  j 
 
 II.  His  academical  Studies  -  $o 
 
 III.  His  occafional  Poems  during-  his  Studies, 
 
 or  very  foon  after  his  clofing  them  62 
 
 IV.  A  Review  of  his  Life         -  -92 
 V.  His  Charatler  as  a  Chrijlian  and  a  Mi- 
 
 nifter        -  I29 
 
 VI.  His  Writings  in  Profe         .  -      16c 
 
 VII.  His  Writings  in  Poetry \  in  two  Parts. — 
 Part  I.  containing  a  View  of  his  Hors 
 Lyricas,  or  Lyric  Odes,  and  the 
 Poems  in  his  Mifcellanies  -  206 
 
 Part  II.  containing  a  View  of  his  Imi- 
 tation of  the  Pfalms  of  David,    his 
 Hymns,  and  his  Songs  for  Children     230 
 VIII.  His  Improvements  on  the  poetical  Compo- 
 
 Jitions  of  others  -  -  259 
 
 IX.  The  honourable  Notice  taken  of  him  while 
 
 living        -  -        291 
 
 X.  His  Decline  and  Death         -         -         311 
 
 XI.  The  Refpefts  paid  him  at  his  Deceafe     331 
 
 XII.  Sekft  Letters  of  his  Correfpondents,  &c.  346 
 
 Appendix, 
 
CONTENTS, 
 
 Appendix,  No.  I.  A  Catalogue  of  his  Writ- 
 ings -  -  47I 
 No.  II.  A  ColleSlion  of  Poems  lately 
 publifhed  under  the  Title  of  the  Doc- 
 tor's Pofthumous  Works,  Jhown  to 
 have  been  already  publifhed)  or  to  have 
 been  falfely  afcribed  to  him         -        481 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 "For  tear  up,  p.  82,  1.  13,  read  tearing. 
 For  deciji-ve,  p.    147,  1.  17,  read  di<viji<ve. 
 For  labaret,  p.  171,  1.  16,  read  laboret. 
 For  tow'ring,  p.  296,  1.    12,  read  louring. 
 For /ana1,  p.  320,  1.   10,  read  Jtra?id. 
 After  D omus ,  p.  460,  1.  25,  infert^/V. 
 
•««<; 
 
 MEMOIRS 
 
 O  F 
 
 Dr.  ISAAC  WATTS. 
 
 CHAP.     I. 
 
 His  Births  Childhood,  and  Clqffical  Education. 
 
 T^Vi^.  Ifaac  Watts  was  born  at  Southampton^ 
 JLJ  Jub  lly  1674*.     His  inclination  for 
 learning  made  an  early  difplay  of  itfelf, 
 and  it  is  reported  of  him  that,  while  he  was  very- 
 young,  before  he  could  fpeak  plain,  when  he 
 
 had 
 
 *  His  father,  Mr.  Ifaac  Watts,  was  the  matter  of  a  very 
 flourifhing  boarding-fchool  in  that  town,  which  was  in  fuch. 
 reputation  that  gentlemen's  fons  were  fent  to  it  from 
 America  and  the  Weft-Indies  for  education.  He  was  a  moft 
 pious,  exemplary  Chriftian,  and  honourable  Deacon  of  the 
 Church  of  Proteftant  DiJJenters  in  that  place.  He  was  im- 
 prifoned  more  than  once  for  his  non-conformity,  and  during 
 his  confinement  his  wife  has  been  known  to  fit  on  a  ftone 
 near  the  prifon-door  fuckling  her  fon  Ifaac.  Several 
 years  fince  the  following  verfes,  faid  in  the  copy  I  had  of 
 them  to  be  compo/ed  by  Mr.  Watts  at  no  lefs  an  age  than 
 that  of  eighty-fix,  were  communicated  to  me  by  a  very  re-* 
 fpe&able  gentlewoman  at  Southampton.  They  are  entitled, 
 
2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 had  any  money  given  him,  he  would  fay  to  his 
 motfier,  "  A  book,  a  book,  buy  a  book."    He 
 
 began 
 
 THE    SOUL'S    DESIRE    OF    REMOVE. 
 
 I. 
 
 Long  have  1  fojourn'd  in  this  weary  land, 
 Where  fins  and  forrows  every  where  abound: 
 Soul-threat'ning  dangers  fee  how  thick  they  ftand ! 
 Snares  and  temptations  compafs  me  around : 
 
 II. 
 'Tis  an  unhealthy  clime,  where  vapours  rife, 
 Whofe  peftilential  influences  fhed 
 Malignant  fumes  beneath  the  gloomy  fkies, 
 Which  wound  the  heart,  and  ftupify  the  head. 
 
 III. 
 When  mall  my  foul  obtain  a  kind  remove, 
 Thefe  flefhly  fhackles  broke,  and  I  fet  free 
 From  this  dark  dungeon  ?  Soon  I'd  mount  above 
 To  fee  my  God,  the  man  who  died  for  me. 
 
 IV. 
 My  guardian-angel,  come,  and  lead  the  way, 
 Affift  my  foot-fteps  in  the  facred  road; 
 I'll  follow  on  through  realms  of  endlefs  day 
 Up  to  the  palace  of  my  father,  God ; 
 
 V. 
 Where  folac'd  with  the  beatific  fight, 
 No  evil  mall  my  perfecl  peace  moleft, 
 But  with  thofe  holy  ones  array'd  in  white 
 Shall  enter  into  everlafting  reft. 
 
 I  have  now  in  my  hands  an  original  letter  of  Dr.  Watt: 
 to  his  father,  dated  Nenuington,  Feb.  8,  1 736-7,  but  twa 
 days  before  his  death,  in  which  are  the  following  paffages, 
 which  fhow  the  honour  in  which  the  fon  held  the  father,  as 
 well  as  are  ftriking  proofs  of  the  Doftor's  pious  fpirit. 
 
 Honoured  and  dear  Sir, 
 'Tis  now  ten  days  fince  I  heard  from  you,  and  learned  by 
 my  nephews  that  you  had  been   recovered  from  a  very 
 4  threatening 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  3 
 
 began  to  learn  Lctin  at  four  years  old>  in  the 
 knowledge  of  which.,  as  well  as  the  Greek  lan- 
 guage, 
 
 threatening  illnefs.  When  you  are  in  danger  of  life  I  be- 
 lieve my  filler  is  afraid  to  let  me  know  the  woril  for  fear  of 
 affecting  me  too  much.  But  as  I  feel  old  age  daily  ad- 
 vancing on  myfelf*,  I  am  endeavouring  to  be  ready  for 
 my  removal  hence  ;  and,  thoug  it  gives  a  fhock  to  nature 
 when  what  has  been  long  dear  to  one  is  taken  away,  yet  reafon 
 and  religion  mould  teach  us  to  exped  it  in  thefe.  fcenes  of 
 mortality>  and  a  dying  world.  Bleffed  be  God  for  our  im- 
 mortal hopes  through  the  blood  oVjefus,  who  has  taken  away 
 the  fling  of  death  !  What  could  fuch  dying  creatures  do 
 without  the  comforts  of  the  Gofpel  ?  I  hope  you  feel  thofe 
 fatisfaclions  of  foul  on  the  borders  of  life  which  nothing 
 can  give  but  this  Gofpel,  which  you  taught  us  all  in  our 
 younger  years.  May  thefe  divine  confolations  fupport  your 
 fpirits  under  all  your  growing  infirmities,  and  may  our 
 blefled  Saviour  form  your  foul  to  fuch  an  holy  heavenly 
 frame,  that  you  may  wait  with  patience  amidft  the  languors 
 of  life  for  a  joyful  paffage  into  the  land  of  immortality! 
 May  no  cares  nor  pains  ruffle,  nor  afflict  your  fnirit !  May 
 you  maintain  a  conftant  ferenity  at  heart,  and  facred  calm- 
 nefs  of  mind,  as  one  who  has  long  pall  midnight,  and  is  in 
 view  of  the  dawning  day  !  The  night  is  far  fpent,  the  day 
 is. at  hand.  Let  the  garments  of  light  be  found  upon  us, 
 and  let  us  lift  up  our  heads,  for  our  redemption  draws  nigh, 
 ^nen. 
 
 I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  moft  affectionate  obedient  Son, 
 
 ISAAC   WATTS. 
 
 Upon  the  deceafe  of  his  father,  the  Doftor  preached  a 
 fermon  at  his  own  Meeting,  on  Zech^i.  5.  "  Your  fathers, 
 fi  where  are  they?  And  the  prophets  do  they  live  for- 
 "  ever?" 
 
 Mr,  Watts  was  the  father  of  a  numerous  progeny,  four 
 fons,  and  five  daughters.     The  Dofior  was  the  hrft-born  of 
 
 *  The  DoBqt  was  now  in  his  63d  year, 
 
 B  2  the 
 
4  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 guage,  he  made  fuch  a  fwift  progrefs  under  the 
 care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pinhorney  a  clergyman  of  the 
 Eftablifliment,  that  he  became  the  delight  of 
 his  friends,  and  the  admiration  of  the  neighbour- 
 hood. He  ftudied  Hebrew  alfo  under  the  fame 
 matter,  as  appears  from  a  Latin  Ode  of  the 
 Dottor's  infcribed  to  him ;  which  we  fhall  give 
 our  Readers  at  the  clofe  of  the  chapter,  with 
 an  Englijh  tranflation.  f€  The  Doftor  was  early- 
 taken  notice  of,"  fays  Dr.  Jennings,  "  for  his 
 "  fprightlinefs  and  vivacity  :  talents  which  too 
 <c  often  prove  fatal  fnares  to  young  perfons  i 
 <c  but,  through  the  power  of  Divine  grace,  he 
 <c  was  not  only  preferved  from  criminal  follies, 
 "  but  had  a  deep  fenfe  of  religion  upon  his 
 **  heart  betimes."  As  proofs,  the  one  of  his 
 uncommon  genius,  and  the  other  of  his  power- 
 ful imprefiions  of  piety,  I  will  mention  two 
 
 the  family,  Richard  was  the  fecond,  Enoch  the  third,  and 
 Sarah,  afterwards  married  to  Mr.  Brackjlone,  a  draper  at 
 Southampton,  was  the  fifth  in  fucceflion.  I  fpecify  the  above, 
 as  there  is  an  after  mention  of  them  in  our  work. 
 
 It  may  not  be  improper  to  be  added,  that  the  Doflor's 
 grandfather  and  grandmother  were  perfons  of  refpeclable 
 characters,  as  appears  from  an  ode,  in  his  Hor<z  Lyricte,  on 
 the  death  of  an  aged  and  honoured  relative,  July  13,  1693, 
 Mrs.  M.  W.  who  was  evidently,  from  fome  paflages  in  the 
 poem,  his  grandmother.  The  Doclor,  in  a  marginal  note  on 
 the  fecond  line  of  the  5th  ftanza,  tells  us,  "  that  his  grand- 
 "  father,  Mr.  Thomas  Watts,  had  fuch  acquaintance  with 
 "  the  mathematics,  painting,  mufic,  and  poefy,  &c.  as  gave 
 "  him  ccnfiderable  elteem  among  his  contemporaries.  He 
 "  was  commander  of  a  fhip  of  war  1656,  and,  by  blowing 
 "  up  the  fhip  in  the  Dutch  war,  he  was  drowned  in  his 
 "  youth." 
 
 particulars 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  5 
 
 particulars  concerning  him,  communicated  to 
 me  many  years  fince  by  his  filler  Mrs.  Sarah 
 Brack/lone,  of  which  I  happily  took  down  the 
 memorials  in  my  pocket-book.  When  he  was 
 only  about  feven  or  eight  years  old  he  was  de- 
 fired  by  his  mother  to  write  her  fome  lines,  as 
 was  the  cuftom  with  the  other  boys  after  the 
 fchool  hours  were  over,  for  which  fhe  ufed  to 
 reward  them  with  a  farthing.  The  Do&or 
 obeyed,  and  prefented  her  with  the  following 
 couplet : 
 
 I  write  not  for  a  farthing,  but  to  try 
 How  I  your  farthing, writers  can  outvie. 
 
 About  the  fame  time  of  life  he  compofed  a 
 copy  of  verfes,  which  falling  into  the  hands  of 
 his  mother,  {he,  upon  reading  them,  exprefTed 
 her  doubts  whether  he  was  the  author  of  them. 
 To  fatisfy  her  what  he  was  able  to  perform  in 
 poetry  he  wrote  the  following  Acroftic  upon 
 his  own  name : 
 
 I  am  a  vile  polluted  lump  of  earth, 
 S  o  I've  continued  ever  fince  my  birth, 
 A  lthough  Jehovah  grace  does  daily  give  me, < 
 A  s  fure  this  monfter  Satan  will  deceive  me, 
 C  ome  therefore,  Lord,  from  Satan's  claws 
 
 relieve  me. 
 W  afh  me  in  thy  blood,  O  Chrift, 
 A  nd  grace  divine  impart, 
 T  hen  fearch  and  try  the  corners  of  my  heart, 
 T  hat  I  in  all  things  may  be  fit  to  do 
 S  ervice  to  thee,  and  fing  thy  praifes  too. 
 
 B  3  What 
 
6  M  E  IvI  CIRS     OF 
 
 What  a  prophetic  dawn  was  here  of  the  un- 
 common brightnefs  of  the  Doctor's  future  day  \ 
 And  how  remarkably  were  the  pious  wifhes  of 
 his  childhood  anfwered  in  the  eminent  fervices 
 he  did  to  religion,  and  his  fpreading  wide  and 
 far,  efpecially  by  his  facred  poems,  the  divine 
 praifes  ! 
 
 We  have  fignkied  that  we  mould  give  our 
 Readers  at  the  conclufion  of  the  chapter  the 
 Doctor's  Latin  Ode  to  his  claffical  Tutor  >  the  Rev. 
 Mr.  John  Pinhorne,  with  an  Englijh  tranjlation. 
 We  the  rather  infert  it,  not  only  on  account  of 
 Its  intrinfic  merit,  but  becaufe  it  contains  fuch 
 a  proper  and  honourable  acknowledgment  of 
 the  benefit  he  had  received  from  his  preceptor, 
 evinces  what  a  mafter  the  Doctor  was  of  the 
 Latin  tongue  at  only  twenty  years  of  age,  the 
 time  the  poem  is  dated, .  and  difcovers  what  a\ 
 large  and  intimate  acquaintance  he  had  with 
 the  firft  Roman  and  Grecian  poets.  How  few 
 pupils  comparatively  have  enjoyed  fuch  a  maf- 
 ter !  But  fewer  m afters,  I  am  perfuaded^  could 
 ever  boafl:  themfelves  of  fuch  a  pupil. 
 
 Ad 
 
0r.    ISAAC    WATTS.  7 
 
 Ad  Referendum    Virum   Dominum    Johannem 
 Pinhorne  -\yfidum  Adolef centime  Precept  or  em. 
 
 PINDARICI    CARMINIS    SPECIMEN.    1694. 
 I. 
 
 En  te,  Plnorniy  Mufa  Trifantica  * 
 Salutat,  ardens  difcipulam  tuam 
 Grate  fateri :  nunc  dtkenas, 
 Nunc  Lalias  per  amcenitates 
 Tuto  pererrans  te  recolit  ducem, 
 Te  quondam  teneros  et  Ebraia  per  afpera  grefFus 
 Non  dura  duxifTe  manu. 
 Tuo  patefcunt  lumine  Thefpii 
 Cam  pi  atque  ad  arcem  Pieridun  iter. 
 En  altus  aflurgens  Homerus 
 Arma  deofque  virofque  mifcens, 
 Occupat  aetherium  ParnaJJi  culmen :  Homeri 
 
 Immenfos  ftupeo  manes — 
 
 Te,  Maroy  duke  canens  fylvas,  te  bella  fonantem 
 Ardua,  da  vemam  tenuj  venerare  Camcend'y 
 Tuaeque  accipias,  Thebane  Fates, 
 Debita  thura  iyrae. 
 
 f  Mr.  Pinhorne  was  Mailer  of  the  Free-School  at  South- 
 ampton, ReSlor  of  All-Saints  in  the  lame  place,  Prebendary 
 cf  Leckford,  and  Vicar  of  Eling  in  the  Nenxi  ForeJly  Hants. 
 He  was  held  in  repute  for  learning,  and  bore  the  character 
 of  a  worthy  man.  There  is  a  monument  erected  to  his 
 memory  at  Eling  now  Handing,  bearing  this  infcription. — 
 **  Here  lies  the  body  of  the  Re<v.  Mr.  John  Pinhorne,  Pre- 
 ««  bendary  of  LecJford,  and  Vicar  of  Eling,  who  died 
 «'  June  8,   17 14.     Aged  62." 
 
 *  Trifanton  is  the  Latin  name  for  the  river  Hanton,  and 
 Trifantonis  portus  is  Latin  for  Southampton.  Hence 
 undoubtedly  the  Doclor  calls  his  Mufe  Trifantica. 
 
 B  4  Vobis 
 
$  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Vobis,  magna  Trias  !  clariflima  nomina,  femper 
 Scrinia  noftra  patent,  et  pectora  noftra  patebunt, 
 Quum  mihi  cuncjue  leyem  conceflerit  otia  et  horam. 
 Divina  Mofis  pagina. 
 
 II. 
 
 Flaccus  ad  hanc  Triadem  ponatur,  at  ipfe  pudendas 
 Deponat  veneres.     Venias  fed  pur  us  *  et  infons 
 Vt  te  collaudem^  dum,  fordes  et  mala  luftra 
 Ablutus,  Venufine^  canis  ridefve.     Recifae 
 Hac  lege  accedant  Satyra  "Juvenalis^  amari 
 Terrores  vitiorum.     At  longe  ccecus  abeffet 
 PerJiuS)  obfcurus  vates,  nifi  lumina  circum- 
 -fufa  forent,  Sphingifque  aenigmata,  Bonde^  fcidiffes. 
 Grande  fonans  Seneca  fulmen,  grandifque  cothurni 
 Pompa  Sophocleei  celfo  ponentur  eodem 
 Ordine,  et  ambabus  fimul  hos  ample&ar  in  ulnis. 
 Tuto,  poetae,  tuto  habitabitis 
 Piclos  abacos :  improba  tinea 
 Obiit,  nee  audet  fasva  caftas 
 Attiqgere  blatta  camaen3s. 
 At  tu  renidens  fceda  epigrammatum 
 Farrago  inertum,  ftercoris  impii 
 Sen  tin  a  fee  tens,  Marti  alis9 
 In  barathrum  relegandus  inum 
 Aufuge,  et  hinc  tecum  rapias  Catidlum 
 Infulse  mollem,  naribus,  auribus 
 Ingrata  cadis  carmina,  et  improbi 
 Spurcos  Nafonis  amores. 
 
 III. 
 
 Nobilis  extrema  gradiens  Caledonis  ab  ora 
 En  Buchananus  adeft  !  Divini  pfaltis  imago 
 Jeffiadts  falveto  !    potens  feu  Numinis  iras 
 Fulminibus  mifcere,  facro  vel  lumine  mentis 
 
 *  Horat.  lib,  i.  fat.  6. 
 
 Fugare 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS. 
 
 Fugare  no&es,  vel  citharae  fono 
 
 Sedare  fluc~rus  pectoris : 
 Tu  mihi  haerebis  comes  ambulanti, 
 Tu  domi  aftabis  focius  perennis, 
 Seu  levi  menfae  fimul  aflidere 
 
 Dignabere  feu  ledfcicae  : 
 Mox  recumbentis  vigilans  ad  aurem 
 Aureos  fuadebis  inire  fomnos 
 Sacra  fopitis  inire  fomnos  ob- 
 livia  curis. 
 Stet  juxta  *  Gafmirus,  huic  nee  parcius  ignem 
 Natura  indulfit,  nee  mufa  armavit  alumnum 
 
 Sarbivium  rudiore  lyra. 
 Quanta  Polonum  levat  aura  cygman 
 f  Humana  linquens,  en  fibi  devil 
 Montes  recedunt^  luxuriantibus 
 
 Spatiatur  in  aere  pennis. 
 Seu  tu  forte  virum  tollis  ad  sethera 
 Cognatofve  thronos,  et  patrium  polum 
 
 Vifurus  confurgis  ovans, 
 Vifum  fatigas,  aciemque  fallis 
 Dum  tuum  a  longe  ftupeo  volatum, 
 
 O  non  imitabilis  ales! 
 IV. 
 Sarbivii  ad  nomen  gelida  incalet 
 Mufa^  fimul  totus  fervefcere 
 Sentio,  ftellatas  levis  induor 
 Alas  et  tollor  in  altum. 
 Jam  juga  Zionis  radens  pede 
 Elato  inter  fidera  vertice 
 Longe  defpe&o  mortalia. 
 Quam  juvat  altifonis  volitare  per  aethera  pennis, 
 Et  ridere  procul  fallacia  gaudia  fecli 
 
 *  M.  Cafimirus  Sarbiewjki,  Poeta  infignis  Polonus. 
 f  Ode  V.  lib.  ii. 
 
 7 errellae 
 
io  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Terrellae  grandia  inania 
 Quae  mortale  genus,  heu  male,  deperit. 
 O  curas  hominum  miferas  !   cano, 
 Et  miferas  nugas  diademata  ! 
 Ventofae  fortis  ludibrium  ! 
 En  mihi  fubfidunt  terrenae  a  pectore  faeces, 
 Geftit  et  effraenis  divinum  effundere  carmen 
 Mens  aiflata  Deo • 
 
 at  vos  heroes  et  arma 
 
 Et  procul  efte  dii,  ludicra  numina. 
 Quid  mihi  cum  veftrae  pondere  lanceas 
 Pallas!  aut  veftris,  Dionyfe,  Thyrfis  ? 
 Et  clava,  et  anguis,  et  leo,  et  Hercules, 
 Et  brutum  tonitru  nclitii  patris 
 Abftate  a  carmine  noftro. 
 V. 
 Te  Deus  omnipotens  !   Te  noftra  fonabit  Iefu 
 Mufa,  nee  affueto  ccelefles  barbiton  aufu 
 Tentabit  numeros.     Vafti  fine  limite  numen,  et 
 Immenfum  fine  lege  Deum  numeri  fine  lege  fonabunt, 
 
 Sed  mufam  magna  pollicentem  deftituit  vigor :  divi- 
 no  jubare  perftringitur  oculorum  acies.  En  labafcit 
 pennis,  tremit  artubus,  ruit  deorfum  per  inane  aetheris, 
 jacet  vicla,  obftupefcit,  filet. 
 
 Ignofcas,  Reverende  vir,  vano  carmini :  fragmen  hoc 
 rude  licet  et  impolitum  aequi  boni  confulas,  et  grati- 
 tudinis  jamdiu  debitae  in  partem  reponas. 
 
 AN 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  u 
 
 AN     ENGLISH     TRANSLATION.  - 
 
 ¥o  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Pinhorne^  the  faithful 
 Preceptor  of  my  younger  Tears. 
 
 I. 
 
 Pinhorne,  permit  the  Mufe  t'afpire 
 To  thee,  and  vent  th'  impatient  fire 
 
 That  in  her  bofom  glows; 
 Fain  would  fhe  tune  an  equal  lay, 
 And  to  her  honour'd  Tutor  pay 
 
 The  debt  of  thanks  (he  owes. 
 
 II. 
 
 Through  Plato's  walks,  a  flow'ry  road, 
 And  Latium's  fields  with  pleafure  ftrow'd 
 
 She  owns  thy  guiding  hand  : 
 Thou  too  didft  her  young  fteps  convey 
 Through  many  a  rough  and  craggy  way 
 
 In  Palejllnds  land. 
 
 III.- 
 'Twas  thine  irradiating  light 
 Open'd  the  Tbefpian  vales  to  fight, 
 
 And  taught  the  Mufe  to  climb 
 The  mountains,  where  the  Mufes  choir 
 Now  tune  their  breath,  now  touch  the  lyre 
 
 To  ecftafy  fublime. 
 IV. 
 Of  high  Parnaffm  top  pofTefsM 
 See  Homer  tow'ring  o'er  the  reft — 
 
 What  a  ftupendous  (train  ! 
 In  battle  gods  and  men  contend, 
 The  heavens  outrageous  uproars  rend, 
 
 And  flaughters  drench  the  plain. 
 
 V.   My 
 
MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 V. 
 
 My  ear  imbibes  th'immenfe  delight, 
 When  Virgil's  paftoral  lays  recite 
 
 The  country's  humble  charms, 
 Or  when  his  Mufe  exalts  her  voice, 
 And,  like  the  warlike  clarion's  noife, 
 
 Sounds  the  loud  charge  to  arms. 
 VI. 
 The  Thehan  bard  *  my  foul  admires, 
 His  tow'ring  flights,  his  mounting  fires3 
 
 The  raptures  of  his  rage. 
 Hail,  great  Triumvirate  !   your  lays, 
 The  world  confenting  in  your  praife, 
 
 Refound  from  age  to  age. 
 VII. 
 When  from  my  labours  in  the  mine 
 Of  heav'nly  truth  and  grace  divine 
 
 To  leifure  I  retire, 
 I'll  feize  your  works  with  both  my  arms, 
 Take  a  fweet  range  among  their  charms, 
 
 And  catch  th'  immortal  fire. 
 VIII. 
 Horace  fhall  with  the  choir  be  join'd, 
 When  virtue  has  his  verfe  refin'd, 
 
 And  purg'd  his  tainted  page  f  : 
 Pleas'd  I'll  attend  his  lyric  ftrain, 
 Hear  him  indulge  his  laughing  vein, 
 
 And  fatirize  the  age. 
 
 IX.  Next 
 
 *  Pindar. 
 
 ■f  The  Doclor  has  given  us  an  inftance  of  his  improve- 
 ment of  part  of  an  ode  of  Horace,  lib.  hi.  ode  29.  which 
 has  become  divine  under  the  new  moulding  he  has  bellowed 
 upon  it.  It  is  in  his  Remnants  of  Time  employed  in  Profe  and 
 Verfe,  No.  4.  quarto  edit.  vol.  iv.  page  608. 
 
 Horace's 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATT  S.  13 
 
 IX. 
 
 Next  cleans'd  from  his  unhallow'd  fcum 
 The  mighty  Juvenal  fhall  come, 
 
 And  high  his  vengeance  wield  : 
 His  fatires  found  the  loud  alarm 
 To  Vice,   fhe  fees  his  lifted  arm, 
 
 And  cow'ring  quits  the  field. 
 
 X.  In 
 
 Horace's  flanzas  are— * 
 
 Non  meum  eft  fi  mugiat  Africis 
 Malus  procellis,  ad  miferas  preces 
 Decurrere,  &  votis  pacifci, 
 Ne  Cypria  Tyri&que  merces 
 Addant  avaro  divitias  mari. 
 Tunc  me  biremis  prasfidio  fcaphas 
 Tutum  per  ^Egeos  tumultus 
 Aura  feret,  geminufque  Pollux. 
 
 That  is  in  Mr.  Francis's  tranflation, 
 
 Though  the  mail  howl  beneath  the  wind, 
 I  make  no  mercenary  prayers, 
 Nor  with  the  gods  a  bargain  bind 
 With  future  vows  and  Itreaming  tears 
 To  fave  my  wealth  from  adding  more 
 To  boundlefs  Ocean's  avaricious  ftore. 
 
 Then  in  my  little  barge  I'll  ride 
 Secure  amidft  the  foamy  wave, 
 Calm  will  I  ftem  the  threat'ning  tide, 
 And  fearlefs  all  its  tumults  brave  ; 
 Ev'n  then  perhaps  fome  kinder  gale, 
 While  the  twin-ftars  appear,  fhall  fill  my  joyful  fail. 
 
 The  DoSlor's  improvement  is  as  follows,,  entitled,   Tfo 
 Britijb  Fijherman, 
 
 I. 
 Let  Spain's  proud  traders,  when  the  maft 
 Bends  groaning  to  the  flormy  blaft, 
 
 Run 
 
14  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 X. 
 
 In  vain  fhould  I  expect  delight 
 From  Perfius  wrapt  in  tenfold  night, 
 
 Unlefs,  O  Bond,  thy  ray- 
 Had  pierc'd  the  (hades  that  veil  him  round, 
 And  fet  his  fenfe  obfcure,  profound 
 
 Amidft  the  blaze  of  day. 
 XL 
 Now  Seneca  with  tragic  lays 
 Demands  my  wonder  and  my  praife : 
 
 What  thunder  arms  his  tongue  ! 
 Now  Sophocles  lets  loofe  his  rage  : 
 With  what  a  pomp  he  treads  the  ftage, 
 
 And  how  fublime  his  fong ! 
 XII. 
 In  long  and  regular  array 
 My  fhelves  your  volumes  (hall  difplay, 
 
 Ye  fav 'rites  of  the  nine  ! 
 
 Run  to  their  beads  with  wretched  plaints, 
 And  vow  and  bargain  with  their  faints, 
 Left  Turkifb  filks,  or  Tyrian  wares 
 
 Sink  in  the  drowning  (hip ; 
 Or  the  rich  duft  Peru  prepares 
 Defraud  their  long  projecting  cares, 
 
 And  add  new  treafures  to  the  greedy  deep  : 
 II. 
 My  little  fkiff,  that  fkims  the  mores 
 With  half  a  fail,  and  two  fhort  oars, 
 Provides  me  food  in  gentler  waves ; 
 But  if  they  gape  in  watry  graves, 
 I  truft  th'  Eternal  power,  whofe  hand 
 
 Has  fwell'd  the  ftorm  fo  high, 
 To  waft  my  boat,  and  me  to  land, 
 Or  give  fome  angel  fwift  command 
 
 To  bear  the  drowning  failor  to  the  iky. 
 
 No 
 
D*.    ISAAC    WATTS. 
 
 No  moth's,  no  worm's  infidious  rage 
 Shall  dare  to  riot  on  your  page, 
 
 Or  mar  one  modeft  line. 
 XIII. 
 Meantime  let  MartiaFs  blufhlefs  Mufe, 
 Whofe  wit  is  poifon'd  by  the  ftews, 
 
 Catullus'  wanton  fire, 
 With  QvicTs  verfe,  that  as  it  rolls 
 With  lufcious  poifon  taints  our  fouls, 
 
 In  bogs  obfcene  expire. 
 XIV. 
 See  from  the  Caledonian  fhore, 
 With  bloomirlg  laurels  cover'd  o'er, 
 
 Buchanan  march  along ! 
 Hail  honour'd  heir  of  David's  lyre, 
 Thou  full-grown  image  of  thy  fire, 
 
 And  hail  thy  matchlefs  fong  ! 
 XV. 
 What  terror  founds  through  all  thy  firings 
 When  in  his  wrath  th'Almighty  flings 
 
 His  thunder  through  the  fkies  ! 
 Anon,  when  heav'n's  wide  op'ning  ray 
 Shines  all  our  gloomy  doubts  away, 
 
 How  foft  the  notes  arife  ! 
 XVI. 
 When  billows  upon  billows  roll, 
 And  night  o'erwhelms  the  tofling  foul, 
 
 How  potent  is  thy  lyre 
 To  hufti  the  raging  ftorm  to  reft, 
 Reftore  the  funfhine  of  the  bread, 
 
 And  joy  divine  infpire  ! 
 XVII. 
 Thou,  facrsd  bard,  whene'er  I  rove 
 The  fmiling  mead,  or  fhady  grove, 
 
 Shalt  entertain  my  way : 
 
 My 
 
;  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 My  humble  manfion  thou  fhalt  grace, 
 Shalt  at  my  table  find  a  place, 
 And  tune  th'extatic  lay: 
 XVIII. 
 When  the  returning  fhades  of  night 
 My  eyes  to  balmy  fleep  invite, 
 
 Thy  fweet  angelic  airs 
 Shall  warble  to  my  ear,  till  ileep's 
 Soft  influence  o'er  my  fenfes  creeps, 
 And  buries  all  my  caresi 
 XIX. 
 Next  comes  the  charming  Cajimire ! 
 Exulting  in  feraphic  fire 
 
 The  bard  divinely  fings  : 
 The  heav'nly  Mufe  infpir'd  his  tongue, 
 The  heav'nly  Mufe  his  viol  ftrung, 
 
 And  tun'd  th'  harmonious  firings* 
 XX. 
 See  on  what  full,  what  rapid  gales 
 The  Polijh  fwan  triumphant  fails  ! 
 He  fpurns  the  globe  behind, 
 And,  mountains  lefs'ning  to  the  eye, 
 Through  the  unbounded  fields  on  high 
 Expatiates  unconfin'd. 
 XXI. 
 Whether  'tis  his  divine  delight 
 To  bear  in  his  exalted  flight 
 Some  hero  to  the  fkies, 
 Or  to  explore  the  feats  above, 
 His  kindred  feats  of  peace  and  Iove^ 
 His  peerlefs  pinions  rife, 
 XXII. 
 With  what  a  wing  !    To  what  an  height 
 He  tow'rs  and  mocks  the  gazing  fight, 
 Loft  in  the  tracts  of  day  1 
 
 I  from 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  17 
 
 I  from  afar  behold  his  courfe 
 Amaz'd  with  what  a  fov'reign  force 
 He  mounts  his  arduous  way, 
 XXIII. 
 Methinks  enkindled  by  the  name 
 Of  Cafimire^  a  fudden  flame 
 
 Now  (hoots  through  all  my  fouL 
 I  feel,  I  feel  the  raptures  rife, 
 On  ftarry  plumes  I  cut  the  fkies, 
 And  range  from  pole  to  pole  ; 
 XXIV. 
 Touching  on  Zion's  facred  brow, 
 My  wand'ring  eyes  I  caft  below* 
 
 And  our  vain  race  furvey  : 
 O  how  they  ftretch  their  eager  arms 
 T'embrace  imaginary  charms, 
 
 And  throw  their  fouls  away  ! 
 XXV. 
 In  grov'ling  cares,  and  ftormy  ftrife 
 They  wafte  the  golden  hours  of  life, 
 
 And  tnurder  ev'ry  joy. 
 What  is  a  diadem  that's  toft 
 From  hand  to  hand,  now  won,  now  loft^ 
 But  a  delufive  toy  ? 
 XXVI. 
 From  all  terreftrial  dregs  refin'd 
 And  fenfual  fogs,  that  choke  the  mindj, 
 
 Full  of  th'  infpiring  God 
 My  foul  fhall  her  fublimeft  lay 
 To  her  Creator,  Father,  pay, 
 And  found  his  praife  abroad. 
 XXVII. 
 Ye  heroes," with  your  blood-ftain'd  arms, 
 Avaunt !  The  mufe  beholds  no  charms 
 In  the  devouring  fword. 
 
 C  Avaunt ! 
 
15  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Avaunt !  ye  defpicable  train 
 
 Of  Gods,  the  phantoms  of  the  brairij 
 
 By  Greece  and  Rome  ador'd. 
 XXVIII. 
 Say  what  is  IVifdorris  queen  to  me, 
 Or  her  fictitious  Panoply, 
 
 Or  what  the  God  of  wine? 
 I  never  will  profane  this  hand 
 Around  his  tall  imperial  *  wand 
 
 The  facred  boughs  to  twine. 
 XXIX. 
 'Tis  all  romance  beneath  a  thought 
 
 o 
 
 How  Hercules  with  lions  fought, 
 
 And  crufh'd  the  dragon's  fpires : 
 Alike  their  Thunderer  I  defpife, 
 The  fabled  ruler  of  the  fkies 
 And  his  pretended  fires. 
 XXX. 
 Thy  name,  Almighty  Sire,  and  thine, 
 jfefus,  where  his  full  glories  mine, 
 Shall  confecrate  my  lays ; 
 In  numbers,  by  no  vulgar  bounds  controPd, 
 In  numbers,  moft  divinely  ftrongand  bold, 
 I'll  found  through  all  the  world  th'immeafurable  praife. 
 
 But  in  the  moment  the  Mufe  is  promifing  great 
 things  her  vigour  fails,  her  eyes  are  dazzled  with  the 
 divine  glories,  her  pinions  flutter,  her  limbs  tremble; 
 fhe  rufhes  headlong  from  the  fkies,  falls  to  the  earth, 
 and  there  lies  vanquifhed,  overwhelmed  in  confufion 
 and  filence. 
 
 *  The  thyrfus  mentioned  by  the  Do&or  in  his  ode  was  a 
 fpear  twined  round  with  ivy  or  bay  leaves,  which  the  vota- 
 ries of  Bacchus  carried  about  in  their  hands  at  his  feafls. 
 
 Forgive,, 
 
£>r.    ISAAC    WATTS.  19 
 
 Forgive,  Rev.  Sir,  the  vain  attempt,  and  kindly  ac- 
 cept this  poetical  fragment,  though  rude  and  unpolifhed, 
 as  an  expreilion  of  that  gratitude  which  has  been  fo 
 long  due  to  your  merit. 
 
 As  an  improvement  of  our  chapter  let  me 
 entreat  all  perfons,  who  intend  a  learned  pro- 
 feffion,  and  efpecially  that  of  divinity,  to  make 
 themfelves  well  acquainted  with  the  Latin  and 
 Greek  languages.  Hereby  an  ample  and  folid 
 foundation  is  laid  for  the  fuperftru&ure  which 
 is  to  be  erected  on  it.  The  works  of  nume- 
 rous writers  of  the  firft  character  and  benefit 
 are  compofed  in  one  or  other  of  them,  and  a 
 thorough  acquaintance  with  thefe  authors, 
 which  can  only  be  attained  by  a  maftery  or  the 
 tongues  in  which  they  wrote,  will  wonderfully 
 enlarge  our  flores  of  knowledge,  and  perhaps 
 contribute  not  a  little  to  infufe  dignity  and  ele- 
 gance into  our  compofitions.  .  Had  not  Dr. 
 Watts  been  the  good  claflical  fcholar  he  was 
 he  might  never  have  fhone  with  fuch  a  pre* 
 eminent  luitre  as  a  poet  and  fine  writer.  By 
 his  early  proficiency  in  the  Latin  and  Greek  he 
 was  not  only  prepared  for  academical  exercifes 
 and  fludies,  but,  whenever  he  wilhed  to  ban- 
 quet on  a  Latin  or  Greek  writer,  the  rinds  in 
 which  their  rich  ideas  were  inclofed  immediate- 
 ly opened  their  internal  treafures  to  him. 
 
 C2  CHAP. 
 
20  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 CHAP.     II. 
 
 His  Academical  Studies. 
 
 I  HAVE  been  informed  that,  while  the 
 Doctor  was  a  youth,  Dr.  John  Speedy  z.  phy- 
 fician,  and  fome  other  gentlemen  at  Southamp- 
 ton, obferving  his  genius,  and  being  willing  to 
 encourage  it,  offered  to  be  at  the  charge  of  his 
 education  at  one  of  our  Englijh  univerjitiesy  but 
 that  he  declined  the  propofal,  faying,  "  He  was 
 cc  determined  to  take  his  lot  among  the  diflent- 
 M  ers."  Accordingly,  in  the  year  1690,  he 
 was  fent  to  London  for  academical  education 
 under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Rowey  and  in  1693, 
 in  his  1 9th  year,  he  joined  in  communion  with 
 the  church  under  the  paftoral  care  of  his  tutor*. 
 -"  I  have  been  credibly  informed,/^  Br.  Jen- 
 
 *  Mr.  Thomas  Ro-ixe  was  the  fon  of  the  Rev.  John  Ro<wey 
 M.  A.  who  was  eje&ed  by  the  Adl  of  Uniformity  1662 
 from  Wejiminfler  Abbey.  The  father,  and  afterwards  the 
 fon  were  pallors  of  the  church  of  Protejlant  DiJ/enters 
 now  meeting  at  Haberdajhers-Hall,  London ,  of  which  the 
 Editor  of  thefe  Memoirs  has  been  paftor  36  years.  He 
 thinks  it  an  honour  that  a  predeceffor  of  his  was  tutor  and 
 paftor  to  fo  great  and  good  a  man  as  Dr.  Watts,  and  that 
 the  church  under  his  care  has  been  fo  eminently  diftin- 
 guiihed  as  to  have  him  for  a  member.  I  have  heard  the 
 Dottor  fpeak  with  great  honour  of  Mr.  Ronve,  and  there  is 
 an  ode  addrefled  to  him  in  his  Lyric  Poems ,  which  breathes 
 the  high  efleem  and  affection  he  had  for  him. 
 
 "  nings, 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  21 
 
 "  nings,  that,  while  he  refided  in  this  college 
 Cf  of  learning,  his  behaviour  was  not  only  fo 
 u  inoffenfive  that  his  tutor  declared  he  never 
 <f  gave  him  any  occafion  of  reproof,  but  fo  ex^ 
 <c  emplary  that  he  often  propofed  him  as  a 
 <c  pattern  for  his  other  pupils  for  imitation." 
 No  doubt  can  reafonably  be  made  but  the 
 Doclor  diligently  applied  himfelf  to  his  ftudies 
 by  any  perfon  who  confiders  what  a  ftrong  and 
 over-ruling  inclination  he  difcovered  to  litera- 
 ture from  his  earlieft  age,  and  the  treafures  of 
 knowledge  and  erudition  he  opened  to  the 
 world  not  many  years  after  his  academical  edu- 
 cation was  completed.  But  to  put  the  matter 
 beyond  all  pofiible  queftion,  I  will  take  the 
 liberty  of  tranfcribing  two  of  the  Boclor's  Thefes 
 from  a  manufcript  volume  in  his  own  hand, 
 given  me  after  his  deceafe  by  his  brother,  Air. 
 Enoch  Watts.  The  volume  contains  no  lefs 
 than  twenty-two  Latin  DifTertations  which  were 
 evidently  his  college-exercifes.  The  fubjects 
 may  be  ranged  under  the  articles  of  Phyfical, 
 Metaphyseal^  Ethical^  and  "Theological. — Two  of 
 thefe  Thefes  are  as  follow : 
 
 An  Deus  fit  verax  ?     Affirmatur. 
 
 Raras  fane  protervias  eft  ille  vir  qui  veraci- 
 
 tatem  Deo  eripere  aufit,    et  omnem  rationis 
 
 lucem  ejerafle  oporteat,  et  ipfum  ejeraffe  Deum 
 
 qui  fidelem   negat :    face   ergo  potius   quam 
 
 C  I  fuftf 
 
22  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 fufte  eft  opus  in  hac  theft  tractanda  quae  peni- 
 tius  explicari  magis  quam  laborioie  probari 
 quserit.  Ita  vero  explicanda  eft,  et  tali  lumi- 
 ne  circumfundenda,  ut  cum  aliquo  Dei  actu 
 aut  attributo  ne  quidem  videatur  pugnare. 
 Ut  pateat  Dei  veracitas  retegenda  eft  Veritas  in 
 gen^re,  quae  hanc  ut  fpeciem  fibi  inferiorem 
 vendicat.  Notio  veritatis  in  congruentia  fita 
 eft,  et  concordia  inter  unam  rem  et  aliam.  Sic 
 Pbyjlca  Veritas  eft  conformitas  corporis  cum 
 principiis  ex  quibus  ortum  eft.  Veritas  apud 
 Lcgicos  dicitur  cohserentia  quae  idere  mentis 
 cum  objecto  intercedit.  Veritas  Ethica  eft  cum 
 dicta  fadtis,  et  facia  di&is  conformia  funt.  Huic 
 analogica  eft  Dei  veracitas,  ad  earn  enim  attri- 
 butorum  claffem  redigitur  quae  moralis  dicitur, 
 quia  virtutes  illis  analogicae  lege  morali  homi- 
 nibus  praecipiuntur  ;  quapropter  conformita- 
 tern  fermonis  divini  cum  rebus  praeteritis,  prae- 
 fentibus,  et  futuris  Dei  veracitatem  aufim  ap- 
 pellare,  rebus,  inquam,  praeteritis,  nunc  tem- 
 poris,  et  futuris,  five  eae  funt  res  geftae,  five 
 propria  decreta,  five  fint  naturae  rerum  et 
 efientice,  five  futura  fibi  efrkienda,  feu  per- 
 mittenda  tantum.  D.eum  ergo  veracem  efle 
 fignificat  ipfum  nullam  unquam  decretorum 
 enunciationem,  nullam  narrationem,  nullam 
 doclrinam,  fuis  decretis,  rebus  geftis,  aut  na- 
 turae rerum  contrariam  protulifTe ;  neque  ali- 
 quid  unquam  pollicitum  efTe,  aut  minatum, 
 aut  prnedixifte  quod  non  fuo  tempore  vol  dedit 
 e  (Tectum,  vel  dab  it, 
 
 Ut 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  23 
 
 Ut  vero  rec"te  intelligatur  quod  propofuimus, 
 nee  finiftre  acceptum  fit  par  aut  trias  limita- 
 tionum  adhibenda  eft. 
 
 1.  Si  quando  facer  fpiritus  fancti  amanuenfis 
 cceleftes  tabulas  floribus  interfperferit  rhetoricis 
 tales  prophetias  fenfu  literal!  adimplendas  fpe- 
 rare  ridiculum  elTet  et  abfurdum. 
 
 2.  Si  quando  fe  hoc  aut  illud  velle  afTerit 
 Deus  quod  non  tameri  peragit  ifta  volitio  sequi- 
 voce  intelligenda  eft  et  de  voluntate  legifla- 
 tiva  tantum. 
 
 3.  Si  Deus  aut  polliceatur  quid  fe  daturum, 
 aut  fe  puniturum  minetur  tacitis  conditionibus 
 annexis  facile  ipfe  a  falfitatis  fufpicione  purga- 
 tur,  licet  promiffa  non  peregerit,  fi  conditiones 
 appenfe  defunt.  Quod  ipfe  Dominus  de  fe 
 teftatur,  Jerem.  xviii.  7,  8,  9,  10.  cujus  verba, 
 quia  multum  ad  remfaciunt,contra£te  recitabo. 
 <c  Quo  momento  eioquar  contra  gentem,  me 
 cc  illam  demoliturum  effe,  fi  convertatur  gens 
 <c  ilia  a  malo  fuo  pcenitebit  quoque  me  ejus 
 "  mali  quod  cogitavi.  Quo  autem  momento 
 <c  loquar  de  gente,  &c.  me  sedificaturum,  fi 
 cc  malum  fecerit,  viciiiim  pcenitebit  me  illius 
 <(  boni  quod  dixero,  &c/' 
 
 4.  Excipias  iterum  Dei  minas  (i  quando  ad 
 plenum  non  perficiuntur.  Aded  fumme  enim 
 benignum  ell.  Numen,  ade6  mite  etcreaturse 
 amans,  ut  vix  poffit  manus  ultriees  in  ejus  cla- 
 dem  armare.  Nee  tamen  vis  infertur  veraci- 
 tati,  minas  enim,  quibus  lex  fancitur,  n-m  tarn 
 demonftrant  necefiarium  vindicis  juftitise  egref- 
 
 C  4  fura 
 
24  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 fum  quatenus  omnes  pcenae  circumftantias, 
 quam  meritum  pcenas  in  peccante,  et  in  legifla- 
 tore  puniendi  jus.  Ut  demus  nebulam  homi- 
 nis  lapfi  infcitia  efle  indutam  quo  minus  egre- 
 giam  di<5lorum  Dei  cum  factis  confonantiam 
 perfpicue  cernamus  inde  tamen  Deo  quicquid 
 decedere  minime  asquum  eft.  Stat  ac  ftabit 
 sternum  facrum  volumenveracitateDei  utraque 
 pagina  infcriptam  prasferens;  ac,  ut  nullum 
 detur  verbum,  ratio  humana  abunde  id  fuadet. 
 Primus  vero  loquatur  ipfe  Deus,  et  fe  veracem 
 pronuncietj  imo  audiatis  (revereamini !)  juran- 
 tem  Deum,  Pfal.  lxxxix.  3$.  cc  Semel  juravi 
 €C  per  fandtitatem  Davidi,  non  mentiar."  Quid 
 magis  facrum,  quid  magis  tremendum  quam 
 Numinis  jusjurandum?  Huic  textui  aftipula- 
 tur  Paulus  et  confirmat.  Heb.  vi.  17.  <c  Fide- 
 <c  jufllt  jurejurando  ut  per  res  immutabiles  in 
 cc  quibus  fieri  non  poteft  ut  mentitus  fit  Deus." 
 
 Sed  ad  artificialia  argumenta  divertamus. 
 
 1.  Divinas  veracitatis  locuples  teftis  eft  tot 
 et  tantarum  urbium  fubverfio,  tot  ruina  popu- 
 lorum,  tot  denique  private  res  geftas,  quarum 
 praediclio  mille  ante  annos  extitit.  Hinc  Dei 
 verba  autoritas  conciliatur  et  demonftratur 
 verax  Deus. 
 
 1.  Nifi  fidelis  Deus  fit  perit  religio.  Fallaces 
 flammis  committantur  fcripturas  et  erubefcat 
 longus  interpretum  grex.  Impoftor  Mofes  et 
 David,  falfus  Efaias  et  quotquot  minores  pro- 
 phets. Redeat  oculis  captus  Maonides,  et 
 commentitiam    deorum    turbam    adorabimus. 
 
 Abfit ! 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  25 
 
 Abfit !  abfit !  Deus  fane  nofter  et  unicus  verax 
 eft,  aut  Dcus  nullus. 
 
 3.  Si  non  effectum  dat  quicquid  prasdixit 
 Deus,  aut  novit  fe  non  facturum,  aut  nefcivit 
 dum  prasdixit.  Si  novit  non  eft  fumme  bonus 
 qui  creaturas  vellet  fallere;  fi  nefcivit,  non 
 omnifcius  eft,  nee  quidem  immutabilis.  Eft 
 vero  omnifcius,  et  immutabilis,  et  fumma  be- 
 nignitate  omnes  fuas  a&iones  perfufas  funt.  Nee 
 poffit  fallere,  nee  falli.  Agnofcamus  ergo 
 fumme  veracem,  et  celebremus  Deum. 
 
 IN     ENGLISH. 
 
 Whether  God  is  faithful?     Affirmed. 
 
 That  man  muft  be  arrived  at  a  very  unufual 
 pitch  of  boldnefs  indeed,  who  dares  to  rob  God 
 of  his  veracity,  fince  before  this  he  muft  abjure 
 all  the  light  of  reafon,  and  even  the  Deity  him- 
 felf. 
 
 In  difcourfing  upon  our  Thefis,  there  is  a 
 greater  call  for  definition  than  argument,  as  the 
 fubjecl:  is  of  fuch  a  nature  as  to  require  rather 
 an  accurate  explanation  than  a  laborious  proof. 
 Our  bufinefs  is  fo  to  open  and  reprefent  the 
 divine  veracity,  and  diffufe  fuch  a  light  over 
 it,  that  it  may  not  feem  to  clalh  with  any  act  or 
 attribute  of  Deity. 
 
 That  we  may  have  a  clear  conception  of  the 
 
 veracity  of  God,  let  us  confider  truth  in  general, 
 
 under  which  the  divine  veracity  as  a  particular 
 
 4  fpecies 
 
26  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 jpecies  is  to  be  comprehended.  The  notion  of 
 truth  lies  in  congruity  or  agreement  between 
 one  thing  and  another.  Thus  Phy fecal  truth  is 
 the  conformity  of  a  body  with  the  principles 
 whence  it  originated ;  Logical  truth  is  the  agree- 
 ment of  the  idea  in  the  mind  with  the  object  $ 
 and  Ethical  truth  is  the  harmony  of  our  words 
 with  our  actions,  and  of  our  actions  with  our 
 words ;  analogous  to  which  is  the  truth  of  God, 
 for  it  belongs  to  that  divifion  of  the  Divine  at- 
 tributes which  is  flyled  moral,  becaufe  virtues 
 analogous  to  thefe  attributes  are  by  the  moral 
 law  required  of  mankind.  Upon  which  ac- 
 count I  maybe  bold  to  fay  that  the  conformity 
 of  the  word  of  God  with  things  pail,  prefent, 
 and  to  come,  conftitutes  the  idea  of  divine 
 truthj  I  fay,  with  things,  paft,  prefent,  and  to 
 come,  whether  they  are  things  actually  per- 
 formed, whether  they  are  particular  decrees, 
 whether  they  are  the  natures  and  efTences  of 
 tilings,  or  whether  they  are  future  things  to  be 
 effected,  or  only  permitted.  That  God  is  true 
 therefore  fignifies  that  he  never  iffued  any  de- 
 claration of  his  decrees,  any  hiftory,  any  doc- 
 trine contrary  to  his  decrees,  to  what  was  done 
 by  him,  or  to  the  nature  of  things  ;  and  that 
 he  never  at  any  time  promifed  any  thing,  or 
 threatened  any  thing,  or  predicted  any  thing 
 which  in  its  appointed  feafon  he  did  not  per- 
 form, or  which  (hall  not  be  performed  by  him. 
 But  that  what  we  propofe  may  be  rightly  un- 
 ikrftood,  and  that  there  may  be  no  miftake  of 
 
 Oil? 
 
Br.     ISAAC    WATTS.  27 
 
 our  meaning  we  fhall  lay  down  two  or  there 
 limitations. 
 
 1.  If  at  any  time  the  infpired  penmen  of 
 fcripture  have  inferted  into  their  writings  any 
 flowers  of  rhetoric,  it  would  be  both  ridiculous 
 and  abfurd  to  expect  that  prophecies  delivered 
 in  this  form  fhould  be  literally  accomplifhed. 
 
 2.  If  at  any  time  God  declares  that  he  wills 
 this  or  that,  which  in  the  refult  of  all  he  does 
 not  perform,  this  volition  is  to  be  understood 
 with  latitude,  and  only  exprefling  his  will  as  a 
 legifiator. 
 
 3.  If  God  fhould  promife  that  he  will  confer 
 
 any  blefiing,  or  fhould  threaten  that  he  would 
 
 inflict  any  punifhment,   in  cafes  where  fecret 
 
 conditions  are  implied,  he  would  be  ilill  clear 
 
 of  all  imputation  of  falfehood,  though  he  fhould 
 
 neither  perform  the  promife,  nor  execute  the 
 
 punifhment,  even  though  the  conditions  are  not 
 
 exprefTed.     This  God  teftifies  concerning  him- 
 
 felf,  Jer.  xviii.  7 — 10.  which  paffage,  as  it  is 
 
 fo  much  to  our  point,    I  will   briefly  recite. 
 
 "  At  what  initant  I  fhall  fpeak  concerning  a 
 
 "  nation  to  pluck  it  up,  if  that  nation  turn 
 
 <c  from  their  evil,  I  will  repent  of  the  evil  that 
 
 cc  I  thought  to  do  unto  them.     And  at  what 
 
 <c  inftant  I*fhall  fpeak  concerning  a  nation  to 
 
 <c  build  it,  if  it  do  evil  in  my  fight,  then  will 
 
 <c  I  repent  of  the  good  wherewith  I  faid  I  would 
 
 <c  benefit  them." 
 
 4.  If  God  fhould  not  fulfil  his  threatenings 
 to  the  utmoft  extent  of  their  meaning  he  is  not 
 
 for 
 
z$  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 for  that  reafon  to  be  thought  unfaithful.  So 
 fuperlatively  kind  is  the  Deity,  fo  merciful,  and 
 full  of  love  to  his  creatures,  that  fcarce  can  he 
 call  forth  his  vengeance  for  their  deftruction, 
 but  fliil  his  veracity  is  preferved  inviolable  $  be- 
 caufe  the  threatenings  with  which  his  laws  are 
 armed  do  not  fo  much  demonftrate  the  neceffary 
 egrefs  of  his  avenging  juftice  as  to  all  the  cir- 
 cumftances  of  punishment,  as  the  defert  of  pu- 
 nimment  in  the  offender,  and  the  right  of 
 punifhment  in  the  lawgiver. 
 
 Should  we  grant  that  fo  great  a  cloud  of  ig- 
 norance darkens  the  mind  of  man  in  his  fallen 
 {late  as  to  prevent  in  fome  cafes  our  clear  dis- 
 covery of  the  perfect  harmony  of  the  word  with 
 the  actions  of  Deity,  yet  by  no  means  are  we 
 to  detract  from  the  honours  of  the  divine  ve- 
 racity. The  facred  volume  remains,  and  fhal! 
 for  ever  remain  infcribed  in  both  its  parts  with 
 the  truth  of  God  -,  and  even  upon  the  fuppofi- 
 tion  that  he  had  not  given  us  his  word,  we 
 might  be  fully  fatisMed  of  his  veracity  from  hu- 
 man reafon  only. 
 
 We  may  obferve  upon  the  fubjec\  that  God 
 himfelf  fpeaks  to  us,  and  afferts  his  own  faithful- 
 nefs;  nay  we  mall  hear  him  (and  let  it  be  with 
 all  becoming  reverence)  fwearing  by  himfelf, 
 Pfal.  lxxxix.  35.  "  Once  have  I  fworn  by  my 
 «f  holinefs,  that  I  will  not  lie  unto  David" 
 What  can  be  more  tremendous  than  the  oath 
 of  God  himfelf?  The  apoftle  Paul  agrees  with 
 this  text,  and  ratifies  what  it  declares.  Heb.  vi. 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  *5 
 
 17.  *  Wherein  God,  willing  more  abundantly 
 "  to  fhew  unto  the  heirs  of  promife  the  im- 
 cc  mutability  of  his  counfel,  confirmed  it  by  an 
 <c  oath,  that  by  two  immutable  things,  in  which 
 "  it  was  impoflible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might 
 <f  have  a  flrong  confolation,  &c." 
 
 But  let  us  now  attend  to  folate  other  argu- 
 ments, which  are  rather  deductions  than  exprefs 
 declarations.     As, 
 
 1.  The  overthrow  of  fo  many  and  fo  great 
 cities,  of  the  deftruction  of  fo  many  people, 
 and  finally,  of  fo  many  private  events  which 
 have  taken  place,  the  predictions  of  which  pre- 
 ceded them  a  thoufand  years  before  they  hap- 
 pened are  proofs  of  the  divine  veracity.  By 
 thefe  the  authority  of  the  word  of  God  is  efta- 
 blifhed,  and  they  are  fo  many  monuments  of 
 his  truth. 
 
 2.  If  God  were  not  faithful  farewel  to  all  re- 
 ligion. Then  let  the  fcriptures  over-run  with 
 falfehoods  be  thrown  into  the  flames,  and  let 
 the  long  train  of  interpreters  be  confounded 
 with  fhame.  Mofes  and  David,  Ifaiab  and  all 
 the  minor  prophets  have  deceived  us.  Let  the 
 blind  Homer  rife  from  his  grave,   and  we  will 
 
 adore  his  romantic  rabble  of  Gods. Perifh, 
 
 perifh  the  thought !  Either  our  God  is  the  only 
 true  God,  or  there  is  no  God  at  all. 
 
 3.  If  God  does  not  perform  what  he  has  pre- 
 dicted, he  either  knew  that  he  would  not  do 
 what  he  had  foretold,  or  he  did  not.  If  he 
 knew  that  he  would  not  do  it,  he  is  not  fu- 
 
 prernely 
 
3S  MEMOIRS    OP 
 
 premely  good  in  thus  deceiving  his  creatures ; 
 if  he  did  not  know  that  he  would  do  it,  he  is 
 neither  immutable  nor  omnifcient.  But  God 
 is  omnifcient  and  immutable,  and  all  his  actions 
 are  expreflive  of  the  greater!:  goodnefs.  He 
 can  neither  deceive  nor  be  deceived.  Let  us 
 therefore  acknowledge  that  he  is  faithful  in  the 
 higheft  degree,  and  praife  him  accordingly ! 
 
 An  mens  humana  fit  immaterialis? 
 Jlfirmatur. 
 
 Miranda  funt*nec  minus  perniciofa  eorum 
 nefcio  an  dixerim  philofophorum  deliria,  qui 
 Jpiritum  humanum  materialem  efTe  volunt,  cum 
 tanta  et  menti  et  fennbus  vel  raptim  abeuntis 
 exinde  abfurda  occurrent,  et  incommoda  quo- 
 rum pauca  infra  oftendamus  5  at  nominum  de- 
 finitiones  prius  proponenda  funt,  ne,  ficut  hof- 
 tibus  in  gratiam  reda&is  eorum  anna  in  fe  in- 
 vicem  vibrata  clangant,  ita  rebus  ipfis  confen- 
 tientibus  pugnam  committant  dicliones. 
 
 Per  mentem  humanam  intelligo  cogitationem 
 illam,  quam  quifque  in  fe  experitur,  vel  clarius 
 fie,  principium  illud  internum  omnium  nof- 
 trarum  cogitationum,  noftrorum  appetituum, 
 et  noilrarum  voluptatum,  cujus  ope  produci- 
 mus  omnes  fundtiones,  quas  aliquam  cogita- 
 tionem includunt,  in  quo,  tanquam  in  primo  fuo 
 fubjeclo,  omnes  cogitationes  continentur. 
 
 1  Thefe^s 
 
Dr;     ISAAC    WATTS.  31 
 
 Thefews  noftras  prasdicatum,  viz.  vox  imma* 
 terialis  fecundo  fe  offert  explicandum.  Omnc 
 illud  immateriale  effe  dico,  quod  non  eft  exten- 
 fum,  quod  non  habet  partes  extra  partes, 
 quoniamx>mne  extenium  in  longum,  latum,  et 
 profundum  materia?  nomen  apud  optimos  ob- 
 tinuit. 
 
 Patefaclo  jam  itinere  in  arenam  defcendimus. 
 Sed  O  quot  et  quanti  me  in  limine  aggrediun- 
 tur  !  Primo,  occurrit  Epicurus,  inftat  Tertullia- 
 nus,  urgent  Hobbes  et  ejufdem  fectatores,  Gr<eci 
 et  Barbari,  Etbnici,  et  verce  religionis,  at  pauci 
 profeflbres.  Illi  nollent  animos  immateriales 
 efle  ne  forte  fiant  immortales,  et  quo  liberius 
 peccent  immaterialitatis  ide^m  ex  intellectu 
 obliterans  alii  ad  firmanda  erratics  fuse  reli- 
 gionis  dogmata,  alii  autem  ob  ignorantiam, 
 prasjudicia,  &  inconfiderantiam  inter  animam 
 et  corpus  non  fatis  accurate  diftinguunt. 
 
 Quod  ad  argumentationem  attinet  fpecle- 
 mus.  Sequentia  ratiocinia  hasc  e  multis  pauca 
 felegi. 
 
 1.  Si  corpus  pofllt  cogitare  cogitatio  eft  mo- 
 dus corporis,  et  a  partium  pofitione  aut  motu 
 pendat.  Qu^enam  jameftiftapofitioquse  cogitet? 
 Qua?  figura  ?  An  e  tribus  an  quatuor  angulis 
 conftat?  Si  autem  in  motu  conftare  dicis,  quif- 
 nam  quasfo  ille  motus  ?  Nullum  ego  prater 
 localem  agnofco,  et  fi  hie  eft  cogitatio  turn 
 quumcunque  corpus  movet  cogitat.  Mers 
 funt  has  nugas  et  afflatu  rationis  in  nihilum  rc- 
 ducendas, 
 
 2r  Corpus 
 
1%  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 2.  Corpus  feu  materia  eft,  ut  volunt  philofophi, 
 principiumpaflivumj  at  cogitationem  actionem 
 efTe  quis  negat,  illam  prasfertim  cogitationis 
 fpeciem  quse  voluntas  dicitur  ?  Regeras  forfan 
 materiem  quidem  inertem  efTe,  at  extenfionem 
 dari  fpiritualem  quse  acYiva  eft.  Refpondeoj 
 tecum  alias  difputationem  ineundam  efle  ut 
 error  hie  tuus  inter  extenfionem  et  materiam 
 diftinguens  revincatur. 
 
 3.  Si  corpus  pofTit  cogitare  cogitatio  eft  mo- 
 dus corporis  effentialis,  aut  accidentalism  Non 
 effentialis  quia  tunc  infeparabilis  effet  et  omne 
 corpus  cogitaret.  Nee  accidentalis  quia  acci- 
 dens  nee  concipi  poteft  fine  fubjecto,  ne  pras- 
 cifiva  quidem  abftraclione,  nam  fie  accidens 
 conciperetur  fine  effentia  fua  cujus  effe  eft  in- 
 effe.  At  conare  jam,  Adverfarie,  nonnepoflis 
 cogitare  de  voluntate  tua,  et  potentia  teipfum 
 determirtandi,  de  gaudio,  amore,  et  affectibus 
 tuis,  fine  ulla  perceptione  rei  externa  ?  Pofiis 
 certe,  ergo  nee  cogitatio  eft  accidens  corporis. 
 
 4.  Illud  eft  elfentiale  rei  attributum  prima* 
 Hum  et  earn  conftituit  quod  poflit  concipi  aliis 
 proprietatibus  non  conceptis,  alias  vero  non  fine 
 illo.  Cogitatio  et  extenfio  tali  modo  conveniunt 
 fpiritui  et  corporis  nee  unum  eorum  aliquid  aliud 
 praefupponit  in  quo  fundetur.  Sunt  ergo  ef- 
 fentialia,  et  fpecierum  propriarum  maxime  di- 
 verfarum  conftitutiva.  Quando  ergo  binas 
 effentias  ad  unum  aliquod  fimplex  conftituen- 
 dum  concurrunt,  tunc  materiam  pofle  cogitare 
 
 credam. 
 
 5.  Pof- 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS.  33 
 
 5.  Poftremum  et  grande  argumentum  cui 
 fuccumbet  et  affentiet  omnis  intellectus  <?iioc\y- 
 S-ij?  hoc  modo  proponitur.  Axioma  eft  in  omni 
 ubique  philofophia  effentiam  ab  operationibus 
 cognofci.  Quales  fnnt  operationes,  tale  eft 
 fubjechim.  Mentis  noftros  operationes  funt 
 cognitio,  dubitatio,  affeclio,  &  his  fimiles. 
 Nunc  quasnam  extenfio  cognitioni  adjungitur  ? 
 Nee  longitudo  certe,  nee  latitudo,  nee  crafll- 
 ties.  Si  ergo  cognitio,  feu  volitio  eft  imma- 
 terialis,  idem  eft  fubjedlum  cognitionis.  Corpus 
 nefcit  tales  adlus  exerere,  nam  fie  ultra  fphasram 
 fuas  activitatis  ageret,  itemque  effeclus  elTet  no- 
 bilior  caufa. 
 
 Sufficiant  hasc,  &  ut.mihi  videntur  fufficiunt 
 cuivis  non  pertinaciter  opinioni  alicui  contra 
 rationem  inhasrenti.  Quod  fiquis  poft  hasc  om- 
 nia propriam  mentem  materiam  effe  afferet,  per 
 me  licet  inter  ifta  degat  animalia  quae  gramine 
 vefcuntur,  philofophorum,  imo  hominum  foci- 
 etate  prorfus  indignus, 
 
 IN    ENGLISH. 
 
 Whether  the  Mind  of  Man  is  immaterial  ? 
 Affirmed. 
 
 Very  furprifing,  and  no  lefs  pernicious  are? 
 I  know  not  whether  I  fhould  not  call  them, 
 thofe  dreams  of  fome  philofophers  who  main- 
 tain that  the  mind  of  man  is  material,  as  the 
 flagrant  abfurdities  and  mifchiefs  of  fuch  a  no- 
 
 D  tiou 
 
34*  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 tion  mud  ftrike  even  the  moft  hafty  obferver, 
 fome  of  which  we  may  point  out  before  we 
 clofe  our  difcourfe. 
 
 Previous  to  our  entrance  upon  our  fubject 
 it  is  proper  we  fhould  fettle  our  terms,  left, 
 like  as  enemies  brought  over  to  our  fide  may 
 fall  out  with  one  another,  our  words  fhould 
 clafh,  at  the  fame  time  there  is  an  agreement ' 
 among  the  things  themfelves. 
 
 By  the  mind  of  man  I  understand  that  cogita- 
 tion which  every  one  feels  within  himfelf,  or, 
 to  exorefs  myfeif  more  clearly,  that  internal 
 principle  of  all  our  thoughts,  of  our  defires, 
 and  of  our  volitions,  to  which  we  owe  all  thofe 
 operations  in  which  any  degree  of  thought  is 
 concerned,  or  that  principle  which  as  in  its 
 prime  fubject  includes  all  our  thoughts. 
 
 We  (hall  next  attend  to  our  predicate,  I  call 
 all  that  immaterial  which  is  not  extended,  that, 
 which  has  not  parts  annexed  to  parts,  for  what- 
 ever has  the  dimenficn  of  length,  breadth,  and 
 thicknefs  is  properly  denominated  matter  in 
 the  opinion  of  the  bed  philofophers. 
 
 Having  opened  our  way,  we  now  enter  into 
 the  field.  But  what  a  numerous  and  formi- 
 dable hoft  immediately  appears  in  array  againfl 
 us  ?  Firft  Epicurus,  then  TertuUian,  next 
 llobbes  and  his  followers  oppofe  me,  Greeks, 
 Barbarians,  Pagans %  and  fome,  though  but  a 
 few,  profefibrs  of  the  true  religion.  Some 
 will  not  admit  that  tht  mind  of  man  is  imma- 
 terial, kfl  the  confequence  fhould  prefs  them 
 
 that: 
 
t>*.    ISAAC    WATTS.  35 
 
 that  it  is  immortal,  and  that  they  may' have  no 
 check  upon  them  in  their  courfe  of  fin  they 
 exclude  from'  the  human  foul  the  idea  of  im- 
 materiality. Others  adopt  the  error  that  they 
 may  by  it  fupport  their  miftaken  notions  in 
 religion.  And  a  third  fort,  through  ignorance, 
 prejudices,  and  inconfideration,  do  not  with 
 fufEcient  accuracy  draw  the  line  between  mind 
 and  matter. 
 
 We  mall  now  confider  what  arguments  may 
 be  alleged  in  proof  of  our  proportion  that  the 
 mind  of  man  is  immaterial.  I  have  felecled 
 the  following  reafons  out  of  many  that  might 
 be  adduced : 
 
 1.  If  the  body  is  capable  of  thinking, 
 thought  is  a  mode  of  body,  and  depends  either 
 upon  the  pofition  of  its  parts,  or  upon  motion. 
 But  what  is  that  pofition  of  parts  which  thinks? 
 What  is  its  figure  ?  Does  it  confift  of  three  or 
 four  angles  ?  Or  if  thinking  depends  upon 
 motion,  let  me  afk  what  is  that  motion  ?  I 
 know  of  no  motion  but  what  is  local,  and  if 
 this  is  thinking,  then  whenever  a  body  moves 
 it  thinks..  But  thefe  are  mere  bubbles  which 
 inftantly  diflblve  before  the  breath  of  reafon. 
 
 2.  Body  or  matter  according  to  philofophers 
 as  a  paiTive  principle,  but  who  is  there  can 
 deny  but  thinking  is  an  action,  and  more  efpe-, 
 cially  that  kind  of  it  which  is  called  volition  ? 
 You  may  perhaps  reply,  cc  that  matter  is  inert, 
 €C  but  that  there  is  a  fpiritual  extenfion  which 
 £C  is  active."     To  which  I  anfwer,  that  it  muft 
 
 D  2  be 
 
3$  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 be  in  a  manner  different  from  that  of reafoningt 
 by  which  your  error  fhould  be  combated,  thac 
 of  diuinguifhing  between  cxtenfwn  and  matter. 
 
 3.  If  body  can  think,  thinking  muft  be 
 either  an  efTential,  or  an  accidental  mode.  It 
 cannot  be  an  efTential  mode,  for  if  it  were  it 
 would  be  inieparable,  and  all  bodies  would 
 think.  It  cannot  be  an  accidental  mode,  be- 
 caufe  we  can  have  no  conception  of  an  acci- 
 dent, no,  not  even  upon  the  moil  refined 
 abftraclion  without  a  fubject,  otherwife  an 
 accident  would  be  conceived  of  without  its 
 efTence,  when  its  very  being  is  an  in-being  in 
 that  efTence.  Now  try,  my  adverfary,  I  ad- 
 drefs  myfelf  to  you,  whether  you  cannot  think 
 of  your  will,  of  the  power  of  determining 
 yourfelf,  of  joy,  of  love,  and  your  other  af- 
 fections without  any  idea  of  any  thing  extend- 
 ed ?  You  can  undoubtedly :  conclude  then 
 that  thought  is  not  an  accident  of  body, 
 
 4.  That  is  an  efTential,  primary  attribute  of 
 a  thing,  and  which  indeed  conftitutes  it  which 
 may  be  conceived  of  without  other  properties, 
 at  the  fame  time  that  other  properties  cannot 
 be  conceived  of  without  an  idea  of  that  attri- 
 bute. Thinking  and  extenfion  confidcred  in  this 
 manner  agree  the  one  to  fpirit^  the  other  to 
 vody,  nor  does  either  the  one  or  the  other  pre- 
 iuppofe  any  thing  befides  in  which  it  fhould  be 
 founded ;  thinking  and  extenfion  therefore  are 
 efTential  attributes  of  two  particular  kinds  of 
 beings  which  are  at  the  greateft  remove  from 
 
 each 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  37 
 
 each  other.  Not  then  till  thefe  two  efTences 
 conftitute  one  fimple  being  fliall  I  believe  that 
 thinking  belongs  to  matter. 
 
 5.  The  laft   and  grand  argument,  to  which 
 all  lovers  of  truth  will  yield  their  aflent,  may- 
 be thus  reprefented.     It  is  an  axiom  that  uni- 
 verfally  prevails  in  philofophy,  that  an  effence 
 may  be  known   by  its  operations,  or  in  other 
 words,  as  are  the  operations  fuch  are  the  fub- 
 jefts.     Now  the  operations  of  our  minds  are 
 knowledge,     doubting,    affettion,    and   the   like. 
 But  what  connexion  has  extenfion  with  know- 
 ledge ?    Knowledge  unqueftionably  has  neither 
 length,  breadth,    nor  thicknefs.     If  therefore 
 judgment  or  volition  is  immaterial,   its  fubjecl: 
 is  immaterial  too.     The  body  is  incapable  of 
 exerting  fuch  acts,  for  it  would  then  go  beyond 
 the  fphere  of  its  power,  and  the  effect  would  be 
 more  excellent  than  its  caufe. 
 
 Let  thefe  arguments  fumce,  and  to  me  they 
 appear  fufficient  to  fatisfy  any  mind  that  will 
 not  obftinately  adhere  to  its  opinion  againft  the 
 force  of  reafon.  If  any  perfon,  after  all  that 
 has  been  alleged,  mould  ftill  infill  upon  it 
 that  his  own  mind  is  material,  I  fhall  have 
 no  objection  to  his  turning  out  among  the  ani- 
 mals which  graze  the  fields,  as  he  is  utterly 
 unworthy  the  fbciety  of  philofophers,  and  indeed 
 of  mankind. 
 
 Befides  the  Latin  thefes  in  the  volume  above 
 
 mentioned,  of  which  we  have  given  the  ante- 
 
 D  3  cedent 
 
3S  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 cedent  fpecimens,  there  are  alfo  inferted  two 
 Englijh  Differ  tat  ions  ^  the  ntft  made,,  as  the 
 Dctlor  prefixes  it,  for  our  meeting  together 
 (meaning  undoubtedly  the  Students  of  the 
 Academy)  on  Saturday  m  fitly  1693,  and  the 
 other  for  cur  meeting  together  on  Saturday 
 Sept.  9,  1693.  Thefe  Englijh  Difiertations  ap- 
 pear to  us  too  meritorious  not  to  have  a  place 
 in  our  work,  and  may  excite  fludents  and 
 candidates  for  the  miniftry  in  the  feveral  col- 
 leges of  religion  and  learning  to  imitate  the 
 example  of  the  Doctor  and  his  fellow  -pupils,, 
 and  therefore  we  make  no  apology  for  preferr- 
 ing them  to  the  world. 
 
 DISSERTATION    I. 
 
 Whether  the  Doctrine   of  Jiifiificafion    by 
 Faith  alone  tends  to  Licentioufnefs. 
 
 Man,  by  wilful  finning  againft  an  exprefs 
 command,  fullied  the  glory  of  his  innocence^ 
 and  loft  that  inherent  righteoufnefs  which,  ac- 
 cording to  the  tenor  of  the  firft  covenant,  en- 
 titled him  to  the  favour  of  God  and  felicity. 
 Juflice  requires  fatisfaction  for  the  injuries  done 
 to  its  law,  and  a  perfect  obedience  is  necelTary 
 to  procure  a  new  title  to  happmefs.  Fallen 
 man  is  altogether  unable  either  to  pay  the 
 debt,  or  to  work  for  life,  for  the  lofs  of  his 
 original  righteoufnefs  left  him  wholly  deftitute 
 
 of 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC     WATTS,  $$ 
 
 of  any  power  to  regain  it.  If  ever  therefore 
 he  be  freed  from  the  curie  of  this  law,  it  is 
 requifite  that  its  penalty  be  furFered,  and  if 
 ever  he  be  admitted  again  into  divine  favour 
 it  muft  be  by  the  imputation  of  the  righteouf- 
 nefs  of  another.  Jefus  Ckriji  has  undertaken 
 the  caufe.  The  eternal  Son  of  God  became 
 flefh,  and  tabernacled  among  us  -,  he  bore  the 
 punifhment  which  guilty  man  had  incurred, 
 and  fulfilled  the  law  to  which  the  promife  of 
 life  was  annexed.  Now  that  both  his  iufferings 
 and  his  obedience  are  imputed  to  us  in  order  to 
 acceptance  with  God,  I  mall  at  prefent  only 
 offer  thefe  two  Scriptures. 
 
 Gal.  iii.  13.  cc  Chrift  hath  redeemed  us  from 
 cc  the  curfe  of  the  law  by  being  made  a  curfe 
 <c  for  us."  What  words  can  be  more  empha- 
 tical  ?  Wc,  who  muft  otherwife  have  been 
 accurfed  to  eternity,  are  redeemed  therefrom 
 by  his  being  made  a  curfe  for  us,  and  the 
 curling  fentence  being  executed  upon  him. 
 
 The  fecond  Scripture  is  Rom.  v.  19.  cc  As 
 <c  by  the  difobedience  of  one  many  were  made 
 €<  finners,  fo  by  the  obedience  of  one  mall 
 cc  many  be  made  righteous."  The  words  in 
 the  original  are  xarsurTabno-ovTou  hxxioi,  Jhall  be 
 conftituted  righteous  according  to  a  law,  or  co- 
 venant, as  I  heard  the  Rev.  Mr.  Alfop  explain 
 them,  and  laid  that  he  could  not^tell  any  other 
 confiftent  fenfe  of  thefe  words. 
 
 Thus  briefly  of  the  imputation  of  Chrift's 
 
 righteoufnefs.     But  how  comes  it  to  be  imput- 
 
 D  4  ed 
 
ty  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 ed  to  us,  or  made  ours  ?  It  is  anfwered  by 
 faith  alone  -,  fo  the  aflfembly  of  divines  exprefs 
 it  in  their  catechifm.  The  perfect  obedience 
 and  full  fatisfaction  of  Chrift  are  imputed  to  us 
 by  God,  and  received  by  faith  alone.  'Tis 
 faith  alone  receives  this  righteoufnefs.  Good 
 works  have  nothing  to  do  in  the  receiving  it, 
 or  in  juftifying  us.  Infinite  juftice  will  be  fa- 
 tisfied  with  no  lefs  than  complete  righteoufnefs, 
 and  therefore  our  own  broken  and  imperfect 
 righteoufnefs  is  inefficient.  Confult  that  text 
 Rom.  iv.  5.  "  To  him  that  works  not,  but 
 cc  believes  on  him  who  juftiries  the  ungodly, 
 cc  his  faith  accounted  for  righteoufnefs. "  Now 
 it  cannot  be  meant  that  faith  itfelf  is  imputed 
 as  the  matter  of  our  righteoufnefs,  becaufe 
 faith,  confidered  in  infelf,  is  a  good  work; 
 but  what  is  intended  is  the  object  of  faith, 
 namely,  Chrift's  righteoufnefs.  The  Apoftle, 
 to  avoid  all  miftakes,  declares,  ift,  nega- 
 tively, that  works  are  to  be  excluded,  and, 
 adly,  pofitively,  that  we  receive  a  righteouf- 
 nefs by  faith. 
 
 I  fhall  not  infill  further  on  the  proof  of  the 
 point,  becaufe  it  feems  to  be  granted  in  the 
 queftion ;  yet  fo  much  was  neceflary  to  be  pre- 
 mifed  in  order  to  a  regular  procedure. 
 
 This  doctrine  is  the  truth  of  the  Gofpel  as  it 
 is  in  Jefus,  and  the  only  mean  whereby  every- 
 one of  us  may  be  made  holy  and  happy.  The 
 devil  therefore  has  ufed  many  artifices  to 
 fubvert  it,   among  which  this  is   a  principal 
 
 one, 
 
Br.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  ll 
 
 one,  namely,  filling  mens  minds  with  wrong 
 opinions  concerning  it  by  reprefenting  it  as  an 
 unholy  doctrine ;  and  this  is  the  common  pre- 
 judice againft  juftifl cation  by  the  imputed 
 rightcoufnefs  of  Chrilt  received  by  faith  alone, 
 that  it  gives  liberty  to  men  to  live  loofely  and 
 finfully,  as  though  there  was  no  room  for  good 
 works  in  our  religion,  if  they  be  not  brought 
 into  our  jullification.  But  conflant  experience 
 fhows  that  this  is  a  miftake,  for  they  who  em- 
 brace this  doctrine  are  for  good  works  as  much 
 as  any,  and  dare  not  oppofe  the  authority  of 
 that  Spirit  who,  by  the  Apoflle  James,  pro- 
 nounces cc  that  faith  which  is  without  good 
 <c  works  to  be  dead."  What  we  contend  for 
 is  the  right  place,  ufe,  and  end  of  good  works 
 in  the  matters  of  religion,  that  they  may  not 
 be  fubftituted  in  the  (lead  oiChrift^  and  the 
 glory  of  our  falvation  be  attributed  to  our- 
 felves,  againfl  which  the  Scripture  fo  often 
 cautions  us. 
 
 I  fhall,  in  a  few  words,  give  the  true  place 
 and  ufe  of  holinefs. 
 
 i.  It  is  a  part  of  our  falvation  purchafed  by 
 Chrifl.  He  redeemed  us  not  only  from  wrath, 
 but  fin  too.  Tit.  ii.  14.  where  it  is  laid,  cc  he 
 cc  gave  himfelf  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem 
 ,"  us  from  all  iniquity. "  Grace  is  glory  be- 
 gun ;  now  that  glory  is  the  purchafe  of  Chrifr. 
 none  will  deny. 
 
 2-  Holinefs  is  the  end  of  our  redemption 
 and  jullification,  as  appears  in  the  foremen- 
 
 tioned 
 
42  U  EMOIRS    OF 
 
 tioned  text,  cc  who  gave  himfelf  for  us,  that 
 "  he  might  purify  unto  himfelf  a  peculiar  peo- 
 cc  pie  zealous  of  good  works." 
 
 3.  The  law  of  creation  obliges  us  to  good 
 works.  As  we  are  creatures,  we  are  to  wor- 
 lhip  and  honour  our  maker  by  obedience. 
 
 4.  As  we  are  bought  from  the  prifon  of  hell 
 we  become  his  fervants  who  paid  a  price  for 
 us,  and  therefore  we  are  obliged  to  ferve  him. 
 1  Cor.  vi.  20.  cc  Ye  are  bought  with  a  price, 
 «c  therefore  glorify  God  in  your  body  and  in 
 <f  your  fpirit,  which  are  God's." 
 
 5.  We  are  to  perform  obedience  to  the  com- 
 mands of  Chrift)  in  gratitude  to  him  who  is 
 our  fo  great  benefactor. 
 
 6.  Holinefs  is  the  mean  to  prepare  us  for 
 glory,  though  not  to  procure  glory  for  us. 
 
 7.  Holinefs  is  the  way  to  evidence  our  jufli- 
 fication,  and  give  us  the  aflurance  and  com- 
 fort of  it. 
 
 We  now  proceed  to  give  fome  reafons  to 
 demonftrate  that  juftification  by  faith  alone  is 
 fo  far  from  being  an  impediment  to  an  holy 
 life  that  it  is  the  only  true  way  to  promote  it. 
 
 1.  Good  works,  after  justification  by  faith, 
 is  the  order  in  which  God  himfelf  has  placed 
 them.  Eph.  ii.  8,  9,  10.  ".  By  grace  are  ye 
 <c  laved  through  faith,"  that  is,  you  are  made 
 partakers  of  falvation  in  both  parts  of  it,  the 
 favour  of  God  and  his  image,  by  God's  free 
 gift  or  grace  as  the  principal  caufe,  and  by 
 faith  as  the  infirument  receiving  it :    'c  not  of 
 
 "  works," 
 
Dr.   ISAAC    WATT  S.  45 
 
 u  works,"  as  it  follows,  cc  left  any  man  fhould 
 ec  boaft,  for  we  are  his  workmanfhip  created 
 «  in  Chrift  Jefus  to  good  works."  We  are 
 not  united  to  Chrift  Jefus  by  having  good  works 
 created  in  us,  but  being  in  Chrift  we  are  cre- 
 ated to  good  works.  In  like  manner,  Tit.  iii. 
 8.  it  is  faid,  cc  that  they  who  have  believed  in 
 cc  God,  fhould  be  careful  to  maintain  good 
 cc  works."  The  holy  fpirit  prefaces  it  with 
 two  notes  of  attention  and  obfervation  5  cc  this 
 (C  is  a  faithful  faying,  and  thefe  things  I  will 
 <c  that  thou  affirm  conftantly,  that  they  which 
 €C  have  believed  in  God  be  careful  to  maintain 
 cc  good  works." 
 
 2.  That  faith  which  juftifies  is  the  necelTary 
 and  immediate  fpring  and  origin  of  good 
 works.  The  firft  act  of  faith  is  acceptance  of 
 Chrift  to  be  our  way  to  falvation,  to  reconcile 
 us  to  God  by  his  righteoufnefs,  and  make  us 
 fit  for  his  enjoyment  by  his  fanctifying  grace. 
 Faith  trulls  Chrift  for  holinefs  and  glory,  and 
 immediately  upon  this  act  we  are  jullified; 
 "  though,  as  Br.  Goodwin  fays,  faith  juftifies 
 "  peculiarly  as  it  depends  on  Chrift  for  his 
 "  perfect  righteoufnefs  to  bring  us  into  the  fa- 
 "  vour  of  God.'*  (Geedzvin's  Triumph  of 
 Faith,  §  2.  Chap,  i.)  But  before  this  act  we 
 could  not  perform  any  good  work,  for  we  re- 
 ceive ftrength  to  do  good  works  by  this  truft- 
 ing.  Dependence  on  our  part  derives  the 
 fupply  of  graces  and  influences  from  the  fpi- 
 rit cf  God,  without  whom  we  can  do  no- 
 thing, 
 
44  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 thing.  John  xv.  5.  But  St.  Paul  tells  th« 
 Pbilippians,  chap.  iv.  13,  «  That  he  could  do 
 cc  all  things  through  Chrift  ftrengthening 
 cc  him."  Now  that  faith  is  the  mean  to  par- 
 take of  this  communicated  power  confult 
 Mark  xi.  24.  John  xiv.  13,  14.  John  xv.  16. 
 John  xvi.  2jj  24.  James  i.  5,  6.  Chrift  will 
 fo  far  honour  our  dependance  on  him,  that  he 
 condefcends,  to  fpeak,  with  reverence,  to  the 
 will  of  believers,  as  appears  by  thefe  texts. 
 
 3.  The  love  of  Chrift  manifefted  in  free  jus- 
 tification without  works  more  effectually  and 
 fweetly  binds  the  foul  to  obedience  than  any 
 rigid  meafures  which  the  fear  of  pnnimment 
 can  ufe.  The  natures  of  believers  are,  as  it 
 were,  refined  ;  they  are  heaven-born,  ingenu- 
 ous, and  eafily  wrought  upon  by  love.  It  is 
 a  common  truth,  that  nothing  is  done  by  ha- 
 tred and  fear  which  might  not  effectually  and 
 pleafantly  be  performed  by  love.  The  effects 
 of  pure  love  are  exceeding  great.  We  feldom, 
 if  ever,  read  of  any  who,  out  of  a  mere  fear  of 
 hell,  would  endure  the  greater!  miferies  of  life, 
 who  had  not  the  love  of  God  in  their  hearts. 
 But  how  many  thoufands,  being  fortified  with 
 this  love  to  their  Redeemer,  have  joyfully  un- 
 dergone fevere  torments  rather  than  part  with 
 their  obedience  and  holinefs,  notwithftanding 
 they  hoped  not  to  be  faved  by  them  ?  Now 
 the  greater  the  love  which  is  expreffed  towards 
 us,  the  ftronger  are  our  engagements  to  love 
 again.       Confider     then    how    incomparably 
 
 greater 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  45 
 
 greater  is  that  love  which  appears  in  ChrijVs 
 o-ivino*  us  himfelf  and  his  righteoufnefs  freely, 
 and  completing  by  himfelf  the  work  of  our 
 redemption,  than  if  he  had  only  entreated  the 
 Father  to  relax  the  firft  covenant,  and  put  us 
 into  a  poftibility  of  acquiring  heaven  by  our 
 own  obedience  ?  1  Cor.  v.  14.  cc  The  love 
 <c  of  Chrift  conftrains  us,  becaufe  we  thus 
 cf  judge  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all 
 cc  dead."  That  love  is  a  far  more  efficacious 
 principle  than  fear  appears  alfo  from  the  firft: 
 epiftle  oijohn.  The  whole  letter  of  that  be- 
 loved difciple  breathes  nothing  but  love  and 
 holinefs.  The  firft  is  the  principle  of  the  lat- 
 ter. He  had  learned  and  felt  the  powers  of 
 love  in  the  bofom  of  his  Jijus,  and  recom- 
 mended that  fovereign  antidote  againfl  fin, 
 that  cordial  to  revive  dying  holinefs  to  ail  the 
 followers  of  his  loving  Saviour.  Heaven  is  a 
 Hate  of  moft  perfect  holinefs,  and  the  imme- 
 diate created  principle  of  it  is  perfect  love,  as 
 feems  to  be  implied  in  1  John  iv.  18.  and 
 I  Cor.  xiii.  8 — 13. 
 
 4.  The  doctrines  of  perfeverance  and  airur- 
 ance,  for  I  mall  join  them  both  together  at 
 prefent,  are  fupported  only  by  this  doctrine  of 
 juftification  by  faith  alone.  But  thefe  doctrines 
 are  moft  effectual  to  promote  holinefs,  there- 
 fore the  doctrine  of  juftification  by  faith  alone 
 promotes  holinefs.  That  affu ranee  and  perfe- 
 verance depend  only  on  juftification  by  faith 
 alone  is  fufficiently  proved,  becaufe  if  our  obe- 
 dience 
 
46  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 dience  this  moment  be  fincere  enough  to  juftify 
 us,  our  difobedience  the  next  moment  may 
 damn  us,  whereas  faith  once  acted  on  Chrift 
 aright  fo  juftifies  us  that  we  can  never  fall 
 from  juftification,  as  might  be  proved  from 
 many  Scriptures.  "  I  know  whom  1  have  be- 
 fc  lieved,"  faith  the  Apoftle,  2  Tim.  i.  12. 
 But  our  opponents  themfelves  grant  this  by 
 contending  againft  perfeverance,  and  confe- 
 quently  afTurance,  while  they  hold  that  works 
 concur  with  faith  to  our  juftification.  It  re- 
 mains therefore  only  to  be  proved  that  afTur- 
 ance is  the  mofl  effectual  mean  to  promote 
 holinefs,  and  this  appears, 
 
 (1)  As  an  affurance  of  falvation  keeps  us 
 from  temptations,   and  the  victorious  power  of 
 fin.     How  mail  we  be  able  to  comply  with 
 Satan,  and  obey  that  wretched  fpirit,  when  we 
 know  that  we  are   Chrift's,  and  he   has  pur- 
 chafed  us  ?     How  can  a  man  willingly  defile 
 that  foul  with  fin,   which  the  blood  of  Chrift 
 has  wafhed  into  purity  and  whitenefs  ?     This 
 would  be  to  trample  the  blood  of  Chrift  under 
 foot,  the  leaft  thought  of  which  ftartles  a  faint. 
 In  Phil.  iv.  7.  it  is  faid,  <c  the  peace  of  God, 
 "  which  paries  all  underftanding,  fhall  keep 
 cc  your  hearts  and  minds."     Dr.  Oiven,  in  his 
 Treatife  of  Temptations^  examines  the  word  <pgtr 
 pn<m,  fhall  keep  as  a  garrifon.     Now  when  our 
 minds   are  preferved  from  being  blinded   by 
 temptations,    and   our   hearts   defended   from 
 their  prevailing  affaults,  furely  we  cannot  fall ; 
 
 and 
 
Br.    I  S  A  A  C     W  A  T  T  S.  47 
 
 and  this  is  done  by  this  peace  of  God,  the 
 peace  which  God  fpeaks  to  the  conference  and 
 afiurance  of  his  love. 
 
 (2)  Afiurance  preferves  repentance  in  con- 
 tinual exercife,  and  fo  promotes  the  divine 
 life.  An  allured  perfon  mourns  over  and  flabs 
 his  fins,  becaufe  he  knows  it  is  his  Jefus  whom 
 they  have  pierced.  He  revenges  himfelf  upon 
 the  crucifiers  of  his  Lord,  and  his  hatred 
 againft  fin  is  as  keen  as  his  love  to  that  God- 
 Man,  who  bore  the  punifhment  of  it  in  his 
 ilead.     Zech.  xii.  10. 
 
 (3)  Afiurance  of  falvation  will  damp  and 
 deaden  our  affections  to  the  things  of  this 
 world.  Col.  iii.  1,  2.  cc  Set  your  affections 
 fC  on  things  above,  and  not  on  things  on  the 
 <c  earth,  for  ye  are  dead,"  that  is  to  fin,  cc  and 
 "  your  life  is  hid  with  Chrift  in  God."  Ho- 
 nour and  efteem  among  men,  difgrace  and 
 private  reproaches,  riches  and  pleafu res  will 
 have  lefs  influence  upon,  and  lefs  room  in  our 
 minds,  when  a  fenfe  and  certainty  of  the  en- 
 joyment of  heavenly  objects  have  already  pof- 
 feffed  them.  It  is  by  reafon  of  the  interefl 
 which  thefe  earthly  things  have  in  our  affec- 
 tions that  we  are  fo  often  captivated  to  fin, 
 but,  when  our  affections  are  dead  to  external 
 objects,  how  much  eafier  is  a  ftrict  and  religious 
 life? 
 
 Now  of  all  thefe  cords  which  bind  the  wil- 
 ling foul  to  holinefs  and  good  works  the  doc- 
 trine of  juftification  by  obedience  is  deftitute. 
 3  5-  The 
 
48  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 5.  The  laft  reafon  which  I  fhall  mention  is 
 the  teftimony  and  example  of  faints  who  have 
 tried  and  practifed  according  to  the  doctrine 
 of  j  unification  by  faith  alone,  and  led  moil 
 holy  lives,  whereas  they  who  hoped  to  be  fav- 
 ed  by  good  works  have  lived  in  the  practice  of 
 the  greateft  fins.  I  fhall  at  prefent  inftance 
 only  in  the  Pharisees,  who  trailed  not  to  the 
 righteoufhefs  of  Chrifi,  as  Si:  Paul  tells  us, 
 Rom.  x.  iii.  "  but,  going  about  to  eflablifh 
 cc  their  own  righteoufhefs,  they  became  igno- 
 <c  rant  of  the  righteoufnefs  of  God."  Now  of 
 what  grofs  fins  does  Chrift  accufe  the  Phari- 
 sees? How  black  and  deformed  would  their 
 lives  appear  if  compared  with  the  lives  of  the 
 apoftles,  efpecially  of  £/.  Paul,  who  afferted 
 the  doctrine  of  juftification  by  faith  alone  ? 
 The  Pharisees  found  it  impoflible  to  yield  obe- 
 dience to  the  divine  law  in  its  fpirituality,  yet 
 rather  than  forego  their  prefumption  of  being 
 laved  by  it,  they  confined  it  only  to  outward 
 acts ;  yet  here  they  wretchedly  failed  too,  as 
 appears  by  our  Saviour's  frequent  reproofs^ 
 and  awful  denunciations  againft  them. 
 
 D  I  S 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  49 
 
 DISSERTATION    II. 
 
 Whether  Self-denial  in  Things  in  themfelves 
 indifferent  be  not  in  fame  Cafes  neceffary  ? 
 affirmed. 
 
 By  the  firfl  man's  difobedience  our  fouls  fell 
 from  God,  and  were  utterly  deprived  of  that 
 liberty  to  good  things  which  made  up  a  con- 
 fiderable  part  of  our  innocent  happinefs.  We 
 are  become  hereby  flaves  to  our  own  finful 
 defires,  and  miferably  enchained  to  the  grand 
 enemy  of  fouls;  neverthelefs  our  degenerate 
 faculties  continually  affect  freedom,  and  retain 
 a  pretenfion,  wretched  as  it  is,  to  liberty  :  nei-^ 
 ther  are  we  content  with  that  natural  freedom 
 which  is  feated  in  our  wills,  namely,  a  power  to 
 ac~c  according  to  the  judgments  of  reafon,  and 
 accompanied  with  delight,  but,  having  rebelli- 
 oufly  withdrawn  ourfelves  from  our  blelfed 
 fubjedtion  to  God,  we  prefumptuoufly  afpire 
 after  a  moral  liberty  too.  We  are  unwilling 
 to  be  governed  by  the  laws  of  our  Maker,  or 
 have  our  appetites  retrained  by  a  fuperior  au- 
 thority. This  was  the  efTence  of  the  firft  ru- 
 ining fin  in  thought,  and  the  foundation  of 
 that  actual  tranfgreffion  which  involved  us  all 
 in  mifery.  Adam  begat  his  pofterity  in  his 
 own  likenefs,  and  communicated  his  finful 
 image  to  his  children.  Whence  it  is  that  we 
 fcorn  to  be   limited  and  circumfcribed,    and 
 
 E  would 
 
5o  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 would  have  laws  prefcribed  to  us  by  nothing 
 but  our  own  lufts.  The  beft  of  men  have  too 
 much  of  this  depraved  nature  remaining  in 
 them,  and  in  this  imperfect  (late  we  cannot 
 perfectly  fhake  off  our  old  innate  pride.  Mercy 
 therefore  to  comport  with  our  weaknefs  has 
 not  fo  ftrictly  and  feverely  tied  us  up  as  to  leave 
 nothing  indifferent.  Many  particular  actions 
 there  are  wherein  the  law  of  God  has  not 
 obliged  us.  We  may  perform  them,  or  abftain 
 from  them,  according  to  our  own  pleafure. 
 I  fpeak  not  of  individual  actions,  but  of  ac- 
 tions confidered  in  their  fpecies  or  nature. 
 Here  I  refpect  them  without  their  ends  and  in- 
 tentions, for  doubtlefs,  invefled  with  thofe 
 circumftances,  they  are  either  good  or  evil. 
 There  is  fuch  a  thing  as  chriftian  liberty,  but 
 the  great  queflion  is  how  we  may  fo  ufe  it,  as 
 not  to  abufe  and  pervert  the  end  of  it.  Cf  All 
 cc  things  are  lawful,  fays  the  Apoflle  in  i  Cor. 
 "  vi.  12.  but  all  things  are  not  expedient." 
 By  this  univerfal  term  all  things  can  be  meant 
 nothing  elfe  than  all  thofe  things  which  are 
 not  forbidden  by  the  divine  law.  Never- 
 thelefs,  fays  he,  all  thefe  things,  though  they 
 are  not  forbidden,  yet  as  to  many  of  them,  I 
 will  not  practife  them,  for  they  are  not  expe- 
 dient. Now  whether  this  expediency  or  incon- 
 venience be  not  fomethino;  fo  great  as  to  rife 
 to  fome  necefiity  of  abflinence  from  thofe  par- 
 ticular actions,  is  the  point  controverted.     In 
 
 the  treating  upon  it  we -mall, 
 
 3  i.  Enu- 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  51 
 
 1.  Enumerate  fome  particular  cafes  wherein 
 this  felf-denial  feems  to  be  proper. 
 
 2.  Offer  fome  few  confiderations  to  enforce 
 the  affirmative.     The  cafes  may  be  taken, 
 
 (1)  From  the  action  itfelf  when  the  thing 
 which  is  neither  commanded  nor  forbidden  by 
 the  divine  law  be  commanded  or  forbidden  by 
 human  laws.  They  who  are  our  fuperiors, 
 and  whom  God  has  fet  in  authority  over  us 
 have  a  right  to  prefcribe  laws  unto  us  for  the 
 management  of  thofe  our  a&ions,  about  which 
 the  law  of  God  gives  us  no  precepts.  Many 
 things  there  are  which  feem  to  us  flight  and 
 inconfiderable,  but  yet  our  governors  fee,  it 
 may  be,  good  reafon  to  impofe  them,  or  re- 
 flrain  us  from  them,  and  to  break  thefe  fla- 
 tutes  is  to  break  the  flatutes  of  God  in  fome 
 fenfe,  who  has  ordained  us  to  be  fubjecl  to  all 
 thofe  whom  he  ill  all  conllitute  to  be  higher 
 powers,  as  you  may  fee  at  large,  Rom.  xiii. 
 1—8.  "  Let  every  foul  be  fubjed  to  the 
 "  higher  powers,  for  there  is  no  power  but  of 
 «  God. — Whofoever  therefore  refills  the  power 
 
 "  refills  the  ordinance  of  God. And  again, 
 
 cc  Ye  mull  needs  be  fubjecl  not  only  for  fear 
 cc  of  their  wrath,  and  civil  puniihment,  but 
 cc  alfo  for  confcience  fake."  To  bring  only 
 that  inilance  which  our  tutor  frequently  ufes, 
 that  of  burying  in  woollen.  This  is  neither 
 commanded  nor  forbidden  by  God,  yet  be- 
 caufe  the  civil  power  and  authority  command 
 it,   we  are  bound  to  obey  or  pay  the  fine. 
 
 E  2  (2)  An- 
 
52  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 (2)  Another  cafe  wherein  this  felf-denial  in 
 things  in  themfelves  indifferent  may  be  proper 
 may  be  taken  from  the  perfons  among  whom 
 we  live.  We  mud  refrain  from  thofe  things 
 which  give  offence  to  other  chriftians,  though 
 in  themfelves  they  give  no  offence  to  God. 
 This  particular  topic  of  fcandal  is  one  of  the 
 moft  difficult  of  ail  the  difciplinary  controver- 
 fies,  or  to  adjuft.  the  exact  bounds  and  limits 
 as  to  the  taking  and  giving  juft  offence.  In 
 fome  fenfe  juft  offence  cannot  be  given  but  by 
 the  doing  of  thofe  things  which  are  contrary  to 
 the  law  or  gofpel,  becaufe  among  things,  none 
 of  which  are  commanded  by  the  law  of  God, 
 one  is  no  more  commanded  than  another,  fo 
 that  all  offence  taken  at  things  lawful  proceeds 
 from  ignorance,  and  a  want  of  a  clear  difcern- 
 ing  of  the  lawfulnefs  of  thofe  things,  but  yet 
 the  holy  Apoftle  gives  it  in  charge  to  the  Ro- 
 mans^  Chap.  xiv.  21.  "  not  fo  much  as  to  eat 
 *c  flefh  or  drink  wine  if  it  offends,"  and  he 
 himfelf  refolves  to  eat  no  flefh  while  the  world 
 (lands,  if  any  lefs  knowing  and  weaker  chri- 
 ilians  were  offended  at  it,  1  Cor.  viii.  13. 
 This  doubt  is  indeed  too  hard  to  be  determin- 
 ed by  us,  yet  thus  much  we  may  fay  that  where 
 the  inconvenience  we  bring  on  others  by  doing 
 fuch  an  action  overbalances  the  inconvenience 
 we  ourfeives  receive  by  it,  it  may  be  proper  to 
 abflain. 
 
 (3)  Another  cafe  wherein  this  felf-denial  in 
 things  in  themfelves  indifferent  may  be  pro- 
 per 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  53 
 
 per  may  be  taken  from  the  quality  and  con- 
 dition of  the  fubjcct  or  agent.  That  which  is 
 not  forbidden  by  God  is  lawful  for  all  men, 
 but  there  are  fome  perfons  for  whom  all  things 
 are  not  convenient.  Some  conditions  and 
 urates  in  life  make  that  thing  unbecoming  in 
 one  which  in  another  is  very  tolerable.  For 
 example,  in  magiftrates  and  minifters.  Their 
 lives  certainly  ought  to  be  more  ftri&j  and 
 that  which  fome  might  call  precifenefs  in 
 others  in  thefe  forts  of  men  will  be  efteemed 
 ferioufnefs  and  duty.  They  may  not  indulge 
 themfelves  in  pleafures  and  recreations,  efpeci- 
 ally  thofe  which  are  public,  like  other  men. 
 They  are  called  to  greater  acts  of  felf-denial. 
 How  many  times  does  the  Apoftle  fpeak  of  his 
 liberty  to  take  money  for  preaching  which  he 
 did  not  becaufe,  being  a  perfon  of  extraordi- 
 nary and  apofrolic  million  and  authority,  he 
 would  carry  it  in  all  things  as  became  him, 
 yea,  though  he  had  a  more  plaufible  pretenfion 
 to  it  than  others  ?  1  Cor.  ix.  11,  12.  cc  If  we 
 cc  have  fown  unto  you,  fays  he,  fpiritual  things 
 cc  is  it  a  great  thing  if  we  mall  reap  your  car- 
 f  c  nal  things  ?  If  others  be  partakers  of  this 
 cf  power  over  you,  are  not  we  rather  ?  Ne- 
 "  verthelefs  we  have  not  ufed  this  Dower,  but 
 cc  fuffer  all  things  left  we  fhould  hinder  the 
 fC  gofpel  of  ChriuV'  He  tells  us  alfo  in  the 
 fame  chapter  of  his  power  to  marry,  and  carry 
 about  a  wife  with  him  wherever  he  went.  He 
 informs  us  of  his  authority  to  eat  and  drink  ac 
 
 ^  the 
 
54  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 the  charge  of  the  Corinthians,  "  Have  we  not 
 <c  power,  :ays  he,  to  eat  and  to  drink  ?  Have 
 cc  we  not  power  to  lead  about  a  fifter,  a  wife 
 cc  as  the  other  apoftles,  and  as  the  brethren  of 
 cc  the  Lord,   and  Cephas  ?" 
 
 The  reafons  of  this  cafe  felf-denial  in  magi- 
 ftrates  and  miriifters  in  things  indifferent  may 
 be  the  following,  [i.]  Becaufe  the  eyes  of  all 
 perfons  are  in  a  more  efpecial  manner  on  ma- 
 gistrates in  civil  life,  and  parlors  in  churches. 
 [2.]  Becaufe  the  greater  the  perfon  offending 
 is,  the  greater  is  the  offence  reckoned.  That 
 which  obtains  the  name  of  innocent  mirth  and 
 gaiety  among  men  if  ufed  by  a  minifter  would 
 be  changed  into  the  odious  appellations  of  le« 
 vity  and  vanity.  [3.]  Becaufe  men  in  digni- 
 ty ought,  not  only  to  rule  over,  but  be  exam- 
 ples to  their  inferiors,  and  if  their  lives  are  not 
 altogether  unfpotted  the  common  people  v/ill 
 take  the  liberty  to  do  what  they  do,  and  it 
 may  be  oftener  as  they  confider  their  latitude 
 as  fomething  larger;  if  therefore  magistrates 
 and  minifters  go  to  the  utmoft  bounds  of  what 
 is  lawful,  others  will  hardly  be  reftrained  from 
 going  one  frep  farther,  and  treading  en  for- 
 bidden ground. 
 
 (4)  Another  cafe  I  fhall  mention  wherein 
 felf-denial  in  things  indifferent  may  be  proper 
 is  where  the  confequences  and  effects  of  thofe 
 actions  which  may  be  lawful  are  finful,  or  at 
 leaff  inconvenient.  There  are  fome  actions 
 which  are  not  finful  which  yet  may  accident- 
 ally 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC     WATTS.  55 
 
 ally  have  finful  effects  on  ourfelves  or  others. 
 Thole  things  which  difpofe  to  vanity  and  light- 
 nefs,  or  which  indifpofe  for  duty  may  not  be  in 
 themfelves  forbidden,  but  yet,  becaufe  of  their 
 effects,  they  are  to  be  ufed  with  great  caution 
 and  prudence.  So  thofe  difcourfes  which  may 
 be  lawful  fometimes  to  recreate  the  mind,  and 
 revive  the  natural  fpirits  are  not  fit  to  be  ufed 
 on  the  evening  before  the  Lord's  Day ;  or  ac- 
 tivity and  much  exercife  of  body,  as  running, 
 &c.  are  not  proper  before  any  duty  of  wor- 
 fhip,  becaufe  they  difburb  the  brain,  and  put 
 it  out  of  order,  or  into  an  indifpofition  to  com- 
 ply with  the  foul  in  religious  folemnities,  at 
 lead  they  caufe  an  omiffion  of  due  preparation 
 for  thofe  fervices. 
 
 (5)  To  thefe  cafes  in  which  felf-denial  in 
 things  indifferent  may  be  proper  we  may  add 
 the  variety  of  tempers  and  conflitutions  of  body 
 and  mind.  That  which  is  in  its  own  nature 
 lawful  is  not  proper  for  all  perfons.  Such  as 
 are  feverifh  and  fanguine  muff  not  drink  much 
 wine  or  eat  of  fuch  and  fuch  meats.  They  in 
 whofe  temper  melancholy  reigns  may  have  li- 
 berty to  addidl  themfelves  to  thofe  recreations 
 and  pleafant  fludies  which  a  more  airy  and  vi- 
 vacious conftitution  mould  lefs  frequently  ufe, 
 and  that  for  this  obvious  reafon  becaufe  they 
 make  the  one  fort  of  perfons  too  light,  and  vain 
 and  wandering  in  their  thoughts,  to  which  ef- 
 fects the  others  are  ftr angers.     We  come 
 
 E  4  2.  To 
 
56  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 2.  To  offer  fome  few  confiderations  to  en- 
 force our  thefis,  that  felf-denial  in  things  in 
 themfelves  indifferent  is  in  fome  cafes  neceffary. 
 That  it  is  neceffary  for  us  to  deny  ourfelves  in 
 indifferent  things  upon  fuch  occafions  as  have 
 been  mentioned  may  be  many  ways  proved.  I 
 mall  at  prefent  content  myfelf  with  a  very  few 
 arguments,  and  with  little  enlargement. 
 
 (i)  We  are  under  an  elfential  obligation  not 
 only  to  glorify  God,  but  to  glorify  him  to  our 
 utmoft.  Nov/  by  indulging  ourfelves  too  often 
 in  thefe  lawful  things,  though  we  may  not  per- 
 haps pofitively  dishonour  God  as  we  might  do 
 by  thwarting  his  commands,  yet  we  bring  him 
 a  lefs  tribute  of  glory  than  our  abflinence  from 
 thofe  actions  would  do,  and  this  will  be  inter- 
 preted a  dishonouring  God,  confult  Mat.  xxv, 
 18.  24. 41,  42>43- 
 
 (2)  Many  things  which  are  lawful  are  not  fb 
 conducive  to  the  edification  of  ourfelves  or 
 others.  But  we  ought  to  be  found  doing  that 
 which  may  tend  to  edification  and  advantage. 
 No  moment  of  our  lives  fliould  be  fpent  in 
 idlenefs,  for  each  moment  is  a  mercy  from  God, 
 and  therefore  our  great  end  his  glory  requires 
 an  improvement  of  it.  The  great  Apoftle  ab- 
 ftained  from  lawful  things  that  he  might  exer- 
 cife  himfelf  in  things  profitable  and  edifying, 
 1  Cor.  x.  23.  f?  All  things  are  lawful  for  me, 
 ?c  but  all  things  are  not  expedient.  All  things 
 :c  are  lawful  for  me,  but  all  things  edifv  not." 
 j  (3)  When 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  57 
 
 « 
 
 (3)  When  we  go  to  the  utmoft  of  what  is 
 
 lawful,  and  indulge  ourielves  to  the  very  ex- 
 tremity of  what  the  divine  law  permits,  we  are 
 apt  to  verge  a  little  beyond  bounds,  for  our 
 corrupt  nature  being  prone  to  what  is  finful 
 will  at  times  tread  a  Hep  farther  towards  vice 
 than  we  are  aware  of.  If  wre  permit  our 
 tonp-ues  to  lavifh  out  abundance  of  words  which 
 are  not  to  the  purpofe,  which  have  no  great 
 tendency  to  our  great  defign  of  advancing  in 
 knowledge  and  grace  we  fhall  be  too  ready  to 
 fall  into  difcourfe  altogether  barren  and  fruit- 
 lefs.  Chriftian  prudence  teaches  us  to  retrain 
 our  appetites  a  little  within  the  limits  of  law- 
 fulness, that  fo,  if  they  fhouid  prove  unruly  and 
 break  forth  a  little  beyond  our  reftraint,  yet 
 they  might  not  be  guilty  of  finful  exceffes. 
 Befides  our  paflions  ufually  depaint  things  in 
 falfe  colour's.  Our  defires  of  an  object  may 
 reprefent  it  within  the  bounds  of  lawfulnefs, 
 when  incleed  it  is  one  degree  beyond  it.  Since 
 therefore  things  indifferent  and  things  finful 
 are  oftentimes  fo  near  that  it  is  hard  to  difcern 
 betwixt  them,  and  harder  to  tread  aright  it  is  a 
 Chriftian's  interefb  and  duty  to  walk  at  a  dis- 
 tance. 
 
 (4)  We  are  commanded  cc  to  abftain  from 
 all  appearance  of  evil,"  1  Thef.  v.  22.5  but 
 thofe- lawful  things  between  which  and  fin  there 
 is  fo  near  an  affinity  that  they  can  fcarce  be 
 diftinguifhed,  may  be  well  ranked  under  the 
 appearances  of  evil. 
 
 (5)  The 
 
5S  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 (5)  The  laft  argument  may  be  drawn  from 
 the  example  of  faints  in  fcripture,  whom  a  great 
 zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  a  trembling  and 
 awful  fear  of  fin  have  kept  from  indulging 
 themfelves  in  things  indifferent.  You  have 
 heard  many  examples  of  this  nature  already. 
 We  might  again  induce  St.  Paul.  "  I  keep  un- 
 cc  der  my  body,  faith  he,  and  bring  it  into  fub- 
 €C  jeclion,"  1  Cor.  ix.  27.  that  it  may  not  be 
 unfit  to  receive  the  conftant  government  of  my 
 mind.  This  keeping  under  is  expreffed  by  the 
 word  viruTTixgcty  which  fignifies  to  beat  down 
 by  ilrong  blows.  The  Apoftle  doubtlefs  means 
 not  fuch  penances  as  the  Papijls  perform  of 
 fcourgings,  &c.  but  fomething  almolt  equiva- 
 lent, as  denying  it  food,  fieep,  &c.  which  acts 
 of  feif-denial  the  Divine  law  has  no  where  per- 
 emptorily commanded.  We  might  inftance 
 in  the  Lord  Jefus  cur  Saviour.  How  much  did 
 he  deny  himfelf,  who  was  Lord  of  all,  in  things 
 lawful  for  him  as  a  man  to  teach  patience  and 
 felf-denial  to  his  difciples  ?  So  the  primitive 
 Chriftians,  Ads  iv.  34—37,  fold  their  lands 
 and  gave  their  money  into  a  common  flock. 
 This  was  not  in  general  commanded  to  faints, 
 nor  particularly  to  them. 
 
 Befides  the  above  compofitions  in  Latin  and 
 Englijb  in  evidence  of  the  Doclors  attention  to 
 his  ftudies  during  his  refidence  at  Mr.  Rowers 
 academy,  other  proofs  might  be  produced  to 
 
 the 
 
Dr.   ISAAC     WATTS.  59 
 
 the  fame  purpofc.  Mr.  Enoch  Watts  gave 
 me  feveral  MS.  volumes  of  his  brother's, 
 fome  of  which  (not  intending  at  that  time  to 
 draw  up  the  memoirs  of  his  life)  I  parted 
 with  feveral  years  fince  as  curioPities  to  par- 
 ticular perfons.  What  were  the  fubjecls  of 
 the  volumes  I  have  given  away  I  cannot  re- 
 collect only  that  one  of  them  I  believe  was  an 
 abridgment  of  Mr.  Tbeophilus  Gale's  learned 
 work,  called  the  Court  of  the  Gentiles.  Two 
 only  of  the  number  which  Mr.  Watts  was  fo 
 kind  to  prefent  me  are  full  in  my  hands,  one 
 of  which  is  entitled,  guafiiones  Logic*  ut  pluri- 
 mum  defumpt*  ex  Burgerfdicii  Inftituticnibus,  et 
 Heereboordii  Commentariis  1691,  1692  *  \  and  the 
 other,  Sentential*  quadam  e  Traclatu  Lud.  de  la 
 Forge  de  mente  humand  colleft*,  aut  potius  Epitome 
 ejufdem  traftatus  1691  f-  Neither  of  the  volumes 
 are  very  fmall,  and  muft  have  coil  the  Bo  ft  or 
 confiderable  pains  and  patience,  if  any  thing 
 might  be  called  pains  and  patience  to  him  in 
 his  pleafurable  purfuit  of  learning.  Shall  I  re- 
 mark here  what  a  direct  and  happy  method  he 
 took  to  poflfefs  himfelf  of  knowledge,  I  mean 
 the  abridgment  of  writers  upon  this  and  the 
 
 *  In  Englim,  Logical  Queftions  collected  for  the  greateft 
 part  from  Burgerfdicius's  Injiitutions,  and  Heerebocrd's  Com- 
 mentaries. 
 
 f  Some  brief  Opinions  collected  from  the  Treatife  of 
 lewis  de  la  Forge  concerning  the  human  Mind,  or  rather 
 an  Epitome  of  the  work. 
 
 other 
 
6o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 other  fcience  ?  By  this  method  he  made  him- 
 feif  mailer  of  the~fubje£t.  before  him,  whatever 
 it  was,  drew  it  into  a  fmall  compafs,  and  im- 
 printed it  on  his  memory.  Twenty  volumes 
 upon  Logic  *  Pneumatology>  Ethics,  &c.  fwiftly 
 run  over,  and  without  any  endeavours  thus  to 
 cxhauft  and  fix  them  upon  the  mind,  might  not 
 yield  the  twentieth  part  of  real  improvement  as 
 one  volume  thus  perufed,  arranged,  and  trea- 
 fured  in  the  memory.  It  is  no  wonder  there- 
 fore that  the  Doctor  recommends  the  like 
 practice  to  others  in  fuch  ftrong  language. 
 *c  Shall  1  be  fo  free,  fays  he,  as  to  affure 
 <c  my  younger  friends  from  my  own  expe- 
 <c  rience  that  thefe  methods  of  reading  will 
 <c  cod  fome  pains  in  the  firft  years  of  your 
 <c  fhidy,  and  efpecially  in  the  firft  authors 
 c<  you  perufe  in  any  fcience,  or  on  any  par- 
 cc  ticular  fubjecl.  But  the  profit  will  richly 
 (C  compenfate  the  pains ;  and  in  the  following 
 <f  years  of  life,  after  you  have  read  a  few  va- 
 <c  luable  books  on  any  fpecial  fubjecl:  in  this 
 <c  manner,  it  will  be  very  eafy  to  read  others 
 <c  of  the  fame  kind,  becaufe  you  will  not  find 
 <c  very  much  new  matter  in  them  which  you 
 cc  have  not  already  examined  *." 
 
 There  was  another  method  alio  which  the 
 Bottor  adopted,    it    may    be   in    the  time  of 
 
 *  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  part  i,  chap.  4.  §  7. 
 
 his 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  61 
 
 his  preparatory  ftudies,  though  of  this  we  are 
 not  able  to  furnifh  pofitive  evidence,  but  of 
 which  there  are  the  fulled  proofs  in  his  further 
 progrefs  of  life,  namely,  that  of  interleaving 
 the  works  of  authors,  and  inferting  in  the  blank 
 pages  additions  from  other  writers  on  the  fame 
 fubject.  I  have  now  by  me,  the  gift  of  his 
 brother  Mr.  Enoch  Watts,  the  TFeftminjier  Greek 
 Grammar  thus  interleaved  by  the  Doclor,  with 
 all  he  thought  proper  to  colled  from  Dr.  Buf- 
 hfs  and  Mr.  Leeds's  Greek  Grammars  ingrafted 
 by  him  into  the  fupplemental  leaves  j-  \  and  I 
 have  befides  in  my  poilefiion,  a  prefent  from 
 the  Dcclor  himfelf,  a  printed  difcourfe  by  a  con- 
 fiderable  writer  on  a  controverted  point  in  di- 
 vinity interleaved  in  the  fame  manner,  and 
 much  enlarged  by  infertions  in  the  Doctors 
 own  hand. 
 
 Such  were  the  happy,  though  laborious  me- 
 thods this  eminent  man  took  to  poffefs  himfelf 
 of  knowledge.  He  was  not  contented  with  fu- 
 perficial  glances  and  hafty  furveys.  He  fearched 
 
 f  To  the  title  of  the  Weftminfter  Greek  Grammar  that  of 
 Inftkutio  Gra:cae  Grammatices  compendiaria  in  Ufum  P*e- 
 glx  Scholar  Weftmonafterienfis  is  added,  cum  notis  rau- 
 tuis  a  grammaticis  Buibeii  et  Leedfii ;  and  in  t!:e  blank 
 leaf  at  the  beginning  he  fays,  Ufque  ad  paginam  75  gram- 
 matices errores  correxi,  et  qusc  defuerant  fupplevi.  1709. 
 I.  W.  And  in  the  afore-cited  page  where  he  broke  off  his 
 work  he  adds  :  Kuc  ufque  vulgarem  grammalicam  correxi 
 fecundum  majorem  »*|«£e*«*  grammaticarum  Bufbeii  et 
 Leedfii, 
 
 deep 
 
MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 deep  for  the  mines  of  wifdom  and  fparcd  no 
 pains  to  difcover  them,  and  enrich  himfelf  with 
 their  treafures. 
 
 CHAP.     III. 
 
 His  occafional  Poems  during  his  Studies,  cr  very 
 Jo  on  after  his  clofeng  them. 
 
 fTAVING  given  thefe  fpecimens  of  the 
 JL  Doctor's  college  exercifes,  the  two 
 Englifh  difcouries  which  he  delivered  at  the 
 meetings  of  his  fellow-pupils,  and  his  abridg- 
 ments of  learned  writers,  as  witneffes  how  dili- 
 gent he  was  in  the  improvement  of  his  time  at 
 the  academy,  it  may  not  be  improper  next  to 
 obferve  that  he  found  leifure  during  his  flay 
 there  for  poetical  compofures,  which  might 
 afford  him  a  pleafant  relief  from  his  harder 
 ftudies,  and  indeed  better  qualify  him  for  the 
 renewal  of  them,  as  the  mind,  after  a  feafon  of 
 relaxation,  returns  with  double  vigour  to  the 
 ftated  bufinefs  of  life  *.     The  Doflor  tells  us, 
 
 «  that 
 
 *  This  obfervation  the  Do&or  himfelf  makes  in  his  trea- 
 tife  On  the  improvement  of  the  mind  when  he  fays,  "  There 
 "  is  yet  a  further  ufe  of  reading  poefy  (and  may  it  not  be 
 **  true  alfo  of  making  poetry?)  and  that  is,  when  the  mind 
 "  has  been  fatigued  with  fludies  of  a  more  laborious  kind, 
 "  or  when  it  is  any  ways  unfit  for  the  purfuit  of  more  dif- 
 "  ficult  fubje&s,  it  may  be  as  it  were  unbent,  and  repofe 
 '/  itfelf  on  the  flowery  meadows  where  the  Mufes  dwell. 
 
 "  'Tis 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  £3 
 
 cc  that  he  had  amufed  himfelf  with  verfe  from 
 cc  15  years  old  to  50  if;"  and  during  the  time 
 of  his  ftudies,  or  in  a  very  fhort  fpace  after  he 
 had  clofed  them,  we  are  certain  from  the  dates 
 that  he  wrote  feveral  poems,  and  if  we  may 
 judge  from  the  amazing  flame  in  many  of  them 
 (the  poetic  fire  perhaps  generally  burning 
 itrongefr  in  the  poet's  younger  years),  no  incon- 
 fiderable  number  of  his  lyric  odes.  The  pieces 
 which  we  are  allured  were  compofed  by  him  in 
 fome  one  or  other  year  of  his  fludies  are  the 
 poem  called  Light  in  Darknefs  \  his  verfeft  to  Mr. 
 Jofiah  Hort,  afterwards  archbifhopof  Tuam  in  Ire- 
 land-, his  ode,  entitled  Excitatio  cordis  ad  ccelum, 
 his  two  epiftles,  the  one  to  his  brother  Richard, 
 and  the  other  to  his  brother  Enoch,  and  his  in- 
 comparable ode  addrefTed  to  our  Lord  and  Sa- 
 viour Jefus  Chrift.  The  four  laft  are  written  in 
 Latin,  which  with  Englijh  tranflations  of  our 
 own  we  (hall  lay  before  our  Readers. 
 
 The  epiflle  to  his  brother  Mr.  Enoch  Watts 
 bears  date  Sept.  30,  1691,  and  is  as  follows  : 
 
 "  'Tis  a  very  fenfible  relief  to  the  foul  when  it  is  over- 
 *'  tired  to  amufe  itfelf  with  the  numbers,  and  the  beautiful 
 Cl  fentiments  of  the  poets,  and  in  a  little  time  this  agree- 
 "  able  amufement  may  recover  the  languid  fpirits  to  adli- 
 At  vity,  and  more  important  fervice."  Chap.  20.  §  36. 
 %  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts,  No.  65. 
 
 Fratri 
 
f  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Fratri  dim  navizaturo* 
 
 o 
 
 I  felix,  pede  profpero 
 I  frater,  trabe  pinea 
 Sulces  aequora  caerula, 
 Pandas  carbafa  flatibus 
 Quse  tuto  reditura  fint : 
 Non  te  monfrra  natantia     . 
 Ponti  carnivore  incolas 
 Prsedentur  rate  naufraga. 
 
 Navis,  tu  tibi  creditum 
 Fratrem  dimidium  mei 
 Salvum  fer  per  inhofpita 
 Ponti  regna,  per  avios 
 Traclus,  et  liquidum  chaos. 
 Nee  te  forbeat  horrid  a 
 Syrtis,  nee  fcopulus  minax 
 Rumpat  roboreum  latus  : 
 Captent  mitia  fiamina 
 Antennas  ;  et  zephyri  leves 
 Dent  portum  placidum  tibi. 
 
 Tu  qui  flumina,  qui  vagos 
 Flu&us  oceani  regis, 
 Et  faevam  Boream  domas, 
 Da  fratri  faciles  vias, 
 Et  fratrem  reducem  fuis  ! 
 
 IN    ENGLISH. 
 
 To  my  Brother  Enoch  Watts  going  a  Voyage. 
 
 Brother,  may  Heaven  vouchfafe  to  blefs, 
 And  crown  your  voyage  with  fuccefs  ! 
 Go,  in  the  planks  of  pine  immur'd, 
 And  from  furrounding  harms  fecur'd, 
 Go,  and  with  fails  expanding  wide 
 
 With  pleafure  plough  the  placid  tide, 
 
 In 
 
Br.    ISAAC    WATTS.  6t 
 
 in  fafety  wafted  o'er  the  main, 
 
 In  fafety  wafted  home  again. 
 
 G  may  no  monfter  of  the  flood, 
 
 That  roams  for  prey,  and  thirfts  for  blood, 
 
 Seize  you  to  his  tremendous  pow'r 
 
 And  with  remorfelefs  jaws  devour^ 
 
 While  the  bark  (hiver'd  by  the  blaft 
 
 Strows  with  its  wreck  the  watry  wafte  T 
 
 My  brother  trufted  to  thy  care, 
 Half  of  myfelf,  O  veflel,  bear 
 Secure  through  Ocean's  wide  domain, 
 At  bcft  a  defert  tracklefs  plain, 
 And  oft,  when  hurricanes  arife, 
 In  billows  thund'ring  to  the  fkies : 
 Safe  from  the  fand's  devouring  heap, 
 May'ft  thou  thy  wary  pafTage  keep, 
 Safe  too  from  each  tremendous  rock, 
 Where  (hips  are  fhatter'd  by  the  fhock  : 
 May  only  favourable  gales 
 Attend  thy  courfe  and  fill  thy  fails, 
 And  may  the  zephyr's  fofteft  wing 
 Thee  to  thy  port  ferenely  bring  ! 
 
 Thou,  who  doft.  o'er  the  feas  prefide, 
 Roufe  them  to  rage,  or  fmooth  their  tide, 
 Thou,  who  doft  in  thy  fetters  keep 
 The  boifterous  tyrants  of  the  deep, 
 To  foreign  climes  fecure  convey 
 My  brother  through  the  watry  way, 
 And  back  conduct  him  o'er  the  main 
 To  his  dear  fhores,  and  friends  again  ! 
 
 The  epiftle  to  his  brother  Mr.  and  after- 
 wards Dr.  Richard  Watts  runs  thus  : 
 
 Efijioia 
 
66  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Epijiola  fratri  fao  dileFto.    R.  \V.    I.  W. 
 S.  P.  D. 
 
 Rurfum  tuas,  amande  frater,  accepi  literas 
 codem  fortafle  momento,  quo  meas  ad  te  per- 
 veneruntj  idemque  qui  te  fcribentem  vidit 
 dies  meum  ad  epiftolare  munus  excitavit  cala- 
 mum  :  non  inane  eft  inter  nos  fraternum  no- 
 men,  unicus  enim  fpiritus  nos  intus  animat, 
 agitque,  et  Concordes  in  ambobus  efficit  mo- 
 tus.  O  utinam  crefcat  indies,  et  vigefcat  mu- 
 tua  charitas !  Faxit  Deus,  ut  amor  fui  noflra 
 incendat  et  defsecet  peclora.  Tunc  etenim  et 
 alternis  purse  amicitise  flammis  erga  nos  invi- 
 cem  divinum  in  modum  ardebimus.  Con- 
 templemur  Iefum  noflrum,  caslefte  illud  et  ado- 
 randum  exemplar  charitatis.     Ille  eft, 
 
 Qui  quondam  aeterno  delapfus  ab  aEthere  vultus 
 Induit  humanos,  ut  poffet  corpore  noftras 
 Heu  miferas  fufferre  vices ;  fponforis  obivit 
 Munia,  et  in  fcfe  Tabula  maledidla  minacis 
 Tranftulit,  et  fceleris  pcenas  hominifque  reatum. 
 
 Ecce  jacet  defertus  humi,  difFufus  in  herbam 
 Integer  innocuas  verfus  fua  fidera  palmas, 
 Et  placidum  attollens  vultum,  nee  ad  ofcula  Patria 
 Amplexus  folitofve;  artus  nudatus  amiclu 
 Sidereos,  et  fponte  finum  patefaclus  ad  iras 
 Numinis  armati.     u  Pater,  hie  inflge  fagittas 
 "  Hsec,  ait,  iratum  forbebunt  pe&ora  ferum  ; 
 •c  Abluat  aethereus  mortalia  crimina  fanguis." 
 
 Dixit,  et  horrendum  fremuere  tonitrua  coeli 
 Jj^fenfufque  Deus  *  quern  jam  pofuifTe  paternum 
 
 Mufa 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  6f 
 
 Mufa  queri  vellet  nomen,  fed  et  ipfa  fragores 
 Ad  tantos  pavefacta  filet ;  jam  diililit  aether, 
 Pandunturque  fores,  ubi  duro  carcere  regnat 
 Ira,  et  pcenarum  thefauros  mille  coercet. 
 Inde  ruunt  gravidi  vefano  fulphure  nimbi, 
 Centuplicifque  volant  contorta  volumina  flammae 
 In  caput  immeritum  ;  diro  hie  fub  pondere  prefius 
 Reftat,  compreflbs  dumque  ardens  explicat  artus 
 f  Purpureo  veftes  tinclae  fudore  madefcunt ; 
 Nee  tamen  infando  Vindex  Regina  labori 
 Segnius  incumbit,  fed  lalTos  increpat  ignes 
 Acriter,  et  fomno  languentem  fufcitat  *  enfem  : 
 "  Surge,  age,  divinum  pete  pectus,  et  imbue  facro 
 "  Flumine  mucronem  ;  vos  hinc,  mea  fpicula,  late 
 "  Ferrea  per  totum  difpergite  tormina  Chriftum, 
 <c  Immenfum  tolerare  valet;  ad  pondera  pcenae 
 "  Suftentanda  hominem  fuffulciet  incola  numen  : 
 "  Et  tu,  facra  Dtcas  legum,  violata  tabella, 
 "  Ebibe  vindiclam  ;  vafta  fatiabere  Casde  : 
 "  Mortalis  culpae  penfabit  dedecus  ingens 
 
 <c  Permiftus  Deitate  cruor" • 
 
 Sic  fata,  immiti  contorquet  vulnera  dextra 
 Dilaniatque  finus  ;  fancli  penetralia  cordis 
 Panduntur,  faevis  avidus  dolor  involat  alis, 
 Atque  audax  mentem  fcrutatur,  et  ilia  rnordet, 
 Interea  Servator  %  ovat,  victorque  doloris 
 Eminet  illuftri  §  perfufus  membra  cruore, 
 Exultatque  mifer  fieri,  nam  fortius  ilium 
 Urget  Patris  honos,  et  non  vincenda  voluptas 
 Servandi  miferos  fontes.     O  nobilis  ardor 
 Pcenarum  !   O  quid  non  mortalia  peclora  cogis 
 Durus  amor  f  Quid  non  caeleftia  ? 
 
 f  Luke  xxii.  44.  *  Zecb.  xiii.  7. 
 
 %  CoK  ii.  15.  §  Luke  xxy.  44. 
 
 Fa  Ac 
 
6*  MEMOIRS-    OF 
 
 At  fubfidat  phantafia,  vanefcant  imagines* 
 Nefcio  quo  me  proripuit  amens  mufa.  Volui 
 quatuor  lineas  pedibus  aftringere,  et  ecce  ! 
 numeri  crefcunt  in  immenfum ;  dumque  con- 
 citato  genio  laxavi  froena  vereor  ne  juvenilis 
 impetus  theologiam  laeferit,  et  audax  nimis 
 imaginatio.  Heri  allata  eft  ad  me  epiftola  in- 
 dicans  matrem  meliufcule  fe  habere,  licet  ig- 
 nis febrilis  non  prorfus  deferuit  mortale  ejus 
 domicilium.  Plura  volui,  fed  turgidi  et  cref- 
 centes  verfus  noluere  plura,  et  coarclarunt 
 fcriptionis  limites.  Vale,  amice  frater,  et  in 
 fludio  pietatis  et  artis  medicas  firenuus-  de- 
 curre  1  Datum  a  mufeo  meo  Londini  xvi  Ca~ 
 lend.  Febr.  Anno  Salutis  1693. 
 
 IN    ENGLISH. 
 
 A  Letter  from  Isaac  Watts  to  his  Bro- 
 ther Richard  Watts,  ivifhing  him 
 Safety  and  Peace  in  God. 
 
 Dear  Brother, 
 
 I  had  a  fecond  receipt  of  a  letter  from  you 
 perhaps  in  the  very  moment  in  which  mine 
 came  to  hand ;  and  the  very  day  in  which  you 
 was  writing  to  me  was  the  lame  which  awak- 
 ened my  pen  to  the  difcharge  of  its  epifio- 
 lary  duty  to  you.  We  bear  not  the  fraternal 
 name  in  vain  for  the  fame  fpirit  pofleiTes,  in- 
 fpires,  and  produces  the  moil  harmonious 
 movements  in  us.     May  our  mutual  affect  io  a 
 
 every 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  69 
 
 every  day  increafe  and  flourifh  !  God  grant  his 
 kve  may  purify  and  kindle  our  fouls  !  thus 
 mall  we  in  a  divine  manner  burn  with  recipro- 
 cal flames  of  friendship.  Let  us  contemplate 
 our  Saviour,  that  celeftial  and  adorable  example 
 of  love. 
 
 The  Son  of  God,  defcending  from  the  Ckies, 
 Aflucn'd  an  human  form  that  in  our  flefh 
 He  might  endure  the  agonizing  pains 
 Due  to  our  crimes  :  our  furety  he  became 
 Transferring  to  himfelf  each  baleful  curfe 
 Of  Heav'n's  vindictive,  death-denouncing  law, 
 And  made  our  guilt  and  punifliment  his  own. 
 
 See  him  deferted  on  the  naked  ground, 
 And  kneeling  on  the  fod  extend  his  hands, 
 And  lift  his  placid  count'nance  to  the  ikies 
 With  confeious  innocence,  but  not  t'enjoy, 
 As  he  was  wont,  his  heav'nly  Father's  fmiles, 
 And  kind  embraces.     See  his  godlike  form 
 Expos'd  to  night's  cold  blaft,  and  fee  his  breaft 
 By  his  own  hands  expanded  to  the  ftroke 
 Of  Deity  in  arms.     "  Here,  here,  he  cries, 
 <c  O  Father,  plant  thy  darts,  here  plunge  thy  fvvord 
 "  Flaming  and  edg'd  for  daughter :  blood  divine 
 <c  Has  pow'r  to  expiate  the  crimes  of  men." 
 
 "  He  faid  :"  th'  Omnipotent  in  terror  rofe, 
 And  lanch'd  the  rattling  thunders  from  his  hand. 
 Now  might  the  Mufe  in  melting  lays  bemoan 
 The  Father's  tender  name  extinct  and  loft, 
 But  the  unfufFerable  noife  affrights, 
 Confounds  her,  and  in  filence  feals  her  tongue. 
 
 Tiie  fkies  afunder  rend,  the  doors  expand, 
 Where  Vengeance  in  its  iron  prifon  dwells, 
 And  in  a  thoufand  penal  terrors  reigns. 
 
 F  3  Swift 
 
jo  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Swift  iflue  huge  conglomerated  clouds 
 
 Fraught  with  outrageous  fulphur :  lightnings  thence, 
 
 All  arm'd  with  tortures  exquifitely  keen, 
 
 Voluminous,  uninterrupted  ru(h 
 
 Down  on  his  guiltlefs  head.     The  wrath  immenfe 
 
 He  firmly  fuffers,  though  beneath  his  pangs 
 
 The  blood  reluctant  quits  its  well-known  roads, 
 
 And  bathes  his  limbs  in  gore,  the  purple  fweat 
 
 In  big  round  drops  defcending  to  the  ground. 
 
 Still,  ftill  th*  Avenging  §ueen  \  her  direful  work 
 Plies  with  redoubled  fury,  loudly  chides 
 The  lagging  fire,  and  wakes  her  lingering  fword 
 To  more  than  fevenfold  rage,     "  Arife,  fhe  cries, 
 "  And  in  Immanuel's  bofom  fheathe  thy  blade, 
 "  And  drink  his  facred  blood  :  my  keeneft  fhafts 
 "  With  all  your  iron  torments  wound  his  heart : 
 "  He  can  endure  them  all,  th'  indwelling  God 
 "  Supports  the  weak  humanity  to  bear 
 u  The  weight  of  forrows  due  to  human  guilt : 
 "  And  thou,  moft  holy  law  of  ftamp  divine, 
 €e  Broken,  infulted  by  the  fins  of  men, 
 "  Here  take  full  recompence  for  all  thy  wrongs. 
 "«  See  the  full  expiation  !   See  the  blood, 
 "  Ordain'd  thine  injur'd  honours  to  reftore, 
 "  Merit  unknown  from  Deity  acquire.'' 
 
 Thus  Vengeance  fpoke,  and  with  remorfelefs  rage 
 Transfix'd  his  heart,  and  gafti'd  him  o'er  with  wounds, 
 The  inmoft  deep  recefTes  of  his  foul 
 Thrown  open,  Anguifo  there  on  cruel  wing 
 Alights,  and,  like  an  hungry  vulture,  tears 
 And  preys  upon  his  heart-firings,  but  amidfr. 
 Th'  unparallel'd  diftrefs  the  fon  of  God 
 Superior  fhines,  defies  the  fierceft  pangs, 
 And  triumphs  in  his  woes.    Heroic  Zeal 
 
 |  Divine  Juftice  or  Vengeance. 
 
 For 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  71 
 
 For  his  great  Father's  glories  arm'd  his  foul 
 Join'd  with  invincible  delight  to  fave 
 Millions  of  rebels  from  the  gulph  of  hell. 
 Such  his  ftupendous  ardor  to  endure 
 Vicarious  punifhment !   What  will  not  love 
 When  love  infpires  a  mortal  breaft  achieve  ? 
 But  when  celeftial  bofoms  catch  the  fire, 
 What  miracles  of  mercy  blaze  around  ? 
 
 But  let  fancy  with  all  its  images  fubfide  and 
 vanifh.  I  know  not  whither  the  impetuous 
 Mufe  has  hurried  me.  I  defigned  only  four 
 lines  in  verfe,  and  behold  what  a  number ! 
 While  I  have  indulged  my  rapture  I  fear  my 
 juvenile  heat,  and  too  bold  an  imagination  may 
 have  made  fome  trefpafs  on  divinity. 
 
 I  received  a  letter  yefterday  acquainting  me 
 that  our  mother  was  fomewhat  better,  though 
 the  fever  has  not  quite  left  her.  I  intended  to 
 have  written  more  particularly,  but  the  fwell- 
 ing  and  growing  verfes  have  prevented  me, 
 and  contracted  the  limits  of  my  letter.  Fare- 
 wel,  dear  brother,  and  may  you  make  ftrenuous 
 advances  in  the  ftudy  of  religion  and  medicine! 
 Given  from  my  ftudy  in  London  on  the  fix- 
 teenth  of  the  Kalends  of  February  1693. 
 
 F  4  The 
 
7z  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 The  Doctor's  Latin  Ode  addreffed  to  him- 
 felf,  entitled  Excitatio  cordis  ad  cesium  verfus,  is 
 dated  1694,  and  is  as  follows : 
 
 Heii  quot  secla  teris  carcere  corporis 
 Wattfi?  Quid  refugis  limen  et  exitum  ? 
 Ncc  mens  aethereum  culmen,  &  atria 
 
 Magni  Patris  anhelitat  I 
 Corpus  vile  creat  mille  moleftias, 
 Circum  corda  volant  et  dolor,  et  metus, 
 Peccatumque  malis  durius  omnibus 
 
 Caecas  infidias  ftruit, 
 Non  hoc  grata  tibi  gaudia  de  folo 
 Surgunt:  Chriftus  abeft,  deliciae  tuae, 
 Longe  Chrijlus  abeft,  inter  et  angelos, 
 
 Et  picta  aftra  perambulans* 
 f  Cceli  fumma  petas,  nee  jaculabitur 
 Iracunda  tonans  fulmina:  Te  Deus 
 Hortatur  \  vacuum  tende  per  aera 
 
 Pennas  nunc  homini  datas* 
 
 IN    ENGLISH, 
 
 The  Excitation  of  the  Heart  towards  Heaven* 
 
 What  mall  whole  ages  wear  away, 
 And  I  a  willing  pris'ner  ftay 
 Immur'd  within  thefe  walls  of  clay  ? 
 
 The  porch,  the  open  door  I  fee  : 
 Shall  both  confpire  to  fet  me  free, 
 And  I  (tart  back  from  liberty  ? 
 
 Shall  I  not  pant  t*  afcend  the  road, 
 That  leads  to  yon  fublime  abode, 
 The  palace  of  my  Father,  God  ? 
 
 f  Vide  Herat,  lib.  i.  ode  2. 
 
 prom 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  73 
 
 From  this  vile  flefli  what  countlefs  ills. 
 Arife  ?  Now  fear  my  bofom  chills, 
 Now  grief  in  trickling  tears  diftils  ; 
 
 While  Sin,  the  worft  of  all  my  foes, 
 Prevents  or  murders  my  repofe, 
 And  fnares  of  dark  deftru&ion  ftrows. 
 
 On  this  poor  fpot  where  canft  thou  find 
 Pleafures  of  fuch  exalted  kind 
 To  fill  the  wifhes  of  the  mind  ? 
 
 Jefus,  thy  love,  far  far  from  fight 
 Midft  ftars  and  feraphs  pure  and  bright 
 Dwells  high-enthron'd  in  worlds  of  light, 
 
 Thither  fhouldft  thou  attempt  to  go 
 Th'  Almighty  would  no  thunders  throw, 
 ]Mor  would  one  cloud  obfcure  his  brow : 
 
 Himfelf  invites  thee  to  the  fkies  : 
 From  fin  and  all  its  forrows  rife ; 
 Wings  of  fwift  flame  his  love  fupplies. 
 
 We  fhall  clofe  with  the  Dolor's  Ode  entitled 
 
 Jd  Domlnum    noftnim   et  Servatorem   Iesum 
 Christum  *. 
 
 Te,  grande  numen,  corporis  incola, 
 Te,  magna  magni  progenies  patris  j 
 Nomen  verendum  noftri  Jefu, 
 Vox,  citharae,  calami  fonabunt. 
 
 f  The  Ode  is  dated  in  the  firft  Edition  of  the  Lyric 
 Petmsy  Nov.  1694. 
 
 Aptentur 
 
MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Aptentur  auro  grandifonae  fides  ; 
 
 Chrifti  triumphos  incipe,  barbite, 
 
 Fraclofque  terrores  averni, 
 
 Vicium  erebum,  domitamque  mortem. 
 
 Immenfa  vaflos  faecula  circulos 
 Volvere,  blando  dum  patris  in  finu 
 Toto  fruebatur  Jebovd 
 Gaudia  mille  bibens  lefus  : 
 
 Donee  fuperno  vrdit  ab  aethere 
 Adam  cadentem,  tartara  hiantia, 
 Unaque  mergendos  ruina 
 
 Heu  nimium  miferos  nepotes  : 
 
 Vidit  minaces  vindicis  angeli 
 Ignes  et  enfem,  telaque  fanguine 
 Tingenda  noftro,  dum  rapinae 
 Spe  fremuere  erebaea  monftra  : 
 
 Commota  facras  vifeera  protinus 
 Sensere  fl'ammas ;   omnipotens  furor 
 Ebuliit,  immenfique  amoris 
 iEthereum  calet  igne  pectus. 
 
 44  Non  tota  prorfus  gens  hominum  dabit 
 44  Hofti  triumphos.     Quid  Patris  et  labor 
 **  Dulcifque  imago?    Num  peribunt 
 44  Funditus  ?   O  prius  aftra  caecis 
 
 fC  Mergantur  undis,  et  redeat  chaos : 
 "  Aut  ipfe  difperdam  Satanae  dolis 
 44  Aut  ipfe  difperdar,  et  ifti 
 
 44  Sceptra  dabo  moderanda  dextrae. 
 
 i 
 
 "  Teftor  paternum  nomen,  et  hoc  caput 
 
 44  iEquale  teftor."     Dixit,  et  aetheris 
 
 Inclinat  ingens  culmen,  alto  ~» 
 
 Diffiliit  ruens  olympo. 
 
 MoiUle 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS,  7$ 
 
 Mortale  corpus  impiger  induit 
 Artufque  noftros,  heu  tenues  nimis 
 Nimifque  viles  !  Vindicique 
 Corda  dedit  fodienda  ferro, 
 
 Vitamque  morti.     Proh  dolor  !    O  graves 
 Tonantis  irae  !   O  lex  nimis  afpera  ! 
 Mercefque  peccati  fevera 
 Adanrici>  vetitique  fru&us 
 
 Non  pcena  lenis  !  — Quo  ruis  impotens, 
 Quo  Mufa  !  largas  fundere  lachrymas, 
 Buftique  divini  triumphos 
 Sacrilego  temerare  fletu  ? 
 
 Sepone  queftus,  laeta,  deum  cane 
 Majore  chorda  :  pfalle  fonorius 
 Ut  ferreas  mortis  cavernas, 
 Et  rigidam  penetravit  aulam. 
 
 Senfere  numen  regna  feralia, 
 Mugit  barathrum,  contremuit  chaos, 
 Dirum  fremebat  rex  Gehennae 
 Perque  fuum  tremebundus  orciun 
 
 Late  refugit.     <c  Nil  agis,  Impie, 
 "  Mergat  vel  imis  te  PhUgethon  vadis 
 "  Hoc  findet  undas  fulmen,"  inquit, 
 Et  patrios  jaculatus  ignes 
 
 Trajecit  hoftem.    Nigra  filentia 
 Umbraeque  flammas  aethereas  pavent 
 Dudum  perofae,  ex  quo  corufco 
 Praecipites  cecidere  ccelo. 
 
 Immane  rugit  jam  tonitru  :   fragor 
 Late  ruinam  mandat :    ab  infimis 
 Le£taeque  deftinata  genti 
 Tartara  disjiciuntur  antris, 
 
 Heic 
 
.*5  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Heic  ftrata  paflim  vincula,  et  heic  jaceiU 
 Unci  cruenti,  tormina  mentium 
 Invifa,  ploratuque  vafto 
 
 Spicula  Mors  fibi  adempta  plangit, 
 
 En,  ut  refurgit  viclor  ab  ultimo 
 DitU  profundo,  curribus  aureis 
 Aftricla  raptans  monftra  noctis, 
 Perdomitumque  erebi  tyrannum. 
 
 Quanta  angelorum  gaudia  jubilant 
 Victor  paternum  dum  repetit  polurn  ! 
 En  qualis  ardet  dum  beati 
 
 Limina  fcandit  ovans  olympi  ! 
 
 Io  triumphe  plectra  feraphiea 
 Jo  triumphe  grex  hominum  fonet, 
 Dum  laeta  quaquaverfus  ambos 
 Aftra  repercutiunt  triumphos  *, 
 
 JN    ENGLISH. 
 
 To  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
 
 AN      ODE, 
 
 Thee,  Jefus^  in  whofe  perfon  join 
 The  human  nature  and  divine, 
 Th'  all-glorious  Sire's  all-glorious  Son 
 Ere  worlds  were  iorm'd  or  time  begun, 
 
 Thee 
 
 *  This  ode  may  perhaps  vie  in  the  merit  of  its  compofi- 
 tion  with  any  of  the  Lyric  performances  of  the  Greek  and 
 Latin  writers.  A  moft  aftoniihing  energy  animates,  I  may 
 truly  fay,  every  line,  and  evinces  what  uncommon  poetic 
 powers  the  Doelor  porTefted.  I  will  point  out  what  appear 
 6  to 
 
Dr.     IS  A  AC    WATTS.  77 
 
 Thee  will  I  praife  ;  thy  name  ador'd 
 
 Shall  confecrate  the  tuneful  chord; 
 
 My  tongue  thy  glories  fhall  proclaim, 
 
 And  my  pen  propagate  thy  fame. 
 
 Let  firings  of  founds  divinely  bold 
 
 Be  fitted  to  the  vocal  gold, 
 
 And  thou,  my  harp,  awake  and  tell 
 
 The  triumphs  of  Immanuel^ 
 
 How,  in  the  thunder  of  his  might, 
 
 He  put  the  infernal  hofts  to  flight, 
 
 In  fetters  bound  their  vanquifh'd  king, 
 
 Trampled  on  death,  and  crufh'd  his  fting. 
 
 Ages  immenfe  through  heav'n  had  roll'd 
 
 Their  ample  rounds  of  radiant  gold, 
 
 While  in  the  realms  of  endlefs  day 
 
 He  in  the  Father's  bofom  lay, 
 
 Of  his  unbounded  love  poflefs'd, 
 
 With  joys  immeafurable  blefs'd, 
 
 to  me  fame  of  the  mod  eminent  excellencies  of  the  poem, 
 which,  though  they  may  not  be  obferved  in  a  tranfient. 
 reading,  yet  may  firike  the  mind  with  felf-evident  Juftre, 
 upon  being  properly  difplayed,  and  duly  confidered. 
 
 In  the  reprefentation  of  our  Lord's  conquefts  over  his 
 and  our  enemies  what  can  be  more  flrongly  defcriptive 
 than 
 
 Frattofque  terrores  averni, 
 
 Vi&um  erebum,  dornitamque  mortem  ? 
 *'  The  broken  terrors  of  hell,  and  its  powers  with  thofe  of 
 "  death  vanquished." 
 
 The  felicity  of  the  Son  of  God  in  the  bofom  of  his  di- 
 vine Father  infinite  ages  before  the  world  began  is  moffc 
 happily  exprefled  in  the  third  ftanza. 
 
 Immenfa  vaftos  fascula  circulos 
 Volvere,  blando  dum  Patris  finu 
 Toto  fruebatur  Jebovd 
 Gaudia  mille  bibens  Iefus. 
 
 "  Immenfe 
 
7g  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Till  from  th'  empyreal  heights  he  faw 
 
 Adam  tranfgrefs  his  Maker's  law, 
 
 And  hell  expand  its  lake  of  fire 
 
 T'  ingulph  the  offspring  with  their  fire ; 
 
 Saw  too  th'avenging  angel  ftand, 
 
 Swords  and  keen  lightnings  in  his  hand, 
 
 And  arrows  rang'd  in  dire  array 
 
 Athirft  for  blood,  and  wing'd  to  flay ; 
 
 Then  heard  from  the  abhorr'd  profound 
 
 The  monfters  of  the  pit  refound 
 
 Their  joys,  that  man  from  God  was  driv'rt, 
 
 And  earth  to  hell's  dominion  giv'n  ; 
 
 Compaflion  not  to  be  expreft, 
 
 Like  a  fwift  flame,  pervades  his  bread  \ 
 
 To  help,  to  fave  almighty  ire, 
 
 And  love  dimenfionlefs  confpire, 
 
 "  Not  the  whole  race  of  men  fhall  \z 
 
 "  Plung'd  in  eternal  mifery  : 
 
 "  What  (hall  my  Father's  work  divine, 
 
 u  Where  his  refulgent  beauties  fhine, 
 
 "  Perifh 
 
 "  Immenfe  ages  rolled  their  vaft.  circles,  while  Jefus  in 
 "  the  blifsful  bofom  of  his  Father  poflbfled  the  full  Jeho- 
 •«  <vah,  there  imbibing  a  thoufand  joys." 
 
 What  can  more  forcibly  defcribe  the  anger,  which  in- 
 flamed our  Lord  againft  Satan  for  his  attempts  and  fuccefs 
 in  involving  mankind  in  fin  and  ruin,  and  the  amazing 
 love  of  the  fon  of  God  in  becoming  incarnate  and  fuffering 
 and  dying  for  our  redemption  than  the  lines 
 Commota  facra  vifcera  protinus 
 Sensere  Mammas  ;  omnipotens  furor 
 Ebullit,  immenfique  amoris 
 ^thereum  calet  igne  peftus  r 
 
 "  Immediately  (on  man's  fall)  his  bowels  felt  a  facred 
 "  flame.  Omnipotent  fury  boils  within  him,  and  his 
 «f  heavenly  bofom  glows  with  the  fire  of  infinite  love." 
 
 I  His 
 
Dr.'   ISAAC    WATTS.  *fo 
 
 c  Perifh  by  hellifh  fraud  and  fpite  ? 
 
 Rather  let  all  the  ftars  of  light 
 c  Be  from  their  glorious  ftations  hurl'd, 
 c  And  night  and  chaos  whelm  the  world  ; 
 c  I'll  enter  Satan's  dark  domain, 
 4  And  bind  the  felon  in  my  chain, 
 
 *  Or  he  fhall  chafe  me  from  the  field, 
 1  And  I'll  to  him  my  fceptre  yield. 
 
 c  By  my  Sire's  glories,  and  by  mine, 
 
 *  Alike  immortal  and  divine, 
 
 c  I  fwear."     He  faid,  and  bows  the  Ikies, 
 And  to  our  world  impatient  flies. 
 The  prince  of  heaven  without  delay 
 Aflumes  an  humble  form  of  clay, 
 Though  fcant  the  room,  and  poor  th'  abode. 
 Yet  honour'd  to  admit  the  God  ! 
 Thus  he  difplays  his  wondrous  grace5 
 Thus  he  redeems  our  ruin'd  race, 
 Vengeance'  full  quiver  he  receives, 
 And  for  our  own  his  life  he  gives. 
 O  the  djftrefs  !   th'  effects  how  dire 
 Of  the  oftfended  thunderer's  ire  ! 
 Edict  fevere  !  what  punifhment 
 For  Adam's  one  tranfgreffion  fent ! 
 
 He 
 
 His  readinefs  to  become  man,  and  fo  to  become  oar  Sa- 
 viour, and  his  actual  defcent  from  heaven  for  that  purpofe 
 are  defcribed  in  moil  lively  and  fuitable  language 
 
 et  setheris 
 
 Inclinat  ingens  culmen,  alto 
 Defiliitque  ruens  olympo, 
 "*  He  bends  the  mighty  fummit  of  the  heaven,  and  rulh- 
 ft  ing  down   leaps  from    the   lofty  fey."      Bending  the 
 mighty  fummit,  what  majefly  ?    Ruihing  down,  and  leap- 
 ing from  the  lofty  fey,  what  fwifmefs  and  alacrity  ? 
 
 The 
 
to  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 He  taftes  the  interdicted  tree, 
 And  death  fweeps  o'er  his  progeny. 
 But  check,  my  Mufe,  thy  plaintive  lay  $ 
 Whither  do  thy  wild  pinions  ftray  ? 
 Supprefs  thefe  fighs,  thefe  groans  reftrain, 
 What  fliall  a  flood  of  tears  prophane         » 
 The  triumphs  of  Immanuel's  tomb  ? 
 .Rather  a  joyful  (train  aflume, 
 And  in  thy  nobleft  numbers  tell 
 How  he  defcended  into  hell, 
 And  entered  the  tremendous  cells 
 Where  death  in  night  and  horror  dwells  ; 
 
 The 
 
 The  behaviour  of  Satan  upon  our  Lord's  entrance  into 
 the  infernal  regions  is  finely  imagined  in  the  following 
 verCes, 
 
 Dirum  fremebat  rex  gehenna?, 
 Perque  fuum  tremebundus  crcum 
 
 Late  refugit. 
 
 "  The  king  of  hell  roars  horribly,  and  trembling  flies 
 "  hither  and  thither  through  his  domain."  Kis  roaring 
 horribly  exprefTes  the  terrors  that  poflHTed  him  only  at 
 the  fight  of  him  who  had  driven  him  into  that  place  of  pu- 
 nifhment,  and  who  now,  as  he  could  make  no  doubt,  was 
 come  to  inflict,  forer  plagues  upon  him  *  and  his  trembling 
 flight  to  find  fome  corner  or  depth  of  hell  to  efcape  his 
 vengeance  implies  a  confcioufnefs  of  his  utter  incapacity  to 
 encounter  his  adverfary,  and  a  dread  of  feeling  worfe  tor- 
 ments from  his  hands,  and  therefore  he  inftantly  and  ea- 
 gerly feeks  a  retreat  from  his  prefence  and  power. 
 
 In  what  images  of  invincible  ftrength  and  fovereign  ma- 
 jefty  do  we  find  the  infernal  prifon?  deftined  for  the  con- 
 finement of  thofe  fouls  whom  Chrifi  meant  to  redeem 
 broken  up  and  deftroyed  by  him  ? 
 
 Immane  rugit  jam  tonitru  :  fragor 
 Late  ruinam  mandat ;  ab  infimis 
 Lectseque  defignata  genti 
 
 Tartara  disjiciuntur  antris. 
 
 "  Now 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATT  S.  81 
 
 The  dreary  feats  his  prefence  own'd, 
 
 And  to  their  inmofl  caverns  groan'd, 
 
 Chaos  through  all  his  empire  fhook, 
 
 Th*  alarm  th'  infernal  tyrant  took, 
 
 And,  roaring  loud  in  wild  affright, 
 
 Ran,  fled  through  all  the  realms  of  nightj 
 
 In  hope  to  hide  his  guilty  head> 
 
 When  thus  the  Lord  of  glory  faid  ; 
 
 <c  Monfter,  curs'd  caufe  of  fin  and  woe> 
 
 M  In  vain  thou  try'fl  to  fhun  my  blow  : 
 
 "  This  bolt  fhall  find,  fhall  pierce  thee  through* 
 
 <c  Though,  to  conceal  thee  from  my  view, 
 
 "  Thou 
 
 tc  Now  immenfe  thunder  roars*  the  peals  difFufe  wide 
 ruin,  and  the  infernal  abodes  defigned  for  the  chofen  race 
 are  torn  up  from  their  lov/eft  caverns." 
 
 But  furely  nothing  can  exceed  in  poetical  merit  tRe  fol- 
 lowing ftanza  where  the  Dodor  defcribes  the  deftruclion 
 of  the  infernal  engines  of  torture,  the  conqueft  of  death, 
 and  his  confeqaent  diftrefs : 
 
 Heic  ftrata  pafTim  vincula,  et  heic  jacent 
 Unci  cruenti,  tormina  mentium 
 Invifa  ;  ploratuq;    vafto 
 
 Spicula  Mors  fibi  adempta  plangit.- 
 "  Here  chains  are  every  where  fcattered,  and  here  lie 
 ■'  bloody  racks,  the  hated  tortures  of  fouls,  all  in  ruins, 
 *'  and  Death  bemoans  his  darts  taken  from  him  with  vait 
 "  lamentation."  What  can  be  fitter  words  to  exprefs  the 
 moll  pungent  forrow  than  ploratu  vafio,  valt  lamentation  ? 
 They  bring  to  my  mind  the  lines  of  Milton — 
 Cocytus  nam'd  of  lamentation  loud 
 
 Heard  on  the  rueful  ftream 
 
 and  in  both  the  poets  huge  ami&ion   is  expfefted  not   in 
 fhort  but  long  founds. 
 
 The  afcent  of  our  Lord  from  hell  as  a  conqueror  with  his 
 and  our  enemies  dragged  at  his  triumphal  chariot  is  ad- 
 mirably defcribed  in  the  lines 
 
 G  En 
 
$2  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 "  Thou  under  hell's  profundeft  wave 
 
 "  Should'ft  dive  to  feek  a  fheltering  grave/' 
 
 He  fpoke,  and  with  unerring  aim 
 
 Full  on  the  foe  he  fluno-  the  flame 
 
 His  Father  gave  :  through  all  the  coafts 
 
 Hell  trembled,  trembled  all  the  ghofts, 
 
 Who  well  etherial  fires  might  dread 
 
 Ere  fince  before  their  force  they  fled 
 
 From  the  celeflial  light  and  blifs 
 
 Down  to  the  bottomlefs  abyfs. 
 
 Now  from  the  deep  loud  thunders  found 
 
 Scattering  immenfe  deflruclion  round, 
 
 Tear  up  the  dungeons  from  their  bafe 
 
 Prepar'd  t' immure  the  chofen  race. 
 
 Here  in  a  thoufand  fragments  lie 
 
 Engines  of  hellifh  tyranny, 
 
 Fetters, 
 
 En  ut  refurgit  viclor  ab  ultimo 
 Ditis  profundo,  curribus  aureis 
 Aflri&a  raptans  monfcra  noclis 
 Perdomitumq;  erebi  tyrannum  ! 
 "  See  how  the  victor  afcends  from  the  profoundeft  hell 
 "  hurrying  away  the  monfters  of  darkncfs,  and  the  van- 
 "  quifhed  tyrant  of  hell  bound  to  his  golden  chariots. " 
 The  word  raptans,  hurrying,  /notching  by  'violence,  is  ad- 
 mirably well  chofen  to  exprefs  our  Lord's  abfolute  domi- 
 nion over  his  and  our  enemies,  and  their  utter  inability  to 
 refill  his  power,  when,  as    the    fcripture   fays,    "  he   af 
 '<  cendedup  on  high,  and  led  captivity  captive. " 
 
 There  is  another  beauty  in  this  divine  ode  which  I  fiiaU 
 point  out,  and  which  ihall  clofe  my  obfervaiions  upon  it. 
 It  lies  in  the  1  aft  ftanza. 
 
 lo  triumphe,  plectra  feraphica, 
 lo  triumphe,  grex  hominum  fonet, 
 Dum  laeta  quaquaverfus  ambos 
 Aftra  repercutiunt  triumpho?, 
 
 Let 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  83 
 
 Fetters,  wheels,  racks  afunder  burft, 
 And  every  cruelty  accurs'd. 
 While  Death  in  lamentable  groans 
 The  plunder  of  his  darts  bemoans. 
 But  fee  the  God,  with  conqueft  crown'd, 
 Returning  from  the  dark  profound, 
 See  up  heav'n's  hills  the  triumph  roll'd, 
 See  to  his  wheels  of  burning  gold 
 Proud  Satan  chain'd,  and  with  a  throng 
 Of  hell's  grim  monfters  dragg'd  along* 
 Whatfhouts  of  joy  from  angels  rife, 
 While  he  afcends  his  native  fkies  ? 
 What  pleafure  in  the  victor  gloW'd, 
 While  through  the  gates  of  blifs  he  rode  I 
 His  praifes,   ye  feraphic  choirs, 
 Refound,  and  fweep  your  golden  lyres, 
 His  praifes  too  all  human  tongues 
 Refound,  and  tune  the  noblefr.  fongs, 
 While  the  glad  ftars,  that  round  the  pole 
 'Twixt  heaven  and  earth  inceffant  roll, 
 Seize  from  both  worlds  the  tuneful  found* 
 And  waft  th'  immortal  echos  round* 
 
 As  an  appendix  to  the  above  account  of  the 
 Doctor's  academical  fludies  it  may  be  fome  en- 
 tertainment to  my  readers  to  be  informed  who 
 
 *f  Let  the  feraphic  harps  tune  their  fongs,  let  the  race 
 "  of  men  found  his  praife,  while  the  joyful  ftars  en  every 
 "  fide  echo  to  both  the  triumphs ;"  that  is,  to  that 
 of  feraphs  above,  and  to  that  of  men  below*  The 
 ftars,  perpetually  rolling  between  the  heaven  of  heavens 
 and  the  earth j  are  called  upon  by  our  divine  poet  to  repeat 
 the  fongs  of  angels  as  they  defcend  to  our  world,  and  the 
 fongs  of  meh  as  they  afcend  to  the  celeftial  regions,  and 
 thus,  as  the  confequence,  there  will  be  a  boundlefs,  and 
 immortal  praife. 
 
 G  2  were 
 
84  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 were  his  fellow-ftudents,  arid  were  honoured 
 with  his  efteem  and  friendfliip ;  I  fhall  men- 
 tion three  of  the  number,  Mr.  Jofiab  Hort> 
 Mr*  John  Hughes^  and  Mr.  Samuel  Say.  Mr. 
 Jofiah  Hort  was  his  acquaintance  and  fellow - 
 pupil  as  the  Doctor  told  me,  and  that  with 
 this  commendation,  cc  that  he  was  the  firft 
 <{  genius  in  the  academy."  This  gentleman, 
 after  having  been  educated  at  a  DifTent- 
 ing  academy,  and  probably  defcended  from 
 Diflenting  parents,  went  into  the  Eftablifh- 
 ed  church.  At  what  age  of  life  he  con- 
 formed I  am  unable  to  determine,  though  it 
 is.  evident  he  was  a  minifler  in  the  church  of 
 England  fo  early  as  the  year  1708,  as  it  is  faid 
 at  the  clofe  of  the  preface  to  his  collection  of 
 fermons  *  reprinted  at  London  1757,  cc  that 
 <c  the  prefent  edition  differed  nothing  more 
 "  from  that  printed  at  Dublin  than  the  addi- 
 cc  tion  of  the  feventeenth  fermon,  which  was 
 cc  preached  at  the  Archdeacon's  vifitation  at 
 cc  Aylejbury  in  1708,  and  firft  printed  the  fame 
 iC  year."  My  information  concerning  him  is 
 that  he  became  chaplain  to  Mr.  Hampden  j, 
 that  he  afterwards  went  into  Ireland  with  the 
 
 *  The  title  of  this  colle&ion  is,  "  Sermons  on  practical 
 "  Subje&s  infcribed  to  the  Clergy  of  Kilmer -e  and  Ardagh 
 "  by  the  Right  Rev.  Jofiab  Hort,  D.  D.  Lord  Bifhop  of 
 "  thofe  Diocefes,  late  Lord  Archbifhop  of  Tuam,  Pri- 
 "  mate  and  Pvfletropolitan  oiCcnnanght" 
 
 f  John  Hampden,  Efq.  Member  of  Parliament  for 
 Buds. 
 
 Lord 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS.  85 
 
 Lord  Lieutenant  in  the  fame  capacity  *,  was 
 advanced  (in  what  year  I  cannot  afcertain) 
 to  the  Bifhoprick  of  Kilmore  and  Ardagh  in 
 that  kingdom,  and  in  January  1742  was  made 
 Archbifhop  of  Tuam>  with  the  united  Bifhop- 
 rick of  Enaghdoen  in  the  room  of  Br.  Synge 
 deceafed,  and  likewife  with  liberty  to  retain 
 his  other  Bimoprick  of  Ardagh.  He  died  Dec. 
 14,  1751*  at  what  age  I  cannot  affirm,  but  he 
 muft  have  been  far  advanced  in  life  as  he  was 
 Br.  Watts 's  fellow-ftudent  fifty-  feven  years 
 before. 
 
 It  mould. feem  that  Mr.  Hort  was  no  ftranger 
 to  the  mufes,  fince  upon  receiving,  as  feems 
 probable,  a  copy  of  verfes  from  him  the  Doc- 
 tor tranflated  and  infcribed  to  him  an  epigram 
 of  Martial  to  Cirinius. 
 
 So  fmooth  your  numbers,  friend,  your  vetfe  fo  fweet, 
 [  So  fharp  the  jeft,  and  yet  the  turn  fo  neat, 
 That  with  her  Martial  Rome  would  place  Cirine9 
 Koine  would  prefer  your  fenfe  and  thought  to  mine  : 
 Yet  modeft  you  decline  the  public  ftage 
 To  fix  your  friend  alone  amidft  th'  applauding  age. 
 
 *  Who  the  Lord-Lieutenant  was,  as  I  know  not  at 
 what  time  Mr,  Hort  went  into  Ireland,  I  have  not  fufficient 
 grounds  to  fay,  but  the  fifth  fermon  of  the  above-mentioned 
 collection  "  is  faid  to  have  been  preached  before  his  grace 
 "  the  Duke  of  Bolton  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  after 
 "  the  fuppreffion  of  the  Pre/ion  Rebellion"  in  17 15.  The 
 Duke  of  Bolton  might  not  improbably  therefore  be  the 
 Lord-Lieutenant  whom  Mr.  Hort  attended  as  his  chap- 
 lain. 
 
 G  3  So 
 
86  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 So  Maro  did  :  the  mighty  Maro  fings 
 In  vaft  heroic  notes  of  vaft  heroic  things, 
 And  leaves  the  ode  to  dance  upon  his  Flaccus  firings 
 He  fcorn'd  to  daunt  the  dear  Horatian  lyre, 
 Though  his  brave  genius  flafh'd  Pindaric  fire, 
 And  at  his  will  could  filence  all  the  Lyric  choir  : 
 So  to  his  Varius  he  refign'd  the  praife 
 Of  the  proud  bufkin,  and  the  tragic  bays, 
 When  he  could  thunder  with  a  loftier  vein, 
 And  fing  of  gods  and  heroes  in  a  bolder  ftrain. 
 
 An  handfome  treat,  a  piece  of  gold,  or  fo, 
 And  compliments  will  every  friend  beftow: 
 Rarely  a  Virgil,  a  Chine  we  meet, 
 Who  lays  his  laurels  at  inferior  feet, 
 And  yields  the  tendered  point  of  honour,  wit. 
 
 Mr.  John  Hughes  was  alfo  the  Doctor's  friend 
 and  fellow-ftudent.  This  gentleman  was  born 
 at  Marlborough  in  Wiltjhire,  Jan.  9,  1677,  but 
 was  educated  at  London,  receiving  the  firfl  ru- 
 diments of  his  learning  in  private  fchools,  and 
 afterwards  becoming  a  pupil  of  Mr.  Rowe's, 
 for  the  Botlor  fays  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Buncombe  *, 
 €C  that  they  were  fellow-fludents  together  in 
 "  logic  and  philofophy."  The  Boclor  informed 
 me  that  Mr.  Hughes  by  his  own  confeflion  fo  en- 
 tirely devoted  himfelf  to  the  charms  of  poetry 
 that  he  gave  little  or  no  attention  while  he  was 
 at  the  academy  to  any  thing  befide,   and  that 
 
 *  See  the  Letters  by  John  Hughes  Efq;  and  feveral  other 
 eminent  perfons  deceafed  publifhed  from  the  originals  by 
 John  Duncombe  M.  A.  in  three  volumes.  The  letter  re-* 
 ferred  to  is  the  78th  in  the  3d  volume. 
 
 the 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  $7 
 
 the  Doclor  in  confequence  advifed  him  to  decline 
 the  miniftry.  Accordingly  it  does  not  appear 
 that  Mr.  Hughes  even  fo  much  as  preached  once 
 in  public,  and  it  is  very  certain  that  he  be- 
 came a  votary,  and  indeed  an  eminent  favorite 
 of  the  mufes  j\  What  fentiments  Br.  Watts 
 entertained  concerning  his  poems  will  appear 
 from  a  letter  of  his  to  Mr.  Buncombe,  dated 
 May  23,  1735  J.  (c  Your  letter,  fays  he, 
 "  and  the  prefent  of  Mr.  Hughes's  works  were 
 cc  joyfully  received  by  me  the  next  day  after 
 cc  I  faw  you.  Methinks  I  fee  the  very  man, 
 cc  my  old  acquaintance  there  with  his  temper 
 <c  and  foftnefs,  his  wit  and  fprightly  genius. 
 <c  fpreading  almoft  over  every  page.  But  my 
 cc  forrow  frefhens  and  renews  upon  my  heart 
 "  that  fuch  a  genius  did  not  live  to  write  more 
 "  moral  and  divine  odes  in  advanced  years  to 
 cc  be  a  counterpoife  to  all  the  charms  of  plea- 
 fc  fure  and  youth  and  beauty  which  his  younger 
 "  poefy  indulged.  Yet  it  muft  be  confefTed  I 
 <f  can  find  nothing  which  is  an  offence  to  vir- 
 "  tue  and  piety,  fo  far  as  I  have  perufed,  and 
 "  I  have  read  more  than  half.  The  chriflian 
 <c  fcheme  has  glories  and  beauties  in  it,  which 
 c<  have  fuperior  power  to  touch  the  foul  be- 
 «  yond  all  the  gods  and  heroes  of  the  heathen 
 "  heaven  or  elyiium.      I    fhould  have   been 
 
 f  See  his  poems  on  feveral  occaiions  with  fome  feleft 
 eflays  in  profe  in  two  volumes, 
 
 I  Hughes's  Letters,  Vol.  iii.  Letter  87. 
 
 G  4  "  much 
 
88  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 <c  much  pleafed  to  fee  fuch  a  pen  employing 
 <c  its  art  on  fuch  themes.  Mr.  Pope's  Meffiah 
 ec  always  charms  me.  I  fpeaknot  now  of  Mr, 
 cc  Hughes's  odes  on  the  Creator  of  the  world, 
 cc  the  Ecftafy,  &c.  becaufe  I  have  read  them 
 cc  long  ago  :  thefe  have  fo  much  dignity  in 
 *c  them  that  I  wifhed  for  more  of  the  fame 
 "  kind." 
 
 As  Mr.  Hughes  fhone  as  a  poet  fo  he  had 
 alfo  a  fine  pen  for  profe,  and  had  fome  fhare  in 
 the  Guardian,  a  greater  in  the  Taller,  and  more 
 abundantly  contributed  to  the  Spectator.  As 
 to  his  fituation  in  life  he  had  for  fome  time  an 
 employment  in  the  office  of  ordnance,  and 
 was  fecretary  to  two  or  three  commiffions  un- 
 der the  great  feal  for  purchafing  lands  for  the 
 better  fecurity  of  the  docks  and  harbours  at 
 Port  [mouth,  Chatham,  and  Harwich.  In  17 17 
 the  Lord  Chancellor  Cowper,  to  whom  Mr. 
 Hughes  was  then  but  lately  known,  was  pleaf- 
 ed of  his  own  accord,  and  without  any  previ- 
 ous felicitation  to  make  him  his  fecretary  for 
 the  commifTions  of  peace,  and  to  diftinguilli 
 him  with  fingular  marks  of  his  favour  and  af- 
 fection, and  upon  his  Lordfhip's  laying  down 
 the  great  feal  he  was  at  his  particular  recom- 
 mendation, and  with  the  ready  concurrence  of 
 his  fucceffor,  continued  in  the  fame  employ- 
 ment under  the  Earl  of  Macclesfield.  It  appears 
 from  the  account  of  Mr.  Hughes's  -life  and 
 writings  prefixed  to  his  works  f  that  he  expe- 
 
 f  Page  2. 
 
 rienced 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    W  A  T  T  S.  £9 
 
 rienced  frequent  confinement  from  indifpofi- 
 nori,  and  had  a  continual  valetudinary  flate  of 
 health,  and  as  his  life  was  thus  fpent  as  it  were 
 under  the  flroke  of  death,  lb  its  thread  was  cut 
 afunder  by  a  confumption  at  the  age  only  of 
 42,  Feb.  17,   1719. 
 
 Mr.  Samuel  Say  was  another  acquaintance  and 
 fellow-fludent  with  Dr.  Watts.  He  was  born 
 about  1675,  and  was  the  fecond  fon  of  Mr. 
 Giles  Say  minifter  of  St.  Michael's  parifh  in  the 
 town  of  Southampton,  but  ejected  thence  by  the 
 Aft  of  Uniformity  in  1662.  Mr.  Say,  the  fon, 
 difcovered  when  he  was  but  young  a  firong  in- 
 clination to  the  minillry.  His  father  accord- 
 ingly took  care  to  have  him  educated  in  the 
 bed  manner  he  could  for  this  purpofe  from  his 
 earlieft  years,  and  about  1692  he  entered  as  a 
 pupil  in  Mr.  Rowe's  academy.  When  he  had 
 finifhed  his  ftudies  he  became  chaplain  to 
 'Thomas  Scott  Efq;  of  Liminge  in  Kent,  a  gentle- 
 man eminent  for  piety  and  goodnefs,  and  who 
 was  bleffed  with  a  lady  of  the  fame  difpofition. 
 Mr.  Say  continued  in  the  family  three  years, 
 and  was  well  efteemed  by  all  for  his  Chriflian 
 behaviour  and  exemplary  converfation.  Thence 
 he  went  to  Andover  in  Hampfhire,  but  in  aihort 
 time  removed  to  Tarmouth  in  Norfolk.  He 
 made  no  long  flay  there,  but  foon  became  a 
 conftant  preacher  in  the  neighbouring  town  of 
 Loweftoff  in  Suffolk.  Here  he  continued  18 
 years  labouring  in  word  and  doctrine,  but  not 
 being  able  all  the  time  to  bring  the  people 
 
 among 
 
9o  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 among  whom  he  miniftered  into  a  regular 
 church  order,  he  never  fettled  with  them  as 
 their  paftor.  Hence  he  was  invited  to  a  co- 
 paftorfhip  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel  Baxter  of 
 Jpfwich  in  Suffc7k,  where  he  remained  nine 
 years,  and  thence  was  called  to  fucceed  Dr.  Ed- 
 mund Calamy,  then  lately  deceafed,  in  the  paf- 
 torfhip  of  the  church  of  Proteftant  Diffenters 
 in  Wefiminfier.  He  removed  thither  in  1734, 
 and  continued  in  his  paftoral  relation  till  April 
 12,  1743,  when  he  left  our  world  after  a  week's 
 illnefs  in  the  68th  year  of  his  age. 
 
 Dr.  Hughes  in  his  funeral  fermon  for  Mr. 
 Say  draws  a  very  lovely  character  of  him  as  a 
 minifter,  and  the  editor  of  his  poems  *  and 
 other  compofures  published  a  year  or  two  after 
 his  death  pays  him  the  following  honours  : 
 <c  He  had  great  candour  and  good  breeding 
 <c  without  iliffnefs  or  formality  ;  an  open 
 ff  countenance,  and  a  temper  always  commu- 
 "  nicative.  He  was  a  tender  hufband,  an  in- 
 <c  dulgent  father,  and  of  a  mod  benevolent 
 <c  difpofition ;  ever  ready  to  do  good,  and  to 
 <c  relieve  the  wants  of  the  diftrefTed  to  the  ut- 
 "  mod  extent  of  his  abilities.  He  was  well 
 <c  verfed  in  Aftronomy  and  Natural  Phi  lofopby,  had 
 f<  a  tafte  for  Mufic  and  Poetry,  and  was  a  good 
 "  critic,  and  mafter  of  the  Clajfics."  Mr.  Say's 
 Poems  are  not  deflitute  of  merit,  but  the  two 
 eiTays  in  profe  publi fried  with  them,  the  firft  on 
 
 *  William  Duncombe  Efq, 
 
 the 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATT  S.  91 
 
 the  harmony,  variety,  and  power  of  numbers 
 in  general,  and  the  other  on  thole  of  Milton  s 
 Paradife  Loft  in  particular,  c<  have  been  much 
 cf  admired,  fays  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Buncombe 
 «  (the  editor  of  Mr.  Hughes's  Letters)  by  per- 
 «  fons  of  tafte  and  judgment. "  Readers  of 
 thofe  eflays  will  learn  what  beauties  arife  from 
 numbers,  and  how  much  they  contribute  to 
 fine  compofition,  and  be  convinced  that  Mil- 
 tons  happy  management  of  his  paufes,  and  his 
 infufion  of  Spondees,  Trochees,  *md  Datlyls  with 
 the  Iambics  of  an  Englifh  verie,  as  his  fubjecls 
 and  defcnptions  required,  are  among  the  dis- 
 tinguishing glories  of  his  poem.  This  difco- 
 very  I  believe  I  may  truly  affirm  was  fir  ft  made 
 by  Mr.  Say,  and  he  therefore  is  alone  entitled 
 to  the  honour  of  it,  though  others  have  fince 
 availed  themfelves  of  it  without  acknowledging 
 to  whom  they  were  indebted.  It  may  be  fur- 
 ther added  in  the  words  of  the  editor  of  Mr* 
 Say's  works,  "  that  thefe  eflays  were  drawn  up 
 "  at  the  requeft  of  Mr.  Richard/on  the  painter, 
 u  who  was  pleafed  with  Mr.  Say's  uncommon 
 <c  way  of  thinking."  And  how  juft  as  well  as 
 uncommon  his  way  of  thinking  was  I  need 
 only  refer  my  readers  as  proof  to  the  eflays 
 themfelves.  I  fhall  clofe  this  article  when  I 
 have  obferved  that  Dr.  Watts  informed  me 
 Mr.  Say  was  of  opinion  that  to  conftitute  a  true 
 poem,  Machinery,  or  the  introduction  of  Deity, 
 Angels,  Daemons,  and  the  like  was  neceflary, 
 pbferving  that  the  word  voir,/**,  or  poem  was 
 
 I  derived 
 
92  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 derived  from  srois&j  to  create.  For  my  own  part 
 I  will  not  affirm  that  fuch  a  machinery  is  efTen- 
 tial  to  .a  true  poem,  but  I  own  that  it  is  the 
 fource  of  variety,  vigour,  and  grandeur,  and 
 therefore,  when  properly  employed,  is  the  firfl 
 and  nobleft  embellifhment. 
 
 CHAP.     IV. 
 A  Review  of  his  Life. 
 
 AFTER  the  Bcffor  had  finifhed  his  aca- 
 demical ftudies  at  the  age  only  of  twenty 
 years  he  returned  to  his  father's  houfe  at 
 Southampton,  where  he  fpent  two  years  in  read- 
 ing, meditation,  and  prayer  j  in  reading  to 
 poiTefs  himfelf  of  ampler  knowledge ;  in  me- 
 ditation by  which  he  might  take  a  full  furvey 
 of  ufeful  and  facred  fubjecls,  and  make  what 
 he  had  acquired  by  reading  his  own;  and 
 prayer  to  engage  the  divine  influences  to  pre- 
 pare him  for  that  work  to  which  he  was  deter- 
 mined to  devote  his  life,  and  of  the  importance 
 of  which  he  had  a  deep  fenfe  upon  his  fpirit. 
 
 Having  thus  employed  two  years  at  his  Fa- 
 ther's he  was  invited  by  Sir  John  Hartopp  Ba- 
 ronet to  refide  in  his  family  at  Stoke  Newingtonx 
 near  London,  as  tutor  to  his  fon  *,  where  he 
 
 continued 
 
 *  Among  the  Doftor's  works  are  two  difcourfes,  one  en- 
 titled the  laft  enemy  conquered \  a  funeral  fermon  on  the  death 
 of  Lady Hartopp,  daughter  of  Charles  Fleetwood  E(q;  and  wife 
 
 of 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     W  A  T  T  S.  93 
 
 continued  five  years,  and  by  his  behaviour  pro- 
 cured himfelf  fuch  efleem  and  refpect  as  laid 
 
 the 
 
 of  Sir  JohnHartopp,  who  died  Nov.  9,  171 1  ;  and  the  other 
 entitled  The  happinefi  of  feparate  fpirits  made  perfeSi,  a  fu- 
 neral fermon  for  Sir  John  Hartopp  himfelf,  who  died  April 
 1,  1722.  Aged  85.  As  the  Doftor  had  no  lefs  than  five 
 years  ingrafture  into  Sir  John's  family  for  the  purpofes  of 
 educating  his  fon,  it  may  not  be  improper  to  give  fome  ac- 
 count concerning  him,  efpecially  as  the  Doctor's  own  faith- 
 ful as  well  as  ingenious  pencil  has  drawn  his  character. 
 iC  When  I  name  Sir  John  Hartopp,  fays  he  towards  the 
 "  clofe  of  his  difcourfe,  all  that  knew  him  will  agree  that 
 "  I  name  a  gentleman,  a  fcholar,  and  a  Chriftian.  He 
 "  fhone  with  eminence  among  perfons  of  birth  and  title  on 
 tl  earth  f  ;  while  his  obliging  deportment  and  affable. tem- 
 M  per  rendered  him  eafy  of  accefs  to  all  his  inferiors,  and 
 ({  made  him  the  delight  of  all  his  friends.  Though  he 
 *f  knew  what  was  due  to  his  quality  in  this  world,  yet  he 
 *c  affecled  none  of  the  grandeurs  of  this  life,  but  daily 
 "  pra&ifed  condefceniion  and  love,  and  fecured  the  re- 
 "  fpe£t  of  all  without  affuming  a  fuperior  air.  He  had  a 
 "  tafte  for  univerfal  learning,  and  ingenious  arts  were  his 
 "  delights  from  his  youth.  He  purfued  knowledge  in  va- 
 **  rious  forms,  and  was  acquainted  with  many  parts  of 
 **  human  fcience.  Mathematical  fpeculations  and  prac- 
 <(  tices  were  a  favourite  ftudy  with  him  in  younger  years* 
 "  and  even  to  his  old  age  he  maintained  his  acquaintance 
 "  with  the  heavenly  bodies,  and  light  and  made  whereby 
 "  time  is  meafured.  But  the  book  of  God  was  his  chief 
 "  ftudy,  and  his  divineft  delight.  His  bible  lay  before 
 "  him  night  and  day,  and  he  was  well  acquainted  with 
 "  the  writers  who  explained  it  beft.  He  was  denrous  of 
 "  feeing  what  the  Spirit  of  God  faid  to  men  in  the  origi- 
 "  nal  languages ;  for  this   end  he  commenced   fome  ac- 
 
 •j-  His  Grandfather   Sir  Edward  Hartopp    was   created  a  baronet  by 
 Kirg  James  L  1619,  but  a  few  years  after  the  inftitution  of  the  crdcr. 
 
 -"  quaintance 
 
9+  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 the  foundation  of  that  fricndfhip  which  fub-» 
 fitted  between  him  and  his  pupil  to  the  day  of 
 
 his 
 
 t»  —  -  -     ■ 
 
 *'  quaintance  with  the  Hebrew  when  he  was  more  than 
 **  fifty  years  old  ;  and,  that  he  might  be  capable  of judg- 
 **  ing  of  any  text  in  the  Ne-zv  Teftament  he  kept  his  youth- 
 "  ful  knowledge  of  the  Greek  language  in  fome  meafure 
 "  to  the  period  of  life.  Among  the  various  themes  of 
 "  chriftian  contemplation  he  took  peculiar  pleafure  in  the 
 *'  doctrines  of  grace,  in  the  difplay  of  the  glories  of  the 
 "  perfon  of  Chrift,  God  in  our  nature,  and  the  wondrous 
 "  work  of  redemption  by  his  crofs.  He  adored  him  as 
 "  his  Lord  and  his  God,  and,  while  he  trulted  in  his 
 cc  righteoufnefs  as  the  great  mediator,  and  beheld  him  as 
 *'^his  crucified  Saviour,  he  was  ever  zealous  to  maintain 
 ■•  the  honours  due  to  his  divine  nature  and  majefiy.  His 
 •'  practice  in  life  was  agreeable  to  his  chriftian  principles, 
 "  for  he  knew  that  the  grace  of  God,  which  brings  fal- 
 ,£  vation  to  men,  teaches  them  to  deny  all  ungodlinefs, 
 *'  and  to  live  fober,  righteous,  and  religious  lives,  that 
 "  in  all  things  they  may  adorn  the  do&rine  of  God  their 
 **  Saviour.  His  converfation  was  pious  and  learned,  in- 
 ••  genious  and  inflruclive.  He  was  inquifitive  into  the 
 *c  affairs  of  the  learned  world,  the  progrefs  of  arts  and 
 *f  fciences,  the  concerns  of  the  nation,  and  the  inter efts 
 <s  of  the  church  of  Chrift,  and  upon  all  occafions  was  as 
 ••  ready  to  communicate  as  he  was  to  inquire.  What  he 
 **  knew  of  the  things  of  God  or  man  he  refolved  not  to 
 **  know  them  only  for  himfelf,  but  for  the  benefit  of  all 
 "  who  had  the  honour  of  his  acquaintance.  There  are 
 "  many  of  his  friends  who  will  join  with  me  to  confels 
 *<  how  often  we  have  departed  from  his  company  rcfrefhed 
 "  and  advanced  in  ufeful  knowledge;  and  I  cannot  but 
 "  reckon  it  among  the  bleftlngs  of  heaven  when  I  review 
 •*  thofe  five  years  of  pleafure  and  improvement  which  I 
 •'  fpent  in  his  family  in  my  younger  part  of  life,  and  I 
 •'  found  much  inftruftion  myfelf  where  I  was  called  to 
 "  be  an  inftruttor.     His  fceal  for  the  welfare  of  his  coun - 
 
 °  try, 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     W  ATT  S.  9$ 
 
 his  death.     But  while  he  aflifted  Mr.  Hartopp's 
 ftudies  he  did  not  neglect  his  own,  for  not  only 
 
 did 
 
 «  try,  and  of  the  church  of  Chriit  in  it  carried  him  out  to 
 «  the  moft  extenfive  and  toilfome  fervices  in  his  younger 
 1  and  middle  age.  He  employed  his  time,  his  fpirits, 
 «  his  intereft,  and  his  riches  for  the  defence  of  this  poor 
 f  nation,  when  forty  years  ago  it  was  in  the  utmoft  dan- 
 1  ger  of  popery  and  ruin  *.  His  doors  were  ever  open  and 
 
 *  his  carriage  always  friendly  and  courteous  to  the  mi- 
 
 ■  nifters  of  the  gofpel,  though  they  were  diftinguifhed 
 '  among  themfelves  by  names  of  different  parties,  for  he 
 
 ■  loved  all  who  loved  Jefus  Chrift  in  fincerity.  He  chofe 
 '  indeed  to  bear  a  part  in  conftant  public  worfliip  with 
 1  the  protefiant  dijfenters,  for  he  thought  their  practices 
 1  more  agreeable  to  the  rules  of  the  gofpel.  He  joined 
 '  himfelf  in  communion  with  one  of  their  churches  which 
 1  was  under  the  paftora!  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Owen, 
 '  where  he  continued  an  honourable  member  under  fuc- 
 4  ceffive   paftors   to  the  day  of  his  death.     Nor  was  he 
 
 *  afhamed  to  own  and  fupport  that  defpifed  intereft, 
 '  nor  to  frequent  thofe  aflemblies,  when  the  fpirit  of  per- 
 
 *  fecution  raged  higheft  in  the  days  of  King  Charles  and 
 4  King  James  the  Second.     He    was  a  prefent  refuge  for 
 
 <  the  opprefTed,  and  the  fpecial  providence  of  God  fe- 
 
 *  cured  him  and  his  friends  from  the  fury  of  the  opprefTor. 
 c  He  was  always  a  devout  and  diligent  attender  on  public 
 
 <  ordinances  till  the  lad  years  of  his  life,  when  the  in- 
 
 *  firmities  of  age  coming  upon  him  confined  him  to  his 
 1  private  retirements.  But  if  age  confined  him,  death 
 1  gave  him  a  releafe.     He  is  exalted  now  to   the  church 
 
 *  in  heaven,    and  has   taken  his  place   in  that  glorious 
 aflembly,  where  he  vvorfhips   among  them  before  the 
 
 *  He  was  three  times  chofen  reprefentative  in  parliament  for  his 
 county  of  Lelcejlerjhire  in  thofe  years  when  a  facred  seal  for  liberty 
 and  religion  ftrove  hard  to  bring  in  the  bill  of  cxclufion  to  prevent  the 
 
 Duke  of  York  inheriting  the  crown  of  England, 
 
 "  throne. 
 
96  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 did  lie  make  further  improvement  in  thofc 
 parts  of  learning  in  which  he  inftrucled  the 
 young  gentleman,  but  he  applied  himfelf  to 
 reading  the  fcriptures  in  the  original  tongues, 
 and  the  bed  commentators  critical  and  prac- 
 tical. 
 
 The  DoElor  began  to  preach  on  his  birth-day 
 1693  at  24  years  of  age,  and  was  the  fame  year 
 chofen  afiiftant  to  Dr.  Ifaac  Cbauncy,  paftor  of 
 the  church  then  meeting  at  Mark-lane,  Lon- 
 don. But  his  public  labours  which  met  with 
 general  acceptance  were  interrupted  by  a 
 threatening  illnefs  of  five  months,  which  was 
 
 *'  throne.  There  he  has  no  need  to  relieve  his  memory 
 "  by  the  fwiftnefs  of  his  pen,  which  was  his  perpetual 
 €t  practice  in  the  church  on  earth,  and  by  which  means 
 "  he  often  entertained  his  family  in  the  evening-worfliip 
 *'  on  the  Lord's  day  with  excellent  difcourfes,  fome  of 
 *'  which  he  copied  from  the  lips  of  fome  of  the  greater! 
 "  preachers  of  the  lait.  age.  There  his  unbodied  fpirit 
 *f  is  able  to  fuibiin  the  fublimeft  raptures  of  devotion, 
 €t  which  run  through  the  worfhippers  in  that  heavenly 
 "  flate,  though  here  on  earth  I  have  feen  the  pious  plea- 
 "  fure  too  ftrong  for  him,  and,  while  he  has  been  read- 
 "  ing  the  things  of  God  to  his  houfhold,  the  devotion  of 
 <f  his  heart  has  broken  through  his  eyes,  has  interrupted 
 *'  his  voice,  and  commanded  a  facred  paufe  and  filence." 
 Such  was  that  excellent  man  in  whofe  family  the  Doflor 
 refided  for  the  inftru&ion  of  his  fon,  the  late  Sir  John 
 Hartopp,  Bart,  a  gentleman  of  abilities  and  learning  which 
 might  have  adorned  a  public  fphere,  but  he  preferred  a 
 private  life  all  his  days.  He  eileemed  and  honoured  his 
 worthy  preceptor  while  living,  and  ihowed  his  regards  to 
 his  memory  after  his  deceafe.  He  died  at  Bath,  January 
 13,   1762. 
 
 thought 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  97 
 
 thought  to  have  originated  from  the  fervor  of 
 his  zeal  in  preaching  the  glorious  Gofpel  of 
 his  Lord  and  Saviour.  However  his  ficknefs 
 did  not  difcourage  him  from  renewing  his  de- 
 lightful work,  as  foon  as  Providence  was 
 pleafed  to  reftore  him  to  health.  A  good 
 ibldier  of  Jefus  Chrifl  when  he  receives  a 
 wound  in  the  field  will  not  be  difheartened, 
 but  cheerfully  return  to  his  arms  and  duty  as 
 foon  as  he  is  capable  of  attempting  any  further 
 fervice  in  the  eaufe  of  his  Divine  Mailer. 
 
 In  January  1701-2  the  Dotlcr  received  a 
 -call  from  the  church  above  mentioned  to  fuc- 
 ceed  ~Dr.  Chauncy  in  the  pafloral  office  which 
 he  accepted  the  very  day  King  William  died, 
 March  8,  1701-25  notwithstanding  the  difcou- 
 raging  profpeel  which  that  event  particularly 
 gave  to  non- conform  id  miniflers,  and  the  fears 
 with  which  #  filled  the  hearts  of  di (Tenters  in 
 general.  But  he  had  fet  his  hand  to  the .. 
 plough,. and  would  not  look  back,  and  accord- 
 ingly he  was  folemnly  ordained  to  the  pafloral 
 office   on  March    18th    fallowing*.     But  the 
 
 j°y 
 
 *  My  learned  and  worthy  brother,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Savage, 
 fucceilbr  to  Dr.  Waits  in  the  paftorfhip  of  the  church,  has  fa- 
 voured me  with  the  records  of  its  tranfa&ions  in  which  I  find 
 a  letter  of  difmifHon  and  recommendation  of  Dr.  Watts  from 
 the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Rovue's  church  which  runs  as  follows. 
 To  the  Church  of  Chrift,  of  which   the  Rev.  Dr. 
 Chaimcy  was  lately  Paftor. 
 Forafmuch    as    our  dear   Brother  Mr.  Ifaac  Watts  who 
 was   with  great    fatisfnftion  admitted   a  member  amongft 
 U  us, 
 
9g  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 joy  of  the  church  in  their  happy  fettlement  in 
 fo  able  and  excellent  a  pallor  was  quickly  after 
 fadly  damped  bv  his  being  feized  with  a  pain- 
 ful 
 
 us,  and  hath  fince  walked  as  becomes  the  gofpel  to  the 
 glory  of  God  and  to  the  honour  of  his  holy  profeflion,  doth 
 now  defire  his  difmiffion  from  us,  we  do  in  compliance 
 therewith  discharge  him  from  his  memberfhip  among  us 
 in  order  to  his  being  received  by  you,  praying  that  his 
 minifterial  labours,  and  thofe  gifts  and  graces  wherewith 
 the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  great  head  of  the  church,  hath 
 been  pieafed  fo  richly  to  furnilh  him  may  be  abundantly 
 blefled  to  the  converfion  of  fouls,  and  your  edification, 
 to  whofe  grace  and  bleffing  we  do  from  our  hearts  com- 
 mend both  him  and  you. 
 
 Subfcribed  with  the  confent  r  Thomas  Rowe,  Paftor, 
 of  the  church  by  <  Nathan ael  Peacock, 
 
 Feb.  26,  1701-2.  (  John   Antrim. 
 
 How  honourable  and  affectionate  is  this  teftimonial  to 
 the  Do&or's  character  after  eight  years  continuance  with 
 Mr.  Ronve's  church  ! 
 
 It  appears  from  the  faid  records  that  Dr.  Watts  on  the 
 day  in  which  he  was  ordained  to  the  paftoral  office  de- 
 clared publickly  and  folemnly  his  acceptance  of  the  choice 
 the  church  had  made  of  him  to  that  fervice  in  the  fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
 Brethren, 
 You  know  what  a  conftant  averfion  I  have  had  to  any 
 propofals  of  a  paftoral  office  for  thefe  three  years,  even 
 fince  the  providence  of  God  called  me  firft  among  you.  You 
 know  alfo  that,  fince  you  have  given  me  an  unanimous  and 
 folemn  call  thereto,  I  have  heartily  prcpofed  feveral 
 methods  for  your  fettlement  without  me,  but  your  choice 
 and  your  affections  feemed  frill  to  be  fettled  and  unmoved. 
 I  have  objected  warmly  and  often  my  own  indifpofitions  of 
 body  which  incapacitate  me  for  much  fervice,  and  I  have 
 
 pointed 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS.  99 
 
 ful  and  alarming  illnefs,  which  laid  him  afide 
 for  fome  time,  and  from  which  he  recovered 
 but  by  flow  degrees.  Upon  which  the  church 
 faw  it  needful  to  provide  him  with  a  flated 
 affiftant,  and  accordingly  the  Rev.  M?\  Samuel 
 
 pointed  often  to  three  reverend  divines  that  are  members 
 of  this  church,  whole  gifts  might  render  them  more  pro- 
 per for  inftruclion,  and  whofe  age  for  government.  Thefe 
 things  I  have  urged  till  I  have  provoked  you  to  forrow 
 and  tears,  and  till  I  myfelf  have  been  almoft  afhamed. 
 But  your  perfeverance  in  your  choice  and  love,  your  con- 
 ftant  profeffion  of  edification  by  my  miniftry,  the  great 
 probability  you  mew  me  of  building  up  this  famous  and 
 decayed  church  of  Chrifl  if  I  accept  the  call,  and  your 
 prevailing  fears  of  its  diflblution  if  I  refufe,  have  given 
 me  ground  to  believe  that  the  voice  of  this  church  is  the 
 voice  of  Chrift  by  you  :  and  to  anfwer  this  call  I  have  not 
 confulted  with  flefh  and  blood:  I  have  laid  afide  the 
 thoughts  of  myklf  to  ferve  the  intereft  of  our  Lord.  I 
 give  up  my  own  eafe  for  your  foiritual  profit  and  ycur 
 increafe.  I  fubmit  my  inclinations  to  my  duty,  and  in 
 hopes  of  being  made  an  inflrument  in  the  hands  of  Chrifl 
 to  build  up  this  ancient  church  I  return  this  folemn  anfwer 
 to  your  call,  that,  with  a  great  {enfe  of  my  own  inability 
 in  mind  and  body  to  difcharge  the  duties  of  fo  facred  an 
 office,  I  do,  in  the  ftrength  of  Chrift,  venture  upon  it, 
 and  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jefus  I  accept  your  call, 
 promifing  in  the  prefence  of  God  and  his  faints  my  utmoft 
 diligence  in  all  the  duties  of  a  paftor  fo  far  2s  God  mall 
 enlighten  and  ftrengthen  me ;  and  I  leave  this  promife 
 in  the  hands  of  Chrifl  our  mediator  to  fee  it  performed 
 by  me  unto  you  through  the  affiftance  of  hh  grace  and 
 fpirit. 
 
 What  devotion,  humility,  and  tender  regard  to  the 
 good  of  fouls  run  through  this  addrefs,  and  how  well,  as 
 will  hereafter  be  (hewn,  did  he  afterwards  fulfil  his  mini- 
 ftry according  to  his  facred  engagements  ? 
 
 H    2  Price 
 
roo  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Price  was  chofen  to  that  fervice   in  July  1703* 
 But    notwithstanding  the    ~Dottor\    public   la- 
 bours   were  by   thefe  means  confiderably   re- 
 lieved* yet  his  health  remained  fluctuating  for 
 fame  years.     However  as    it  increafed  he   re- 
 newed   his   diligence    in    the  difcharge  of  his 
 miniilry,  and   his  people  were  delighted  and 
 edified  with  his  fermons  from  the  pulpit,  and  his 
 converfes  with  them  in  the  vifits   he   made  to 
 their  families.     He  went  on  without  any  con- 
 iiderable  interruption   in  his  work,    and   with 
 great  fuccefs  and  profperity  to  the  church  till 
 the  year  17 12,  when  in  September  he  was  feized 
 with   a  violent   fever  which  fhook  his   consti- 
 tution, and  left  fu-ch  weaknefs  upon  his  nerves 
 as   continued  with  him   in  fome  degree  to  his 
 dying  day.     Upon   this  occafion   prayer   was 
 made  without  ceafing  of  the  church  unto  God 
 for  him.     Several   days   of  fuppli cation  were 
 kept  on  his  account,  in  which  many  of  his  bre- 
 thren in    the    miniflry   atfifted,    and   wreflled 
 carneftly  with  the  Lord  for  the  continuance  of 
 fo  promifing  an  inftrument  of  his  glory.     He 
 was  gracioufly  pleafed  to  anfv/er  their  impor- 
 tunate requefts  by  adding  to  his  life  more  than 
 thirty-fix  years,  moft  of  them  indeed  years  of 
 feeble  health    to- himfelf,  but  of  eminent  ufe- 
 fuinefs    to   the   church    and  world.      Not   till 
 October   17 16   (more   than   four  years,  a   long 
 and    painful  chafm  as    to   the  exercife   of  his 
 ministry  both  to   his  people  and  himfelf)  was 
 the  Bcuor  able  to  return  to  his  public  fervices, 
 
 but 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  ro* 
 
 but  in  the  mean  time  his  afTifrant  Mr.  Price 
 was  at  his  defire,  and  upon  his  recommendation, 
 chofen  by  the  church  to  be  co-paflor  with 
 him,  to  which  office  he  was  ordained  March 
 
 Though  this  long  interval  of  ficknefs  was 
 on  fome  accounts  a  very  diftreffing  feafon,  yet 
 a  kind  providence  made  it  the  happiefl  rera 
 of  the  Doctor's  life,  as  it  was  the  occafion  of 
 introducing  him  into  the  family  of  Sir  Thomas 
 Abney  Knt.  and  Alderman  of  London  *,    who,  on 
 
 principles 
 
 *  As  I  have  giveji  fome  account  of  Sir  John  Hartopp 
 I  mail  alfo  communicate  fome  memoirs  of  Sir  Thomas 
 Abney  and  his  lady,  in  whofe  family  the  DoJIor  relided 
 thirty-fix  years,  and  where  he  ended  his  days. 
 
 Upon  the  deceafe  of  Sir  Thomas  Abney  the  Rev.  Mr. 
 Jeremiah  Smith,  his  pallor,  preached,  and  publiftied  a  fu- 
 neral fermon  from  z  Cor.  v.  6,  7,  8.  To  the  fermcn  he 
 has  annexed  fome  memoirs  of  the  life  and  character  of 
 Sir  Thomas,  of  which  the  following  is  an  abridgment. 
 Sir  Thomas  was  one  of  the  younger  fons  of  James  Abney 
 Efq.  of  Wiljley  in  the  county  of  Derby,  whofe  anceftcrs 
 have  enjoyed  that  feat  and  a  fair  eitate  in  the  neighbour- 
 hood above  500  years.  He  was  born  in  January  1639, 
 and  was  the  religious  fon  of  worthy  and  pious  parents. 
 His  mother  dying  when  he  was  young,  and  in  the  times 
 of  public  confufion  by  which  the  family  were  no  fmall 
 fufFerers,  his  father  placed  him  at  fchool  at  Loughborough  in 
 the  county  of  Leicejier,  that  he  might  be  under  the  eye 
 and  care  of  his  aunt  the  honourable  and  virtuous  Lady 
 Bromley,  relift  of  Sir  Edward  Bromley  a  Baron  of  the  Ex- 
 chequer in  the  reigns  of  Queen  Elizabeth  and  James  I. 
 Her  pious  inftru&ions,  it  is  believed,  made  early  impref- 
 fions  upon  him.  and  were  the  happy  means  of  a  fober  and 
 H  3  religious 
 
1G2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 principles  of  the  mod  generous  companion  and 
 friendfhip,    took    him  in    a  very  languifhing 
 
 ftate 
 
 religious  turn  of  mind  which  continued  through  the  whole 
 of  his  life.     Thus   under  the  influence  of  divine  grace  he 
 was    fortified  againft   temptations  in    his   apprenticemip. 
 An  heart  at  that  critical  juncture  pre-engaged   and   firmly 
 refolved  on  the  fide  of  virtue  and  religion  could  not  but  be 
 of  great  advantage  for  his  fecurity,  efpecially  as  he  took 
 all  opportunities  of  attending  the  mofr  judicious  and  practical 
 preachers,    under  whom   he  became  the  more 
 in  thofe  good  principles  which  his  pious  aunt  had 
 into  him.     His  perfonal  character  was  in  all  refpe&s  highly 
 commendable,  not    only  clear  from  the  vices   of  tne  age 
 but  very  exemplary  and    eminent.     His  piety  and   ferious 
 regard  to  religion  were  confpicuous.     He  feared  God  from 
 his  youth,  and  (hewed  the  truth  and  power  of  that  divine 
 principle  which    guided,    animated,  and    influenced  him 
 in  all   his  anions.     The   duties    of  the   fecond   table,  in 
 which   he   was  careful  and  exact,  were  all    performed   in 
 virtue  and  purfuance  of  the  duties  of  the   firrt.     The  fear 
 and  love  of  God,  and  the  defire  of  pleafmg  and  honouring 
 him  were  the   fpring  and  very  life  and  foul    of  every   ac- 
 tion, confecrating,  as  it  were,  his  whole  life,  and  in    a 
 fenfe  making  all  that  he  did  an  honour  and  worfhip  to  his 
 God.     To  his  piety  were  joined  his  probity  and  juftice. 
 He  was  pious  towards  God,  and  righteous   in   his  tranf- 
 aclions  with  men.     He  was  finccre  in  his  words  and  pro- 
 mifes,  and  faithful   in  his   engagements  and  trulls,  never 
 giving  into  any  ways  of  fraud,  deceit,  or  collufion.     He 
 fought  no  gain  but  with  a  good  confcience,  and  made   no 
 hafte  to  be  rich,  and  God  crowned  and  blefied  his  fair  and 
 righteous  conduct  with  confiderable  increafe.     He  was  of 
 a    meek   and  quiet    fpirit,    he   was  affable  and  courteous, 
 very  temperate  in  meats  and  drinks,  and  the  pleafures  of 
 life.     He  was  very  charitable  both    in  his  judging   and 
 fpeaking  of  other,,  and  in   adminiitering  to  the  neceflities 
 
 of 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  103 
 
 flate  of  health  to  his  own  houfe,  where  he  was 
 mod  liberally  fupplied  with  all  which  could 
 
 contribute 
 
 of  fuch  as  were  in  want.  He  was  of  a  catholic  fpirit,  ex- 
 tending his  love  and  regard  to  perfons  of  all  parties  bear- 
 ing the  Chriftian  name  however  divided  in  lefTer  mat- 
 ters. He  was  companionate  and  tender-hearted,  readily 
 fympathifing  with  his  friends  in  their  forrows,  and  full 
 of  pity  towards  objects  of  mifery.  He  was  patient  and 
 felf-denying,  by  no  means  fet  upon  his  own  will  and  way. 
 He  was  an  affectionate  and  tender  hufband,  a  loving  and 
 prudent  father,  and  watchful  over  the  good  and  happinefs 
 of  his  children  ;  he  was  a  juft  and  kind  mafter,  and  for 
 holy  order  and  government,  and  the  exercifes  of  religion 
 his  houfe  might  be  confidered  as  a  temple  or  a  church  of 
 the  living  God.  Here  were  every  day  the  morning  and 
 evening  facrifices  of  prayer  and  praife,  and  reading  the 
 holy  fcriptures,  many  times  with  proper  helps  to  under- 
 hand and  profit  by  them.  The  Lord's  day  he  ftrictly  ob- 
 ferved  and  fanctified.  God  was  folemnly  fought  and 
 worshipped  both  before  and  after  the  family's  attendance 
 on  public  ordinances.  The  repetition  of  fermons,  the 
 reading  good  books,  the  instruction  of  the  houfehold,  and 
 the  finging  the  divine  praifes  together  were  much  of 
 the  facred  employment  of  the  holy  day  ;  variety  and 
 brevity  making  the  whole  not  burdenfome  but  pleafant, 
 leaving  at  the  fame  time  room  for  the  devotions  of  the 
 clofet,  as  well  as  for  intervening  works  of  neceility  and 
 mercy.  Perfons  coming  into  fuch  a  family  with  a  ferious 
 tincture  of  mind  might  well  cry  out,  M  This  is  no  other 
 "  than  the  houfe  of  God,  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven!5* 
 Befides  the  ordinary  and  ftated  fervices  of  religion  occa- 
 iional  calls  and  feafons  for  worfnip  were  alfo  much  re- 
 garded. In  fignal  family  mercies  and  aiHicliions,  in  go- 
 ing journies,  in  undertaking  and  accomplifhing  any  mat- 
 ters of  greater  moment  God  was  efpecially  owned  by 
 prayer  and  thankfgiving ;  the  afiifiance  of  minifters  being 
 often  called  in  upon  fuch  occafions.  Through  the  whole 
 H  4  ccurfe 
 
104  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 contribute   to  his  convenience  and  fatisfaction 
 to  the  end  of  his  days  -,  for  though  this  eminent 
 
 friend 
 
 courfe  of  his  life  he  was  prieil  in  his  own  family,  excepting 
 when  a  minifter  happened  to  be  prefent,  or  any  fuch  fo- 
 journed  with  him.  Sir  Thomas' &  confcant  practice  was  to 
 lead  his  houfehold  in  the  afts  of  worihip,  and  to  offer  up 
 their  addrelTes  to  God,  which  he  performed  with  great  fe- 
 rioufnefs  of  thought,  and  warmth  of  affeclion.  The  word 
 of  God  being  read  (Con Han tly  as  a  preface  to  prayer  in  his 
 family  he  chofe  to  do  that  a! To  himfelf,  unlefs  for  a  few  of 
 the  lalt  years  of  life,  in  which  he  thought  fit  to  put  the 
 performance  of  that  part  of  religious  duty  upon  his  chil- 
 dren. As  to  the  fermons  that  were  read  in  the  evening  of 
 the  Lord's  day  he  took  that  fervice  upon  himfelf,  and  held 
 on  in  that  courfe  to  his  laft  ficknefs  and  death,  and  thofe 
 who  refided  in  his  houfe  were  witnefibs  with  what  afrechon 
 he  went  through  that  work,  and  how  often  he  hath  been 
 melted  into  tears  {o  that  he  could  fcarce  proceed  without  a 
 paufe.  It  may  be  further  remarked  concerning  this  excel- 
 lent man  that  when  he  has  juft  come  from  the  necefiary 
 bufinefs  and  affairs  of  his  itation,  that  it  was  (till  with  fuch 
 a  cornpoiure  of  fpirit  that  he  was  ever  in  a  frame  for  the 
 exercifes  of  religion,  and  gave  reafon  thence  to  conclude 
 that  he  walked  with  God  all  the  day  long*. 
 
 Much  more  might  be  faid  concerning  this  worthy  man, 
 particularly  of  his  behaviour  in  the  houfe  of  God,  his  civil 
 life  and  magiftracy,  and  his  ferene  and  comfortable  death, 
 but  I  muft  prefcribe  bounds  to  myfelf  on  this,  head  as  I 
 have  propofed  writing  not  S:r  Thomas  Abney's  but  Dr. 
 Wcjts's  memoirs,  but  permit  me  to  add  a  brief  account  of 
 
 *  As  a  moft  demonfirative  and  (hiking  proof  of  Sir  Tkomas'a  conflant 
 regard  to  Gcd  and  the  duties  he  owed  him,  Lady  Airicy  informed  mc,  that 
 he  ke^t  un  regular  prayer  in  his  family  during  aii  \.\i  mayoralty,  and  that, 
 upon  the  evening  of  the  day  he  entered  on  his  office,  he  without  any  no- 
 :;^c  withdrew  from  the  public  affembly  at  Gutkbail  afier  tapper,  went  to 
 h  s  houfe,  there  performed  family  \Aoiil.ip,  and  then  returned  to  ;he  com- 
 pany, 
 
 the 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  105 
 
 friend  of  his  country  and  the  church  of  God, 
 and   particularly   of  the  Doftcr,    died   in    the 
 
 year 
 
 the  public  capacities  in  which  he  appeared,  and  the  fer- 
 vices  he  rendered  his  country  in  them.  In  1693  he  was 
 elected  Sheriff  of  London  and  Middle/ex,  which  truft  he  fo 
 honourably  and  faithfully  executed  that  before  his  year  ex- 
 pired he  was  chofen  Alderman  of  Vintry  Ward,  and  received 
 alfo  the  honour  of  Knighthood  from  King  William.  In 
 1700  he  was  chofen  Lord  Mayor  fome  yean  before  his  turn. 
 In  this  year  his  hearty4 zeal  for  the  Proteftant  intereft  ex- 
 erted itfelf  in  an  uncommon  degree.  He  had  the  courage 
 and  refolution  at  that  juncture  to  propofe  an  addrefs  from 
 the  Common  Council  to  the  King,  though  he  was  much  op- 
 pofed  in  it  by  the  majority  of  his  brethren  of  the  bench. 
 The  defign  and  purport  of  the  addrefs  was  to  fignify  their 
 refolution  and  readinefs  to  ftand  by  his  Majejly  in  oppofi- 
 tion  to  France  and  the  Pretender,  whom  the  French  monarch 
 had  lately  caufed  to  be  proclaimed  King  of  Great  Britain. 
 By  his  great  pains  and  prudence  Sir  Thomas  furmounted  all 
 the  obstructions  the  adverfaries  of  this  affair  threw  in  his 
 way,  and  he  carried  his  point  with  remarkable  fuccefs. 
 This  addrefs  was  tranfmitted  to  King  William  then  be- 
 yond the  feas,  forming,  guiding,  and  uniting  the  counfels 
 of  the  Protefiant  world,  and  by  his  power  and  intereft 
 refcuing  and  fuftaining  the  liberties  of  Europe.  When  this 
 noble  refolution  of  the  city  of  London  was  publicly  known, 
 it  animated  the  affairs  of  the  King,  and  gave  new  life  to 
 his  intereft  both  abroad  and  at  home.  A  considerable  per- 
 fon  then  living  complimented  Sir  Thomas  dbney  on  this 
 occafion,  affuring  him  "  that  he  had  done  more  fervice  to 
 "  the  King,  than  if  he  had  raifed  him  a  million  of  money. " 
 This  leading  example  of  London,  under  the  conduct  of 
 their  chief  magistrate,  greatly  infpirited  the  whole  nation, 
 and  was  followed  by  addreffes  of  the  like  nature  from  moil 
 of  the  corporations.  Upon  which  the  King  diflblved  the 
 parliament,  and  refolved  to  have  the  fenfe  of  his  people 
 
 upon 
 
io6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 year   1722,    the  like  benevolent  fpirit  he  had 
 difcovered  was  continued  by  his  worthy  relict 
 
 Lady 
 
 upon  the  prefent  conjuncture  of  affairs  exprefled  in  their 
 choice  of  a  new  one,  as  he  told  them  in  that  lalt  admirable 
 fpeech  of  his  December  31,  1701.  This  Parliament  J  hap- 
 pily attained  the  ends  this  excellent  Prince  had  in  view,  for 
 they  quickly  formed  an  aft  for  the  abjuration  of  the  Preten- 
 der, and  the  further  eflablifliment  of  the  Protefiant  fucccj/ion 
 to  the  throne.  This  law  received  the  royal  affent  but  the 
 day  before  the  King  died,  and  he  left  it  as  his  belt  legacy 
 for  the  nation.  By  this  mean  the  crown  was  fecured  to  the 
 houfe  of  Brunfwic,  for  though  it  was  declared  by  the  pre- 
 ceding Parliament  to  belong  to  that  family,  yet,  in  the  ap- 
 prehenfion  of  wife  and  thoughtful  men,  the  defcent  of  it 
 in  the  appointed  line  was  too  precarious  till  it  was  guarded 
 and  fecured  by  a  fubfequent  law  againft  all  oppofers.  So 
 much  was  the  fuccefilon  of  the  houfe  of  Hanover  to  thefe 
 kingdoms  obliged  to  the  zeal  and  labours  of  a  Protefiant 
 diffenter  ! 
 
 The  above  account,  as  before  obferved,  is  extracted  from 
 the  memoirs  of  his  life  by  his  paftor,  and  the  world  may 
 fee  it  confirmed  in  Dr.  Watts' s  paper  in  his  Mifccllanies  en- 
 titled the  Honourable  magi  fir  ate,  and  his  elegiac  Ode  at  his 
 death  in  the  fame  volume. 
 
 Lady  Abney  was  the  daughter  of  John  Gunfion  Pfq\  of 
 Stoke  Ne-xvi.-igton,  and  was  married  to  Sir  Thomas  in  1700. 
 Her  character  is  well  delineated  in  its  mining  excellencies 
 in  a  fermon  upon  her  death  by  her  Pallor  the  Rev.  Mr. 
 Samuel  Price,  and  indeed  her  graces  and  virtues,  as  I  can 
 attcft  from  my  acquaintance  with  her,  (hone  in  an  uncom- 
 mon union  and  luftre,  which  I  endeavoured  to  defcribe  in 
 an  ode  I  publifhed  not  long  after  her  deceafe.  If  any  per- 
 fons,  judging  from  the  general  appearance  of  religion  in 
 
 \  Sir  7  bom  as  was  chofen  by  the  citizens  of  London  a  member  of  this 
 parliament,  to  the  calling  of  which  his  conduct  in  the  Mayoralty  might  as 
 we  have  feen  have  (a  much  influence* 
 
 the 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS,  107 
 
 Lady  Mary  Abney,  and  their  daughters.     Her 
 Ladyfhip   furvived   the  Dottor  above   a  year, 
 
 and 
 
 the  prefent  day,   mould  imagine  upon  viewing  the  pifture 
 I  drew  of  her  Ladyfhip  that  I  was  too  Iavifh  of  my  colours, 
 I  am  well  fatisfied,   had  they  known  the  original,   they 
 would  confefs  I  had  only  done  juftice  to  it  f. 
 The  ode  is  as  follows, 
 
 To  the  Memory  of  that  amiable  Mirror  ofChrifiian  Grace  and 
 Virtue  Dame  Mary  Abney,  who  departed  this  Life  Jan. 
 12,   I749-50' 
 
 The  Mufe,  who  on  her  facred  firings 
 
 Virtue's  immortal  honours  fings, 
 
 Thus  warbling  to  the  vernal  fhade 
 
 The  female  Character  efTay'd. 
 Let  wifdom's  majefty  ferene 
 
 And  dove-like  gentlenefs  be  feen 
 
 On  woman's  brows,  and  mingling  there 
 
 At  once  excite  our  love  and  fear. 
 
 Inftead  of  vanity's  array 
 
 T'outvie  the  luftres  of  the  day 
 
 Decent  and  model*  be  her  drefs 
 
 Such  as  may  fuitably  exprefs 
 
 How  fhe  the  inward  gem  can  prize 
 
 Beyond  the  cafket  where  it  lies. 
 
 Let  undiffembled piety 
 
 With  heavVs  unerring  rules  agree  ; 
 
 Not  like  the  popijh  faith,  which  teems 
 
 With  monftrous  tales,  and  idle  dreams, 
 
 Nor  fram'd  from  pagan  fc hemes  that  fhun 
 
 The  ftream,  where  peace  and  pardon  run. 
 
 f  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Cooke,  a  gentlewoman  eminent  for  her  piety  and  ufe- 
 fulnefs,  whofehoufe  was  next  Lady  Abney\  and  who  for  many  years  was 
 well  acquainted  with  her,  told  me,  **  that  if  (he  fncu'.d  wifl»  herfelf  to  be 
 *f  any  perfon  complete  fhe  would  wi/h  herfelf  to  be  hady  Jbney."  Such 
 were  the  exalted  ideas  fhe  entertained  of  her. 
 
 -  Let 
 
io3  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 and  the  youngeft  of  the  three  daughters   Mrs. 
 Elizabeth  Abney  is  flill  living.     Of  their  kind 
 
 and 
 
 Let  ev'ry  truth  the  fcriptures  mow 
 
 Upon  her  heart  divinely  glow, 
 
 And  fhed  its  undiminifh'd  rays 
 
 O'er  all  the  tenor  of  her  days, 
 
 As  mine  unquench'd  the  orbs  on  high, 
 
 While  meteors  mount  and  blaze,  and  die. 
 
 Is  fhe  a  *wife  ?  Let  winning  lo-ve, 
 
 Obedience,  and  difcretion  prove 
 
 How  well  fhe  dignifies  the  name 
 
 With  nuptial  care,  and  nuptial  flame. 
 
 Is  fhe  a  mother?  Let  her Jkill 
 
 And  afliduity  fulfil 
 
 A  mother's  arduous  talk,  and  guide 
 
 Her  children  blooming  at  her  fide 
 
 Along  religion's  blifsful  ways, 
 
 And  teach  the  pleafure  and  the  praife  : 
 
 Be  it  her  labour  to  deltroy 
 
 Each  weed  that  might  her  plants  annoy, 
 
 To  bend  the  branches  as  they  fhoot, 
 
 And  nurfe  young  virtue's  bud  to  fruit. 
 
 Should  riches  to  her  charge  be  giv'n, 
 
 Let  her  improve  the  boon  for  heav'n  ; 
 
 The  bounds  of  wealth  let  her  furvey, 
 
 And  in  the  fcales  of  wifdom  weigh 
 
 What  portion  jujiice  may  demand, 
 
 And  what  may  crown  her  gen'rous  hand, 
 
 Then  ope  her  charitable  door, 
 
 And  deal  her  bounties  to  the  poor ; 
 
 While  plenty  round  her  houfe  is  fhown 
 
 Alike  to  want  or  wade  unknown, 
 
 Plenty,  which  Temp' ranee1  hand  reftrains, 
 
 And  guided  by  Difcretion's  reins. 
 
 Upon  the  Sabbath's  glad  return 
 
 Religion's  radiant  lamp  mould  burn, 
 
 Witk 
 
Dr.     IS  A  AC     WATTS.  109 
 
 and  honourable  regards  to  him  I  will  fay  no- 
 thing, except  that  I  myfelf  was  a  frequent 
 witnefs    of  them   in  the  many  vifits  which  at 
 
 different 
 
 With  double  Iuftre  through  the  day 
 Without  ceffation  or  decay. 
 Be  regular  attendance  giv'n 
 At  God's  own  houfe,  the  port  of  heav'n, 
 Nor  let  the  remnant-hours  complain 
 That  they  have  pour'd  their  fands  in  vain  ; 
 Nor  let  religion  veil  its  light 
 When  heav'n's  high  day  has  vving'd  its  flight, 
 But,  as  the  morn  and  ev'ning  run 
 Perpetual  circles  with  the  fun, 
 Let  pure  devotion's  flames  afcend, 
 While  her  whole  family  attend, 
 And  join  in  fupplicating  cries, 
 And  grateful  honours  to  the  ikies. 
 Let  courtefy  with  heart  fmcere 
 In  all  her  life  to  all  appear, 
 But  let  her  fav'rite  friends  be  few, 
 And  like  herfelf  to  virtue  true. 
 Let  ever  wakeful  prudence  guide 
 Her  bark  o'er  life's  uncertain  tide, 
 Cautious  otfattWy's  firen  breath. 
 Which  lulls  the  lift'ning  foul  to  death, 
 And  fandir  which,  like  JEtna  pours 
 Tumultuous  ftorm  and  burning  fhow'rs, 
 But  let  her  be  divinely  bold 
 Duty's  obftructed  path  to  hold, 
 When  tempefts  beat,  and  thunders  roll, 
 And  hideous  night  involves  the  pole  : 
 Purfuing  thus  her  glorious  way 
 At  length  the  mores  of  heav'nly  day 
 Shall  mine,  and  with  the  vifion  bleft,  -| 
 
 Her  foul,  of  holy  calms  pofleft,  J 
 
 Shall  make  the  port  of  endlefs  reit."  i 
 
 Thus 
 
no  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 different  times  I  made  to  that  mod  refpe&able, 
 virtuous,  and  happy  family. 
 
 Though  the  Doflor's  life  from  the  time  of 
 clofing  his  ftudies  affords  but  little  variety, 
 and  admits  only  of  a  fhort  narration  as  it 
 flowed  along  in  an  even  uniform  tenor,  one 
 year,  one  month,  one  week,  one  day  being 
 in  a  manner  a  repetition  of  the  former,  yet  fe- 
 veral  obfervations  may  be  made  upon  the 
 events,  few  as  they  may  be  which  occurred, 
 which  may  prove  not  unentertaining  or  unin- 
 ftruttive  to  my  readers.  My  firft  obfervation 
 fhall  be  upon  the  Doctor's  very  favourable  op- 
 portunities for  improvement  in  the  interval  be- 
 tween his  leaving  the  academy,  and  his  en- 
 trance upon  the  work  of  the  miniftry,  which 
 might  much  contribute  to  that  eminent  figure 
 he  afterwards  made  as  a  divine,  and  an  author. 
 He  retired  for  two  years  to  his  father's  for  the 
 noble  purpofe  of  reading,  meditation,  and 
 prayer.  He  was  in  the  houfe  of  one  who  un- 
 doubtedly loved  him  with  a  moft  tender  af- 
 fection, who  had  it  in  his  power  to  grant 
 him,  and  whofe  paternal  kindnefs  could  not 
 refufe  every  thing  that  could  tend  to   make 
 
 Thus  fung  the  Mufe,  fair  Truth  was  by, 
 Crown'd  with  the  radiance  of  the  fky, 
 And  fwift  rcply'd  :    "  And  dares  thy  verfe 
 "  Abney\  high  character  rehearfe  ? 
 •*  Her  name  fuperior  to  thy  praifc 
 "  Deferves  the  fongs  which  angels  raife." 
 
 him 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  in 
 
 him  comfortable,  and  promote  and  forward 
 his  laudable  defigns  j  he  was  in  the  houfe  of 
 a  man  of  eminent  piety,  and  who  would  not 
 fail  to  cherifh  the  divine  life  which  to  his  un- 
 speakable joy  he  obferved  in  his  fon.  What 
 large  draughts  of  knowledge  then  mull  the 
 Doflor,  confidering  his  early  and  inextinguifh- 
 able  third  for  improvement,  neceflarily  im- 
 bibe by  a  daily  courfe  of  reading,  contempla- 
 tion, and  prayer,  and  all  this  without  any 
 interruption  amidft  the  enjoyment  of  a  fa- 
 ther's wife  and  pious  counfels  and  converfa- 
 tion,  and  the  edifying  and  animating  efficacy 
 of  his  holy  example  ?  From  his  father's  roof 
 he  removed  into  the  family  of  Sir  John  Har- 
 toppy  and  there  continued  five  years  as  a  pre- 
 ceptor to  his  fon.  Here  he  enjoyed  the  ad- 
 vantage of  an  intimacy  with  a  gentleman  of 
 great  abilities,  and  extraordinary  piety,  which 
 the  Doftor  well  knew  both  how  to  value  and 
 improve.  Here  he  had  alio  the  opportunity 
 of  converfing  with  perfons  of  real  worth,  and 
 taking  a  large  furvey  of  the  varieties  of  man- 
 kind from  the  numerous  company  that  at 
 one  time,  and  on  one  occafion  or  other  re- 
 dded in  Sir  John's  family,  or  made  their  vifits 
 to  him.  Here  too  he  was  more  firmly  fecur- 
 ing  to  himfelf  thofe  rich  treafures  of  learn- 
 ing of  which  he  was  already  pofleiTed,  but 
 which  became  more  fully  his  own  by  com- 
 municating them  to  his  pupil.  Here  too  he 
 made  vafl  additions  to  the  knowledge  he  had 
 
 obtained, 
 
ii2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 obtained,  and  entered  deep  into  thofe  parts 
 of  fcience  with  which  he  might  be  but  imper- 
 fectly acquainted  before,  and  all  this  to  dis- 
 charge in  its  full  extent  of  advantage  his  work 
 as  a  tutor*,  while  at  the  fame  time  he  kept 
 in  view  his  preparation  for  the  miniitry,  and 
 cultivated  thofe  fludies  which  had  a  more  di- 
 rect and  immediate  concern  with  that  facred 
 office  to  which  he  had  determined  to  devote 
 his  days. 
 
 Such  were  the  favourable  opportunities  the 
 Doctor  enjoyed  for  his  improvement  for  feveral 
 years  after  he  had  completed  his  academical 
 courfe,  and  Providence  feemed  kindly  refolved 
 that  nothing  fhould  be  wanting,  as  to  an 
 happy  concurrence  of  fituation   and  refidence, 
 
 *  Whether  we  owe  if  not  the  completion  yet  the  origi- 
 nation of  the  Doclor's  treatife  on  ajlronomy  and  geography 
 to  his  tuition  of  Mr.  afterwards  Sir  John  Hartopp,  I  pre- 
 tend not  to  fay,  but  the  Doclcr  who  dates  his  dedication 
 of  thio  work  to  Mr.  Eames  June  u,  1725,  declares  "  that 
 "  the  papers  had  lain  by  him  in  iilence  above  twenty 
 '?  years."  Might  they  not  therefore  very  probably  be  firft 
 drawn  up  for  Sir  John's  ufe  ?  As  to  his  Logic  which  is 
 addrefled  to  his  former  pupil,  he  tells  him,  "  that  it  was 
 «'  fit  the  public  fhould  receive  through  his  hands  what 
 '*  was  originally  written  for  the  affiftance  of  the  younger 
 "  ftudies,  and  was  then  prefented  to  him."  Thus  arc 
 we  allured  from  the  Doctor  himfelf  that  his  Logic  which 
 has  met  with  fo  general  a  reception  and  diftinguifhed  ap- 
 plaufe  from  the  world  had  its  part  in  the  education  of 
 Sir  John,  and  took  its  rife  in  the  days  in  which  he  was 
 his  tutor. 
 
 to 
 
•     Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  113 
 
 to  open  the  way  to  his   future  amazing  fcene 
 of  ufefulnefs  to  the  church  and  world. 
 
 Our  next  obfervation  lhall  be  made  upon 
 that  remarkably  kind  providence  which 
 brought  the  Doflor  into  Sir  Thomas  Abney\  fa- 
 mily, and  continued  him  there  till  his  death, 
 a  period  of  no  lefs  than  thirty-fix  years.  In 
 the  midfl  of  his  facred  labours  for  the  glory 
 of  God,  and  the  good  of  his  generation  he  is 
 feized  with  a  moil  violent  and  threatening  fe- 
 ver, which  leaves  him  oppreffed  with  great 
 weaknefs,  and  puts  a  flop  at  lead  to  his  pub- 
 lic fervices  for  four  years.  In  this  diftreffing 
 feafon,  doubly  fo  to  his  active  and  pious  fpi- 
 rit,  he  is  invited  to  Sir  Thomas  Abr.efs  family, 
 nor  ever  removes  from  it  till  he  had  finilhed 
 his  days.  Here  he  enjoyed  the  uninterrupted 
 demonftrarions  of  the  truefl  friendihip.  Here, 
 without  any  care  of  his  own,  he  had  every 
 thing  which  could  contribute  to  the  enjoy- 
 ment of  life,  and  favour  the  unwearied  pur- 
 fuit  of  his  fludies.  Here  he  dwelt  in  a  fa- 
 mily which  for  piety,  order,  harmony,  and 
 every  virtue  was  an  hcufe  of  God.  Here  he 
 had  the  privilege  of  a  country  recefs,  the  pure 
 air,  the  retired  grove,  the  fragrant  bower, 
 the  fpreading  lawn,  the  flowery  garden,  and 
 other  advantages  to  footh  his  mind,  and  aid 
 his  refloration  to  health,  to  yield  him  when- 
 ever he  chofe  them  mod  grateful  intervals 
 from  his  laborious  fludies,  and  enable  him 
 to  return  to  them  with  redoubled  vigour  and 
 I  delight. 
 
j  14  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 delight.  Had  it  not  been  for  this  moft  happy 
 event  he  might,  as  to  outward  view,  have 
 feebly,  it  may  be  painfully  dragged  on  through 
 many  .more  years  of  languor,  and  inability  for 
 public  fervice,  and  even  for  profitable  ftudy, 
 or  perhaps  might  have  funk  into  his  grave 
 under  the  overwhelming  load  of  infirmities  in 
 the  rhidft  of  his  days,  and  thus  the  church 
 and  world  would  have  been  deprived  of  thofe 
 many  excellent  fermons  and  works  which  he 
 drew  up  and  published  during  his  long  refi- 
 dence  in  this  family.  In  a  few  years  after  his 
 coming  hither  Sir  Thomas  Abney  dies,  but  his 
 amiable  confort  furvives,  who  fhows  the  'Doc- 
 tor the  fame  refpect  and  friendfhip  as  before, 
 and  moft  happily  for  him,  and  great  numbers 
 befides,  for  as  her  riches  were  great  her  gene- 
 rofity  and  munificence  were  in  full  proportion, 
 her  thread  of  life  was  drawn  out  to  a  great 
 age,  even  beyond  that  of  the  Dofior's,  and 
 thus  this  excellent  man  through  her  kind- 
 nefs,  and  that  of  her  daughter  the  pre- 
 fent  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Abncy,  who  in  a  like  de- 
 gree efteemed  and  honoured  him,  enjoyed  all 
 rhe  benefits  and  felicities  he  experienced  at  his 
 firft  entrance  into  this  family  till  his  days  were 
 numbered  and  fmifhed,  and,  like  a  fhock  of 
 corn  in  its  feafon,  he  aicended  into  the  regi- 
 ons of  perfect  and  immortal  life  and  joy.  Thus 
 did  God  moft  remarkably  provide  a  fituation 
 for  him  for  a  long  fucceflion  of  years  in  an 
 houie  where  there  was  every  thing  which 
 8  could 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  115 
 
 could  conduce  to  his  comfort  and  ufefulnefs. 
 What  honours  are  due  to  this  family  from  the 
 church  and  world !  Where  the  name  of  Dr. 
 Watts  is  mentioned  as  a  diftinguifhed  bleiTing 
 let  it  ever  be  gratefully  remembered  that  it 
 might  under  Providence  be  owing  to  Sir  Tbo- 
 mas  Abney  and  his  amiable.  Lady  that  he  was 
 continued  fo  long  a  burning,  and  a  mining 
 light  in  this  hemifphere  of  the  church,  and 
 that  there  are  fuch  remains  of  his  beneficial 
 luftres  in  the  excellent  fermons  and  other 
 works  compofed  by  him  under  their  roof.  But 
 I  reftrain  myfelf.  Their  eminent  characters 
 and  particularly  their  kindnefs  to  him  are  re- 
 corded by  the  Doftor  himfelf,  and  with  a 
 fame  like  his  own  mall  defcend  to  the  lateft 
 pofterity. 
 
 Our  third  remark  fhall  be  upon  the  Dover's 
 frequent  flrokes  of  illnefs,  and  the  benefits 
 which  might  accrue  from  them.  That  he 
 had  numerous  and  very  afflicting  inflances  of 
 this  kind  appears  from  the  accounts  Dr.  Jen- 
 nings gives  in  his  funeral  fermon  of  his  be- 
 ing laid  afide  by  ficknefs  five  months  foon 
 after  his  entrance  upon  his  arTiftantfhip  to 
 Dr.  Chauncey  1698— of  his  being  vifited  with 
 another  illnefs  quickly  after  his  taking  ..the 
 pafloral  charge  in  1701 — and  of  a  moil  vi- 
 olent fever  which  feized  him  in  17 12,  mattered 
 his  conftitution,  debilitated  his  nerves,  and 
 prevented  his  return  to  his  public  work  till 
 October  17 16,  as  to  the  Doffor  no  doubt  four 
 I  2  very 
 
u6  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 very  long  and  painful  years.  We  alfo  find 
 from  his  own  record  that  he  v/as  confined  to 
 a  bed  of  ficknefs  in  1729*.  And  in  1736  he 
 compofed  an  hymn  which  he  ftiles  Corn-plaint 
 and  Hope  under  great  Pahu  publifhed  in  his 
 Remnants  of  'Time  employed  in  Profe  and  Verfe. 
 More  inftances  of  his  bodily  diforders,  and 
 thofe  to  a  great  degree  might  be  recited,  if 
 thefe  already  mentioned  were  not  fufficient  for 
 our  purpofe.  In  this  manner  did  his  holy, 
 wife,  and  gracious  Father  fee  fit  to  afflict 
 him,  and  he  travelled  through  many  a  valley 
 of  Baca  (of  weeping)  in  his  pilgrimage  to  the 
 better  country.  But  were  not  all  thefe  dark 
 and  diftrefiing  difpenfations  the  procedures  of 
 wifdom  and  goodnefs  ?  And  might  not  thefe 
 often  returning  trials  be  divinely  blelTed  to 
 keep  him  low,  humble,  and  constantly  at  the 
 foot  of  God,  as  in  the  cafe  of  St.  Paul  who 
 tells  us,  cc  that,  left  he  mould  be  exalted 
 <c  above  meafure  through  the  abundance  of 
 "  revelations  he  had  given  him  a  thorn  in 
 cc  the  flefht  •"  Might  not  this  excellent  man 
 under  thefe  lliarp  afflictions  be  better  able  to 
 fympathize  with  his  fellow-faints  under  their 
 diftreffes,  be  enlarged  and  enlivened  in  his 
 prayers  for  them,  and  be  quickened  both  as  to 
 his  tongue  and  pen  to  adminifter  the  more 
 abundant    confolations  as  the    apoftle  fpeaks, 
 
 *  Preface  to  his  Humble  Attempt,  page  5. 
 f  2  Cor.  xii.  7. 
 
 "  And 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  117 
 
 Cf  And  whether  we  be  afflicted  it  is  for  your 
 cc  confolation  and  falvation,  which  is  effec- 
 cc  tual  in  enduring  the  fame  fufFerings,  which 
 ct  we  alfo  fuffer ;  or  whether  we  be  comforted 
 c<  it  is  for  your  confolation  and  falvation*." 
 May  1  be  allowed  here  to  repeat  part  of  a  let- 
 ter communicated  to  me  many  years  fince 
 which  the  Dofior  wrote  to  a  minifter  in  afflic- 
 tion in  which  there  appears  not  only  a  warm 
 vein  of  true  fpiritual  friendfhip  but  a  mod  di- 
 vine powerful  pathos  which  his  own  experi- 
 ence of  trials  might  perhaps  happily  infpire. 
 <c  It  is  my  hearty  defire  for  you  that  your 
 <c  faith  may  ride  out  the  ftorms  of  temptation, 
 <c  and  the  anchor  of  your  hope  may  hold  be- 
 cc  ing  fixed  within  the  veil.  There  fits  Jefus 
 <f  our  fore-runner,  who  failed  over  this  rough 
 cc  fea  before  us,  and  has  given  us  a  chart, 
 <c  even  his  word,  where  the  fhelves  and  rocks, 
 <c  the  fierce  currents  and  dangers  are  well  de- 
 <c  fcribed,  and  he  is  our  pilot,  and  will  con- 
 "  duct  us  to  the  mores  of  happinefs.  I  am 
 <f  perfuaded  that  in  the  future  ftate  we  mall 
 "  take  a  fweet  review  of  thofe  fcenes  of  pro- 
 cc  vidence  which  have  been  involved  in  the 
 <c  thicker!:  darknefs,  and  trace  thofe  footfteps 
 «c  of  God  when  he  walked  with  us  through 
 "  the  deeper!  waters.  This  will  be  a  furprif- 
 cc  ing  delight  to  furvey  the  manifold  harmony 
 "  of  clafhing  difpenfations,  and  to  have  thofe 
 "  perplexing  riddles  laid  open  to  the  eyes   of 
 
 *  2  Cor.  i.  6. 
 
 I  3  "  our 
 
n8  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 "  our  fouls,  and  read  the  full  meaning  of 
 Cf  them  in  fet  characters  of  wifdom  and  grace.'* 
 Befides  all  this  the  Dofior  has  left  us  ftriking 
 proofs  of  his  fuitable  temper  of  mind,  his  hope, 
 his  faith,  his  fubmilTion,  and  humble  pleadings 
 with  God  for  relief  under  his  trials,  and  we 
 fhould  not  I  am  perfuaded  have  known  fo  much 
 of  his  piety  had  he  been  a  flranger  to  the  fur- 
 nace of  affliction.  How  comfortably  does  he 
 feel  himfelf,  and  how  does  his  foul  rejoice  in 
 his  God  under  the  preffures  of  ficknefs  upon 
 his  body  in  that  fecond  part  of  what  he  en- 
 titles Thoughts  and  Meditations  in  a  long  Sicknefi 
 1 7 1 2,   1 7 1 3  *  ? 
 
 Yet,  gracious  God,  amidfl  thefe  {iorms  of  nature 
 Thine  eyes  behold  a  fweet  and  facred  calm 
 Reign  thro*  the  realms  of  cbnfcience.     All  within 
 Lies  peaceful,  all  compos'd.    'Tis  wondrous  grace 
 Keeps  off  thy  terrors  from  this  humble  bofom, 
 Though  ftain'd  with  fins  and  follies,  yet  ferene 
 In  penitential  peace,  and  chearful  hope, 
 Sprinkled  and  guarded  with  atoning  blood. 
 Thy  vital  fmiles,  amidfi  this  defolation, 
 Like  heav'nly  fun-beams  hid  behind  the  clouds, 
 Break  out  in  happy  moments  with  bright  radiance 
 Cleaving  the  gloom  ;  the  fair  celcftlal  light, 
 Softens  and  gilds  the  horrors  cf  the  ftorm, 
 And  richefb  cordials  to  the  heart  conveys. 
 O  glorious  folace  of  immcnfe  diftrefs, 
 A  confcience  and  a  God  !   A  friend  at  home, 
 And  better  friend  on  high  !  This  is  my  rock 
 
 Mifcellancous  thoughts  in  profe  and  verfe,  No.  47. 
 
 Of 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  119 
 
 Of  firm  fupport,  my  (hield  of  furc  defence 
 Asainft  infernal  arrows.     Rife,  my  foul, 
 Put  on  thy  courage.  Here's  the  living  fpring 
 ,  Of  joys  divinely  fweet  and  ever  new, 
 A  peaceful  conference,  and  a  fmiling  heav'n. 
 
 And  what  a  fweet  and  holy  vein  of  gratitude 
 and  praife  runs  through  the  fourth  part  of  the 
 above-mentioned  Thoughts  and  Meditations,  m 
 which,  bleffing  God  for  his  recovery  to  health, 
 he  fays, 
 
 Rife  from  my  couch,  ye  late  enfeebled  limbs, 
 Prove  your  new  ftrength,  and  (how  th'  effeaive  (kill 
 Of  the  Divine  Phyfician  ;   bear  away 
 This  tottering  body  to  his  facred  threfliold  ; 
 There,  laden  with  his  honours,  let  me  bow 
 Before  his  feet,  let  me  pronounce  his  grace, 
 Pronounce  falvation  through  his  dying  Son, 
 And  teach  this  finful  world  the  Saviour's. name ; 
 Then  rife,  my  hymning  foul,  on  holy  notes 
 Tow'rd  his  high  throne  ;  awake,  my  choiceft  fongs, 
 Run  echoing  round  the  roof,  and,  while  you  pay 
 The  folemn  vows  of  my  diftrefsful  hours, 
 A  thoufand  friendly  lips  (hall  aid  the  praife. 
 Jefus,  great  advocate,  whofe  pitying  eye 
 Saw  my  long  anguim,  and  with  melting  heart 
 And  powerful  interceffion  fpreadft  my  woes 
 With  all  my  groans  before  the  Father-God 
 •  Bear  up  my  praifes  now;  thine  holy  incenfe 
 Shall  hallow  all  my  facrifice  of  joy, 
 And  bring  thefe  accents  grateful  to  his  ear  : 
 My  hcart,° and  life,  and  lips,  and  ev'ry  pow'r, 
 Snatch'd  from  the  grafp  of  death,  I  here  devote 
 Py  thy  bjeft  hands  an  offering  to  his  name. 
 
 Amen.     Halleluia." 
 
 I  4  In 
 
120  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 In  evidence  of  the  Do5ior\  admirable  temper 
 under  his  trials  I  fhall  make  another  citation 
 from  his  writings  in  which  he  afks,  cc  But  has 
 c<  not  my  fpirit  been  depreffed  by  a  fickly  con- 
 <c  ftitution,  and  confined  to  a  feeble  engine  of 
 <c  flefh  under  daily  diforders  ?  Have  I  not  fuf- 
 cc  tained  many  ibrrows  on  this  account,  and 
 cc  wailed  fome  years  among  the  infirmities  of 
 <c  the  body,  and  in  painful  idlenefs  ?  Are  there 
 <c  not  feveral  fouls  favoured  with  a  more  eafy 
 "  habitation,  and  yoked  with  a  better  partner  ? 
 cc  Are  they  not  accommodated  with  engines 
 <c  which  have  more  health  and  vigour,  and 
 <c  fituated  in  much  more  happy  circumftances 
 cc  than  mine  ?  What  then  ?  Shall  I  repine  at 
 Cf  my  lot,  and  murmur  againil  my  Creator, 
 cf  becaufe  he  has  made  fome  hundreds  happier 
 <c  than  I,  while  I  furvey  whole  nations,  and 
 cc  millions  of  mankind  that  have  not  a  thou- 
 cc  fandth  part  of  my  bleflings  f  ? 
 
 In  this  excellent  fpirit  did  he  wade  through 
 the  depths  of  his  afflictions,  and  glorify  God  in 
 them.  How  inflruclive,  how  animating  his 
 example  !  The  fame  man  that  he  was  in  the 
 pulpit,  and  active  life,  he  was  alfo  on  the  couch 
 of  ficknefs,  and  at  the  brink  of  the  grave. 
 
 There  is  an  hymn  of  his,  which  we  before 
 mentioned,  entitled  Complaint  and  Hope  under 
 great  Pair:,  in  which  there  is  fuch  a  mix- 
 ture of  dutiful  refignation  to  the  divine 
 appointments,     and     earnefl   pleadings    with 
 
 ■\  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts,  No.  5. 
 
 the 
 
Dr.   ISAAC    WATTS.  izi 
 
 the  Almighty  to  relieve  him  from  his  for- 
 rows  as  bears  a  noble  teftimony  to  the  excellen- 
 cy of  his  fpirit,  and  affords  a  bright  pattern  for 
 the  imitation  of  the  faints  of  God  under  his 
 correcting  hand. 
 
 I. 
 
 Lord,  I  am  pain'd  ;   but  I  refign 
 
 To  thy  fuperior  will  \ 
 'Tis  grace,  'tis  wifdom  all  divina 
 
 Appoints  the  pains  I  kd. 
 II. 
 Dark  are  Thy  ways  of  providence, 
 
 While  thofe  who  love  Thee  groan  ; 
 Thy  reafons  lie  conceal'd  from  fenfe 
 
 Myfrerious  and  unknown: 
 III. 
 Yet  nature  may  have  leave  to  fpeak, 
 
 And  plead  before  her  God, 
 Left  the  o'erburden'd  heart  (hould  break 
 
 Beneath  thy  heavy  rod. 
 IV. 
 Will  nothing  but  fuch  daily  pain 
 
 Secure  my  foul  from  hell  ? 
 Canft  thou  not  make  my  health  attain 
 
 Thy  kind  defigns  as  well  ? 
 
 V. 
 How  {hall  my  tongue  proclaim  thy  grace, 
 
 While  thus  at  home  confin'd  ? 
 What  can  I  write,  while  painful  flefh 
 Hangs  heavy  on  the  mind  ? 
 VI. 
 Thefe  groans  and  fighs,  and  flowing  tears 
 
 Give  my  poor  fpirit  eafe, 
 While  ev'ry  groan  my  Father  hears, 
 And  Qv'ry  tear  he  fees. 
 
 VII. 
 
122  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 VII. 
 Is  not  fbmC  fmiling  hour  at  hand 
 
 With  peace  upon  its  wings  ? 
 Give  it,  O  God,  thy  fwift  command 
 
 With  all  the  joys  it  brings. 
 
 We  have  another  obfervation  to  make  upon 
 the  Doctor's  life,  namely,  that,  as  he  was  a 
 non-conformift  firft  as  one  of  the  laity,  and 
 afterwards  as  a  minifter,  his  lot  through  a  kind 
 providence  was  cart  upon  very  happy  days,  fo 
 that  from  his  birth  to  his  death  he  had  no  ex- 
 perience of  the  bitter  hardlhips  of  perfecution 
 for  the  fake  of  a  good  conicience.  He  was 
 born  in  the  time  of  Charles  II  in  which,  though 
 his  venerable  father  was  imprifoned  for  his 
 non-conformity,  yet  it  does  not  appear  that  any 
 of  his  family  fuffered  on  that  account  except 
 in  the  participation  of  his  troubles,  of  which 
 his  fon  might  have  little  or  no  remembrance. 
 His  fucceflbr  James  II.  was  a  devotee  to  the 
 church  of  Rome,  furious  in  his  zeal,  and  reftlefs 
 and  unwearied  in  his  endeavours  to  introduce 
 popery,  and  crufh  the  proteftant  religion;  and 
 to  accompli (h  his  defigns  he  trampled  down 
 the  fences  of  law  and  juftice,  and  by  his  in- 
 struments of  cruelty  Jefferies  and  Kirke  com- 
 mitted fuch  wanton  butcheries  in  the  JVeJl  of 
 England  as  filled  the  nation  with  horror.  All 
 this  the  Defter  muft  be  acquainted,  and  deeply 
 affected  with  at  the  very  time  thefe  miferies  op- 
 
 prelfed^ 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  123 
 
 prefied  the  kingdom,  and  with  thoufands  and 
 ten  thoufands  more  mud  tremble  to  behold  the 
 great  interefts  of  liberty,  the  protefcant  religion, 
 and  the  conftitution  itfelf  coming  nearer  and 
 nearer  every  day  and  hour  to  the  edge  of  a 
 precipice,  thence  to  be  thrown  down,  as  to  out- 
 ward appearance,  into  utter  and  irretrievable 
 ruin.  But  we  do  not  find  from  any  memorials 
 that  either  the  Doclor  or  any  of  his  family  were 
 actual  fufferers  in  thefe  horrible  times  in  their 
 own  peribns.  A  blefled  revolution  takes  place 
 in  1 68  3  by  the  coming  of  the  Prince  of  Orange : 
 the  baffled  tyrant  quits  the  kingdom,  and  the 
 glorious  deliverer,  and  his  mod  excellent  Prin- 
 cefs  by  the  vote  of  the  nation  take  the  crown. 
 Their  conjoint  reign,  and  afterwards  that  of  the 
 King  only,  who  feveral  years  furvived  the 
 Queen,  proved  a  mod  propitious  cera  to  liber- 
 ty :  the  ac~b  of  toleration  took  place  in  favour  of 
 the  proteflant  difienters,  and  perfecution  in  all 
 its  cruel  oppreflions  of  fines,  penalties,  and  im- 
 prifonments  is  known  no  more.  The  Doclcr 
 enjoyed  the  invaluable  pleffing  with  the  red  of 
 his  brethren.  On  King  William's  demife  Ann 
 Prince fs  of  Denmark  afcended  the  throne,  and 
 the  non-conformifts  continued  unmolefled 
 during  her  reign,  though,  for  fome  time  before 
 her  death,  the  clouds,  that  had fo  long  vanifhed, 
 gathered  again,  and  hung  in  thick  dafkhejfs 
 over  the  difienters,  and  the  friends  of  freedom 
 and  religion  in  general,  but  by  a  remarkable 
 providence  they  were  overblown  by  the  Elector 
 
 of 
 
124  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 of  Hanover's,  afterwards  George  I.,  acceflion  to 
 the  throne.    On  his  deceafe  George  II.  fucceed- 
 ed,  and  during  the  reigns  of  both  thefe  excel- 
 lent kings  the  difTenters  had  not  the  leafl  in- 
 roads made   upon   their  liberties,  but  all  was 
 tranquillity  and  enjoyment.     The  Bottor  wTas 
 removed  from  our  world,  while  the  laft  of  thefe 
 princes  was  upon  the  throne ;  and  thus,  through 
 a  long  extended  life,  he  never  in  his  own  per- 
 son knew  any  of  the  diftreffes  of  perfecution. 
 In  what  a  delightful  period,   a  period  fuch  as 
 had  not  bleft  our  land  for  ages,   if  indeed  in 
 any  age,  did  this  good  man  live,  and  he  only 
 had  the  report  and  not  the  painful  experience 
 of  what  his  venerable  fathers  in  the  miniftry 
 had  fufFered,  when  in  1662   no  lefs  than  2000 
 of  them  were  ejected  from   their  livings,  and 
 by  the  act  of  uniformity  were  impoverished, 
 hararTed,  fined,  and  imprifoned  for  worshipping 
 God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  con- 
 fciences,  and  refufing  to  comply  with  the  com- 
 mandments of  men,     I  well    remember  that 
 difcourfing  with   the  late    Sir  Conyers  Jocelyn 
 about  Mr.  Baxter  and  Br.  Watts,  he  pleafantly 
 but  very  truly  obferved,  nearly  in  thefe  words, 
 that  cc  the  latter  went  to  heaven  on  a  bed  of 
 Cf  down  in  comparifon  of  the  former."     Such 
 was    the  difringuifhing   privilege   with  which 
 this   holy  man  was  favoured,  not  only  to  his 
 own  great  comfort,  but  to  the  great  benefit  of 
 the    church   and  world,    who    might,  had  his 
 feeble  frame  been  hunted  down  by  perfecution, 
 3  or 
 
Dr.  ISAAC    WATTS.  125 
 
 or  locked  up  in  a  damp  fuffbcating  prifon,  been 
 deprived  in  a  great  meaiure  of  his  numerous 
 ufeful  writings.  Br.  Grofvenor  obferves  in  an 
 excellent  fermon  of  his  upon  the  Name  Jeftis  as 
 given  to  our  bleffed  Lord  (Mat.  i.  21.)  cf  that 
 (C  others  have  been  called  Saviours  in  gaining 
 cc  a  victory,  for  delivering  cities  and  kingdoms 
 {C  from  flaveiy  and  mifery.  So  it  is  faid 
 "  (Judg.  iii.  9.  15.)  that  God  raifed  up  favi- 
 t€  ours  to  his  people  Ifrael — King  William,  adds 
 "  he,  our  glorious  deliverer,  may  be  called  a 
 <c  faviour  in  fuch  a  fenfe,  when  he  came  over 
 "  to  us,  bringing  one  falvation  along  with  him, 
 <c  and  propagating  many,  many  future  falva- 
 cc  tions  for  us  and  our  poflerity  wrapt  up  in 
 "  that  moil  invaluable  blefling  the  Protejlant 
 "  Succejfwn,  which  has  now  fo  happily  and 
 "  wonderfully  taken  place.  The  whole  nation 
 cc  was  then  under  deep  impreflions.  We  felt 
 <c  a  great  deal,  but  faw  a  great  deal  more 
 <c  coming.  The  joy  was  exceflive  as  the  ap- 
 <c  prehenfions  before  were  dreadful.  The  mi- 
 <c  fery  then  itood  near  in  full  view,  obvious  to 
 "  every  capacity.  Now  it  is  removed  at  about 
 c<  30  years  diftance  it  requires  fomething  of 
 cc  good  fenfe,  memory,  and  gratitude  to  be  af- 
 <c  fecled  by  it,  and  thefe  do  not  abound  in  our 
 (C  world.  When  God  turned  the  captivity  of 
 cc  our  Jacob,  we  were  like  men  who  dreamed, 
 ec  and  fince  that  time  fome  have  fallen  afleep, 
 cc  and  others  worfe,  wakeful  and  watching  for 
 "  mifchiefs  to  bring  us  back  to  the  fame  an- 
 
 «  guifh 
 
126  kEMOIRS    OF 
 
 cc  guifh.  which  hung  upon  every  foul."  But 
 though  others,  according  to  Dr.  Grofvenor's 
 complaint,  might  fiiffer  the  wonderful  deliver- 
 ance God  wrought  at  the  time  by  King  William, 
 and  the  long  train  of  bleflings  fecured  under 
 providence  by  that  happy  event  to  fade,  if  not 
 to  die  away  from  their  remembrance^  yet  Br. 
 Watts  was  by  no  mear^s  of  the  number  of  thofe 
 who  forgot  the  mighty  acts  of  the  Lord,  but  on 
 every  occafion  gratefully  and  pioufly  records 
 them.  He  drew  up  an  hymn  of  praife  for  the 
 marvellous  falvation  by  King  William  Nov.  5, 
 1695  *,  in  which  there  appear  at  once  the  ele- 
 vated ftrains  of  thankfgiving  to  God  the  au- 
 thor, and  of  honour  to  the  glorious  inftrument 
 of  the  truly  marvellous  mercy.  He  pubJifhed 
 an  animated  Poem  in  anfwer  to  an  infamous 
 Satire  called  Advice  to  a  painter  written  by  a 
 namelefs  author  againft  King  William^  in  which 
 he  gives  a  loofe  to  his  generous  refentment, 
 difplays  the  hero's  merits,  and  crowns  him  with 
 the  nobleft  praifes  j\  On  the  deceafe  of  the 
 King  he  compofed  a  very  honourable  epitaph 
 
 •  See  his  Lyric  Poems,  B.  1. 
 
 f  What  renders  this  poem  of  the  DoSlor"s  m  vindication 
 of  King  William  the  more  remarkable  is  that  it  is  the  only 
 copy  of  verfes  in  all  his  writings  that  may  be  denominated 
 a  j'aiire*  As  if  no  perfonal  offence  he  might  receive,  or 
 any  occafion  lefs  than  that  of  difpeiling  the  viieft  reproach 
 and  calumny  caft  upon  the  moll  illuftrious  benefactor  of 
 mankind,  and  executing  a  juft  vengeance  upon  an  exe- 
 crable malefactor  who  had  done  the  wickednefs  could  roufe 
 him  to  poetic  indignation  and  puniihrnent. 
 
 upon 
 
Br.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  12; 
 
 upon  him,  in  which  he  celebrates  his  eminent 
 virtues  in  the  fweeteft  melody  andfincereftfor- 
 row  J.  While  Shieen  Ann  trod  in  the  fteps  of 
 her  worthy  predeceflbrs  William  and  Mary,  the 
 Doftor  addrefTed  a  poem  to  her  full  of  grateful 
 honour  in  which  he  forgets  not  the  praifes 
 of  our  glorious  deliverer  §.  He  exprefsly  ap- 
 plies 75^6  Pfalm,  which  he  entitles  Pozver  and 
 deliverance  from  God  alone  to  the  glorious  revo- 
 lution by  King  William,  or  the  happy  acceflion 
 of  King  George  to  the  throne.  Some  time  after 
 Queen  Anns  deceafe  he  inferted  in  a. new  edi- 
 tion of  his  Lyric  Poems  a  beautiful  ode  in  ho- 
 nour of  King  George  I.  and,  when  that  great 
 prince  died,  he  preached  a  fermon  on  the  oc- 
 cafion  in  which  he.  largely  delineates  his  royal 
 excellencies,  not  without  a  recital  of  our  obli- 
 gations to  King  William  for  the  fettlement  of 
 the  crown  in  the  houfe  of  Hanover.  Cf  Let  us 
 "  recoiled:,  fays  he,  with  pl^afure  the  mercy 
 cc  of  God  who  infpired  his  predeceflbr  King 
 <f  William  of  glorious  memory  to  lay  the  foun- 
 "  dation  of  the  Troleftant  Succejlan  to  the 
 (C  crown  of  thefe  kingdoms.  Then  he  pre- 
 "  pared  an  healing  balm  for  the  wound  which 
 fC  we  received  at  the  death  of  our  late  fovereign, 
 "  and  made  an  happy  provifion  againft  a  thou- 
 "  fand  diftant  dangers."  And  on. the  corona- 
 tion of  George  II.  the  Doctor  wrote  a  long  ode 
 
 %  See  his  Lyric  Poems,  B.  3. 
 §  See  his  Lyric  Poems,  B.  2. 
 
 full 
 
123  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 full  of  the  moft  loyal  and  devout  wifhes,  ani- 
 mated with  the  fires,  and  enriched  with  the 
 beauties  of  the  fmeft  poetry,  though  he  was 
 then  between  50  and  60  years  of  age,  as  if  the 
 joyful  event  had  av/akened  his  mufe  to  all  her 
 former  vigour,  and  enabled  her  tofoar  to  heights 
 which  were  fcarce  exceeded  by  her  in  her 
 younger  days.  In  the  ode  he  fcatters  a  frefh 
 flower  upon  the  grave  of  King  William  as  if  he 
 fhould  not  be  unremembered  on  any  occafion 
 in  which  he  could  with  any  propriety  introduce 
 his  name  and  praifes.  The  following  ftanzas 
 conclude  the  poem. 
 
 Come  light  divine,  and  grace  unknown, 
 Come,  aid  the  labours  of  the  throne  ; 
 Let  Britain's  golden  ages  run 
 In  circles  lading  as  the  fun; 
 
 Bid  fome  bright  legions  from  the  fky 
 
 Afiift  the  glad  folemnity. 
 
 Ye  hofts,  that  wait  on  fav'rite  kings, 
 
 Wave  your  broad  fwords,  and  clap  your  wings, 
 
 Then  rife  and  to  your  realms  convey 
 The  glorious  tidings  of  the  day  : 
 Great  William  fhall  rejoice  to  know 
 That  George  the  Second  rules  below. 
 
 Thus  did  the  Doftor  retain  and  cheriih  upon 
 his  mind,  and  at  all  proper  opportunities  ex- 
 prefs  a  lively  fenfe  of  the  wonderful  falvation 
 by  King  William,  and  its  confequent  blefTings  in 
 the  acceflion  of  the  houfe  of  Hanover  to  the 
 throne  of  thefe  kingdoms  \  blefllngs  which  the 
 good   man   to  his  ineffable  comfort  enjoyed 
 
 without 
 
Dr.   Isaac   watts.  129 
 
 without  interruption  through  a  long  day  of 
 life.  May  the  glories  of  that  illuftrious  family 
 and  the  civil  and  facred  liberties  of  Great  Bri- 
 tain be  ever  mingled,  ever  fhine  together,  and 
 be  perpetuated  with  increafing  flrength  and 
 fplendor  till  fun  and  moon  fhall  be  no  morel 
 
 CHAP.     V. 
 
 His  Cbaraftcr  as  a  Chriftian  and  Minifter* 
 
 THOUGH  the  Doftor  cultivated  every 
 kind  of  learning,  and  perhaps  was  the 
 moll  univerfal  fcholar  of  his  age,  and  though 
 he  pofTefTed  extraordinary  abilities  as  a  poet, 
 yet  not  entertainment  but  benefit,  and  that  in 
 the  mod  facred  and  direct  fenfe,  to  the  church 
 and  world  evidently  appeared  to  be  the  end 
 which  he  kept  conflantly  in  view.  The  far 
 greater  part  of  his  works  is  theological,  and  de- 
 voted to  the  moil  important  and  ufeful  fubjecls. 
 Children  in  early  age  had  no  fmall  fhare  of  his 
 endeavours  for  their  good,  as  his  fongs  and  cate- 
 chifms  for  their  particular  fervice  in  the  mod  eafy 
 and  condefcending  language  abundantly  mow. 
 His  Mufe  was  generally  employed  upon  di- 
 vine themes,  and  was  very  rarely  permitted  to 
 depart  from  the  fancluary  of  the  Lord  f,  and 
 
 even 
 
 f  For  the  truth  of  what  I  here  affert  I  might  make  my 
 appeal  to  his  Pfalms,    Hymns,  Songs/or  Children,  his  Mif- 
 
 K  cellaniet* 
 
i  jo  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 even  though  fhe  was  thus  pioufly  engaged  yet 
 if  fhe  appeared  to  feize  more  time  than  he  could 
 
 well 
 
 cellanies,  and  by  far  the  greater  number  of  his  Lyric  Poems, 
 I  grant  indeed  that  there  is  a  poem  of  his  upon  the  Countefs 
 of  Sunderland,  though  not  published  in  his  Works,  which 
 cannot  be  called  a  Religious  Ode,  or  be  faid  to  contain  any 
 precept  of  virtue,  but  the  occafion  and  circumftances  of  it 
 are  its  fufficient  apology.  We  mall  give  the  Doclor's  own 
 account  of  his  writing  it  in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  and  then 
 the  poem  itfelf. 
 
 To  Amyntas. 
 
 Perhaps  you  were  not  a  little  furprifed,  my  friend,  when 
 you  faw  fome  fianzas  on  the  Lady  Sunderland  at  Tunbridge 
 Wells,  and  were  told  that  I  wrote  them,  but  when  I  give 
 you  a  full  account  of  the  occafion  your  wonder  will  quick- 
 ly ceafe. 
 
 The  Duke  of  Marlborough's  three  daughters,  namely,  the* 
 Lady  Godolpbin,  the  Lady  Sunderland,  and  the  Lady  Bridge- 
 <water  had  been  at  the  Wells  fome  time  when  I  came  there, 
 nor  had  I  the  honour  of  any  more  acquaintance  with  any 
 of  them  than  what  was  common  to  all  the  company  in  the 
 Wells,  that  is  to  be  told  who  they  were  when  they  pall  by. 
 A  few  days  afterwards  they  left  that  place,  and  the  next 
 morning  there  was  found  a  copy  of  verfes  in  the  coffee-houfe 
 called  the  three  Shining  Sifters,  but,  the  author  being  un- 
 known, fome  perfons  were  ready  to  attribute  them  to  me, 
 knowing  that  I  had  heretofore  dealt  in  rhime.  I  confefs  I 
 was  amamed  of  feveral  lines  in  that  copy.  Some  were  very 
 dull,  and  others,  as  I  remember,  bordered  upon  prophane- 
 nefs. 
 
 That  afternoon  I  rode  abroad  as  ufual  for  my  health, 
 and  it  came  into  my  head  to  let  my  friends  fee  that,  if  I 
 would  choofe  fuch  a  theme,  I  would  write  in  another  man- 
 ner than  that  namelefs  author  had  done.  Accordingly  as 
 I  was  on  horfeback  I  began  a  flanza  on  the  Three  Shining 
 Sifters,  but  my  ideas,  my  rhime,  and  metre  would  not  hit 
 
 well, 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  i$t 
 
 well  fpare  from  holy  ftudies  and  exercifes  as  a 
 minifter  of  Chrift  fhe  was  checked  and  confined 
 
 within 
 
 well,  while  the  words  ran  in  the  plural  number,  and  this 
 flight  occurrence  was  the  real  occafion  of  turning  my 
 thoughts  to  the  lingular,  and  then,  becaufe  the  Lady  Sun- 
 derlandwas  accounted  much  the  fineft  woman  of  the  three 
 I  addrefled  the  verfes  to  her  name.  Afterwards  when  I 
 came  to  the  coffee-houfe  I  entertained  fome  of  my  friends 
 with  thefe  lines,  and  they,  imagining  it  would  be  no  dif- 
 agreeable  thing  to  the  company,  perfuaded  me  to  permit 
 them  to  pafs  through  the  prefs.  This  is  the  whole  (lory, 
 and  the  real  truth. 
 
 An  Ode  to  the  Lady  Sunderland,    1712. 
 
 I. 
 
 Fair  nymph,  afcend  to  Beauty's  throne, 
 And  rule  that  radiant  world  alone  ; 
 Let  favourites  take  thy  lower  fphere ; 
 Not  monarchs  are  thy  rivals  here  *. 
 
 II. 
 The  court  of  Beauty  built  fublime 
 Defies  all  pow'rs  but  heav'n  and  time  ; 
 Envy,  that  clouds  the  hero's  fky, 
 Aims  but  in  vain  her  lhafts  fo  high. 
 
 III. 
 Not  Blenheim's  field,  nor  IJler's  flood, 
 Nor  ftandards  dy'd  in  Gallic  blood, 
 Torn  from  the  foe,  add  nobler  grace 
 To  Churchill's  houfe  than  Spen/er's  face, 
 
 IV. 
 The  warlike  thunder  of  his  arms 
 Is  lefs  commanding  than  her  charms  ; 
 His  lightning  ftrikes  with  lefs  furprife 
 Than  fudden  glances  from  her  eyes. 
 
 *  Lady  Sunderland  had  been  removed  from  her  place  at  court  by 
 Queen  Anr.t  but  a  little  before. 
 
 K  z  V,  His 
 
f32  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 within  her  proper  bounds.  In  the  preface  to 
 his  Lyric  Poem?  the  Doftor  thus  exprefTes  him- 
 felf :  cc  'Tis  one  of  the  biggeft  Satisfactions  I 
 fC  take  in  giving  this  volume  to  the  world  that 
 <c  I  expect  to  be  for  ever  free  from  the  tempta- 
 cc  tion  of  making  or  mending  poems  again. 
 cc  Let  minds  which  are  better  furnifhed  for 
 fc  fuch  performances  purfue  thefe  ftudies,  if 
 •«  they  are  convinced  that  poefy  can  be  made 
 <c  ferviceable  to  religion  and  virtue.  As  for 
 <(  myfelf,  I  almoft  blufh  to  think  that  I  have 
 <c  read  fo  little,  and  written  fo  much.  The 
 u  following  years  of  my  life  fhall  be  more  en- 
 "  tirely  devoted  to  the  immediate  and  direct 
 "  labours  of  my  flation."  It  is  further  ob- 
 servable that  in  a  feafon  of  more  confirmed 
 health  the  Botlor  not  content  with  his  flated 
 fervices  on  the  Lord's  day  formed  a  foriety  of 
 the  younger  members  of  his  church  for  prayer 
 and  religious  conference,  to  whom  he  delivered 
 the  fubftance  of  that  excellent  book  which  he 
 afterwards  published,  under  the  title  of  A  Guide 
 
 v. 
 His  captives  feel  their  limbs  confin'd 
 In  iron  ;   me  enflaves  the  mind  ; 
 We  follow  with  a  pleafing  pain, 
 And  blefs  the  conqueror  and  the  chain. 
 
 VI. 
 The  Mufe,  that  dares  in  numbers  do 
 What  paint  and  pencil  never  knew, 
 Faints  at  her  prefence  in  defpair, 
 And  owns  th' inimitable  fair. 
 
 Q 
 
 to 
 
<< 
 
 (C 
 
 Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  133 
 
 to  Prayer  :    and  how  concerned  he  was  to  pro- 
 mote religion  among  his  people  by  his  vifits  to 
 their  families,  as  well  as  his  public  miniftra- 
 tions,  may  be  learned  from  what  he  fays  in  his 
 dedication  of  the  firft  volume  of  his  fermons  to 
 them  1721.      "  As  fad  as  my  health  increafes 
 "  you  may  affure  yourfelves  it  is  devoted  to 
 "  your  edification.   It  often  grieves  me  to  think 
 ' c  how  poor,  feeble,  and  fhort  my  prefent  labours 
 ".are-  among  you,  and  yet  what  days  of  faint- 
 nefs  I  generally  feel  after  every  fuch  attempt, 
 fo  that  I  am  continually  prevented  in  my 
 defign  of  fucceffive  vifits  to  you  by  the  want 
 of  active  fpirits  while  I  tarry  in  the  city,  and 
 if  1  attempt  to  flay  but  a  week  or  ten  days 
 <f  there  I  find  a  fenfible  return  of  weaknefs,  fo 
 €C  that  I  am  conflrained  to  return  to  the  coun- 
 "  try  air  to  recruit  and  maintain  this  little  ca- 
 "  pacity  of  fervice.     I  blefs  God  heartily,  and 
 "  you  are  my  witneffes  that,  in  my  better  fca- 
 "  fons  of  health  heretofore  and  in  the  intervals 
 "  of  my  fludies,  I  was  not  a  ftranger  to  your 
 "  private  families,    nor   thoughtlefs   of  your 
 "  fouls  improvement."     I  might  venture  alfo 
 to  add  that  it  is  beyond  conjecture  that  not  only 
 from   a  delight    to  oblige  particular  perfons, 
 but  from  an  hope  of  doing  public  fervice,  he 
 wrote  fo  many  recommendatory  prefaces  as  he 
 did,  being  ready  to  lend  the  affiftance  of  his 
 name  to  give  a  wider  diffufion  to  pious  and  ufe- 
 ful  compofitions  than  they  would  in  all  proba- 
 K  3  bility 
 
134  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 bility  have  obtained  without  it  j\  And  let  it 
 be  remembered  to  his  honour  as  a  true  and 
 faithful  fervant  and  follower  of  his  Lord  that 
 he  fludioufly  embraced  the  opportunities  which 
 
 f  It  may  be  fomevvhat  difficult  to  colleft  all  the  inftances 
 of  the  Doctors  recommendations  of  the  works  of  others. 
 The  following  may  be  enumerated. 
 
 Preface  to  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thomas  Haly  burton. 
 
 to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bourne's  volume  of  Prayers  for 
 
 families. 
 
 to  the  Rev.   Mr.  John  Reynolds's  difcourfes  on 
 
 Reconciliation  between  God  and  man. 
 
 to   the   Rev.  Mr.  John  Jennings's  difcourfes  on 
 
 Preaching  Chrift. 
 
 to  an  Abridgment  of  the  Rev .  Dr.  Cotton  Ma- 
 
 therms  Life  by  Dr.  David  Jennings. 
 
 to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Edivards's  Narrative 
 
 of  the  numerous  converfions  in  New  England  1734,  1735. 
 
 «*  to  the  Rev.  Dr.   Samuel  Clarke's  of  St.  Albans' 
 
 Collection  of  fcripture  promifes. 
 
 «   to  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Ma/on  of 
 Water  Stratford.      And 
 
 to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Steele's  Religious  Tradefman.     Of 
 
 this  book  the  late  Mr.  Benjamin  Forftt,  the  honoured 
 founder  under  God  of  The  fociety  for  giving  Bibles,  Tejia- 
 mentSy  and  other  good  books  to  the  poor,  made  a  revifal3 
 and  then  defired  me  to  apply  to  Dr.  Watts  for  his  re-, 
 commendation  of  it  to  the  world.  I  complied  with  his 
 requeft,  and,  the  Defter  being  too  feeble,  it  being  the  fame 
 year  in  which  he  died,  to  draw  up  a  preface  himfclf,  he 
 defired  me  to  do  it,  which  1  accordingly  did,  and  he  figned 
 it,  and  then  bid  me  do  the  fame.  The  book  was  after- 
 wards printed,  and  is  now  diimbuted  by  the  oook-fociety, 
 with  only  the  Dover's  name  to  the  Preface,  as  I  gave  Mr. 
 Fcrfitt  leave  to  fupprefs  my  own.  This  particular  in- 
 stance of  the  Doctor's  recommendation  of  the  writings  of 
 Others  with  its  circumftances,  fhews  how  defirous  h,e  was  of 
 ig  good. 
 
 Pro- 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  135 
 
 Providence  threw  in  his  way  of  trying  to  do 
 good  to  particular  perfons  by  profitable  and 
 pious   converfes  with  them,  of  which  I  will 
 mention  the  following  examples.     A  gentle- 
 woman now  living,  and  who  is  an  ornament  to 
 her  fex,  told  me  that  in  younger  life  (he  was 
 on  a  vifit  at  Lady  Abnefs,  that  fhe  was  taken 
 fomewhat  ill,  and  was  left  in  the  houfe  (the  reft 
 of  the  family  being  gone  abroad)  with  only  the 
 Doftory  that  the  good  man  improved  the  occa- 
 fion  to  enter  into  difcourfe  with  her,  and  give 
 her  mod  excellent  advices,  of  which  fhe  has  a 
 pleafing    remembrance     to    the    prefent    day. 
 Another  inftance  of  the  fame  kind   has  been 
 communicated  to  me  by  my  efteemed  friend 
 and  brother  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kingjhury  of  South- 
 ampton, as  he  received  it  from  the  mouth  of  the 
 fon-in-law  (now  living)  of  the  perfon.    "  Mr. 
 "  Richard  Ellcock   was  a  fervant  in  old  Mr. 
 <c  Watts\  family.     Br.  Watts  going  to  London 
 fC  after  the  laft  time  of  his  vifiting  his  father 
 Cf  at  Southampton,  Richard  Ellcock  was  ordered 
 cf  to  go  with  him  a  day's  journey.     The  Doc- 
 tc  tor  entered  into  ferious  difcourfe  with  him, 
 cf  which  made  a  deep  and  lading  impreflion  on 
 cc  his  heart,   and  was  the  mean  of  his  found 
 "  and  favins;    converfion.      After  the  Do  ft  or 
 fC  came  to  London   he  wrote  to  his  father  re- 
 «  commending  the  fervant  to    his  particular 
 <(  regard,   for  that  lie  doubted  not  he  would 
 <c  make  an  eminent  chriftian,  and  fo  he  lived 
 "  and  died,   leaving  an  honourable  character 
 K  4.  "  for 
 
,36  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 "  for  piety  and  uprightnefs  behind  him.    This 
 ic  is  attefted  by  many." 
 
 Thofe  prime  and  radical  conftituents  of  a 
 truly  good  character,  truth  and  fincerity,  were 
 very  confpicuous  in  the  Doflor.  I  never  ob- 
 ferved  him  in  any  of  his  converfes  in  the  lead 
 degree  affect  to  conceal  or  difguife  any  fenti- 
 mental  differences  in  religion  between  himfelf 
 and  others,  but  on  the  other  hand  he  appeared 
 quite  open  and  free  to  a  declaration  whenever 
 an  occafion  offered.  If  there  was  any  thing 
 which  he  took  notice  of  in  his  friends  not  quite 
 fo  proper  or  prudent  in  his  judgment  he  took 
 the  liberty  of  fignifying  it  to  them.  Ke  might 
 be  fafely  truiled,  and  his  appearances  and  pro- 
 mifes  were  I  am  perfuaded  in  perfect  unifon 
 with  his  very  foul.  He  purfued  the  line  of 
 duty,  or,  according  to  the  fcripture  exprefiions, 
 ran  the  race  that  was  fet  before  him  *  unin- 
 fluenced by  emoluments  or  applaufes  on  the 
 one  hand,  or  by  oppofition  or  cenfure  on  the 
 other.  There  was  nothing  in  him  that  could 
 be  ftyled  art  or  defign.  His  foul  appeared  to 
 have  no  plaits  nor  foldings  in  it,  but  expanded 
 itfelf  in  an  open  broad  view  at  once,  or,  to 
 adopt  another  metaphor,  his  mind  was  a  clear 
 tranfparent  ftream,  whofe  inmoft  depth  was 
 obvious  to  all,  and  in  which  lay  not  weeds  and 
 dirt,  but  treafures  richer  than  thofe  of  Paclolus^ 
 whofe  waters  glided  over  beds  of  gold.    In  fine, 
 
 *  Heb.  xii.   i. 
 
 I  make 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATT  S.  137 
 
 I  make  no  doubt  but  that  upon  the  bell:  grounds 
 he  could  apply  to  himfelf  the  words  of  St.  Paul 
 and  fay,  "  For  our  rejoicing  is  this  that  in 
 "  fimplicity  and  godly  fincerity,  not  with  fieih- 
 <c  ly  wifdom,  but  by  the  grace  of  God  we  have 
 fC  had  our  converfation  in  the  world  V 
 
 He  never  difcovered  in  his  behaviour  or  con- 
 verfation any  thing  like  an  high  opinion  of 
 himfelf.  He  by  no  means  treated  his  inferiors 
 with  difdain;  there  was  nothing  overbearing 
 and  dogmatical  in  his  difcourfe.  His  afpect, 
 motion,  and  manner  of  fpeech  betrayed  no 
 confcioufnefs  of  his  fuperior  abilities.  On  the 
 other  hand  Br.  Jennings,  who  was  long  and  in- 
 timately acquainted  with  him,  in  his  funeral 
 difcourfe,  bears  this  honourable  teftimony  to 
 his  humility.  <c  It  was  like  a  deep  ihade,  fays 
 (C  he,  if  I  may  fo  exprefs  it,  that  {tt  off  his 
 (e  other  graces  and  virtues,  and  made  them 
 <c  fhine  with  a  brighter  luftre  :  and  as  this 
 <e  grace  had  a  mighty  influence  on  his  heart 
 <c  and  temper,  fo  it  had  no  little  eftecT:  in  form- 
 fC  ing  his  fentiments,  for  he  never  thought  he 
 cc  could  be  laid  too  low  as  a  creature  or  a  fin- 
 cc  ner  that  he  might  do  honour  to  the  perfec- 
 "  tions  and  grace  of  God,  and  hence  in  a  great 
 "  meafure  arofe  that  high  efteem  which  he  had 
 "  for  the  Chriftian  difpenfation,  which  is  fo 
 "  apparently  calculated  to  exalt  God  and 
 "  humble  man.     Nor  was   his  humility  lefs 
 
 *  2  Cor.  i.  12, 
 
 "  con- 
 
i*8  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 "  confpicuous  in  his  outward  carriage  toward 
 "  others.  Hence  flowed  that  condefcenfion 
 cf  and  goodnefs,  that  humanity  and  kindnefs 
 "  which  could  not  but  endear  him  to  all  who 
 cc  had  the  pleafure  of  converting  with  him,  and 
 "  which  rendered  him  venerable  in  a  much 
 cc  higher  degree  than  all  the  honours  he  re- 
 "  ceived  from  the  world.  In  fhort,  his  de- 
 iC  fcription  of  this  grace,  which  he  has  fo  beauti- 
 <f  fully  exemplified  in  the  character  of  St.  Paul  * 
 "  feems  to  be  but  a  tranfcript  of  his  own  heart 
 cc  and  life."  Great  as  his  abilities  were  as  a 
 poet,  and  extraordinary  as  the  acceptance  of 
 his  works  was  in  the  world,  he  fpeaks  concern- 
 ing his  compofitions  in  verfe  in  the  humbled 
 language.  cc  I  make  no  pretences,  fays  he,  to 
 "  the  name  of  a  poet,  or  a  polite  writer  in  an 
 !?  age  wherein  fo  many  fuperior  fouls  fhine  in 
 Cf  their  works  through  the  nation."  He  then 
 mentions  with  diftinguifhed  honour  Mr.  Pope's 
 paftoral  entitled  the  MeJ/iab,  Dr.  Young's  para- 
 phrafe  on  part  of  the  book  of  Job,  and  Mrs. 
 Rowe's  Epiflles  from  the  dead  to  the  living, 
 and  her  Letters  moral  and  entertaining,  and 
 acknowledges  his  inferiority  to  them  all  j*. 
 
 In  a  letter  which  he  wrote  to  the  author  of 
 the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  when  his  decifion 
 was  requefted  upon  the  merits  of  feveral  prize- 
 poems  on  the  fubjecl  of  aftronowy^  which  had 
 
 *  Humility  reprefented  in  St.  Paul's  character. 
 t  Preface  to  his  Miscellaneous  Thoughts,  p.  12. 
 
 been 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS.  139 
 
 been  fubmitted  to  his  judgment,  the  Doficr 
 thus  modeflly  exprefTes  himfelf. 
 
 "  Sir,  Newington,  Dec-  26,  1734. 
 
 "  Though  I  have  fported  with  rhyme  as  an 
 "  amufement  in  younger  life,  and  publifhed 
 "  fome  religious  compofures  to  aflift  the  wor- 
 cf  fhip  of  God,  yet  I  never  fet  myfelf  up 
 Cf  among  the  numerous  competitors  for  a  poet 
 cc  of  the  age,  much  lefs  have  I  prefumed  to 
 "  become  their  judge.  'Tis  too  great  an  ho- 
 <c  nour,  Sir,  you  have  done  me  to  place  me  in 
 cc  that  fituation,  v/hen  I  find  myfelf  fo  utterly 
 cc  unfit  to  execute  fuch  an  office,  and  if  I  had 
 <c  ever  been  bleffed  with  a  capacity  of  this 
 <c  kind,  yet  there  is  a  certain  limit  and  period 
 <f  to  all  mortal  powers.  The  gay  colours  of 
 "  imagery,  and  the  fprightly  relifh  of  verfe  die 
 <c  away,  and  vanifh  in  my  advancing  age  *, 
 "  for  I  have  almoft  left  off  to  read  or  write 
 "  what  was  once  fo  engaging.  One  ought  to 
 "  preferve  a  quick  fenfe  of  beauties  and  ble- 
 *c  mifhes,  and  an  elegant  tafle  of  fentiment 
 <c  and  language  in  order  to  pals  a  judgment  on 
 <c  the  labours  of  the  mufes. 
 
 cc  I  acknowledge  your  civility,  Sir,  and  the 
 "  refpecl  of  the  gentlemen,  who  have  done  me 
 tc  this  honour.  I  wifh  in  return  I  could  ad- 
 "  judge  the  prizes  to  every  one  of  them,  for  all 
 "  have  their  peculiar  merit. "  The  DoRor 
 then  proceeds  to  give  his  opinion  of  the  feveral 
 
 *  The  DoSIcr  had  now  entered  his  61  ft  year. 
 
 pieces, 
 
,4o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 pieces,  the  recital  of  which  would  be  foreign 
 to  cur  purpofe,  as  the  only  reafon  why  we  have 
 quoted  the  letter  is  to  fhow  his  low  opinion  of 
 himfelf  as  a  poet,  while  he  defervedly  flood, 
 and  dill  Hands  fo  high  in  that  character  in  the 
 opinion  of  the  world. 
 
 He  appeared  to  be  nobly  avaricious  of  his 
 time,  and  ever  watchful  to  improve  it,  fuffer- 
 ing  none  of  its  fands  to  run  down  in  vain.  It 
 is  not  unlikely  but  many  of  his  pieces  were  the 
 products  of  his  thoughts  while  he  was  walking 
 or  riding.  The  poem  called  A  Sight  of  Heaven  in 
 Sicknefs,  he  informed  me  was  made  on  horfeback, 
 and  I  remember  his  telling  me  cc  that  had  he 
 "  enjoyed  the  advantages  in  his  younger  years 
 <c  of  fuch  a  fituation  as  that  of  Lady  Abnefs  feat 
 "  at  Stoke  Newington  (intending  no  doubt  the 
 *f  ipacious  and  delightful  gardens  and  walks 
 *■«  belonging  to  it  which  would  have  been  mod 
 "  propitious  to  his  Mufe)  where  he  had  com- 
 <c  pofed  one  piece  of  poetry,  he  fhould  have 
 "  written  ten." 
 
 I  am  perfuaded  no  perfon  who  lived  to  fo 
 great  an  age  had  fewer  wade  moments  to  ac- 
 count for  than  the  Dottor.  In  his  fludy,  his 
 delightful  recefs,  his  terreflrial  paradife,  he 
 was  always  enlarging  his  dores  of  knowledge, 
 or  preparing  them  for  a  communication  to  the 
 world.  His  converfation  was  fuch  as  in  all  re- 
 fpects  became  the  man  of  wifdom,  the  man  of 
 God.  His  obfervations  on  others  were  deep 
 and  penetrating,  and  it  is  probable  their  ex- 
 cellencies or  defects  furnilhed  him  with  hints 
 -j  for 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  !4f 
 
 for  feveral  papers  in  his  Mfcellames  in  which 
 the  different  characters  of  mankind  are  deli- 
 neated, but  fo  as  to  guard  againfl  any  perfonal 
 offence  in  a  Angle  inftance.  When  he  went 
 abroad  among  the  fcenes  of  rural  verdure, 
 beauty,  and  fruitfulnefs,  like  the  bee  in  its  in- 
 duftrious  ranges  for  celeftial  fweets,  he  was  fe- 
 licitous to  gather  frefh  food  for  heavenly  con- 
 templation, or  frefh  materials  and  ornaments 
 for  future  compofitions.  The  paflures  covered 
 with  flocks  and  herds,  the  fields  waving  with 
 the  ripening  harvefts,  the  groves  refounding 
 with  the  melody  of  the  birds  enlivened  his 
 praifes,  and  he  faw,  heard,  and  confeflfed  his 
 God  in  all.  The  Ikies  by  day  flruck  his  foul 
 with  admiration  of  the  immenfe  power,  wif- 
 dom,  and  goodnefs  of  their  divine  Author,  the 
 moon,  and  flarry  train  by  night  increafed  his 
 conceptions  of  Deity,  and  in  the  open  manu- 
 fcript  of  God,  the  wide  extended  heavens,  he 
 read  the  letters  of  his  great  and  wonderful 
 name  with  profound  homage  and  veneration. 
 All  that  met  his  eye  or  ear  was  laid,  as  it  were, 
 under  a  perpetual  tribute  to  yield  him  improve- 
 ment, and  confecrate  and  enrich  his  moments 
 of  leifure  and  necefTary  ceffation  from  his  flu- 
 dies  5  and  in  fhort,  nature  was  only  a  fcale  to 
 his  devout  foul  by  which  to  afcend  to  the 
 knowledge  and  adoration  of  God  *. 
 
 When 
 
 *  That  what  is  here  faid  concerning  the  Doftor  has  the 
 fupport  of  truth  I  might  produce  in  evidence  what  his 
 
 fitter 
 
i42  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 When  he  appeared  in  the  pulpit  he  had  a 
 very  refpectable  and  ferious  auditory.  Though 
 he  had  little  or  no  action  yet  there  was  fuch  a 
 
 rich 
 
 filter  Mrs.  Brack/tone  herfelf  told  me  of  his  endeavours 
 while  he  was  at  his  father's  to  lead  the  then  young  family, 
 of  which  he  was  the  eldeft  born,  into  a  knowledge  of  the 
 wonderful  works  of  God  ;  my  own  obfervations  of  his  man- 
 ner of  life  for  feveral  years,  and  above  all  thofe  of  Mr. 
 Parker  his  Amanuenjls  for  more  than  20,  and  thofe  of  Mrs. 
 Abney  for  near  40  years  ;  and  I  might  ftrengthen  the  tefli- 
 monies  to  his  diligence  in  improving  the  various  fcenes  of 
 creation  by  an  appeal  to  his  Lyric  Poems,  his  Mi/cellanies  in 
 frofe  and  <verfe>  and  even  his  Sengs  for  children,  feveral  of 
 whofe  themes  are  taken  from  the  common  appearances  of 
 nature,  but  I  fhall  make  no  citations  of  this  kind  as  the 
 truth  is  obvious  to  all  who  read  them,  and  as  I  mould 
 quote,  if  I  would  make  a  collection  of  all  his  poems  on 
 thefe  fubjects,  a  great  part  of  his  poetical  compofures. 
 But  let  me  be  permitted  to  adorn  my  page  with  an  extract 
 from  that  very  fine  ode  which  makes  a  part  of  the  firft  num- 
 ber of  his  Mi/cellanies,  in  which  he  gives  honour  to  God 
 the  Creator  in  the  following  almoft  inimitable  drains, 
 
 My  God,  I  love,  and  I  adore; 
 But  faints  who  love  would  know  thee  more : 
 Wilt  thou  for  ever  hide,  and  rtand 
 Behind  the  labours  of  thine  hand  ? 
 Thy  hand  unfeen  fuftains  the  poles 
 On  which  this  huge  creation  rolls : 
 The  Harry  arch  proclaims  thy  pow  r) 
 Thy  pencil  glows  in  ev'rv  flow'r ; 
 In  thoufand  fhapes  and  colours  rife 
 Thy  painted  wonders  to  our  eyes ; 
 While  beafts  and  birds  with  lab'ring  throats 
 Teach  us  a  God  in  thoufand  notes. 
 The  meaneft  pin  in  nature's  frame 
 Marks  out  fome  letter  of  thy  name  : 
 
 8  Where 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  143 
 
 rich  vein  of  good  fenfe  and  profitable  inflruo 
 tion,  there  were  fuch  propriety,  eafe,  and  beau- 
 ty in  his  language,  fuch  a  freedom  and  at  the 
 fame  time  correctnefs  in  his  pronunciation,  ac- 
 companied with  an  unaffected  folemnity  in  the 
 delivery  of  the  mod  facred  and  momentous 
 truths  that  his  minifhy  was  much  attend- 
 ed, and  he  had  a  considerable  church,  and 
 crowded  congregation.  His  preparations  for 
 the  pulpit  were  only  the  heads  and  particulars 
 of  his  difcourfes  and  fome  few  hints  under 
 them,  fo  that  he  preached  partly  from  his 
 notes,  and  partly  without  them  *.  Dr.  Jen- 
 nings  thus  expreffes  himfelf  in  his  reprefenta- 
 tion  of  him  as  a  preacher.  cc  It  is  no  wonder, 
 <c  fays  he,  that  a  man  thus  richly  furni fried  with 
 c<  gifts  and  graces,  was  an  admired  preacher. 
 <£  Though  his  ftature  was  low  and  his  bodily 
 <f  prefence  but  weak,  yet  his  preaching  was 
 i(  weighty  and  powerful.  There  were  a  cer- 
 <c  tain  dignity  and  refpect  in  his  very  afpect 
 cc  which  commanded  attention  and  awe,  and 
 <f  when  he  fpoke,  fuch  drains  of  truly  chriflian 
 
 Where  fenfe  can  reach,  or  fancy  rove. 
 From  hill  to  hill,  from  field  to  grove, 
 Acrofs  the  waves,  around  the  fky 
 There's  not  a  fpot  or  deep  or  high, 
 Where  the  Creator  has  not  trod, 
 And  left  the  footfteps  of  a  God. 
 
 •  I  am  well  allured  that  he  wrote  more  in  his  prepara- 
 tions for  the  pulpit  in  younger  life  than  he  did  in  advanced 
 years. 
 
 "  elo- 
 
144  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 "  eloquence  flowed  from  his  lips,  and  thefe  {6 
 "  apparently  animated  with  zeal  for  God,  and 
 cc  the  mod  tender  concern  for  fouls,  and  their 
 cc  everlafting  falvation,  as  one  would  think 
 •  cc  could  not  be  eafily  (lighted  or  refilled."  It 
 was  remarkable  that  he  gave  himfelf  and  his 
 hearers  proper  refls  at  the  end  of  his  fentences, 
 by  no  means  throwing  himfelf  into  any  kind  of 
 hurry,  or  impetuous  vehemence.  He  never 
 feemed  at  a  lofs  for  matter  or  exprefTion,  and 
 appeared  to  have  a  perpetual  command  of  him- 
 felf and  his  fubject  f .  In  prayer  it  might 
 perhaps  be  truly  faid  that  he  excelled  himfelf. 
 It  was  throughout  an  addrefs  to  Deity,  not  in 
 florid  expreflions,  not  in  long  and  involved 
 fentences,  but  in  eafy  and  unadorned  language, 
 and  rather  fhort  and  weighty  periods  J.  There 
 was  an  extent  in  his  addrefTes  to  Deity,  which 
 comprehended  every  proper  fubjecl,  and  at  the 
 
 f  I  once  afked  him  whether  in  his  preaching  he  did  not 
 find  himfelf  fometimes  too  much  awed  by  his  auditory  ? 
 He  told  me  "  that  when  fuch  a  man,  mentioning  a  gen- 
 "  tleman  of  eminent  abilities  and  learning,  has  come  into 
 "  the  affembly,  and  taken  his  eye,  that  he  has  felt  fome- 
 "  thing  like  a  momentary  tremor  upon  him,  but  that  he 
 "  recovered  himfelf  by  remembering  what  God  faid  to  the 
 "  prophet  'Jeremiah,  chap.  i.  7.  "  Be  not  difmayed  at 
 "  their  faces  left  I  confound  thee  before  them." 
 
 \  The  Dotlor  informed  me,  "  he  took  pains  with  him- 
 u  felf  in  younger  life  to  fhorten  his  fentences,  and  prevent 
 **  a  diffufe  and  luxuriant  ftyle,"  and  with  what  happy  fuc- 
 cefs  his  pulpit  performances  were  a  flriking  teftimony, 
 and  indeed  fo  were  all  his  publications. 
 
 fame 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS,  145 
 
 fame  time  fuch  a  brevity,  though  not  fo  as  to 
 be  difagreeably  or  affectedly  fententious,  in  the 
 reprefentation  of  each  of  them,  that  at  the  con- 
 clufion  of  his  prayer  an  hearer  might  find  him- 
 felf  at  a  lofs  to  conceive  what  more  or  lefs 
 could  have  been  faid.  The  like  paufes  be- 
 tween fentence  and  fentence  were  obferved  by 
 him  in  prayer  which  he  obferved  in  preaching  if 
 they  were  not  rather  longer.  I  might  fpare 
 myfelf  faying  that  he  was  moft  ferious  in  this 
 part  of  facred  worfhip. 
 
 In  his  converfation,  as  he  was  far  from  dis- 
 covering any  thing  like  an  high  opinion  of 
 himfelf,  fo  neither  did  he  mow  any  thing  like 
 a  difpofition  to  traduce  or  depreciate  the  cha- 
 racters and  abilities  of  others,  but  on  the  other 
 hand  he  would  fpeak  very  honourably  of  per- 
 fons  whom  he  thought  deferving  praife  *.  He 
 had  his  opponents,  and  fuch  as  endeavoured  to 
 reprefent  him  in  a  difadvantageous  light,  but  I 
 never  obferved  that  their  treatment  drew  from 
 him  any  unkind  reflexions  or  cenfures  in  re- 
 turn. I  well  remember,  upon  a  publication 
 of  his  fome  few  years  before  his  death,  he  was 
 
 *  As  a  further  proof  of  his  readinefs  to  commend  and 
 not  to  cenfure,  an  appeal  might  be  made  to  his  writings, 
 and  particularly  to  the  many  poems  of  honour  and  friend- 
 mip  in  his  Hora  Lyricce,  and  his  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts. 
 It  is  alfo  obfervable  to  the  fame  purpofe  what  encomi- 
 ums he  paffes  in  his  profe  compofitions  upon  the  works  of 
 others. 
 
 L  attacked 
 
146  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 attacked  by  one  writer  for  going  too  much  in- 
 to one  kind  of  theological  fentiments,  and  by 
 another  for  verging  to  the  contrary.  The  re- 
 mark the  good  man  made  upon  his  peculiar 
 fate  was,  <c  that  a  moderator  muft  expect  to  be 
 "  boxed  on  both  ears." 
 
 As  to  foods  and  drinks  he  was  very  mode- 
 rate and  exemplary  ;  he  was  fo  far  from  being 
 in  fubjection  to  his  appetites,  or  giving  indul- 
 gence to  them  in  the  lead  degree  imprudent 
 or  improper,  that  he  was  the  very  Sobrino  he  fo 
 finely  defcribes  as  a  temperate  man  and  a  phi- 
 lofopher,  cc  who  fed  upon  partridge  and  phea- 
 (C  fant,  venifon  and  ragouts,  and  every  delicacy 
 "  In  a  growing  understanding,  and  a  ferene 
 4C  and  healthy  foul  f. 
 
 There  was  nothing  in  him  which  betrayed  a 
 penurious  temper,  or  any  defign  and  endea- 
 vour to  lay  up  treafures  on  earth.  He  was 
 rich  but  it  was  in  good  works,  ready  to  cliftrl- 
 bute,  willing  to  communicate.  The  goodnefs 
 of  his  heart  difcovered  itfelf  in  acts  of  liberality 
 and  munificence,  and,  cc  I  am  credibly  in- 
 *c  formed,  fays  Dr.  Jeimingsy  that  from  the 
 <c  time  he  was  received  into  Sir  Thomas  Abney's 
 "  family  he  conftantly  devoted  a  third  part  of 
 "  his  income  to  charitable  ufes."  I  am  able 
 to  affirm  that  in  his  laft  decays,  when  he  was 
 incapable  of  public  fervice,  he  refufed  to  re- 
 ceive  his   ufual    acknowledgments    from    the 
 
 f  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  chap.  1.  §  6. 
 
 church 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  147 
 
 church  of  which  he  was  paftor,  faying,  cc  that 
 *  as  he  could  not  preach,  he  had  no  title  to 
 *c  any  falary."  His  refufal  was  not  accepted, 
 indeed^  as  it  ought  not  to  have  been,  as  the 
 church  owed  its  increafe  fo  much  to  him,  and 
 as  he  had  fpent  fo  great  a  part  of  his  life  in  his 
 miniflry  in  it.  But  who  can  but  admire  this 
 inftance  of  his  delicate  fenfe  of  honour,  and  his 
 noble  fuperiority  to  the  influence  of  worldly 
 gain  ?  It  is  but  a  juft  refpecl  to  Mr.  Price,  his 
 colleague,  to  add  that  he  ftrenuoufly  oppofed 
 and  by  no  means  would  admit  the  Doctor  %  de- 
 clining his  income  from  the  confideration  of 
 the  obligations  the  intereft  at  Berry-ftrcet  lay- 
 under  to  him. 
 
 He  never  difcovered  any  thing  like  a  furious 
 zeal,  or  a  narrow  decifive  fpirit,  but  cordially 
 embraced  all  whom  he  efleemed  the  genuine 
 difciples  of  his  Lord,  and  no  party  names,  nor 
 variety  of  fentiments  in  matters  of  doubtful 
 difputation,  and  different  modes  of  worfhip 
 could  feparate  him  in  affection  from  fuch  as  he 
 had  reafon  to  apprehend  loved  our  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift  in  fincerity.  Accordingly  he  maintain- 
 ed a  free  and  friendly  correfpondence  with 
 Chriftians  of  various  denominations.  Though 
 he  judged  the  principles  of  the  Nonconformifts 
 inoft  favourable  to  chriftian  liberty,  and  the 
 rights  of  confcience,  and  their  forms  of  worfhip 
 moll  agreeable  to  the  fimplicity  of  the  gofpel, 
 yet  he  had  an  high  efleem  for  the  perfons  and 
 writings  of  many  in  the  eftablifhed  church,  as 
 L  2  many 
 
US  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 many  of  them,  both  in  higher  and  lower  fta- 
 tions  had  for  him*  and  his  writings ;  and  fome 
 reverend  perfonages  of  that  communion  pre- 
 fented  him  with  their  works,  and  accepted  of 
 his  in  return,  on  which  as  on  other  occafions 
 very  ferious  and  affectionate  letters  have  paffed 
 between  them  J. 
 
 Nor  mould  the  Doftor's  grateful  acknow- 
 ledgments of  the  favours  he  received,  or  the 
 fervices  which  had  been  done  him  be  pafTed  in 
 filence.  The  dedication  of  his  piece  entitled 
 The  art  of  reading  and  writing  Englijh  to  the 
 three  young  daughters  of  Sir  Thomas  Abney> 
 thus  expreffes  the  lively  fenfe  he  had  of  his  ob- 
 ligations to  his  mod  generous  benefactors,  the 
 worthy  gentleman  and  lady,  in  whofe  houfe  he 
 refided  :  <c  My  honoured  young  friends,  when 
 "  it  pleafed  God  to  afford  me  the  firft  degrees 
 "  of  releafe  from  a  long  and  tirefome  weaknefs 
 "  I  thought  myfelf  bound  to  make  my  beft 
 <c  acknowledgments  of  that  uncommon  gene- 
 <c  rofity  and  kindnefs  of  your  honoured  parents 
 cc  by  which  I  was  firft  invited  into  your  fa- 
 cc  mily*  and  my  health  began  to  be  reflored. 
 <c  Nor  could  I  do  any  thing  more  grateful  to 
 tc  them,  nor  pleafing  to  myfelf  than  offer  my 
 *c  affiftance  in  fome  part  of  your  education, 
 cc  while  I  was  incapable  of  more  public  work. 
 "  1  began  therefore  at  the  firft  principles  of 
 
 1   Sec  the  Letters  from  his  correfpondents  at  the  end  of 
 the  volume. 
 
 «  learning, 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  149 
 
 cc  learning,  that  I  might  have  an  opportunity 
 cc  to  correct  any  lefTer  miftakes  of  your  young- 
 Cf  eft  years,  and  fo  perfect  your  knowledge  of 
 cc  our  mother-tongue ;  for  this  purpofe,  when 
 <c  I  found  no  fpelling-book  fufficient  to  anfwer 
 cc  my  defigns,  I  wrote  many  of  thefe  direc- 
 <c  tionsj  but  my  health  was  fo  imperfect  that 
 «  I  was  not  able  at  that  time  to  tranfcribe  and 
 fC  finifh  this  little  book,   which  was  defigned 
 <c  for  you.     Thus   it   lay  by  neglected  fome 
 cc  years  till  a  Charity -fchool  arofe  at  Chejhunt  in 
 £C  Hertford/hire^   raifed  and  fupported  by  the 
 cc  diffufive  goodnefs  of  your  family  in  concert 
 cc  with  the  pious  neighbourhood.     Then  was 
 <c  I  requefted,   and  even  provoked  to  put  the 
 c<  laft  hand  to  this  work  for  the  better  inftruc- 
 <c  tion  of  the  children  that  were  taught  there, 
 cc  though  I  muft  confefs  it  has  grown  up  under 
 cc  my  reviews  of  it  to  a  much  larger  fize  than  I 
 <c  ever  intended.     But,  ladies,  I  take  the  free- 
 <c  dom  to  make  you  my  fole  patronerles  in  this 
 "  affair,  for  I  fcarce  know  any  thing  elfe  that 
 <c  can  effectually  defend  me  for  laying  out  fo 
 <c  many  hours  in  thefe  rudiments  of  learnino-, 
 (C  but  a  defire  to  be  ufeful  in  lefTer  fervices 
 <c  while  I  am  cut  off  from  greater,  and  the 
 <c  duty  of  gratitude  to  an  excellent  houfehold, 
 (c  where  fo  many  years  of  my  affliction  have 
 cc  been  attended  with  fo  rich  a  variety  of  con- 
 <c  veniences  and  benefits ;  and  now  I  afk  your 
 w  leave  to  offer  it  to  the  public.    May  the  va- 
 h  3  "  luablQ 
 
j5-o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 cc  luable  lives  of  Sir  Thomas  Abney  and  his  ho- 
 "  noured  Lady  be  prolonged  as  blefTings  to 
 "  the  world,  while  the  kindnefs  they  have 
 "  fhown  me  is  fignally  and  plentifully  re- 
 <c  warded  from  heaven  with  bleffings  on  all 
 cc  your  heads,  and  may  the  little  fhare  I  have 
 <c  had  in  affifting  your  education  be  improved 
 cc  by  divine  providence  and  grace  to  your 
 €C  temporal  and  everlafting  welfare  !  So  prays 
 cc  your  affectionate  inuructor,  and  obliged 
 <c  humble  fervant,  Isaac  Watts. — Theobald's 
 <c  in  Hertfcrdjhire^  July  31,  1720." 
 
 So  ardent  and  inextinguifhable  was  his 
 gratitude  to  Lady  Abney  and  her  family  that 
 he  mingles  his  acknowledgments  of  the  fa- 
 vours he  had  received  from  them  in  his  will, 
 when  he  mentions  "  the  generous  and  tender 
 "  care  fhown  him  by  her  Ladyfnip,  and  her 
 cc  family  in  his  long  illnefs  many  years  ago 
 <c  when  he  was  capable  of  no  fervice,  and 
 cc  alio  her  eminent  friendfhip  and  goodnefs 
 <c  during  his  continuance  in  the  family  ever 
 "  fince." 
 
 The  fame  foul  which  glowed  with  gratitude 
 was  alfo  eminent  for  its  friendfhip.  Accord- 
 ingly the  Doffor,  who  thus  acknowledges  his 
 obligations  to  Lady  Abney  in  one  part  of  his 
 will,  in  another  palTage  thus  exprefTes  his 
 fraternal  love  and  honour  to  the  Rev,  Mr. 
 Samuel  Price,  who  had  been  alfiflant  to  him 
 ten  years,  and  afterwards  his  co-pallor  thirty- 
 five. 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  151 
 
 five  f.  He  ftyles  him  fc  his  faithful  friend  and 
 <c  companion  in  the  labours  of  the  miniftry," 
 and  mentions  a  legacy  which  he  leaves  him  cc  as 
 cc  only  a  fmall  teflimony  of  his  great  affection 
 *c  for  him,  on  account  of  his  fervices  of  love 
 "  during  the  many  harmonious  years  of  their 
 cc  fellowfhip  in  the  work  of  the  gofpel."  And 
 herein  he  only  gave  a  teftimony  in  death  to 
 that  efleem  and  affection  he  had  profefTed  to- 
 wards  him   in   the  dedication,  dated  Feb.  21 , 
 
 f  Mr.  Pries  was  a  native  of  Wales,  and  received  hk 
 education  under  the  Rey.  Mr.  Timothy  Jcllie,  tutor  of  an 
 academy  for  the  training  up  young  men  for  the  miniitry  at 
 At 'ter -cliff "near  Sheffield  in  Torkjhire.  He  was  a  man  of  exem- 
 plary probity  and  virtue,  of  found  and  folic!  fenfe,  a  judici- 
 ous and  ufeful  preacher,  and  eminent  for  his  gift  in  prayer. 
 He  was  very  fagacious,  very  able,  faithful,  and  ready  to 
 advife,  and  communicate  his  mind  in  ferviceabye  hints 
 and  cautions  to  his  friends.  I  am  well  perfuaded  he  laid 
 himfelf  out  in  doing  good,  and  delighted  in  it.  His 
 publications  are  not  very  numerous  :  what  I  recollect  were 
 a  charge  at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Aiigus  at 
 Bi/hops-Stcrtford,  a  fermon  on  the  death  of  Lady  Mary 
 Abncy,  and  nine  difcourfes  in  the  Berry -Jlreet  Sermons. 
 He  has  a  tomb-ftone  erected  to  his  memory  in  Bunhill- 
 ffeldsy  not  far  from  the  Doctor's,  with  the  following  in- 
 fcription  :  "  Here  lies  the  body  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Samuel 
 "  Price,  who  ferved  with  the  truly  reverend  and  excellent 
 **  Dr.  Watts  in  the  Gofpel  under  the  characters  of  his  af- 
 "  fiftant  and  co-paflor  forty-five  years,  to  whofe  unin- 
 "  terrupted  goodnefs  an  1  candour  he-  has  been  highly 
 '.'  obliged  fo  great  a  part  of  his  life.  Ke  died  in  hope  of 
 "  being  together  for  ever  with  the  Lord  the  twenty-fril 
 "  of  April  1756."  Thefe  model*  lines,  fo  full  of  refpeft 
 to  the  Doctor,  Mr.  Price  directed  in  his  will  mould  be  writ- 
 ten on  his  tomb-ftone,  which  he  denied  might  be  erected  as 
 near  as  pcllible  to  that  of  his  honoured  colleague. 
 
 L  4  17 20-1, 
 
i52  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 1 7  20- 1,  to  his  people  of  his  Sermons  on  va- 
 rious fubjects  divine  and  moral,  where  he  fays, 
 "  that  he  could  not  conceal  his  joy  that  his 
 tc  kind  and  faithful  companion  in  the  fervice 
 H  of  their  fouls  praclifes  his  miniftry  with  the 
 <c  fame  views  and  defigns  (namely,  the  glory 
 cc  of  God,  and  the  good  of  fouls)  and  that 
 "  he  had  been  fenfibly  owned  and  affifled  of 
 cc  God  to  fupport  and  build  up  the  church 
 cc  during  his  long  confinement.  His  labours 
 <f  (adds  the  DoffGr)  both  for  you  and  for  me 
 <c  fhall  ever  endear  him  both  to  you  and  me." 
 The  fame  dedication  furnifhes  another  proof 
 of  the  deep  fenfe  of  love  and  friendfhip,  which 
 pofTefTed  the  Doflor's  heart,  for  he  thus  writes 
 to  his  church.  S€  'Tis  in  the  fervice  of  your 
 <f  fouls  I  have  fpent  the  bed  period  of  my 
 cc  life  miniftering  the  gofpel  among  you.  Two 
 cc  and  twenty  years  are  now  expired  fince  you 
 <(  firft  called  me  to  this  delightful  work,  and 
 "  from  that  time  my  cares  and  labours,  my 
 <c  ftudies  and  prayers  have  been  employed 
 cf  on  your  behalf.  I  truft  they  have  been  ac- 
 V  cepted  with  God,  and,  through  his  Al- 
 <c  mighty  blefTing,  have  obtained  fome  fuccefs. 
 <f  As  to  their  acceptance  with  you  I  have  too 
 <(  many  and  plain  evidences  to  admit  a  doubt 
 "  of  it,  which  I  have  often  thankfully  acknow- 
 cc  ledged  to  God  and  you.  Your  forward  kind- 
 (c  nefs  hath  always  forbid  my  requefts,  nor  do 
 <c  I  remember  that  you  ever  gave  me  leave  to 
 <c  afk  any  thing  at  your  hands  by  your  con- 
 
 "  flant 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  153 
 
 1  ftant  anticipation  of  all  which  I  could  rea- 
 c  fonably    defire.     While    I  was    thus  walk- 
 
 <  ing  with  you  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
 c  gofpel  with  mutual  delight  God  was  pleaf- 
 c  ed  to  weaken  my  ftrength  in  the  way,  and 
 c  thereby  has  given    you   a  fairer  opportu- 
 
 <  nity  to  fhow  the  vigour  of  your  affection 
 c  under  my  long  weaknefs  and  confinement. 
 c  Your  diligence  and  zeal  in  maintaining 
 c  public  worfhip  in  the  church  under  the  paf- 
 c  toral  care  of  my  dear  brother  and  colleague, 
 c  your  fpecial  days  and  hours  of  prayer  for 
 c  my  recovery,  your  conftant  and  fervent  adr 
 c  dreffes  to  the  throne  of  grace  on  my  account 
 c  in  your  weekly  folemn  affemblies,  and  your 
 c  cheerful  fupplies  of  my  neceffities  under  fo 
 c  tedious  an  affliction,  have  made  me  your 
 c  debtor  in  an  high  degree,  and  have  ftrength- 
 c  ened  the  bands  of  my  duty  by  adding  to 
 c  them  the  bands  of  your  love."     And  pre- 
 
 fently  after,  cc  I  think  I  can  pronounce  it  with 
 great  fincerity  that  there  is  no  place,  nor 
 company,  nor  employment  on  this  fide  hea- 
 ven that  can  give  me  fuch  a  relifh  of  de- 
 light, as  when  I  ftand  miniftering  in  holy 
 things  to  you." 
 In  his  common  converfation  the  ~Doftor  never 
 appeared  to  be  at  any  lofs  for  thought  or  ex- 
 preffion.  Indeed  no  perfon  with  whom  I  was 
 ever  acquainted  ipoke  with  more  eafe,  readi- 
 nefs,  and  elegance  than  he  did,  and,  as  his 
 difcourfe   flowed  like  a  clear  full  ftream  from 
 
 an 
 
i54  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 an  inexhauftible  fountain,  fo  it  was  very  inflruo 
 tive  and  entertaining.  I  have  been  at  fome 
 pains  to  collecl  fome  proofs  of  this  kind,  the 
 much  greater  part  of  which  are  taken  from  the 
 regifter  of  my  own  memory. 
 
 iC  I  look  upon  the  apoftle  Paul  and  Cicero  to 
 **  be  the  greater!  geniufes  that  ever  appeared 
 "  in  our  world. — Dr.  Owen  excelled  as  an  ex- 
 "  perimental,  and  Mr.   Baxter  as  a  practical 
 
 cc  divine. The   greateft    preachers  in    my 
 
 <c  younger  time  were  Mr.  John  Howey  and 
 cc  Mr.  Thomas  Gouge,  whofe  (that  is  Mr. 
 tc  Gouge's)  ftrength  lay  in  the  iiluitration  of 
 <(  fcripturej-. — Mr.    Siennet     (the   F.ev.    Mr. 
 
 "  Jofepb 
 «^— —  -  ■ 
 
 •f  Accordingly  we  find  both  thefe  minifters  eminently 
 difiinguifhed  by  the  Doclor  in  his  Lyric  Peems.  How  exqui- 
 fitely  fine  is  that  compliment  paid  Mr,  Howe  in  his  ode  to 
 him  ! 
 
 Great  Man,  permit  the  mufe  to  climb, 
 And  feat  her  at  thy  feet,  &c. 
 importing  that  the  mufe,  after  fhe  had  mounted,  and  foared 
 to  the  hi^heft  pitch  her  wings  could  elevate  her,  could 
 afcend  no  higher  than  to  lit  at  his  feet.  The  clofmg  lines 
 in  his  elegy  on  Mr.  Gcuge  contain  alfo  an  encomium 
 of  the  f.rfl:  magnitude  upon  Mr.  Hoivc,  where,  in  the  rap- 
 ture of  his  mule,  and  the  height  of  his  affection  and  efleem, 
 the  Doclor  fays 
 
 HOWE  is   a  great  and  fmgle  name  ; 
 Amidit  the  crowd  he  Hands  alone  ; 
 He  Hands,  but  with  his  Harry  pinions  on, 
 Dreit  for  the  flight  and  ready  to  be  gone. 
 Eternal  God,  command  his  flay, 
 Stretch  the  dear  months  of  his  delay, 
 O  we  could  v.iih  his  age  was  one  immortal  day ! 
 
 But 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATT  S.  t55 
 
 •«  Jofeph  Stcnnett  grandfather  of  the  prcfent 
 Cf  truly  amiable  Br.  Samuel  Stennett)  was  in  his 
 <c  preaching  like  a  filver  ftream  which  run 
 Cf  along  without  bufh  or  Rones  to  interrupt  it. — - 
 <c  What  a  change  did  Mr.  Eames  *  experience  ? 
 u  But  a  few  hours  between  his  lecturing  to 
 <f  his  pupils,  and  his  hearing  the  lectures  of 
 "  angels. — If  in  your  preaching  (to  a  young 
 u  minifler)  you  perceive  you  make  a  rhjftake, 
 *  don't  go  back  to  rectify  it.  Many  cf  the 
 u  congregation  may  not   notice  it,  and  they 
 
 Bat  when  the  flaming  chariot's  come, 
 And  mining  guards,  t'attend  the  prophet  home, 
 
 Amidic  a  thoufand  weeping  eyes, 
 Send  an  EUJba  down  a  foul  of  equal  fize, 
 Or  burn  this  worthlefs  globe,  and  take  us  to  the  fkies. 
 
 As  to  Mr.  Gouge  he  has  honoured  him  with  a  long  and 
 noble  elegy.  Concerning  whom  it  may  be  proper  to  ob- 
 ferve  that  he  was  not  the  Thomas  Gouge  ejecled  from  St. 
 Sepulchre's,  London,  by  the  act  of  uniformity  1660,  and 
 whofe  funeral  fermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  afterwards 
 Archhijbop  Tillotfon  fo  far  back  as  Nov.  1681,  but  another 
 minifler  who  was  paftor  of  a  church  of  protefrant  dij/enters 
 meeting  near  the  Three  Cranes  Thames  jircet,  London,  and 
 who  was  fucceeded  by  Dr.  Thomas  Ridgky.  The  Rev,  Mr. 
 John  Nejbitt  preached  and  printed  a  fermon  en  his  de- 
 ceafe  Which  happened  y*«.  8,  1699-  1700,  in  which  he  gives 
 him  a  very  great  character,  qui:e  harmonious  with  that 
 which  the  Doctor  has  drawn  of  him  in  his  verfes  to  hi3 
 memory. 
 
 *  Mr.  John  Eames  F.  R.  S.     He  was   for  feveral  years 
 
 at  the  head  of  a  flourifhing  academy   among  the  prhieftant 
 
 diffenters    in    London,    where  he    taught   divinity,     oriental 
 
 languages,  philofophy,  tfc.     He    was   a  very  learned    man, 
 
 and  died  fuddenly  June  29,   1744. 
 
 "  WilO 
 
J$6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 "  who  do  will  excufe  it,  but  if  you  try  to  amend 
 "  it  you  expofe  it  to  the  obfervation  of  all. — 
 "  I  could  wifh  young  miniflers  in  the  coun- 
 "  try  might  be  allowed  by  their  people  to  read 
 cc  a  part  of  Mr.  Henry's  expofition  of  the  Bi- 
 <c  ble,  or  repeat  a  fermon  from  fome  good 
 "  author  one  part  of  the  Lord's  day,  as  it  is 
 "  certainly  too  much  for  them  to  compofe 
 cc  two  fermons  a  week  fo  early  in  life.— One 
 <c  ofthedarkeft  myiteries  in  Providence  is  that 
 "  Godfhould  fuffer  aworthlefs  and  wicked  man 
 <c  to  have  the  abfolute  dominion  over  nations 
 
 "  of  mankind. Never  mind  fpoiling  a  well- 
 
 <c  turned  period  if  you  may  but  have  the  hope 
 <c  of  reaching  a  confcience.  Polifhed  and 
 *c  harmonious  language  is  oftentimes  like  oil 
 <f  flowing  fmoothly  over  marble  which  leaves 
 
 cc  no  traces  behind  it  f. Poor  mankind  are 
 
 cc  like  feeble  riders  fet  on  wild  horfes.  —The 
 u  multitude  go  in  a  track,  non  qua  eundum  efi9 
 "  fed  qua  itur,  not  where  they  fhould  go,  but 
 cc  where  others  go. — I  know  not  but  my  days 
 
 •f  This  direction  was  given  in  a  charge  I  heard  the 
 Doctor  deliver  at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev.  Mr,  Samuel 
 Snajkall  at  Stoke  Newington  about  Jufy,  if  I  miitake  not, 
 1738.  I  well  remember  alfo  that  the  minifter  who  prayed 
 over  Mr.  Snafoall  before  the  Dollar  gave  the  charge  made 
 ufe  of  this  fcripture-exprefiion,  "  Lord,  we  remember  ou$ 
 "  faults  this  day."  The  Doctor  took  notice  of  it  as  fall- 
 ing from  the  lips  of  his  reverend  brother,  and  approved 
 and  adopted  it  into  his  preface  to  his  charge  in  the  caficft 
 and  happieit  manner.  Such  was  his  ready  and  immediate 
 command  of  thought  and  language! 
 
 4. 
 
 "of 
 
Dr.  IS  A  A  C    WATT  S.  157 
 
 'c  of  reftraint  and  confinement  by  affliction 
 'f  may  appear  my  brighteft  days  when  I  come 
 "  to  take  a  review  of  them  in  the  light  of 
 tc  heaven. —5/.  Paul's  thorn  in  the  flefh  men- 
 <c  tioned  2  Cor.  xii.  13.  was  the  debilitated 
 "  Hate  of  his  nerves  occafioned  by  the  over- 
 cc  powering  glories  of  heaven,  whence  I  con- 
 cc  elude,  faid  he,  that  the  apoflle  was  in  the 
 fC  body  when  he  was  caught  up  into  para- 
 tC  dife  |. — I  had  rather  be  the  author  of  Mr. 
 "  Baxter's  Call  to  the  unconverted  than  the  au- 
 "  thor  of  Milton's  Paradife  Loft. — Should  an 
 cc  heathen  be  convinced  of  his  fins,  humbly 
 cc  and  penitentially  confefs  them  before  God, 
 cc  and  implore  his  mercy  he  would  in  my  opi- 
 <(  nion  be  accepted  of  him  as  he  was  prepared 
 cc  for  receiving  grace,  and  only  wanted  the 
 <c  object  of  faith  to  be  revealed  to  him. — It 
 cc  feems  quite  reafonable  and  fit  that  there 
 "  mould  be  a  general  difFufion  and  reign  of 
 cc  the  gofpel,  and  that  for  fome  confider- 
 cc  able  continuance  before  the  end  of  time, 
 <f  as  there  has  been  fuch  a  general  dominion 
 cc  of  fin  and  mifery  for  fo  many  ages  in  our 
 "  world." 
 
 Such  were  the  fubflance,  I  pretend  not  to 
 recoiled  the  exact  words,  of  fome  of  the 
 Doclor's  occafional  obfervations  and  fpeeches  -} 
 
 %  The  Dcdcr's  conje&ure  admirably  agrees  with  what 
 the  apoftle  fays  concerning  himfelf,  that  "  he  was  with 
 *'  the  Corinthians  in  weaknefs,  and  in  fear,  and  much 
 "  trembling."   1  Cor.  ii.   3. 
 
 to 
 
■15*  MEMOIRS     OP 
 
 to  which  I  will  add  fome  critical  remarks 
 which  I  alio  gathered  from  his  eonverfation, 
 and  which  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  the 
 public. 
 
 Dr.  TiUft/i  defcription  of  the  peacock  in  his 
 poetical  paraphrafe  of  fome  of  the  laft  chap- 
 ters of  the  book  of  Job,  he  ftiles  admirable  in 
 his  works  t>  but  he  particularly  mentioned  to 
 me  how  much  he  was  pleaied  with  the  latter 
 part  of  that  line, 
 
 "  Gives  all  his  colours  and  adorns  the  day." 
 
 Not  the  day  adorning  the  peacock,  but  the 
 peacock  adorning  the  day ;  but  as  to  Dr. 
 Youngs  Night -Thoughts  he  pleafantly  faid, 
 cc  that  they  had  too  much  of  the  darknefs  of 
 "  the  night  in  them."  In  the  Rev.  Mr. 
 John  N orris's  ode  entitled  the  Meditation^  or  in 
 other  words  a  view  of  death  the  Doofor  com-* 
 mended  the  clofe  of  the  fecond  ftanza, 
 
 Amazing  ftate  !  No  wonder  that  we  dread 
 To  think  of  death  or  view  the  dead : 
 
 Thou'rt  all  wrapt  up  in  clouds,  as  if  to  thee 
 
 Our  very  knowledge  had  antipathy: 
 Death  could  not  a  more  fad  retinue  find, 
 Sicknefs  and  pain  before,  and  darknefs  all  behind. 
 
 Obferving  that  the  exprefiions  cc  darknefs  all 
 c<  behind"  are  a  very  juft  reprefentation  of 
 our    ignorance   of    the  ftate    beyond    death ; 
 
 f  See  his  Remnants  of  Time  employed  in  Profe    and 
 Verfe,    No,  7. 
 
 but 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  159 
 
 but  he  was  difpleafed  with   the  next  ftanza. 
 
 Some  courteous  ghofl,  tell  this  great  fecrefy 
 
 What  'tis  you  are  and  we  mult  be : 
 
 You  warn  us  of  approaching  death,  and  why 
 
 May  we  not  know  from  you  what  'tis  to  die? 
 
 But  you  having  (hot  the  gulph  delight  to  fee 
 
 Succeeding  fouls  plunge  in  with  like  uncertainty. 
 
 His  objection  was  that  the  laft  lines  conveyed 
 a  fentiment  quite  improper  and  incongruous 
 to  the  ideas  it  becomes  us  to  form  concerning 
 pious  benevolent  fpirits  in  their  feparate  flate. 
 I  will  alio  mention  on  this  head,  the  Doffors 
 criticifms,  his  illuflration  of  that  pafTage  in 
 Job  xli.  18.  where  it  is  faid  concerning  the 
 crocodile,  cc  that  his  eyes  are  like  the  eye-lids 
 "  of  the  morning."  "  In  the  morning  you  may 
 "  fometimes  obferve,  faid  he,  upon  the  edge 
 "  of  the  horizon  a  bright  opening  of  the  day* 
 f<  and  above  it  a  black  fcowling  cloud.  The 
 <c  bright  opening  of  the  day  is  not  unlike  an 
 <f  eye,  and  the  incumbent  cloud  is  not  unlike 
 Cf  an  eye-lid,  and  hence  the  poetic  ground  for 
 tc  the  exprefiion  the  eye-lids  of  the  morning." 
 I  know  not  where  to  find  a  more  proper  place 
 than  the  prefent  connexion  for  inferting  a  re- 
 mark which  he  made  upon  two  or  three  ftanzas 
 in  his  imitation  of  the  PJalms  of  Davidy  the 
 only  time,  to  the  bed  of  my  recollection,  I  ever 
 heard  him  fo  much  as  hint  any  thing  which 
 might  fecm  to  convey  a  good  opinion  of  what 
 he  had  ever  written.  The  ftanzas  I  refer  to 
 8  are 
 
16b  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 are  in  his  verfion,  or  imitation  of  the  feventh 
 Pfalm, 
 
 If  I  had  ere  provok'd  them  firft 
 
 Or  once  abus'd  my  foe, 
 Then  let  him  tread  my  life  in  duft 
 
 And  lay  mine  honour  low  : 
 
 If  there  be  malice  found  in  me 
 
 I  know  thy  piercing  eyes, 
 I  mould  not  dare  appeal  to  Thee 
 
 Nor  afk  my  God  to  rife : 
 
 Arife,  my  God,  lift  up  thine  hand 
 
 Their  pride  and  power  controul ; 
 Awake  to  judgment,  and  command 
 
 Deliverance  for  my  foul. 
 
 There  is  the  flrongeft  declaration  of  inno- 
 cence which  can  poflibly  be  imagined  in  the 
 line, 
 
 "  Arife,  my  God,  lift  up  thine  hand," 
 immediately  fucceeding  the  PfalmiJFs  faying^ 
 that  cc  he  fhould  not  dare  to  appeal  to  him, 
 cc  if  he  harboured  any  malice  againfl  his  ene- 
 <c  mies,"  fo  that,  at  the  fame  time  the  holy 
 man  prefents  his  prayer  to  his  God,  he  with- 
 out the  leaft  doubtfulnefs  afferts  his  own  inte- 
 grity. 
 
 I  will  fubjoin  to  thefe  criticifms  of  the  Doc- 
 tor upon  written  compofitions,  an  obfervation 
 which  he  made  upon  a  performance  in  paint- 
 ing, to  which  art  he  was  by  no  means  a 
 flranger,  as  he  found  leifure  to  employ  his 
 pencil  amidft  all    the  greater  labours   of  his 
 
 pen. 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  161 
 
 penf.  In  that  Carton  of  Raphael's  where  St. 
 Paul  is  reprefented  preaching  at  Athens  the 
 apoftle  is  drawn  ftretching  out  his  hands  to 
 their  utmoft  length  towards  heaven,  while  the 
 people  are  held  in  the  moft  deep  and  devout 
 attention  below*  fC  I  will  tell  you  faid  the 
 "  Dottor  what  6"/.  Paul  is  faying,  behold  ke 
 <c  comes."  And  were  we  to  think  as  long 
 as  we  will  we  could  not  perhaps  conceive  any 
 words  more  fuitable  to  the  afpecl:  and  attitude 
 of  the  fpeaker,  and  the  folemnity  reigning 
 upon  the  countenances  of  the  hearers. 
 
 Perhaps  it  may  not  be  without  its  benefit  if 
 I  fhould  add  to  the  Doftor's  remarks  fome  oc- 
 cafional  fpeeches  which  he  had  gathered  from 
 others.  cc  Young  man,  faid  Sir  Edmund  King 
 cc  to  him  in  his  early  life,  I  hear  that  you 
 "  make  verfes.  Let  me  advife  you  never 
 u  to  do  it  but  when  you  can't  help  it." — cc  If 
 "  a  rrian  would  be  a  great  man,  faid  Sir  Ri- 
 "  chard  Blackmore,  he  mud  join  the  keennefs  of 
 cc  the  razor,  and  the  ftrength  of  the  axe*"— - 
 (C  Br.  Owen  ufed  to  fay  in  his  advanced  age 
 cc  that  he  Would  gladly  part  with  all  the  learn- 
 u  ing  he  had  acquired  by  fitting  up  late  at 
 ic  fludy  in  younger  life  if  he  could  but  regain 
 <c  the  health  he  had  loll  by  it." — cc  That  is  an 
 
 f  I  have  feen  and  there  are  ftill  remaining  four  paint- 
 ings by  the  Ppaor,  which,  if  I  miltake  not,  an  artiit 
 would  by  no  means  difapprove,  the  heads  of  Demccritus, 
 Heredities,  Arijlotks   and  Alexander  the  Great. 
 
 M  "  excellent 
 
T62  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 fc  excellent  obfervation,  faid  the  Bo  ft  or,  of 
 <c  "Thomas  a  Kemps,  that  it  does  not  require 
 «  much  ingenuity  to  be  a  chriflian.,, 
 
 He  poffeffed  a  large  portion  of  wit,  per- 
 haps few  perfons  fo  much,  but  he  never 
 feemed  in  the  lead  degree  fond  of  difplaying 
 it,  and  much  lefs  in  the  way  of  fatire*.  Wit 
 fell  from  him  like  occafional  fire  from  heaven,. 
 and,  like  the  ethereal  flame,  was  ever  vivid 
 and  penetrating. 
 
 Juft  at  the  entrance  of  his  iludy  on  the  out- 
 fide  appeared  the  following  lines  of  Horace 
 printed,  and  hung  up  in  a  frame. 
 
 Abfentemqui  rodit  amicum 
 
 Qui  non  defendit,  alio  culpante ;  folutos 
 Quicaptatrifus  hominum,  famamq.;  dicacis, 
 
 Fingere 
 
 *  What  an  averfion  he  had  againft  fatire,  and  with  what 
 tendernefs  and  charity  he  regarded  mankind  he  himfelf 
 acquaints  us.  "  As  for  the  charafters  which  are  found 
 "  here  in  fome  of  the  eifays  I  profefs  folemnly  there  is 
 «'  not  one  of  the  vicious  or  foolifh  kind  defigned  to  re- 
 "  prefent  any  particular  perfon.  I  never  thought  it 
 "  proper  to  have  mankind  treated  in  that  manner,  unlefs 
 "  upon  fome  very  peculiar  and  extraordinary  occafions, 
 «  and  then  I  would  leave  the  unpleafing  work  to  othei 
 "  hands.  It  has  been  the  aim  and  defign  of  my  life  in 
 «  my  hours  of  leifure,  as  well  as  my  feafons  of  bufinefs, 
 «*  to  do  what  fervice  I  could  to  my  fellow-creatures  with- 
 f  out  giving  offence.  I  would  not  willingly  create  need- 
 ««  lefs  pain  or  uneafmefs  to  the  mofl  defpicable  figure 
 *«  among  mankind.  There  are  vexations  enough  among 
 "  the  beings  of  my  fpecies  without  my  adding  to  the  heap* 
 *«  and  yet  I  confefs  I  have  often  attempted  to  hit  the 
 
 w  fbre- 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  16 
 
 Fingere  qui  non  vifa  poteft,  commifTa  tacere 
 Quinequit,  hicnigereft;  hunc  lu^Romarte,  caveto. 
 
 Horat.   Sat.  iv.  1.  8 1. 
 
 IN    ENGLISH. 
 
 He  who  againft  an  abfent  friend  inveighs, 
 Or,  when  attack'd,  will  not  protect  his  praife, 
 He  in  whofeconverfe  biting  jefts  abound, 
 At  others  coft  who  fends  the  Jaugh  around, 
 He  who  with  impudence  deals  out  his  lies, 
 And  fays  he  faw  what  never  met  his  eyes, 
 He  who  ftill  talks  and  talks  or  right  or  wrong, 
 And  glories  in  his  flippancy  of  tongue, 
 He  who  betrays  through  levity  of  mind 
 Th'  important  fecrets  to  his  breaft  confign'd, 
 This  man  is  black  indeed  ;  avoid  the  pen1, 
 Nor  let  your  doors  admit  him  for  your  gueft. 
 
 The  fpaces  in  the  Dover's  fludy  where  there 
 were    no    fhelves    were     abundantly    covered 
 
 "  fore  part  in  general,  but  'tis   with  this  fincerc  intent 
 
 "  that  the  wife  and  thoughtful,  whofoever  they  are,  may 
 
 "  feel  their  difeafe  and  be  healed.  — My  readers  may  be 
 
 "  affured  therefore  that,  though  the  vices  and  follies  which 
 
 "  are  here  difplayed  may  appear  to  be  as  juft  and  fincere 
 
 "  a  reprefentation  as  if  they  were  all  borrowed  from  life, 
 
 "  yet  there  are  not  features  enough  to  defcribe  any  per- 
 
 "  fon  living.     When  a  refle&ing-glafs  inovvs  the  deformity 
 
 "  of  a   face  fo  plain  as  to  point  to  the   perfon  he  will 
 
 <c  fooner  be  tempted  to  break  the  glafs  than  reform  his 
 
 "  blemilhes,  but  if  I  can  find  any  error  of  my  own  hap- 
 
 c<  pily   defcribed  in    fome  general   character   I  am   then 
 
 "  awakened   to   reform    it  in   filence,  without  the  public 
 
 "  notice  of  the  world,  and  the  moral  writer   attains  his 
 
 "  nobleft  end."—Preface  to  his  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts 
 in  Profe  and  Verfe. 
 
 M  2  with 
 
164-  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 with  prints  of  confiderable  perfons,  moftly  di- 
 vines. On  one  fide  of  the  large  and  high 
 pannel  over  the  fire-place  a  piece  of  white 
 paper  was  framed  and  hung  up  amidft  the 
 portraits  with  part  of  a  line  from  Horace , 
 Locus  eft  pluribus  umbris, 
 
 ENGLISHED. 
 Though  numerous  pictures  fpread  thefe  pannels  round, 
 Yet  here  and  there  a  vacant  fpace  is  found. 
 
 And  on  the  other  fide  of  the  pannel  another 
 piece  of  white  paper  alike  encircled  with  pic- 
 tures was  in  the  fame  manner  framed  and 
 hung  up  to  view  with  a  Latin  line,  as  I  fup- 
 pofe,  of  the  Doctor's  own  compofition. 
 
 Quis  me  dodtorum  propria  dignabitur  umbra? 
 
 ENGLISHED. 
 What  fon  of  learning  will  increafe  my  (lore, 
 And  to  thefe  worthies  add  one  worthy  more  ? 
 
 A  very  inoffenfive,  genteel,  and  perhaps 
 fuccefsful  method  of  procuring  an  addition  to 
 his  illuftrious  fhades. 
 
 I  will  clofe  the  chapter  when  I  have  added 
 the  Latin  verfes  which  he  moil  probably  com- 
 pofed  for  his  own  picture,  and  which  are  ac- 
 cordingly placed  under  it. 
 
 In  Chrlfio  mea  vita  latet,  mea  gloria  Chrijlusy 
 Hunc  lingua,  hunccalamus  celebrat,  nee  imago tacebit. 
 In  uno  IESU  omnia. 
 
 ENGLISHFD. 
 In  Chrift  my  life  is  fafe  repos'd, 
 I  glory  in  his  names 
 
 Hjm, 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  i6j 
 
 Him,  whom  my  tongue  and  pen  difclos'd. 
 
 My  portrait  fhall  proclaim. 
 Jcfus!   my  whole  felicity 
 Is  center'd  and  compriz'd  in  Thee. 
 
 Such  was  the  character  of  Br.  Watts  as  a 
 Chriftian  and  Minifies  and  thefe  were  the 
 graces  and  virtues  with  which  this  extraor- 
 dinary man  was  adorned  j  not  that  I  confider 
 him  as  perfect,  fo  that  there  was  no  fhade  to 
 be  difcerned  by  a  clofe  obferver  amidft  his 
 eminent  luftres  of  moral  excellency.  He  fome- 
 times  difcovered  a  quick  emotion  and  haftinefs 
 of  temper,  and  would  fpeak  with  a  manifeft 
 degree  of  keennefs  and  poignancy,  but  effer- 
 vefcences  of  this  kind  might,  at  leaft  in  part, 
 be  owing  to  the  difagreeable  fenfations  occa- 
 sioned by  the  weaknefs  and  diforder  of  his 
 body;  however  they  were  quite  momentary, 
 and  fie  foon  returned  to  his  former  poffefiion 
 and  placid  dignity  of  foul.  On  the  whole,  if 
 he  had  his  fpots,  they  were,  like  thofe  of  the 
 fun,  abundantly  compensated  by  fuperior 
 glories. 
 
 CHAP.     VI. 
 
 His  Writings  in  Profe. 
 
 I^)R*   Jennings   in    his   funeral    fermon  fays, 
 
 Cf  that  he  queflions   whether  any  author 
 
 *'  before  Dr.  Watts  ever  appeared  with  repu- 
 
 f*  tation  on   fuch  a  variety  of  fubjects  as  he 
 
 Mi  "  has 
 
166  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 <c  has  done  both  as  a  profe  writer  and  a  poet. 
 cc  However,  adds  he,  this  I  may  venture  to 
 "  fay  that  there  is  no  man  now  living,  of  whofe 
 cf  works  fo  many  have  been  diffufed  at  home 
 Cf  and  abroad,  which  are  in  fuch  conflant  ufe, 
 cc  and  tranflated  into  fuch  a  variety  of  lan- 
 cc  guages  -,  many  of  which  I  doubt  not  will 
 iC  remain  more  durable  monuments  of  his 
 cc  great  talents  than  any  reprefentation  I  can 
 cc  make  of  them,  though  it  were  to  be  graven 
 "  on  pillars  of  brafs.  Thus  did  he  mine  as  an 
 iC  ingenious  man  and  a  fcholar." 
 
 As  this  account  is  in  all  refpects  juft  it  may 
 afford  both  inftrucYion  and  entertainment  to 
 my  readers,  efpecially  to  fuch  as  are  dcfirous 
 to  become  good  preachers  and  writers,  to 
 make  a  particular  inquiry  into  the  excellencies 
 of  Dr.  Watts9  s  compofitions,  which  have  been, 
 ftill  are,  and  undoubtedly  will  be  held  in  the 
 higheft  efteem  by  the  intelligent  and  religious 
 world. 
 
 In  the  prcferi t  chapter  I  fhall  confine  my  dif- 
 quifitions  to  his  writings  in  profe>  and  fhall  be- 
 gin with  Pjsrfpicuityy  an  excellency  which  mines 
 through  all  his  works. 
 
 "  As  the  all-wife  God,  fays  Caujfinus,  at  the 
 "  beginning  of  all  things  created  that  moft 
 tc  lovely  and  pleafant  of  all  his  productions, 
 <c  light,  by  whole  beams  the  dull  and  (luggiih 
 "  world  of  matter  was  inverted  with  perfect 
 "  beauty,  in  like  manner,  if  we  may  be  al- 
 <f  lowed  to  compare  our  little   matters  with 
 
 «  the 
 
 1 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  167 
 
 <c  the  infinitely  greater  operations  of  Deity, 
 <c  Ihould  that  perfon,  who  would  acquire  the 
 <c  honours  of  a  good  writer,  make  it  his  prin- 
 x<  cipal  concern  to  diffufe,  like  the  light  which 
 <c  overfpreads  the  whole  extent  of  the  heavens 
 <f  and  the  earth,  perfpicuity  through  all  the  parts 
 "  of  his  compofitions  V — cc  Perfpicuity,  fays 
 "  Quintilian,  is  the  firfl  excellence  in  oratory  j 
 <c  and  by  how  much  a  perfon  is  deficient  in 
 <f  genius,  by  fo  much  let  him  endeavour  to 
 <c  elevate  and  enlarge  himfelf  by  this  beauty  of 
 ic  language  \"  This  Perfpicuity,  as  I  have 
 already  obferved,  is  moft  eminent  in  all  Dr. 
 IVatts's  works,  and  perhaps  no  author  ever  ex- 
 celled him  in  this  firfl  glory  of  compofition. 
 Whatever  he  difcourfes  upon,  be  it  a  theme  of 
 morality,  a  queflion  in  philofophy,  or  the  fub- 
 limeft  doctrine  of  religion,  he  is  every  where 
 clear  and  eafy  to  be  underflood.     He  is  fo  far 
 
 *  Ut  inter  prima  nafcentis  adhuc  mundi  cunabula  fapi- 
 entiflimus  artifex  rerum  et  machinator  Deus  lucem  creavit, 
 rerum  omnium  pulcherrimam,  eandemque  jucundiffimam, 
 cujus  afflatu  mundus  ipfe  torpentis  materia?,  veluti  fegni- 
 tiem  exuens,  ad  fummam  pulchritudinem  efHoruit,  pari 
 profe&o  ratione,  fi  parva  cum  magnis  comparare  liceat, 
 crationis  artifex  in  primis  curare  debet,  ut  illi  perfpicuitas 
 per  omnia  membra,  quafi  per  orbem  cceli  et  terrarum  lux, 
 affundatur.  CauJJinus  de  Eloquent  id  facrd  et  bumand,  lib.  2. 
 c.  28. 
 
 f  Nam  et  prima  eft:  eloquential  virtus,  perfpicuitas ;  et 
 quo  quifque  ingenio  minus  valet,  hoc  fe  magis  attollere  et 
 dilatare  conatur.    Quintil.  1.  2.  c.  3. 
 
 M  4  from 
 
i6S  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 from  writing  obfcurely  upon  a  common  fabject 
 that  he  brings  down  the  higher!:  fubjects  to  the 
 level  of  a  common  capacity  by  the  perfpicuous 
 manner  in  which  he  treats  them.  A  prime  fe- 
 licity indeed^  which  might  be  owing  to  his  own 
 clear  and  diftinct  ideas — to  his  deep  inveftiga- 
 tion  and  complete  knowledge  of  the  fubjects 
 upon  which  he  wrote—  to  his  large  acquaintance 
 with  the  Englijh  language — to  his  avoiding  terms 
 of  fcience  and  art,  obfolete  expreffions,  and 
 words  of  foreign  derivation  not  familiar  to  the 
 generality  of  mankind — to  his  guarding  againft 
 a  penurious  concifenefs  of  ftyle  on  the  one  hand, 
 and  an  ungoverned  luxuriance  on  the  other,  by 
 the  firfl  of  which  extremes  his  meaning  might 
 be  obfeured,  or  not  be  fully  reprefented  for 
 want  of  a  fufHcient  quantity  of  words  J,  and 
 by  the  laft  of  which  he  might  have  been  car- 
 ried into  a  tedious  labyrinth  through  which  a 
 common  reader  might  not  have  been  able  to 
 have  followed  him  * — or  this  perfpicuity  might 
 
 fometimes 
 
 \ Brevis  efTe  laborq 
 
 Obfcurus  fio ■ 
 
 Horat.  de  Arte  Poetic^, 
 I  aim  to  be  fuccincl  and  round  my  verfe 
 Obfcurity  a  veil  of  darknefs  throws. 
 *   Some  writers  of  the  firft  merit  for  excellent  matter 
 have  rendered  their  compofitions   hard   to  be  underftood, 
 and  fo  in  fome  meafure  diminimed  their  ufefulnefs  for  want 
 of  attending  to  this  point,  the  reflraint  of  their  fentenccs 
 to  a  moderate  length.     They  begin   a  fentence,   thoughts 
 
 rife 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATT  S.  160 
 
 fometimes  take  its  rife  from  the  apt  and  well 
 chofen  comparifons  fo  frequent  in  the  Dcfior's 
 writings,  which  illnftrate  at  the  fame  time  they 
 enliven  and  adorn  his  compoMtions. 
 
 rife  upon  thoughts,  and  they  are  accordingly  communicated 
 in  clufters;  fomething  needs  explanation,  fomcthing  to  be 
 guarded,  for  thefe  purpofes  they  have  recourfe  to  paren- 
 thefes,  and  all  this  is  done  before  the  fentence  is  con- 
 cluded. Whereas  had  they  diftributed  their  matter  into 
 two  or  more  periods  they  would  have  preferved  all  their 
 ideas,  and  would  have  been  comprehended  at  once  by  their 
 readers. 
 
 The  Dofior  has  himfelf  treated  upon  this  point,  the  ad- 
 vantage of  a  confined  Ryle  to  fecure  Perfpicuity  in  his  fc- 
 cond  part  of  the  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  chap.  2.  §  6. 
 ♦'  A  long  and  tedious  ftyle,  fays  be,  is  very  improper  for 
 ?'  a  teacher,  for  this  alfo  lefTens  the  Perfpicuity  of  it.  Some 
 *'  learned  writers  are  never  fatisfied  unlefs  they  fill  up 
 "  every  fentence  with  a  great  number  of  ideas  and  fenti- 
 "  ments.  They  fwell  their  proportions  to  an  enormous 
 11  fize  by  explications,  exceptions,  and  precautions  left 
 f(  they  mould  be  miftaken,  and  crowd  them  all  into  the 
 £<  the  fame  period.  They  involve  and  darken  their  dif- 
 "  courfe  by  many  a  parenthefis,  and  prolong  their  fen- 
 "  tences  to  a  tirefome  extent  beyond  the  reach  of  a  com- 
 "  mon  comprehenfion.  Such  fort  of  writers  or  fpeakers 
 "  may  be  rich  in  knowledge,  but  they  are  feldom  fit  to 
 *'  communicate  it.  He  that  would  gain  an  happy  talent 
 "  for  the  inftruclion  of  others  muft  know  how  to  difentan<ne 
 "  and  divide  his  thoughts,  if  too  many  are  ready  to  crowd 
 "  into  one  paragraph,  and  let  him  rather  fpeak  three  fen- 
 "  tences  diftinclly  and  clearly,  which  the  hearer  receives  at 
 *<  once  with  his  ears  and  his  foul,  than  crowd  all  the 
 "  thoughts  into  one  fentence,  which  the  hearer  has  foi- 
 **  gotten  before  he  can  underiland  it." 
 
 3  Near 
 
j7o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Near  akin  to  the  excellence  of  Perfpicuity  of 
 language  is  that  of  Eafe  or  Freedom.  In  this 
 alio  he  excels.  His  difcourfes  are  like  dreams 
 devolving  from  a  fountain,  or  rays  defcending 
 from  the  fun.  There  is  nothing  like  labour  or 
 ftudy  in  the  conftruction  of  his  fentences,  but 
 he  feems  to  write  in  the  fame  language  in  which 
 he  would  have  fpoken  to  you.  Happy  attain- 
 ment !  Attainment  I  call  it,  for,  however  great 
 the  Doctor's  native  genius  was,  it  might  have  coft 
 him  no  fmall  attention  and  care  in  his  early  time 
 to  have  formed  and  habituated  himfelf  to  a  ftyle 
 which  appears  to  be  fpontaneous,  and  a  natu- 
 ral conveyance  of  his  ideas  without  confuflon, 
 obfcurity,  or  diminution. 
 
 As  the  above  excellencies  of  compofition  are 
 nobly  exemplified  in  his  writings  fo  they  have 
 been  diftinguifhed  by  the  Doftor  with  the  praifes 
 they  merit  in  the  following  paffage.  cc  When 
 cc  a  man,  fays  he,  fpeaks  with  much  freedom 
 <c  and  eafe,  and  gives  his  opinion  in  the  plain- 
 cc  eft  language  of  common  fenfe,  do  not  pre- 
 <{  fently  imagine  you  mail  gain  nothing  by  his 
 <c  company.  Sometimes  you  will  find  a  per- 
 cc  fon  who  in  his  converfation  or  his  writings 
 cc  delivers  his  thoughts  in  fo  plain,  fo  eafy,  fo 
 cc  familiar,  and  perfpicuous  a  manner  that  you 
 <c  both  underftand  and  afTent  to  what  he  fays 
 "  as  faft  as  you  can  read  or  hear  it.  Here- 
 "  upon  fome  readers  have  been  ready  to  con- 
 M  elude  in  hafte,  Surely  this  man  fays  nothing 
 "  but  common  things — I  knew  as  much  be- 
 fore 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  171 
 
 «  fore — I  could  have  faid  all  this  myfelf. 
 <c  This  is  a  frequent  miftake.  Pellucido  was  a 
 <c  very  great  genius.  When  he  fpoke  in  the 
 ««  fenate  he  was  wont  to  convey  his  ideas  in  fo 
 "  fimple  and  happy  a  manner  as  to  inftrudt  and 
 fC  convince  every  hearer,  and  to  enforce  the 
 <(  conviction  through  the  whole  illuftrious  af- 
 "  fembly,  and  that  with  fo  much  evidence  you 
 «  would  have  been  ready  to  wonder  that  every 
 «  one  who  fpoke  had  not  faid  the  fame  things. 
 "  But  Pellucido  was  the  only  man  who  could 
 "  do  this ;  the  only  fpeaker  who  had  attained 
 <c  this  art  and  honour.  Such  is  the  writer  of 
 <c  whom  Horace  would  fay, 
 
 . Ut  fibi  quivis 
 
 Speret  idem,  fudet  multum,  fruitraque  labaret 
 
 Aufus  ideni' 
 
 Horat,  de  Arte  Poetica. 
 
 «c  Smooth  be  your  ftyle,  and  plain  and  natural 
 "  To  ftrike  the  fons  of  Waging  and  Whitehall, 
 "  While  others  think  this  eafy  to  attain,  •% 
 
 "  Let  them  but  try,  and  with  their  utmoft  pain    V. 
 <*  They'll  fweat  and  flrive  to  imitate  in  vain  *."    J 
 
 Let  a  perfon  read  one  of  Mr.  Addifon's  pa- 
 pers in  the  Spectator,  or  one  of  Br.  Watts'* 
 numbers  in  his  Mifcellanies,  and  he  ihall  find 
 the  periods  flow  fo  fmooth  and  eafy  that  he 
 ihall  imagine  it  to  be  no  difficulty  to  compofe 
 in  the  fame  manner,  but  let  him  but  make  the 
 
 Improvement  of  the  Mind,  part  I.  chap.  9.  §11. 
 
 expe- 
 
i-2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 experiment,  and  he  will  foon  be  convinced 
 that  he  muft  have  a  portion  of  the  fame  genius 
 to  enable  him  to  acquit  himfelf  with  the  like 
 fuccefs. 
 
 Our  next  article  of  obfervation  upon  the 
 Doctor's  writings  is  that  of  Dignify.  Though 
 he  fleers  his  flight  within  the  view  of  all,  and 
 fometimes  floops  in  the  loweft  condefcenfion, 
 efpeciaily  in  his  Catechifms  for  young  children, 
 yet  when  does  he  ever  fink  into  meannefles,  or 
 debafe  his  compofures  by  any  thing  puerile  or 
 trifling  ?  Where  are  there  any  words  too  low 
 and  groveling,  and  at  the  higheft  only  juft  ad- 
 miflible  into  converfation  to  be  found  in  all  his 
 works  ?  Where  are  there  any  trite  and  hack- 
 neyed proverbs  of  too  coarfe  a  texture  to  be 
 woven  into  difcourfes  of  religion  and  virtue  ? 
 Where  are  there  anypuns  or  jingles,  affected  an- 
 tithefes,  fantaftic  conceits,  or  difgufting'levities  ? 
 And,  though  his  fimilies  may  be  fometimes  taken 
 from  common  life,  or  common  fcenes,  yet,  as 
 wrought  up  by  him,  how  do  they  appear  in  be- 
 coming grandeur  ?  I  will  not  venture  to  affirm 
 that  in  the  numerous  treadles  he  has  publifhed 
 there  is  not  fo  much  as  a  fingle  inilance  in  any 
 of  the  particulars  of  debafement  that  have  been 
 mentioned  to  be  met  with,  yet  I  may  be  bold 
 to  fay  that  he  has  upon  the  whole  moil  happily 
 avoided  them,  and  this  too  amidft  his  conftanfc 
 regards  to  Perfpicnity  and  Freedom.  There  is 
 another  article  which  may  be  ranged  under 
 
 Dignity 
 
t)R.     ISAAC    WATTS.  173 
 
 &trnity  in  which  the  Dottcr  alfo  excels,  I  mean 
 the  harmony  of  his  Metaphors  and  Comparisons* 
 Nothing  is  more  offenfive  to  an  hearer  or  read- 
 er of  tafte  than  to  find  the  tropes  of  Rhetoric^ 
 when  they  arc  carried  out  into  any  length, 
 confufed  and  jarring,  or  made  up  of  image* 
 ihatched  in  violation  of  all  propriety  from  con- 
 trary objects,  and  abfurdly  huddled  together. 
 This  incongruity  is  what  Quintilian  fo  juftly 
 cenfures  when  he  fays,  ££  that  many  have  fet 
 "  out  with  a  tempefl  and  ended  with  a  confla- 
 £C  gration ;  the  effect  of  which  has  been  a 
 "  fliameful  inconfiilency  ?."  And  the  Spefiator 
 paffes  the  like  juft  cenfure  upon  it,  when  he 
 tells  us,  ££  that  an  unfkilful  author  mall  run  me- 
 "  taphors  fo  abfurdly  into  one  another  that  there 
 ££  fliall  be  no  fimile,  no  agreeable  piclure,  no  apt 
 tc  refembiance,  but  confufion,  obfeurity,  and 
 <c  noife.  Thus  have  I  known  an  hero  com- 
 C£  pared  to  a  thunderbolt,  a  lion,  and  the  fea ; 
 ££  all  and  each  of  them  proper  metaphors  for 
 ££  impetuofity,  courage,  or  force,  but  by  bad 
 ££  management  it  has  fo  happened  that  the 
 £C  thunderbolt  has  overflowed  its  banks,  the 
 £C  lion  has  darted  through  the  Ikies,  and  the 
 £C  billows  have  rolled  out  of  the  Lybian  de- 
 
 *  Nam  id  quod  imprimis  eft  cuftodiendum  quo  ex  ge- 
 itere  cceperis  tranflationem  hoc  defines.  Multi  enim  cum 
 initium  a  tempeftate  fumpferunt  incendio  aut  ruina  finiunt, 
 qua?  eft  inconfequentia  rerum  feed i  Aim  a.  Quint,  lib.  8. 
 cap.  6.   §  2. 
 
 «  fart." 
 
t74  MEMOIUSOF 
 
 cc  fart  J."  But  where  are  any  fuch  Metaphors 
 or  Comparifcns  obfervable  in  the  Doffor'z  writ- 
 ings ?  For  my  part,  I  know  not  of  one,  but  on 
 the  other  hand  it  were  eafy  to  refer  to  a  great 
 variety  that  open,  flow  on,  and  conclude  them- 
 felves  with  the  moil  beautiful  harmony.  If  I 
 fhould  not  dwell  too  long  on  this  particular 
 excellency  I  would  recite  a  few  examples  which, 
 as  they  adorn  the  Do6lor\  pages,  may  adorn 
 mine.  ,c  What  uneafy  creatures  are  we  made 
 <c  by  our  various  paflions  ?  How  often  do  they 
 <c  difquiet  and  torment  the  foul  ?  How  head- 
 <c  ftrong  is  their  violence,  like  an  horfe  un- 
 <c  broken  and  untamed  ?  How  fudden  are  their 
 <c  ftarts  ?  Their  motions  how  wild  and  various  ? 
 cc  And  how  unruly  are  their  efforts  ?  Now  if 
 <c  one  had  but  one  fovereign  bridle,  which 
 cc  could  reach  and  manage  them  all,  one 
 "  golden  rein,  which  would  hold  in  all  their 
 <c  unruly  motions,  and  which  v/ould  alfo  excite 
 cc  and  guide  them  at  pleafure,  what  an  inva- 
 <c  luable  inftrument  would  this  be  to  mortals  ? 
 "  Surely  fuch  an  inftrument  is  the  love  of 
 cc  God,  fuch  an  invaluable  regulator  of  all  the 
 cc  pafiionate  powers,  and  it  will  have  this  effect 
 £C  where  it  is,  as  it  ought  to  be,  ftrong  and  fu- 
 cc  preme  V  Again,  cc  to  employ  the  paffions 
 "  for  God  is  to  take  a  mod  powerful  engine  out 
 "  of  the  hands  of  fin  and  Satan,  and  reduce  it  to 
 
 X  Spectator,  No.  595. 
 
 f  Difconrfe  2d,  On  the  Love  of  God. 
 
 «  the 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  17$ 
 
 «  the  obedience  of  Chrift.     It  is  the  recovery 
 
 "  of  a  confiderable  part  of  human  nature  out 
 
 <c  of  difmal  captivity  and  bondage.    The  paf- 
 
 4<  fions  are  the  warmed  and  ftrongeft  powers 
 
 <c  of  the  foul.     They  are  the  artillery  whereby 
 
 <c  man  wages  war  for  or  againft  heaven.     The 
 
 «  patflons  are  by  nature  devoted  to  the  fervice 
 
 "  of  fin,  and  engaged  on  the  devil's  fide  in  his 
 
 "  wars  againft  the   Almighty,    and   they   are 
 
 {C  charged  with  the  feeds  of  impious  fire  and 
 
 fC  thunder,  but,  when  divine  grace  has  taken 
 
 fC  hold  of  them  and  employed  them  on  the  fide 
 
 "  of  God  and  religion,   it  is   like  feizing  the 
 
 <c  cannon  of  the  enemy  from  their  old  batte- 
 
 <c  ries,  and  planting  them  in  new  bulwarks  to 
 
 <c  make  war  upon  the  devil  and  all  his  army  f ." 
 
 How  apt  and  how  well  conducted  is  that  fimile 
 
 which   the  Doftor  adopts  when,   after  he  had 
 
 faid  that  a  teacher  mould  not  only  obferve  the 
 
 different  fpirit  and  humour  among  his  fcholars, 
 
 but  mould  watch  the  various  efforts  of  their 
 
 reafon  and  growth  of  their  underflanding,   he 
 
 goes  on,  and  adds  "  that  he  mould  practice  in 
 
 ic  his  young  nurfery  of  learning  as  a  fkiiful 
 
 <c  gardener  does   in  his  vegetable  dominions, 
 
 <c  and  apply  prudent  methods  of  cultivation  to 
 
 "  every  plant.     Let  him  with  a  difcreet  and 
 
 "  gentle  hand  nip  or  prune  the  irregular  moots, 
 
 <c  let  him  guard  and  encourage  the  tender  buds 
 
 «  of  the  underflanding  till  they  be  raifed  to  a 
 
 f  Difcourfe  3d,  On  the  Love  of  God. 
 
 «  blofTbm, 
 
17u  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 k<  bloflbm,  and  let  him  kindly  cherifh  the 
 fC  younger  fruits  J."  cc  The  love  of  God,  fays 
 cc  he,  is  a  flower  of  divine  original,  and  of  the 
 tf  growth  of  paradife.  If  the  Holy  Spirit  has 
 tc  planted  it  in  your  heart,  let  not  any  other 
 "  love  be  planted  too  near  it,  nor  too  much 
 <c  nourifhed  left  it  draw  away  the  vital  moif- 
 cc  ture,  and  caufe  the  love  of  God  to  languifh 
 "  and  wither  *."  I  will  add  one  more  Alle- 
 gory or  chain  of  Metaphors  in  which  there  ap- 
 pears a  like  beautiful  confiftency.  <c  A  young 
 u  bright  genius,  fays  the  Dofior,  who  has  fur- 
 fc  niflied  hirhfelf  with  a  variety  of  truths  and 
 <c  ftrong  arguments,  but  yet  is  unacquainted 
 <c  with  the  world,  goes  forth  from  the  fchools, 
 cc  like  a  knight-errant  prefuming  bravely  to 
 cc  vanquiih  the  follies  of  men,  and  to  fcatter 
 rc  light  and  truth  through  all  his  acquaintance. 
 <c  But  he  meets  with  huge  giants  and  enchant- 
 cc  ed  cailles,  flrong  prepofTefnons  of  mind, 
 <c  habits,  cuftoms,  education,  authority,  inte- 
 <c  reft,  together  with  all  the  various  paftions  of 
 <c  men  armed  and  obftinate  to  defend  their  old 
 cc  opinions,  and  he  is  ftrangely  difappointed  iri 
 cc  his  generous  attempts.  He  finds  now  that 
 cc  he  muft  not  truft  merely  to  the  fharpnefs  of 
 cc  his  fteel,  and  the  ftrength  of  his  arms,  but 
 cc  that  he  muft  manage  the  weapons  of  his  rea- 
 cc  fon  with  much  dexterity  and  artifice,   with 
 
 I  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  part  2.  chap.  1. 
 *  Difcourfe  7  th,  Love  of  God. 
 
 «  fkill 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC     WATTS.  177 
 
 <l  fkill  and  addrefs,  or  he  fhall  never  be  able  to 
 cc  fubdue  errors,  and  to  convince  mankind  V 
 There  is  another  excellency  in  his  compofi- 
 tions  which  deferves  particular  notice,  that  of 
 Ardor  or  Animation.  Though  in  opening,  il- 
 luftrating,  explaining,  proving,  and  the  like, 
 he  is  calm  and  cool,  yet  when  he  means  to  en- 
 force and  effectually  perfuade,  what  vehemence, 
 what  flame,  what  rapture,  not  unlike  the  elo- 
 quence of  Demofthcnes,  whom  Longinus  com- 
 pares to  a  thunderbolt^  or  of  Cicero,  whom  the 
 fame  great  critic  refembles  to  a  conflagration  f. 
 I  will  produce  an  inftance  or  two  of  this  kind* 
 Under  a  remark  of  the  Doclor's  how  much  it  is 
 the  bufinefs  of  a  minifter  of  the  gofpel  to  en- 
 gage the  affections  of  the  hearers,  and  to  bring 
 them  over  to  the  fervice  of  God  and  relip-icm, 
 
 o  * 
 
 after  he  has  taken  notice  of  the  animation 
 which  runs  through  the  writings  of  the  pro- 
 phets, and  the  difcourfes  of  our  Lord  and  his 
 apoftles,  he  thus  gives  the  reins  to  his  divine 
 oratory.  <c  Can  any  of  us  now  content  our- 
 u  felves  to  bring  cold  and  languid  difcourfes 
 <c  into  the  pulpit  with  this  bible  under  our 
 (C  hands  ?  Will  not  all  the  facred  fervors  of 
 <c  thefe  infpired  preachers  reproach  us  to  our 
 Cf  faces,  while  we  read  and  explain  their  fer- 
 fc  mons  ?  Shall  we  go  to  affect  a  calm  and 
 cc  ftupid  politenefs  of  phrafe  in  the  very  face 
 f  c  of  thefe  warm  and  heavenly  orators  ?  Can 
 cc  we   be  content  any  longer  to   be  the  cold 
 
 *  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  part  2.  chap.  5. 
 f  Longinus  de  fublimitate,  §  12. 
 
 N  «  and 
 
vi:3  -    M  E  MO.IR  S     d  V 
 
 stf  and,  ij/olefrrehearrers  of  the. great  and  glo- 
 
 :  lc.  rious  .things    of    our    religion  ?     Can    wc 
 ..".go    on  tcfe-fpeak  to   perilling    finners,  who 
 
 Iff.  lie  drowfy  and  (lumbering  on  the  brink  of 
 
 cc  hell,  in  lo  foft,  fo  calm,  and  gentle  a  man- 
 
 M  ner,   as   though  we  were  afraid   to  awaken 
 
 fc  them  r    What  Hi  all  we  fay  to  thefe  things? 
 
 "  Does  divine  love  fend  dreaming  preachers 
 
 <f  to  call  dead  finners  to  life  I  Preachers  who 
 
 "  are  content  to  leave  their  hearers  afleep  on 
 
 "  the  brink  of  eternal  deltrudion  ?   Have  they 
 
 cc  no  fuch  thing  as  paffion  belongs  to  them  ? 
 
 "  Have  they  no  pity,  no  fear  ?   Have  they  no 
 
 fC  fenfe  of  the  worth  of  fouls  ?    Have  they  no 
 
 <c  fprings  of  affection  within  them  ?  Or  do  they 
 
 14  think  their  hearers  have  not  ?  Or  is  paffion  fo 
 
 y  vile  a  power  that  it  muft  all  be  devoted  to 
 
 <c  flefh  and  fenfe,  and  muft  never  be  applied 
 
 f|  to  objects  divine  and  heavenly  r  Who  taught 
 
 <{  any  of  us  this  lazy  and  drowfy  practice?  Did 
 
 <l  God    or    his    prophets>    did   Chrifr.  or    his 
 
 li  apoftles  i  nit  met  us  in  this  modifri  art  of  fliil 
 
 "  life,    this  "lethargy  of  preaching,   as  it  has 
 
 <£  been  called  by  a  late  writer?   Did  the  great 
 
 "  God  ever  appoint  ftatues  for  his  ambaffadors 
 
 .  "  to  invite   finners   to  his   mercy  ?    Words  of 
 
 "  grace  written  upon   brafs  or  marble  would 
 
 iC  do   the  work  almoft  as  well.     Where  the 
 
 kf  preachers  become  ftone,   no  wonder   if  the 
 
 iC  hearers  are  movelefs.     But  let  the  minifters 
 
 <f  of  the  living  word,  who  addrefs  men  upon 
 
 cc  matters    of  infinite    concernment,    {how    if 
 
 M  poftible  that    they   are   infinitely   concerned 
 2  "  about 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATT  S.  :  *79 
 
 «  about  them  ft1'     In  like  manner  the  Do  ft  or 
 fhowing  how    ineffectual    dilcourfes    on     the 
 excellency    of    virtue   would    be    to    reform 
 mankind  without   awakening  their  hopes  and 
 fears   by  promifes   and  threats,  thus  addrefies 
 Lord  Shafte/btiry   under   the   name  of  Rbapfo- 
 dus  J,  who  affirms,  "  that  neither  the  fear  of 
 <c  future  punifhment   nor  the  hope  of  future 
 «  reward   can   poffibly   be  called   good  arTec- 
 <c  tions."     Cf  Go,  dreis  up,  fays  the  Doftor,  all 
 <c  the  virtues  of  human  nature  in  all  the  beau- 
 <c  ties  of  your  oratory,   and  declaim  aloud  on 
 cc  the  praife  of  focial  virtue  and  the  amiable 
 <c  qualities  of  goodnefs  till  your  hearts  or  lungs 
 cc  ake  among  the  loofer  herds  of  mankind,  and 
 cc  you  will  ever  find,   as  your  heathen  fathers 
 f{  have  done  before  you,   that  the  wild  appe- 
 <c  tites  and  paflions  of  men  are  too  violent  to 
 <c  be  reftrained  by  fuch  mild  and  filken  Ian- 
 cc  guage.     You  may  as  well  build  up  a  fence 
 «  of  draw  and  feathers  to  refill  a  cannon-ball, 
 "  or  try  to  quench  a  flaming  granado  with  a 
 <c  fhell   of  fair  water,  as   hope   to  fucceed  in 
 iC  thefe  attempts.     But  an  eternal  heaven  and 
 '  "  an  eternal  hell  carry  divine  force  and  power 
 "  with  them.     This  doclrine  from  the  mouth 
 <f  of  Chrittian  preachers  has  begun  the  reform - 
 «  ation  of  multitudes.     This  gofpel  has  reco- 
 
 f  Love  of  Gccl,  Difqcurfe  4th. 
 
 X  See  (lis  piece  entitled   The  Mcraliil*,  2  FhUofophical 
 
 '  Rhapfcdy,   vol.  ii. 
 
 N  2  "  vered 
 
rho  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 cc  vered  thoufands-  among  the  nations  from  ini- 
 <c  quity  and  death.  They  have  been  awakened 
 <c  by  thefe  awful  fcenes  to  begin  religion,  and 
 <c  afterwards  their  virtue  has  improved  itfelf 
 *c  into  fuperior  and  more  refined  principles  and 
 fiC  habits  by  divine  grace,  and  rifen  to  high 
 "  and  eminent  degrees,  though  not  to  a  con- 
 €C  fummate  ilate.  The  bleffed  God  knows 
 *c  human  nature  better  than  Rhapfodus  doth, 
 <c  and  has  throughout  his  word  appointed  a 
 cc  more  proper  and  more  effectual  method  of 
 <c  addrefs  to  it  by  the  paffions  of  hope  and  fear, 
 <f  by  punifhments  and  rewards  V 
 
 A  fifth  excellence  obfervable  in  the  Doctor's 
 writings,  and  which  he  poffeffes  in  an  uncommon 
 meafure  is  that  of  Plenitude  of  ideas.  What  fub- 
 ject  is  there  upon  which  he  has  written,  however 
 dry  and  unpromifing  it  might  feem,  but  what 
 under  his  culture  has  from  a  barren  naked  fpot 
 been  turned  into  a  field  or  garden  of  univerfal 
 verdure  and  bloom  ?  Is  there  not  evident  in  all 
 his  works  an  originality  of  thought,  or  is  there 
 not  ibmething  faid,  and  that  very  pertinent  and 
 proper,  upon  the  fubjects  which  he  difcuffes 
 which  never  occurred  to  us  before,  or  at  lead 
 never  appeared  in  fo  bright  and  pleafing  a 
 drefs  ?  This  excellency  I  may  flyle  a  diftin- 
 guiihing  glory  in  his  writings,  and  it  is,  if  I 
 miilake  not,  eminently  confpicuous  in  his  De- 
 
 *  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  part  i,  chapl  10.  §  n. 
 
 JcripionSy 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  181 
 
 fcriptlons,  of  which  I  mall  give  a  few,  and  but 
 a  few  fpecimens.  Would  he  open  to  his  read- 
 ers wherein  the  nature  of  Prudence  lies,  how 
 happily  has  he  defined  it  when  he  fays,  cc  Pru- 
 cc  dence  confifts  in  judging  well  what  is  to  be 
 cc  faid,  and  what  is  to  be  done  on  every  new 
 *c  occafion  ;  when  to  lie  ftill,  and  when  to  be 
 <f  active;  when  to  keep  filence,  and  when  to 
 <c  fpeak ;  what  to  avoid,  and  what  to  purfue ; 
 cc  how  to  act  in  every  difficulty ;  what  means 
 cc  to  make  ufe  of  to  compafs  fuch  an  end;  how 
 <c  to  behave  in  every  c  i  re  urn  (lance  of  life,  and 
 "  in  all  companies ;  how  to  gain  the  favour  of 
 cc  mankind  in  order  to  promote  our  own  hap- 
 *c  pinefs;  and  to  do  the  moil  fervice  to  God, 
 "  and  the  moil  good  to  men,  according  to 
 cf  that  flation  we  poffefs,  and  thofe  opportu- 
 <c  nities  we  enjoy  *."  After  he  has  enumerated 
 the  ornaments  and  accomplifhments  of  life 
 proper  for  perfons  in  younger  life,  fuch  as 
 Grammar,  Logic,  Geometry,  Geography,  Aftrono- 
 tny,  Natural  Philofophy,  Hijlory,  and  Poetry,  &c. 
 he  concludes  with  a  defcription  of  the  finifhing 
 beauties,  which  he  would  wifh  to  find  in  youno- 
 perfons.  c<  But,  among  all  the  accomplim- 
 <c  ments  of  youth,  there  is  none  preferable,, 
 <c  fays  he,  to  a  decent  and  agreeable  behaviour 
 <c  among  men,  a  modeft  freedom  of  fpeech, 
 "  a  graceful  and  lowly  deportment,  a  chearful 
 <c  gravity  and  good  humour,  with  a  mind  ever 
 
 1  Piicourfe  on  the  Education  of  children  and  youth,  §  6. 
 N  3  <«  ferenc 
 
j8j  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 e<  ferene  under  the  ruffling  accidents  of  human 
 «  life.  Add  to  this  a  pleafing  folemnity  and 
 <c  reverence  when  the  difcourfe  turns  upon  any 
 C(  thing  facred  and  divine,  a  becoming  neglect 
 "  of  injuries,  an  hatred  of  calumny  and  flan- 
 €(  der,  an  habit  of  fpeaking  well  of  others,  a 
 "  pleafing  benevolence  and  readinefs  to  do 
 u  good  to  mankind,  and  fpecial  compaffton  to 
 "  the  miferable,  with  an  air  and  countenance, 
 "  in  a  natural  and  unaffected  manner,  expref- 
 "  five  of  all  thefe  excellent  qualifications. 
 '?  Some  of  thefe,  he  adds,  are  to  be  numbered 
 <c  among  the  duties  and  virtues  of  mankind, 
 M  but  they  mu  ft  be  confefTed  to  be  ornaments 
 iC  as  well  as  virtues.  They  are  graces  in  the 
 €C  eye  of  man  as  well  as  God.  Thefe  will  be- 
 "  fpeak  the  affection  of  all  who  know  us,  and 
 <c  engage  even  an  ill-natured  world  betimes  in 
 "  our  favour.  Thefe  will  enable  the  youth  of 
 ••  both  fexes,  who  are  fo  happy  as  to  attain 
 *f  them,  to  enter  upon  the  ftage  of  life  with 
 t(  approbation  and  love,  to  pafs  through  the 
 (<  world  with  eaie,  as  far  as  eafe  may  be  ex- 
 "  pefted  in  fo  degenerate  and  unhappy  a  ftate 
 <c  of  things,  to  finifh  the  fcenes  of  action  on 
 "  earth  with  applaufe,  and  leave  behind  them 
 "  the  monument  of  a  good  name,  when  their 
 "  bodies  fleep  in  the  duft,  and  their  fouls 
 "  dwell   with   God  V      The  defcription   he 
 
 Difcourfe  on  the  Education  of  children  and  youth,  §  7. 
 
 gives 
 
Dr.-J-SAAC    WAT-TS.  i  o  1 
 
 gives, of.  poerty.in  Its  powers  and,  pleafures  is 
 fuch  as  may  weJK  charm  .us  with  its -beauty  at 
 xhe  lame  time  it-.conviaces  us,  of  the  benefit  of 
 a  good  acquaintance  with   thole   writers  who 
 have  moil  excelled  in  that  noble  art.     <(  Nor 
 iC  is   this   a  mere    amufement   or ,  ufelefs   em- 
 (i   broidery   ojf  the   mind.       It    brightens    and 
 "  , animates,  the  fancy  with  a  thoufand  beaiui- 
 "  ful  images,   it  enriches   the  foul  with  many 
 "  ^great   and   fublime   fentiments    and   refined 
 "  ideas,   it  fills  the  memory  with  a  noble  va- 
 ."  riety  of  language,  and  furnifhes  the  tongue 
 "  with  fpeech  and  expreMion  fuited  to  every 
 iC  fubjecl.       It  teaches   the    art  of  deferibing 
 "  well,  and  of  painting  every  thing  to  the  life, 
 fC  and  dreiling  up  all  the  pleafing  and  frightful 
 "  icenes  of  nature  and  providence,   vice  and 
 "  virtue  in  their  proper  charms  and  horrors. 
 "  It  aflifls  us  in  the  art  .of  perfuafion,  it  leads 
 "  us  into  a  pathetical  manner  of  fpeech,    and 
 "  writing,  and  adds  life  and  beauty  to  conver- 
 **  fation  *."     Thunder  and   lightning  both  at 
 diftance  and   near  at  hand  are   admirably  re- 
 prefented  by  him  in  the  following  defcription. 
 <e  When   we   hear    the    thunder   rumbling   in 
 "  fome  diftant  quarter  of  the  heavens  we  fit 
 (C  calm  and  ferene  amidfl  our  bufinefs  or  diver- 
 "  fions ;    we  feel  no  terrors  about  ns,  and  ap- 
 "  prehend  no  danger.     When  we  fee  the  flen- 
 
 *  Eduction  of  children  and  youth,  §  7. 
 
 N  4  ie'  tfer 
 
i$4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 cc  der  ftreaks  of  lightning  play  afar  off  in  the 
 cc  horizon  of  an  evening  iky  we  look  on  and 
 tc  amufe  ourfelves  as  with  an  agreeable  fpeo 
 "  tacle    without   the   lead    fear   or   concern. 
 "  But  lo,  the  dark  cloud  rifes  by  degrees,  it 
 "  grows  black  as  night,  and  big  with  tem- 
 "  peflsj    it  fpreads,   as   it  rifes  to   the  mid 
 Cf  heaven,   and  now  hangs  directly  over  us; 
 "  the  flafhes  of   lightning   grow   broad   and 
 <c  ftrong,  and,  like   fheets  of  ruddy  fire,  they 
 <c  blaze  terribly  all  round  the  hemifphere.  We 
 "  bar  the  doors  and  windows,  and  every  ave- 
 fC  nue  of  light,  but  we  bar  them  all  in  vain  ; 
 "  the   flames  break  in  at  every  cranny,   and 
 "  threaten    fwift   destruction.      The    thunder 
 "  follows  burfling  from  the  cloud  with  fudden 
 "  and  tremendous  clafhes  ;  the  voice  of  the 
 €t  Lord  is  redoubled  with  violence,   and  over- 
 f(  whelms  us  with  terror,   it  rattles  over  our 
 "  heads,  as  though  the  whole  houfe  was  broken 
 <c  down  at  once  with  a  ftroke  from  'heaven, 
 <f  and  were  tumbling  on  us  amain  to  bury  us 
 <c  in  the  ruins.     Happy  the  man  whofe  hope 
 "  in  his  God  compofes  all  his  paflions  amidft 
 <c  thefe  florms  of  nature,  and  renders  his  whole 
 <f  deportment  peaceful  and  ferene  amidft  the 
 ,c  frights  and  hurries  of  weak  fpirits  and  un- 
 <f  fortified  minds  *  !**     I  fhall  clofe  the  fpeci- 
 men  of  the  Dcftor's  eminent  talents  for  Be- 
 
 *  Mifcellancous  thoughts  in  profe  and  verfe,  No.  23. 
 
 4  fcripticriy 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  185 
 
 jcription,  in  which  he  has  ideas  at  command  to 
 enable  him  to  fay  enough,  and  judgment  to 
 teach  him  when  to  fay  no  more,  with  that  ad- 
 mirable Meditation  of  his  for  the  firft  of  May. 
 «  What  aftonifhing  variety  of  artifices,  what 
 "  innumerable  millions  of  exquifite  works  is 
 <f  the  God  of  nature  engaged  in  every  mo- 
 «  ment  !  How  glorioufly  are  his  all-pervading 
 cc  wifdom  and  power  employed  in  this  feafon 
 "  of  the  year,  this  fpring  of  nature  !  What  in- 
 <c  finite  myriads  of  vegetable  beings  is  he 
 cc  forming  this  very  moment  in  their  roots  and 
 "  branches,  in  their  leaves  and  bloffoms,  their 
 "  feeds  and  fruits  !  Some  indeed  began  to  did 
 ff  cover  their  bloom  amidft  the  fnows  of  Ja- 
 (C  nuary,  or  under  the  rough  cold  blafts  of 
 "  March.  Thofe  flowers  are  withered  and  va- 
 f«  nifhed  in  Apil,  and  their  feeds  are  now 
 "  ripening  to  perfection.  Others  are  mewing 
 "  themfelves  this  day  in  all  their  blooming 
 "  pride  and  beauty,  and,  while  they  adorn  the 
 "  gardens  and  meadows  with  gay  and  glowing 
 "  colours,  they  promife  their  fruits  in  the  days 
 "  of  harveft.  The  whole  nation  of  vegetables 
 cc  is  under  the  divine  care  and  culture,  his 
 "  hands  form  them  day  and  night  with  ad- 
 <c  mirable  fkill  and  unceafing  operation,  ac- 
 "  cording  to  the  natures  he  firfl  gave  thems 
 <f  and  he  produces  their  buds  and  foliage,  their 
 <c  flowery  bloffoms  and  rich  fruit  in  their  ap- 
 "  pointed  months.  Their  progrefs  in  life  is 
 «  exceeding  fwift  at  this  feafon  of  the  year,  and 
 
 <c  their 
 
i66  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 <f  their  fuccefiive  appearances  and  fweet  chan- 
 55  ges  of  raiment  are  vifible  almoft  hourly. 
 "  But  thefe  creatures  are  of  lower  life,  and  give 
 "  but  feebler  difplays  of  the  maker's  wifdom. 
 "  Let  us  raile  our  contemplations  another  fto- 
 "  ry,  and  furvey  a  nobler  theatre  of  divine 
 "  wonders.  What  endlefs  armies  of  animals 
 cc  is  the  hand  of  God  moulding  and  figuring 
 <f  this  moment  throughout  his  brutal  domi- 
 •"  nion  !  What  immenle  flights  of  little  birds 
 "  are  now  fermenting  in  the  egg,  heaving  and 
 cc  growing  towards  fhape  and  life !  What  vaft 
 Cf  flocks  of  four-footed  creatures,  what  droves 
 fC  of  large  cattle  are  now  forming  in  their  ear- 
 <c  ly  embryos  imprifoned  in  the  dark  cells  of 
 "  nature,  and  others  perhaps  moving  towards 
 "liberty,  and  juft  preparing  to  fee  the  light ! 
 "  What  unknown  myriads  of  infects  in  their 
 "  various  cradles  and  nefting  places  are  nov/ 
 "  working  towards  vitality  and  motion,  and 
 <c  thoufands  of  them  with  their  painted  wings 
 "  juft  beginning  to  unfurl,  and  expand  them- 
 cc  felves  into  fluttering  and  day-light,  while 
 cc  other  families  of  them  have  forfaken  their 
 «  hufky  beds,  and  exult  and  glitter  in  the 
 "  warm  fun-beams ! 
 
 "  An  exquifite  world  of  wonders  is  compli- 
 "  cated  even  in  the  body  of  every  little  infect, 
 <c  an  ant,  a  gnat,  a  mite,  which  is  fcarce  vifible 
 "  to  the  naked  eye.  Admirable  engines  ! 
 €C  which  an  whole  academy  of  philofophcrs 
 cc  could   never   contrive  -,    which  the   nation 
 
 «  of 
 
Br.    ISAAC     WATTS.  1S7 
 
 Cf  of  poets  have  neither  art  nor  colours  to 
 <f  defcribe;  nor  has  a  world  of  mechanics 
 c-  fldll  enough  to  frame  the  plaineft  or  coarfefl 
 f  c  of  them.  Their  nerves,  their  mufcles,  and 
 cc  the  minute  atoms  which  compofe  the  fluids 
 Cf  fit  to  run  in  the  little  channels  of  their  veins 
 <c  efcape  the  notice  of  the  mod  fugacious  ma- 
 <c  thematician  with  all  his  aid  of  glaiTes.  The 
 "  active  powers  and  curiofity  of  human  nature 
 •«  are  limited  in  their  purfuit,  and  mull  be 
 "  content  to  lie  down  in  ignorance — Hitherto 
 tc  fhall  ye  go,  and  no  further. 
 
 fC  'Tis  a  fublime  and  conftant  triumph 
 cc  over  all  the  intellectual  powers  of  man, 
 11  which  the  great  God  maintains  every 
 cc  moment  in  thefe  inimitable  works  of  na- 
 cc  ture,  in  thefe  impenetrable  recefifes  and 
 cc  myfteries  of  divine  art ;  and  the  month  of 
 c<  May  is  the  moil  mining  feafon  of  this  tri- 
 "  umph.  The  flags  and  banners  of  Almighty 
 <c  wifdom  are  now  difplayed  round  half  the 
 "  globe,  and  the  other  half  waits  the  return  of 
 cc  the  fun  to  fpread  the  fame  triumph  over  the 
 "  fouthern  world.  This  very  fun  in  the  firma- 
 "  ment  is  God's  prime  minifler  in  this  won- 
 <c  drous  world  of  beings,  and  he  works  with 
 cc  fovereign  vigour  on  the  furface  of  the  earth, 
 <c  and  fpreads  his  influences  deep  under  the 
 fc£  clods  to  every  root  and  fibre,  moulding 
 "  them  into  their  proper  forms  by  divine  di- 
 cf  rect-ion.  There  is  not  a  plant,  nor  a  leaf, 
 i(  nor   one  little   branching  thread    above  or 
 
 cc  beneath 
 
Jb'3  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 <c  beneath  the  ground,  which  efcapes  the  eye 
 "  or  influence  of  this  beneficent  flar.  An  il- 
 <c  luftrious  emblem  of  the  omniprefence  and 
 iC  univerfal  activity  of  the  Creator  J." 
 
 Quintilian  obferves  concerning  Horace^  ™  that 
 "  he  is  remarkably  pure  and  polifhed  in  his 
 cc  numbers,  and  eminent  for  his  obfervation 
 "  of  the  manners  of  men,  and  that  he  is  al- 
 <c  moll  the  only  Lyric  poet  who  merits  our 
 <c  perufal,  for  that  he  fometimes  towers  into 
 *c  fublimity,  that  he  abounds  with  fweetnefs 
 <c  and  elegance,  and  is  wonderfully  happy  in 
 *c  the  boldnefs  of  his  figures  and  exprefiions  *:" 
 and  Petronius  compliments  him  as  diftinguifhecl 
 for  a  curio  fa  f elicit  as  f ,  an  elaborate  or  elegant 
 felicity. 
 
 Petronius  may  intend  fuch  a  manner  of  com- 
 pofition  as  to  thoughts  and  language  as  ap- 
 pears perfectly  fpontaneous  and  unfludied,  or 
 the  firft  free  effufions  of  the  poet,  but  yet 
 mingled  with  fuch  a  propriety  and  elegance 
 as  to  challenge  the  admiration  and  praife  of 
 every   reader.     An  eagle-winged   genius  can 
 
 X  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts,    No   23. 
 
 *  Multo  eft  terfior  ac  purus  magis  Horatius,  et  ad  no- 
 tandos  hominum  mores  prxcipuus.  Lyricorum  idem  Ho- 
 ratius  fere  folus  legi  dignus  ;  nam  et  infurgit  aliquando, 
 et  plenus  eft  jucunditatis,  et  gratine,  et  variis  figuris  e^ 
 verbis  feliciffime  audax.     Quintil.  Jib.  x.  cap.  1. 
 
 f  Homerus  tejlis  fcff  Lyrici,  Romanufq\  VirgiliuSy  &  Ho- 
 ratii  curio/a  f elicit  as.     Petron.  Sat. 
 
 with 
 
Dr.  ISAAC   WATTS.  189 
 
 with  as  much  eafe  afcend  and  foar  amidft  the 
 heights  of  heaven  as  a  minuter  mind  can  lift 
 itfelf  up  on  its  feeble  plumes  a  few  inches  above 
 the  common  level  of  the  ground. 
 
 Are  not  the  like  praifes  due  to  Br.  Watts'^ 
 compofitions  both  in  profe  and  verfe  ?  Are 
 there  not  in  his  writings  fuch  an  happinefs 
 joined  with  elegance  in  his  ideas,  and  fuch  a 
 choice  of  words  and  expreflions  in  all  refpects 
 correfpondent  to  them  as  to  ftamp  them  with 
 an  incomparable  value,  and  fo  avouch  them 
 for  his  own  as  to  diftinguifh  them  from  all 
 others  ?  Some  fpecimens  of  this  kind  I  (hall 
 produce,  and  the  rather  as  they  may  excite 
 fuch  as  would  wifh  to  have  the  reputation  of 
 good  writers  to  ufe  their  beft  endeavours  to 
 attain  it,  though,  after  all  their  exertions, 
 they  may  never  reach  that  full  meafure  in 
 which  this    excellency    was   pofTefled   by  the 
 
 cc  Let  God  alone  be  the  folid  and  everlaft- 
 <f  ing  reft  and  refuge  of  our  fouls,  whofe  life 
 <c  is  eternity,  whofe  kingdom  reigns  over  all, 
 cf  and  his  dominion  is  for  ever  and  ever  jh«7 
 
 "  If  your  life  fhould  be  loft  in  fuch  a  caufe 
 <c  as  this  (in  attempts  for  the  reformation  of 
 "  manners)  it  will  be  efteemed  martyrdom  in 
 "  the  fight  of  Gody  and  fhall  be  thus  written 
 "  down  in  the  book  of  the  wars  of  the  Lord. 
 Ci  Believe  me  thefe  red  lines  will  look  well  in  the  re- 
 
 X  Sermon  on  George  the  Firfl's  death. 
 
 €€  cords 
 
19o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 **  cords  of 'heaven*  when  the  judgment  fhall  be 
 "  let  and  the  books  opened  in  the  face  of 
 *'  men  and  angels    . 
 
 "  A  wiih  or  defire  (defcribing  a  wife  and 
 cc  tender  mother,  and  the  dutiful  regards  of 
 <e  her  daughters  grown  up  under  her  care  in 
 <f  return)  has  the  fame  power  over  them  now, 
 <c  as  a  command  had  in  their  infancy  and 
 "  childhood,  for  the  command  ivas  ever  dreffed 
 u  in  the  fofteft  language  of  authority,  and  this 
 "  made  every  act  of  obedience  a  delight,  till 
 u  it  became  an  habitual  pleafure  \" 
 
 cc  Nothing  could  difpleafe  Phroniffa  (fo  this 
 c<  good  mother  is  called)  more  than  to  hear 
 tc  a  jell  thrown  upon  natural  infirmities.  She 
 c<  thought  there  v;as  fomething  f acred  in  miferyy 
 "  and  it  was  not  to  be  touched  with  a  rude 
 «  hand  %r 
 
 <c  My  foul  is  touched  with  fuch  a  divine 
 cc  influence  that  it  cannot  reft,  while  God 
 u  withdraws,  as  the  needle  trembles,  and  hunts 
 tc  after  the  hidden  loadftone%" 
 
 tc  Such  christians  as  thefe  (fuch  who  are 
 ,c  weak  and  too  much  under  the  influence  of 
 u  their  paflions)  live  very  much  by  fudden 
 cc  fits  and  ftarts  of  devotion  without  that  uni- 
 €C  form  and  fteady  fpring  of  faith  and  holinefs 
 
 #  Sermon  to  reformation  focieties  1707. 
 \  Difcourfe  on  Education,  §11. 
 t  Id.    §  11. 
 
 §  Remnants  of  Time  employed  in  Profe  and  Verfe, 
 No.  18. 
 
 "  which 
 
Dr.-  ISAAC-   WATTS.  191 
 
 "  which  would  render  their  religion  more  even. 
 cc  and  uniform,  .more  honourable  to  God,  and 
 "  more  comfortable  to  themfelves.  They  are 
 "  always  high  on  the  wing,  or  elfe  lying 
 <f  movelefs  on  the  ground.  They  are  ever  in 
 V  the  heights  or  the  depths,  travelling  on  the 
 "  bright  mountains  with  the  fongs  of  heaven  on 
 "  their  lips,  or  groaning  and  labouring  through 
 "  the  dark  vallies^  and  never  walking  onward  as 
 "  on  an  even  plain  towards  heaven  -f\" 
 
 fC  How  eafy  will  it  be  for  our  blefTed  Lord 
 <c  to  make  a  full  accomplifhment  of  all  his 
 cc  predictions  concerning  his  kingdom  ?  Sal- 
 <f  vation  fiiall  fpread  through  all  the  tribes 
 cc  and  ranks  of  mankind,  as  the  lightning  from 
 "  heaven  in  a  few  moments  would  communicate  a 
 "  living  flame  through  ten  thoufand  lamps  or 
 "  torches  placed  in  a  proper  fituation  and  neigh - 
 "  bourhood%" 
 
 "  Faith  kept  in  lively  exercife  can  make  rofes 
 <c  fpring  out  of  the  midft  of  thorns,  and  change 
 "  the  briars  of  the  wilder nefs  into  the  fruit-trees 
 "  of  paradife*.,y 
 
 "  What  need  is  there  that  I  fhould  wrap  up  the 
 u  Jhining  honours  of  my  Redeemer  in  the  dark 
 "  and  fhadowy  language  of  a  religion  (the  Jew- 
 "  ijh)  that  is  now  for  ever  abolifhed%?" 
 
 f  Love  of  God,  Difcourfe  fifth. 
 
 \  Preface  to  the  Narrative  of  the  furptifing  Convcrfion,- 
 in  New  England,  page  8. 
 
 1    Sermons  on  various  fubjefts.      Sermon  the  32c!. 
 *   Preface  to  his  Imitation  of  the  Pfalms  of  David. 
 
 "  Your 
 
,92  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 "  Your  own  meditations  can  furnifh  you 
 cc  with  many  a  delightful  truth  in  the  midft  of  ib 
 "  heavy  a  forrow,  for  the  covenant  of  grace  has 
 "  brightnefs  enough  in  it  to  gild  the  mofi  gloomy 
 "  providence,  and  to  that  fweet  covenant  your 
 <f  foul  is  no  flranger  *." 
 
 .  "  This  book  is  of  excellent  ufe  to  lie  on  the 
 cc  table  in  a  chamber  of  ficknefs,  and  now  and 
 €C  then  to  take  a  ftp  of  the  river  of  life,  which 
 u  runs  through  it  in  a  thoufand  little  rills  of 
 t%  peace  and  joy\" 
 
 Cf  If  my  chriftianity  raifes  my  pious  paf- 
 "  fions  in  the  church  or  in  the  clofet  may  the 
 cc  fame  chriftian  fpirit  be  found  in  all  my  be- 
 <c  haviour!  May  it  regulate  my  words,  and 
 <c  adorn  my  actions,  that  God,  angels,  and 
 "  men  may  fee  the  golden  thread  of  religion 
 "  running  through  my  heart  and  life  in  an  uniform 
 "  manner  in  all  times,  places,  and  ftations\" 
 
 "  Come,  my  foul,  roufe  thyfelf  from  thy 
 <c  dull  lethargic  temper,  jhake  off  the  duft  which 
 "  hangs  heavy  on  thy  better  powers.  Haft  thou 
 "  not  been  long  weary  of  fuch  cold  and  frozen 
 "  devotion,  as  is  practifed  in  this  earthly  flate  ? 
 fC  Haft  thou   not  long  complained  of  loving 
 
 •  Letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Shower,  on  the  death  of 
 his  daughter,  prefixed  to  his  elegy  on  her  in  the  Doctor's 
 Lyric  Poems. 
 
 f  Preface  to  Dr.  Clarkeh  Collection  of  the  Promifes  of 
 Scripture. 
 
 X  Love  of  God,   Difcourfe  fifth. 
 
 "  thy 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    fW  A  T  T  S.  193 
 
 "  thy  God  lb  little,  and  of  tailing  fo  little  of 
 <c  his  love  ?  Come  raife  thyfelf  above  thefe 
 cc  dull  and  defpicable  fcenes  of  flefh  and  fenfe, 
 "  above  all  that  is  not  immortal.  Lift  up  thy 
 "  head  with  cheerfulneis  and  eager  hope,  lock 
 "  cut  with  longing  eyes  beyond  the  foadowy  region 
 "  cf  death,  and  falute  the  dawning  of  the  eternal 
 "  day  ;  ftretch  out  thy  arms  of  intenfe  defire^ 
 ""  and  fend  a  flight  of  devout  wifhes  acrofs  the 
 "  dark  valley  to  meet  the  approaching  joys  of  im- 
 "  mortality*  " 
 
 "  Such  a^converfarion  and  fuch  a  character 
 "  made  up  of  piety  and  virtue  were  prepared 
 "  for  the  attacks  of  a  fever  with  malignant 
 <c  and  mortal  fymptoms.,  Slow  and  unfuf- 
 cf  peeled  were  the  advances  of  the  difeafe  till 
 cc  the  powers  of  reafon  began  to  faulter  and 
 "  retire,  till  the  heralds  of  death  had  made  their 
 "  appearance  1  and.fpread  on  her  bofom  their  purple 
 "  enfgns-f." 
 
 I  might  go  on  and  fill  many  a  page  with 
 examples  of  the  Doclcrs  elaborate  or  elegant 
 felicity  taken  from  his  profe  writings  and  then 
 collect  as  great  or  a  greater  number  of  them 
 from  his  poetry ,  but  I  ihall  reftrain  myfelf, 
 efpecially  as  the  next  chapter  will  be  employed 
 in  a  furvey  of  his  poems,  where  the  feveral 
 citations   from   them,  though  introduced  for 
 
 *  Love  of  God,  Difcourfe  feventh. 
 f  Sermon  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Abncy,  daughter 
 of  Sir  Thomas  Abnry,   &c. 
 
 O  other 
 
lcv  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 other  purpofes,  may  ferve  as  proofs  how  much 
 he  excelled  in  this  prime  beauty  of  compofi- 
 tion  :  fufficc  it  only  to  add  that  what  was  faid 
 concerning  another  perfon  may  be  with  the 
 greatefl  juftice  applied  to  the  Bciior,  (C  that 
 e<  whatever  fubject  he  treated  on,  and  his  ready 
 i:  genius  turned  itfelf  to  all,  he  illuminated  it 
 ■f  with  a  luftre  peculinr  to  himfelf,  not  unlike 
 <l  the  golden  ray  of  Titian,  that,  diffufing  itfelf 
 "  through  the  whole  tablet  avouched  it  for  his 
 <c  own  f." 
 
 All  that  I  mall  attempt  further  in  the  ex- 
 amination of  his  profe-performances  mall  be 
 confined  to  his  Sermons  which,  if  I  am  right  in 
 my  opinion,  are  the  ftandards  of  truly  ufeful 
 preaching,  fuch  as  is  calculated  to  inform  the 
 minds,  convince  the  confeiences,  imprefs  the 
 memories,  and  reach  and  command  the  hearts 
 of  mankind  in  thofe  matters  of  infinite  mo- 
 ment, the  glory  of  God,  and  their  own  prefent 
 comfort,  and  everlafling  falvation. 
 
 To  fhow  that  his  Sermons  deierve  thefe  praifes 
 let  it  be  obferved  that  there  is  nothing  like  a 
 parade  or  orientation  of  learning  in  them,  that 
 there  are  no  terms  of  Grammar  or  Logic  unin- 
 telligible to  a  common  reader,   and  that  the 
 
 f  In  quodcunque  opus  fe  parabat,  et  per  omnia  fane 
 rcrfatile  iiHus  fe  adduxit  ingenium,  nelcio  qua  luce  fibi  pro- 
 pria, id  iJIuminavit,  haud  difiimili  ei  aureo  Titiani  radio 
 qui  per  totam  tabulam  glifcens  earn  vere  fuam  enunciat, 
 Fitz-Oiborne's  Letters,  vol.  ii.  p.  50. 
 
 language 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  19$ 
 
 language  in  which  they  are  compofed  is  father 
 the  language  of  conversation  than  that  of  fet 
 compositions,  though  by  no  means  beneath  the 
 dignity  due  to  the  pulpit  and  the  prefs.  His 
 difcourfes  are  not  made  up  of  divifions  broken 
 into  divifions  till  they  appear  little  better  tharl 
 the  numerous  naked  arms,  boughs,  and  fprigs 
 of  a  tree  in  the  barrennefs  of  the  winter.  His 
 heads  and  particulars  are  comparatively  but 
 few,  and  they  are  enriched  with  much  enlarge- 
 ment. Beautiful  is  their  foliage,  and  plenteous 
 and  pleafant  are  their  fruits. 
 
 The  branching  fermon>  as  the  Do  el  or  ftyles 
 it,  is  what  he  ever  avoided  in  his  example^ 
 as  he  very  properly  reprehends  it  in  his  writ- 
 ings. "  It  is  a  vain  afFectatio^  fays  he,  to 
 "  draw  out  a  long  rank  of  particulars  in  the 
 "  fame  fermon  under  one  general,  and  run  up 
 cc  the  number  to  eighteenthly  >  or  [even  and  twen- 
 "  tiethly.  Men  who  take  delight  in  this  fort  of 
 tc  work  will  cut  out  ail  their  fcnfe  into  Hireds, 
 ct  and  every  thing  they  can  fay  of  any  thing 
 u  will  be  a  new  particular. 
 
 (C  This  fort  of  folly  and  miflaken  conduct 
 w  appears  weekly  in  Polyramus's  lectures,  and 
 <c  renders  all  his  difcourfes  lean  and  infipid, 
 u  Whether  it  proceed  from  a  mere  barrennefs 
 "  of  thought,  and  a  native  drynefs  of  foulj  that 
 "  he  is  not  able  to  vary  his  matter,  and  am- 
 <c  plify  beyond  the  formal  topics  of  an  analyfis, 
 €i  or  whether  it  arife  from  an  affeclation  of 
 O  2  «  fuch 
 
iy6  MEMOIRSOF 
 
 "  iuch  a  way  of  talking  it  is  hard  to  fey,  but 
 "  it  is  certain  that  the  chief  part  of  the  audi- 
 <c  tory  arc  not  over-much  profited  or  pleafed, 
 cc  When  I  fit  under  his  preaching  I  fancy  my- 
 <c  felf  brought  into  the  valley  of  Ezekiel's  vi- 
 "  fion.  //  ii' as  full  of  bones,  and  behold  there  were. 
 "  iien  many  in  the  valley,  and  lo  they  were  very 
 "  dry.  Ezek.  xxxvii.  i,  2.  It  is  the  variety  of 
 "  enlargement  upon  a  few  proper  heads  that 
 "  clothes  the  dry  bones  with  flefh,  and  ani- 
 "  mates  them  with  blood  and  fpirits  :  it  is  this 
 "  that  colours  the  difcourfe,  makes  it  warm 
 <c  and  ftrong,  and  renders  the  divine  propofi- 
 "  tions  bright  and  periiiafive  :  it  is  this  brings 
 fc  down  the  do&rine  or  the  duty  to  the  under- 
 cc  {landing  and  confcience  of  the  whole  audi- 
 <c  tory,  and  commands  the  natural  afreclions 
 cc  into  the  intereft  of  the  gofpel ;  in  ihort  it  is 
 iC  this,  which  under  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
 <c  Spirit,  gives  life  and  force,  beauty  and  fuc- 
 "  cefs  to  a  ierrnon,  and  provides  food  for  fouls. 
 "  A  iingle  rofe  bulh,  or  a  dwaFf  pear  with  all 
 "  their  leaves,  flowers,  and  fruit  about  them 
 "  have  more  beauty  and  fpirit  in  themfelves, 
 <c  and  yield  more  food  and  pleafure  to  man- 
 <c  kind  than  the  innumerable  branches,  boughs, 
 <c  and  twigs  of  a  long  hedge  of  thorns.  The 
 «  fruit  will  feed  the  hungry,  and  the  flower 
 <c  will  refrefh  the  fainting,  which  is  more  than 
 "  can  be  faid  of  the  thicker!:  oak  in  Baft  an, 
 (C  when  it  has  loll  its  vital  juice.  It  may 
 ->  <c  fpread 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  %yf 
 
 <x  fpretd  its  limbs  indeed  far  and  wide,  but 
 <c  they  are  naked,  withered,  and  faplefs  *." 
 
 As  the  Dofior  in  his  fermons  never  run  into 
 a  barren  fuperfluity  of  particulars,  fo  on  the 
 other  hand  he  cautioufly  fhunned  and  as  much 
 I  might  fay  more  difliked  the  other  extreme 
 that  of  an  harangue  without  any  divifion  of  the 
 fubjedt.     I  will  repeat  in  part  what  he  has  with 
 juft   reafon    objected    againft   this  method   of 
 preaching,  and  of  which  I  may  be  bold  to  fay 
 there  is  not  a  fmgle  inftance  in  the  vaft  multi- 
 tude of  his  difcou'rfes.     <c  Is   it  not  poflible, 
 "  fays  he,  to  forfake  one  extreme  without  fall- 
 cc  ing  into  a  worfe  ?   Is  there  no  medium  be- 
 <c  tween  a  fermon  made  up  of  fixty  dry  parti- 
 * c  culars,  and  a  long  loofe  declamation  without 
 <c  any  diftincliion  of  the  parts  of  it  ?    Muft  the 
 "  preacher  divide  his  works  by  the  breaks  of  a 
 cc  minute  watch,   or  let  it  run  on  inceffantly 
 "  like  the   flowing   ftream  of  the  hour-glafs 
 «  which  meafures  his  divinity  ?  Surely  Fluvio 
 <c  preaches   as  though  he  knew  no  medium, 
 *c  and,  having  taken  a  difguft  heretofore  at  one 
 <c  of  Polyramus's  lectures,  he  refolved  his  dif- 
 "  courfes  fhould  have  no  diftinction  of  parti- 
 <e  culars  in  them.  His  language  flows  fmoothly 
 fC  in  a  long  connexion  of  periods.     The  atten- 
 «  tion  is  detained  in  a  gentle  pleafure,  and,  to 
 "  fay  the  beft  thing  poflible  of  it,  the  hearer  is 
 
 *  Second  part  of  the  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  ch.  6.  ■§  2. 
 O  3  "  foothed 
 
198  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 *<  foothed  into  ibmething  like  divine  delight, 
 rc  but  he  can  give  the  inquiring  friend  fcarce 
 "  any  account  what  it  was  that  pleafed  him, 
 cc  He  retains  a  faint  idea  of  the  fweetnefs,  but 
 Cf  has  forgot  the  fenfe.  Tell  me,  Fiuvio,  is 
 cc  this  the  mod  effectual  way  to  inftruct  igno- 
 fc  rant  creatures  in  the  leveral  articles  of  faith, 
 <c  and  the  various  duties  of  the  chriflian  life  ? 
 "  Will  fuch  an  uniform  Mow  of  language  im- 
 <c  print  all  the  diftmcl:  parts  of  chriftian  know- 
 cc  led2;e  on  the  mind  in  their  bed  form  and 
 cc  order?  Do  you  find  fuch  a  gentle  and  gliding 
 tf<  ftream  of  words  mod  powerful  to  call  up  the 
 f*  fouls  of  finners  from  their  dangerous  and  fa- 
 fC  tal  lethargy  ?  Will  this  indolent  and  move- 
 (C  lefs  fpecies  of  oratory  make  a  thoughtlefs 
 tc  wretch  attend  to  matters  of  infinite  moment? 
 cc  Can  a  long  purling  found  awaken  a  fleepy 
 "  confeience,  and  give  a  perifhing  finner  juffc 
 "  notions  of  his  dreadful  hazard  ?  Can  it  fur- 
 ct  nifh  his  understanding  and  memory  with  all 
 <c  the  awful  and  tremendous  topics  of  our  reli- 
 <c  gion3  when  it  fcarce  leaves  any  distinct  im- 
 ?c  preffion  of  one  of  them  in  his  foul  ?  Can  you 
 ec  make  the  arrow  wound  where  it  will  not 
 tc  flick  ?  Where  all  the  difcourfe  vanifhes  from 
 <e  the  remembrance  can  you  fuppofe  the  foul 
 cc  to  be  profited  or  enriched  ?  When  you 
 <c  brum  over  the  clofed  eye-lids  with  a  feather 
 fc  did  you  ever  find  it  give  light  to  the  blind  ? 
 f c  Have  any  of  your  Soft  harangues,  your  con- 
 
 "  tinue$ 
 
D*.     ISAAC    WATTS.  199 
 
 &  tinned  threads  of  filken  eloquence  ever  railed 
 *c  the  dead  ?  I  fear  your  whole  aim  is  to  talk 
 "  over  the  appointed  number  of  minutes  upon 
 cc  the  fubjecl,  or  to  practife  a  little  upon  the 
 <c  gentler  paflions  without  any  concern  how  to 
 (i  give  the  underftanding  its  due  improvement, 
 "  or  furniih  the  memory  with  any  lairing  plea- 
 c<  fure,   or  to  make  a  knowing  and  religious 
 
 <c  chriftian. Preachers  talk  reafon  and  re- 
 
 <c  ligion  to  their  auditories  in  vain  if  they  do 
 "  not  make  the  argument  fo  fhort  as  to  come 
 <c  within  their  grafp,  and  give  a  frequent  reft 
 <c  to  their  thoughts.  They  mud:  break  the 
 cc  bread  of  life  into  pieces  to  feed  children  with 
 <c  it,  and  part  their  difcourfe  into  diftinct  pro- 
 tc  pontions  to  give  the  ignorant  a  plain  fcheme 
 "  of  any  one  doctrine,  and  enable  them  to 
 <c  comprehend,  or  retain  it.  Polyramns's  audi* 
 <c  tors  have  ibme  confufion  in  their  knowledge, 
 ■"  but  F/uvio's  hearers  have  fcarce  any  know- 
 "  ledge  at  all  j\" 
 
 It  may  be  added  concerning  the  Doffcr's 
 iermons  that  in  proper  places  they  are  both 
 cool  and  argumentative,  and  again  flaming  and 
 pathetic.  They  are  calculated  perhaps  I  might 
 truly  lay,  without  a  fingle  exception  to  en- 
 lighten  the  underftanding,  convince  and  fix 
 the  judgment,  and  at  the  fame  time  penetrate 
 the  heart,   and  difiufe  a  divine  fervor  through 
 
 f  Second  part  of  the  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  ch.  6.  §  3. 
 
 O  .1  the 
 
2oo  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 the  foul.     They  are  alfo  fcriptural,  eminently 
 fo,  not  to  the  exclufion  of  arguments  that  may 
 be  vifible  from  the  light  of  nature,  or  grow  up 
 from  the  dictates  of  confeience,  but  fo  as  to 
 pay  a  juft  honour  to  the  oracles  of  God,  the 
 rule  of  our  faith,  the  fpring  of  our  joys,   and 
 our  guide  to  the  celeftial  glory.    In  a  word  the 
 Doftor,  confidered  as  a  minifler,  admirably  an- 
 fwers  to  the  character  he  has  drawn  of  an  able 
 divine,  and  I  am  perfuaded  that  it  may  be  with 
 the  fulleft  truth  and  juftice  applied  to  himfelf. 
 In  this  view  I  tranferibe   it  from  his  excellent 
 pages.     cc  Ergates,  fays  he,  is  a  workman  that 
 need  not  be  afhamed.     He  preaches  like  a 
 man  who  watches  for  our  fouls,  as  one  who 
 mufr.  give  an  account.     He  never  affects  to 
 choofe-  a  very  obfeure  text  left  he  fhould 
 wade  too  much  of  the  hour  in  explaining 
 the  literal  fenfe  of  it.     He  refer ves  all  thofe 
 obfeurities  till  they  come  in  courfe  at  his  fea- 
 fons  of  public  expofition,  for  it  is  his  opi- 
 nion that  preaching  the.  gofpel  for  the  lalva- 
 tion  of  men  carries  in  it  a  little  different  idea 
 from  a  learned  and  critical  expofition  of  the 
 difficult  texts  of  fcripture.     He  knows  well 
 how  to  ufe  his  Logic  in  his  compofures,   but 
 he  calls  no  part  of  the  words  by  their  logical 
 names,   if  there  be  any  vulgar  names  which 
 anfwer  them.    Reading  and  Meditation  have 
 furnifhed   him  with   extenfive  views  of  his 
 fubjecl,   and  his  own  good  fenfe  hath  taught 
 him  to  give  fufneient  reafons  for  every  thing 
 
 "  he 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  201 
 
 <  he  aflferts,  but  he  never  ufes  one  of  them  till 
 c  a  proof  be  needful.  He  is  acquainted  with 
 c  the  miftaken  gloMes  of  cxpofitors,  but  he 
 c  thinks  it  needlefs  to  acquaint  his  hearers 
 c  with  them,  unlefs  there  be  evident  danger 
 c  they  might  run  into  the  fame  miftake.  He 
 c  underftands  well  what  his  fubject  is  not,  as 
 c  well  as  what  it  is,  but,  when  he  would  ex- 
 c  plain  it  to  you,  he  never  fays,  firft,  nega- 
 c  tively,  unlefs  fome  remarkable  error  is  at 
 c  hand,  and  which  his  hearers  may  eafily  fall 
 c  into  for  want  of  fuch  a  caution.  Thus  in 
 c  five  or  ten  minutes  at  the  moil  he  makes  his 
 c  way  plain  to  the  proportion  or  theme  on 
 c  which  he  defigns  to  difcourfe,  and,  being  fo 
 f  wife  as  to  know  well  what  to  fay  and  what  to 
 f  leave  out,  he  proportions  every  part  of  his 
 f  work  to  his  time ;  he  enlarges  upon  the  fub- 
 f  jec*t  by  way  of  illuftration,  till  the  truth  be- 
 c  comes  evident  and  intelligent  to  the  weakeft 
 c  of  his  hearers ;  then  he  confirms  the  point 
 f  with  a  few  convincing  arguments,  where  the 
 e  matter  requires  it,  and  makes  hafte  to  turn 
 c  the  doctrine  into  ufe  and  improvement. 
 c  Thus  the  ignorant  are  inftructed,  and  the 
 c  growing  chriftians  are  eftabliflied  and  im- 
 f  proved.  The  ftupid  finner  is  loudly  awak- 
 c  ened,  and  the  mourning  foul  receives  confo- 
 f  lation.  The  unbeliever  is  led  to  truft  in 
 c  Chrift  and  his  gofpel,  and  the  impenitent 
 c  and  immoral  are  convinced  and  foftened, 
 c  are  melted  and  reformed.    The  inward  voice 
 
 "  of 
 
202  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 fc  of  the  Holy  Spirit  joins  with  the  voice  of  the 
 "  minifter;  the  good  man  and  the  hypocrite 
 cc  have  their  proper  portions  affigned  them, 
 «  and  the  work  of  the  Lord  profpers  in  his 
 "  hand.  This  is  the  ufual  courie  and  manner 
 <c  of  his  miniftry.  This  method  being  natural 
 "  and  eafy  he  calls  many  of  his  difcouries  into 
 u  this  form,  but  he  is  no  Have  to  forms  and 
 cc  methods  of  any  kind.  He  makes  the  nature 
 <c  of  his  fubject  and  the  necefllty  of  his  hearers 
 cc  the  great  rule  to  direct  him  what  method  he 
 fC  mall  choofe  in  every  fermon,  that  he  may 
 fC  better  enlighten,  convince,  and  pcrfuade. 
 :c  Er gates  well  knows  that  where  the  fubject  it- 
 cc  felf  is  entirely  practical  he  has  no  need  of 
 "  the  formality  of  long  ufes  and  exhortations. 
 "  He  knows  that  practice  is  the  chief  defign 
 "  of  doctrine,  therefore  he  beftows  mod  of  his 
 cc  labour  on  this  part  of  his  office,  and  in- 
 <£  termingles  much  of  the  pathetic  under  every 
 cc  particular,  yet  he  wifely  obferves  the  fpecial 
 cf  dangers  of  his  flock,  and  the  errors  of  the 
 cc  time  he  lives  in,  and  now  and  then,  though 
 "  very  feldom,  he  thinks  it  neceflary  to  ipend 
 cf  almoft  an  whole  difcourfe  in  mere  doctrinal 
 «  articles.  Upon  fuch  an  occafion  he  thinks 
 fC  it  proper  to  take  up  a  little  larger  part  of 
 ct  his  hour  in  explaining  and  confirming  the 
 "  fenfe  of  his  text,  and  brings  it  down  to  the 
 cc  underftanding  of  a  child.  At  another  time 
 iC  perhaps  he  particularly  defigns  to  entertain 
 ff  the  few  learned  and  polite  among  his  audi- 
 
 «  tors. 
 
Dr.     IS  A  A  C     WAT  TS.  203 
 
 «  tors,   and  that  with  this  view  that  he  may 
 m  ingratiate  his  difcourfes  with  their  ears,  and 
 "  may  ib  far  gratify  their  curiofity  in  this  part 
 "  of  his  fermon  as  to  give  an  eafier  entrance 
 «  for  the  more  plain,  neceffary,  and  important 
 M  parts  of  it  into  their  hearts.     Then  he  aims 
 "  at  and  reaches  the  fublime,  and  furnifhes  an 
 *<  entertainment  for  the  fineft   tafte,    but  he 
 "  fcarce  ever  finimes  his  fermon  without  com- 
 I*  paflion  to   the   unlearned,    and   an    addrefs 
 "  which  may  reach  their  confciences  with  the 
 «  words  of  falvation.     I  have  obferved  him 
 «  fometimes   after  a  learned  difcourfe  come 
 f*  down  from  the  pulpit  as  a  man  afhamed, 
 "  and  quite    out   of  countenance.      He   has 
 <c  blufhed    and    complained   to    his    intimate 
 "  friends  left  he  fhould  be  thought  to  have 
 «  preached  himfelf,   and  not  Chrift  Jefus  the 
 «  Lord.     He  has  been  ready  to  wifh  he  had 
 «  entertained  the  audience  in  a  more  unlearned 
 *  manner,  and  on  a  more  vulgar  fubjea  left 
 cf  the  fervants  and  the  labourers  and  the  tradef- 
 <f  men  there  mould  reap  no  advantage  to  their 
 cf  fouls,  and  the  important  hour  of  worfhip  be 
 f<  loft,    as   to  their  improvement.     Well   he 
 ^c  knows  and  keeps  it  upon  his  heart  that  the 
 <f  middle  and  lower  ranks  of  mankind,  and 
 «  people  of  an  unlettered  character  make  up 
 «■  the  greater  part  of  the  aflembly,   therefore 
 "  he  is  ever  feeking  how  to  adapt  his  thoughts, 
 "  and  his  language,  and  far  the  greateft  part 
 
 n  of 
 
~C4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 (C  of  all  his  minidrations  to  the  indruction  and 
 cc  profit  of  perfons  of  common  rank  and  capa- 
 te  city.  It  is  in  the  midd  of  thefe  he  hopes  to 
 cc  find  his  triumph,  his  joy,  and  crown  in  the 
 "  lad  great  day,  for  not  many  wife,  not  many 
 ft  noble  are  called.  There  are  fo  much  fpirit 
 "  and  beauty  in  his  converfation  that  it  is 
 €<  fought  and  defired  by  the  ingenious  men  of 
 <c  his  age,  but  he  carries  a  fevere  guard  of 
 €l  piety  always  about  him  which  tempers  the 
 "  pleafant  air  of  his  difcourfe,  even  in  the 
 <c  brighted  and  freed  hours,  and  before  he 
 t€  leaves  the  place,  if  poflible,  he  will  leave  fome- 
 €C  thing  of  the  favour  of  heaven  there.  In  the 
 "  parlour  he  carries  on  the  defign  of  the  pul- 
 <c  pit,  but  in  fo  elegant  a  manner  that  it 
 <c  charms  the  company,  and  gives  not  the  lead 
 €C  occafion  for  cenfure.  His  polite  acquaint- 
 rc  ance  will  fometimes  rally  him  for  talking  fo 
 cc  plainly  in  his  fermons,  and  finking  his  good 
 "  fenfe  to  fo  low  a  level.  But  Ergates  is  bold 
 e<  to  tell  the  gayed  of  them,  "  Our  public 
 <f  bufmefs,  my  friend,  is  chiefly  with  the  weak 
 (C  and  ignorant,  that  is,  the  bulk  of  mankind. 
 f€  The.  poor  receive  the  gofpel.  The  me- 
 "  chanics  and  day  labourers,  the  women  and 
 cc  children  of  my  affembly  have  fouls  to  be 
 "  faved.  I  will  imitate  my  blelTed  Redeemer 
 "  in  preaching  the  gofpel  to  the  poor,  and 
 €C  learn  of  St.  Paul  to  become  all  things  to  ail 
 ^  men,  that   J  may   win  fouls,    and  lead  many 
 
 *'  /inner s 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  feoj 
 
 •c  finners  to  heaven  by  repentance,  faith^  and  ho- 
 "  linefs\r 
 
 I  fhall  conclude  the  chapter  with  fome  verfes, 
 if  they  deferve  the  name,  from  an  Elegiac  Poem 
 of  mine  to  the  memory  of  the  Dotlcr  publifhed 
 foon  after  his  deceafe,  in  which  I  have  endea- 
 voured a  defcription  of  him  as  a  minifter. 
 
 While  deep  attention  holds  the  lift'ning  throng, 
 And  piety  and  wifdom  grace  his  mien, 
 And  mould  his  ev'ry  accent,  he  fulfils 
 His  holy,  high  commiflion.     Hark!  he  founds 
 The  trump  of  Sinai,  and  defcnbes  the  curfe 
 Plame-wing'd,  and  levelled  at  the  finner's  head; 
 Warns,  urges,  begs  him  to  efcape  the  blow. 
 Now  Calvary's  different  fcenes  he  fets  in  view, 
 Unfolds  the  wonders  of  the  Crofs,  proclaims 
 How  Jefus  fpreads  his  willing  arms  t'embrace 
 The  guilty  foul,  and  fheds  his  vital  blood 
 To  quench  the  fiery  vengeance  of  the  law, 
 And  full  forgivenefs  with  the  fkies  procure. 
 Now  Eloquence,  like  the  fair  vernal  fun, 
 Which  melts  the  bands  of  winter's  freezing  reio-n. 
 And  o'er  the  world  its  fmiling  radiance  throws, 
 In  lovely  charms  difplays  celeftial  truth, 
 And  (tamps  the  Maker's  image  on  the  heart. 
 Anon  each  vice  in  its  detefted  forms 
 Of  horror  glares  malevolent  and  wild, 
 The  monftrous  birth  of  hell,  itfelf  the  food 
 Of  its  own  vipers,  and  by  doom  divine 
 Condemn'd  to  the  dire  regions  wheiice  it  rofe. 
 
 f  Second  part  of  the  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  chap.  6. 
 §  i. 
 
 Thefe 
 
2o6  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Thefe  were  the  themes  that  dwelt  on  IVatts's  tongue* 
 When  he  addrefs'd  the  crowd,  and  this  his  zeal  ! 
 No  trivial  fubject  ere  debas'd  his  ftrain  ; 
 No  pomp  of  language  fmother'd  half  his  fenfe  j 
 No  learned  difquifitions  ftarv'd  the  mind  ; 
 No  fharp  invectives  wak'd  the  foul  to  rage  ; 
 But  all  was  weighty,  amiable,  fublime, 
 Solemn,  devout,  as  angels  once  were  heard, 
 When  they,  defcending  from  their  thrones  above, 
 Reveal'd  to  men  the  counfels  of  the  fkies. 
 
 CHAP.     VII. 
 His  Writings  in  Poetry.     In  Two  Parts. 
 
 Part  I.     Containing  a  View' of  his  Horse  Lyricae,  or 
 Lyric  Odes,  and  the  Poems  in  his  Mifcellanies. 
 
 THE  Bottoms  poetical  writings  are  nume- 
 rous, and  all  of  them  have  confiderable 
 merit.  They  are  numerous  as  appears  from 
 his  large  collection  of  Lyric  Poems,  his  book  of 
 Hymns,  his  Imitation  of  the  Pfalms,  his  Songs  for 
 children,  and  feveral  pieces  of  Poetry  in  his  Mif- 
 cellaneous  thoughts.  We  fhall  make  fome  ob- 
 fervations  upon  all  of  them,  and  begin  with  his 
 Hor<e  Lyric*,  and  the  poems  in  his  Mifcellanies, 
 
 In  his  Hor<e  Lyric*  he  gives  a  full  licence  to  his 
 Mufe,  and  fhe  foars  without  any  kind  of  check 
 or  controul  very  frequently  in  Pindaric  and 
 once  in  Sapphic  meafures,  nor  is  fhe  laid  under 
 the  neceffity  of  felecling  fuch  words  that  are 
 level  to  the  loweft  capacities  as  is  the  cafe  as  to 
 2  his 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS. 
 
 207 
 
 his  Hymns,  Pfalms,  and  Songs  for  Children,  that 
 his  end  in  writing  them  might  not  be  defeated. 
 It  may  yield  both  profit  and  pleafure  to  open 
 fome  of  the  particular  beauties  of  thefe  com- 
 pofitions.  Do  juft  and  expreflive  Metaphors, 
 new  but  fuitable  and  furprifing  Names  to 
 things,  elegant  Periphrafes,  Sec.  enliven  and 
 adorn  our  poetry,  are  not  the  following  to 
 be  met  with  in  his  Lyric  Odes,  and  the  Poems 
 in  his  Mifcellanies  ? 
 
 The  heavens, 
 The  fkv,       - 
 
 The  fun, 
 His  beams, 
 The  moon, 
 
 The  ftars, 
 
 The  earth, 
 
 Fields  of  a2ure. 
 
 Starry  arch,  or  roof  of 
 vaulted  gold,  or  vault- 
 ed azure. 
 
 The  eye  of  heaven. 
 
 Radiant  gold. 
 
 The    filver    queen     of 
 night,   the   beauty   of 
 the    night*     the    fair 
 queen  of  filence. 
 
 The  twinkling  meafur- 
 ers  of  time,  or  glim- 
 mering fires. 
 
 Sometimes  alittle  dwell- 
 ing place,  a  nefl  of 
 worms,  a  mighty  mole- 
 hill, and  fometimes,  the 
 defcription  being  va- 
 ried according  to  the 
 occalion,  nothing  more 
 than  an  atom. 
 
 the 
 
2c8  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 The  Teas,.       -         -      God's  watry  kingcbm. 
 
 Lightnings,     -         -     Fiery  arrows,  or  bright 
 
 horrors. 
 
 Thunder  and  lightning,  Heaven's  artillery. 
 
 Blood  fpilt  in  battle,      Flowing  crimfon. 
 
 Man,  A  bubble. 
 
 The  foul,       -  -      An  heavenly  ftar. 
 
 The  body,       -*        -     A  clod,  a  weak  cottage. 
 
 The  feafon  of  youth,  -  Blooming  hours. 
 
 The  blood,      -         -     Life's  purple  ftream. 
 
 Minds  fenfual  and  ef-  7  _T_  .  r  r    , 
 
 r  >  Waxen  images  or  fouls, 
 
 feminate,      -       -     J  p 
 
 Sins,     -  A  brood  of  vipers. 
 
 Death,     -  Iron  flumbers. 
 
 Billows,       -         -         Rolling  mountains. 
 Tears*     -  Briny  dew. 
 
 The  charms  of  beauty,  Delicious  danger. 
 Difeafes,  drought,  and  1  Theflafhes  of  the  wrath- 
 death,  j    ful  eye  of  God. 
 Harvefts,         -         -     The  riches  of  the  field. 
 Leaves  and  boughs,  -   The    honours    of    the 
 
 wood. 
 Birds,         -  -         The   minflrels    of   the 
 
 field. 
 Cuftom,,        -         -       The  tyrannefs  of  fools. 
 
 Do  Allegories,  or  continuations  of  Metaphors 
 afford  a  rich  entertainment  to  the  imagination  ? 
 They  frequently  occur  in  the  Do5iors  poetry. 
 In  his  poem  called  Self-confecration  is  the  fol- 
 lowing itanza. 
 
 Change 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  200 
 
 Change  me,  O  Lord,  my  flefti  (hall  be 
 An  inftrument  of  fong  to  Thee, 
 And  thou  the  notes  infpire : 
 My  tongue  fhall  keep  the  heavenly  chime, 
 My  chearful  pulfe  mail  beat  the  time, 
 And  fweet  variety  of  found  fhall  in  thy  praife  confpire, 
 
 And  again  in  the  hymn  ftyled  Happy  frailty. 
 
 Weak  cottage  J  where  our  fouls  rellde  ! 
 
 This  flefh  a  tott'ring  wall 
 With  frightful  breaches  gaping  wide  j 
 
 The  building  bends  to  fall. 
 All  round  it  dorms  of  trouble  blow, 
 
 And  waves  of  forrow  roll ; 
 Cold  waves  and  winter  ftorms  beat  through, 
 
 And  pain  the  tenant-foul. 
 
 And  again  in  the  poem  entitled  the  Mourning- 
 piece* 
 
 Life's  a  long  tragedy :  this  globe  the  ftage 
 
 Well  fix'd  and  well  adorn'd  with  ftrong  machines, 
 
 Gay  fields,  and  feas,  and  fkies  5  the  adtors  many : 
 
 The  plot  immenfe 
 
 [    Dianthe  acts  her  little  part  alone.     . 
 
 And  once  more,  What  a  train  of  Allegories 
 make  up  a  great  part  of  that  eafy  flowing  poem 
 of  the  Doctor's  called  True  riches  ? 
 
 Fve  a  mighty  part  within, 
 Which  the  world  has  never  (Gen9 
 Rich  as  Edens  happy  ground, 
 And  with  choicer  plenty  crown'd. 
 
 X  Intending  the  body, 
 
 P  Here 
 
zio  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Here  on  all  the  fhining  boughs 
 Knowledge  fair  and  ufefui  grows  : 
 On  the  fame  young  flow'ry  tree 
 All  the  feafons  you  may  fee, 
 Notions  in  the  bloom  of  light 
 Juft  difclofmg  to  the  fight, 
 Here  are  thoughts  of  larger  growth 
 Ripening  into  folid  truth, 
 Fruits  refin'd  of  noble  tafte, 
 Seraphs  feed  on  fuch  repaft. 
 Here  in  a  green  and  fhady  grove 
 Streams  of  pleafure  mix  with  love, 
 There  beneath  the  fmiling  fkies 
 Hills  of  contemplation  rife: 
 Now  upon  the  fhining  top 
 Angels  light,  and  call  me  up  ; 
 I  rejoice  to  raife  my  feet, 
 Both  rejoice  when  there  we  meet. 
 
 Do  well-chofen  and  well-timed  comparifon: 
 give  fometimes  luftre,  fometimes  ftrength, 
 and  in  both  pleafure  to  the  reader  ?  How  fre- 
 quently do  they  occur  in  the  Doftor's  poetry  ? 
 I  fhall  tranfcribea  few  of  them. 
 
 In  the  Hymn  called,  The  heart  given  away* 
 are  the  following  ftanzas.' 
 
 I  feel  my  warmefr  pafiions  dead 
 
 To  all  that  earth  can  boaft : 
 This  foul  of  mine  was  never  made 
 
 For  vanity  and  dull:. 
 
 Now  I  can  fix  my  thoughts  above 
 
 Amidft  their  flattering  charms 
 Till  the  dear  Lord,  who  has  my  love, 
 
 Shall  call  mc  to  his  arms. 
 
 So 
 
Br.    ISAAC    WATTS.  z:i 
 
 So  Gabriel  at  his  King's  command, 
 
 From  yon  celeftial  hill 
 Walks  downward  to  our  worthlefs  land, 
 
 His  foul  points  upwards  ftill : 
 
 He  glides  along  by  mortal  things 
 
 Without  a  thought  of  love, 
 Fulfils  his  tafL,  and  fpreads  his  wings 
 
 To  reach  the  realms  above. 
 
 Dvris  in  the  ode  filled  The  difapp  ointment  and 
 relief  is  reprefented,  tho'  in  the  expectations  of 
 the  highefl  happinefs,  as  marrying  a  youth  defli- 
 tute  of  truth  and  goodnefs,  and  then  relieving 
 herfelf  in  fome  degree  under  the  terrible  dis- 
 appointment by  the  moil  fubmiilive  obedience 
 to  her  hufband's  will. 
 
 Recover'd  from  the  fad  furprife 
 Doris  awakes  at  laft, 
 
 Grown  by  the  difappointment  wife, 
 And  manages  with  art  th'unlucky  caft  ; 
 
 When  the  low'ring  frown  (he  fpies 
 
 On  her  haughty  tyrant's  brow 
 With  humble  love  fhe  meets  his  wrathful  eyes. 
 
 And  makes  her  fovereign  beauty  bow  : 
 Cheerful  fhe  fmiles  upon  her  grizly  form, 
 So  fhines  the  fetting  fun  on  adverfe  ikies, 
 
 And  paints  a  rainbow  on  the  ftorm. 
 
 So  the  Elegiac  verfes  of  the  Doftor's  upon 
 the  death  of  Mrs.  Ann  Warner  y  a  lady  of  re- 
 markable beauty  and  merit,  but  who  was  cut 
 off  foon  after  marriage  by  the  fmall-pox,  con- 
 clude with  a  moil  apt  and  beautiful  compa- 
 rifon. 
 
 P  2  Was 
 
.-212  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Was  this  the  countenance  where  the  world  admir'd 
 Features  of  wit  and  virtue  ?    This  the  face 
 Where  triumph'd  love,  and  beauty  on  thefe  cheeks 
 As  on  a  throne  beneath  her  radiant  eyes 
 Was  feated  to  advantage,  mild,   fcrene, 
 Reflecting  rofy  light  ?    So  fits  the  fun, 
 Fair  eye  of  heaven,   upon  a  crimfon  cloud 
 Near  the  horizon,  and  with  gentle  ray 
 Smiles  lovely  round  the  fky  till  rifing  fogs 
 Portending  night  with   foul  and  heavy  wing 
 Involve  the  golden  ftar,  and  fink  him  down 
 Opprefs'd  with  darknefs — 
 
 Are  lively  and  fpirited  Interrogations  admi- 
 rably adapted  to  communicate  the  fervor  and 
 force  of  our  paffions,  how  fuccefsfully  are  they 
 employed  for  this  purpofe  in  his  anfwer  to 
 an  infamous  fatire  called  Advice  to  a  fainter 
 againft  King  William  ? 
 
 And  mufl  the  hero  whoredeem'd  our  land 
 Here  in  the  front  of  vice  and  fcandal  ftand  ? 
 The  man  of  wondrous  foul,  who  fcorn'd  his  eafe 
 Tempting  the  winters,  and  the  faithlefs  feas, 
 And  paid  an  annual  tribute  of  his  life 
 To  guard  his  England  from  the  Irifi  knife, 
 And  crufh  the  French  dragoon  ?   Mufl:  Willianis  name, 
 That  brighten1  ftar  which  gilds  the  wings  of  fame, 
 William  the  brave,  the  pious,  and  the  juft 
 Adorn  thefe  gloomy  fcenes  of  tyranny  and  lufl  ! 
 Poihill,  my  blood  boils  high,  myfpirits  flame, 
 Can  your  zeal  fleep  ?  or  are  your  paflions  tame  ? 
 Nor  call  revenge  and  darknefs  on  the  poet's  name  ? 
 Why  fmoke  the  ikies  not  ?  Why  no  thunders  roll  ? 
 Nor  kindling  lightnings  blaft  his  guilty  foul? 
 
 Are 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  213 
 
 Are  animated,  full,  and  ftrong  Defcripticns, 
 fuch  as  give  the  very  image  of  what  they  re- 
 prefent,  efpecially  when  their  fubjecls  are  fu- 
 premely  great,  and  carry  in  their  own  nature 
 the  divined  folemnity  and  grandeur,  the  very 
 life  and  foul  of  poetry,  how  do  they  ennoble 
 and  adorn  the  DoRor's  pindaric  ode  (for  to  that 
 we  fhall  confine  ourfelves)  entitled  The  Lain 
 given  at  Sinai  ? 
 
 Thus,  while  the  labouring  angel  fvvelTd  the  found, 
 
 And  rent  the  fkies  and  (hook  the  ground, 
 Up  rofe  th'Almighty  :  round  his  fapphire  feat 
 
 Adoring  thrones  in  order  fell ; 
 
 The  lefler  powers  at  diftance  dwell, 
 And  caft  their  glories  down  fucceflive  at  his  feet. 
 
 Gabriel  the  Great  prepares  his  way, 
 "Lift  up  your  heads,  eternal  doors,"  he  cries 
 
 Th'eternal  doors  his  word  obey 
 
 Open  and  (hoot  celeftial  day 
 Upon  the  lower  fkies  : 
 
 HeavVs  pillars  bow'd  their  head, 
 As  their  Creator  bid, 
 And  down  Jehovah  rode  from  the  fuperior  fphere, 
 A  thoufand  guards  before,  and  myriads  in  the  rear. 
 
 His  chariot  was  a  pitchy  cloud, 
 
 The  wheels  befet  with  burning  gems, 
 
 The  winds  in  harnefswith  the  flames 
 
 Flew  o'er  the  etherial  road  : 
 Down  through  his  magazines  he  paft 
 Of  ice,  and  hail,  and  fleecy  fnow, 
 Swift  rolTd  the  triumph,  and  as  faft 
 Did  hail,  and  ice,  and  melted  rivers  flow, 
 
 P  3  The 
 
ii4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 The  day  was  mingled  with  the  night, 
 His  feet  on  folid  darknefs  trod, 
 His  radiant  eyes  proclairh'd  the  God, 
 And  fcatter'd  dreadful  light. 
 
 Hebreath'd,  and  fulphurran,  a  fiery  dream, 
 
 He  fpoke,  and,  though  with  unknown  fpeed  he  came, 
 
 Chid  the  flow  tempeft,  and  the  lagging  flame. 
 
 Sinai  receiv'd  his  glorious  flight; 
 
 With  axle  red,  and  glowing  wheel 
 Did  the  winged  chariot  light, 
 And  rifing  fmoke  obfcur'd  the  burning  hill.— 
 Behold  the  facred  hill  ;  its  trembling  fpire 
 
 Quakes  at  the  terrors  of  the  fire, 
 
 While  all  below  its  verdant  feet 
 Stagger  and  reel  under  th'Almighty's  weight : 
 Prefs'd  with  a  greater  than  fam'd  Atlas  load 
 
 Deep  groan'd  the  mount.     It  never  bore 
 Infinity  before, 
 It  bow'd  and  (hook  beneath  the  burden  of  a  God. 
 
 Might  we  not,  if  we  were  to  have  judged 
 only  from  the  Defcription,  have  fuppofed  the 
 Dottor  to  have  been  himfelf  a  fpe&ator  of  the 
 auguft  and  tremendous  fcene,  or  might  we 
 not  rather  have  confidered  him  as  a  minifter- 
 ing  angel  attendant  upon  his  God  on  this  great 
 occafion  ? ' 
 
 When  Befcriptions  of  very  contrary  fcenes 
 are  united  in  the  fame  poem,  and  ftand  near 
 together,  do  they  not  evidently  ftrengthen  each 
 other,  and  make  the  darknefs  as  it  were  more 
 dark,  and  the  brightnefs  ftill  brighter?  We 
 meet  with  two  fuch  defcriptions  in  the  elegy 
 on  Mr.  Gouge.     The  Dollar  representing  that 
 
 great 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  215 
 
 great  preacher  difcourfing  on  our  Lord's  death, 
 fays, 
 
 Down  to  the  manfions  of  the  dead 
 With  trembling  joy  our  fouls  are  led, 
 The  captives  of  his  tongue  : 
 There  the  dear  Prince  of  light  reclines  his  head 
 Darknefs  and  fhades  among. 
 With  pleafing  horror  we  furvey 
 
 The  caverns  of  the  tomb, 
 Where  the  belov'd  Redeemer  lay, 
 And  fhed  a  lweet  perfume. 
 
 How  cool  and  gentle  are  the  numbers,  fuch 
 as  became  the  grave  and  death  ?  Not  fuch 
 the  next  lines  that  defcribe  our  Lord's  refur- 
 rection. 
 
 Hark,  the  old  earthquake  roars  again 
 In  Gouge's  voice,  and  breaks  the  chain 
 Of  heavy  death,  and  rends  the  tombs. 
 The  rifing  God  !   he  comes,  he  comes 
 With  throngs  of  waking  faints,  a  long  triumphing  train. 
 
 Do  elevated  conceptions  of  Deity  conftitute 
 true  devotion,  and  expreffed  with  uncommon 
 felicity  and  fervor,  conftitute  the  fublimeft 
 poetry;  what  admirable  inftances  of  this  kind 
 may  be  produced  from  the  Doctor's  writings  ? 
 Thus  in  the  hymn  entitled,  God  exalted  above 
 ell  praife, 
 
 Eternal  pow'r  !  whofe  high  abode 
 Becomes  the  grandeur  of  a  God, 
 Infinite  lengths  beyond  the  bounds 
 
 Where  ftars  revolve  their  little  rounds  *. 
 
 The 
 
 <«————  ■"  ■        — —    ■ 
 
 *  Stars    are  here    faid   to  revolve  little  rounds,  and  the 
 
 region  where  the  Almighty  dwells  is  faid  to  be  at  infinite 
 
 P  4  length?? 
 
2i6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Theloweft  ftep  about  thy  feat 
 Rifes  too  high  for  GabricFs  feet : 
 In  vain  the  tall  archangel  tries 
 To  reach  thine  height  with  wondering  eyes. 
 
 And  again  in  the  hymn  inferibed,  The  Creator 
 and  creatures. 
 
 How  fhall  affrighted  mortals  dare 
 To  fine  thy  glory  or  thy  grace  ? 
 Beneath  thy  feet  we  lie  fo  far, 
 And  fee  but  fhadows  of  thy  face. 
 
 And  once  more  what  an  elevated  ftanza  is 
 that  in  the  Midnight  elevation  where  the  Doclor 
 defcribing  heaven  fays, 
 
 There  fouls  released  from  Earth's  dark  bondagelive; 
 My  Reynolds  there  with  Hswe  and  Boyle  are  found, 
 Nor  time  nor  nature  could  their  genius  bound, 
 And  now  they  foar  and  now  they  dive 
 In  that  unlimitable  deep  where  thought  itfelf  is  drown'd : 
 They  aid  the  feraphs  as  they  fing  ; 
 Light,  love,  and  joy  from  that  immortal  fpring 
 O'erflow  the  bleffed  millions  with  an  endlefs  ftream. 
 Amazing  (rate  !  Divine  abode  ! 
 Where  fpirits  find  their  heaven,while  they  are  loft  in  God. 
 
 lengths  beyond  their  bounds,  and  yet,  fays  the  Dottcr> 
 "  the  diftance  of  the  ftars  is  fo  prodigious  and  amazing, 
 "  according  to  the  cxafteft  calculations  of  the  new  philo- 
 "  fophy,  that  if  the  motion  of  a  fpirit  or  glorified  body 
 "  were  no  fwifter  than  that  of  a  cannon-bullet  they  would 
 "  not  get  fo  far  as  the  flars  in  a  thoufand  ages ;  nor  would 
 "  the  journey  of  fo  fwift  a  traveller  to  any  of  the  planets, 
 "  except  the  moon,  coil  lefs  than  the  labour  of  feveral 
 f  years. "     Happinefs  of  feparate  Spirits,  §  6. 
 
 3  Do 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  217 
 
 Do  facred  and  fublime  truths  come  more 
 within  our  reach,  and  more  forcibly  ftrike  our 
 minds  under  a  material  reprefentation,  and  in 
 reference  to  the  practice  among  men,  how 
 wonderfully  has  the  DocJor  fucceeded  in  this  po- 
 etical beauty,  when  in  his  Ode  on  the  Divine  do- 
 minion and  decrees,  fpeaking  of  God,  he  fays, 
 
 Chain'd  to  his  throne  a  volume  lies 
 
 With  all  the  fates  of  men, 
 With  ev'ry  angel's  form  and  fize     * 
 
 Drawn  by  the  eternal  pen  : 
 
 His  providence  unfolds  the  book, 
 
 And  makes  his  counfels  (hine, 
 Each  opening  leaf,  and  ev'ry  ftroke 
 
 Fulfils  fome  deep  defign  : 
 
 Here  he  exalts  neglected  worms 
 
 To  fceptres  and  a  crown, 
 Anon  the  following  page  he  turns, 
 
 And  treads  the  monarch  down. 
 
 Not  Gabriel  afks  the  reafon  why, 
 
 Nor  God  the  reafon  gives  : 
 Nor  dares  the  favourite  angel  pry 
 
 Between  the  folded  leaves. 
 
 Does  the  introduction  of  beings  from  the  in- 
 vifible  world  infufe  beauty  and  grandeur  into 
 our  poetry  ?  This  embellifhment  often  occurs 
 in  the  Doflor's  Lyrics. 
 
 Obferving  a  pious  pair  among  the  few  in  the 
 road  to  heaven,  he  fays, 
 
 Charin 
 
*l9  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Charin  I  faw,  and  jFVd?*  there ; 
 I  faw  them  help  each  others  flight, 
 
 And  blefs  them  as  they  go ; 
 They  foar  beyond  my  lab'ring  fight, 
 And  leave  their  loads  of  mortal  care, 
 
 But  not  their  love  below. 
 On  heaven  their  home  they  fix  their  eyes, 
 
 The  temple  of  their  God  : 
 With  morning  incenfe  up  they  rife 
 Sublime,  and  through  the  lower  fkies 
 
 Spread  the  perfumes  abroad. 
 
 Acrofs  the  road  a  feraph  flew, 
 "  Mark  well,  faid  he,  that  happy  pair ; 
 "  Marriage  helps  devotion  there  ; 
 "  When  kindred  minds  their  God  purfue 
 46  They  break  with  double  vigour  through 
 "  The  dull  incumbent  air. 
 
 The  poem  inferibed  to  the  Right  Honour- 
 ♦  able  John  Lord  Cutis  at  the  fiege  of  Namur  en- 
 titled The  hardy  foldier  introduces  the  archangel 
 Gabriel  as  faying, 
 
 "  O  why  is  man  fo  though tlefs  grown  ? 
 
 "  Why  guilty  fouls  in  haite  to  die  ? 
 
 "  Venturing  the  leap  to  worlds  unknown 
 
 ,c  Heedlefs  to  arms  and  blood  they  fly. 
 
 44  Are  lives  but  worth  a  foldier's  pay  ? 
 4C  Why  will  ye  join  fuch  wide  extremes, 
 44  And  ftake  immortal  fouls  in  play 
 46  At  defp'rate  chance,  and  bloody  games  ? 
 
 44  Valours  a  nobler  turn  of  thought, 
 <c  Whofe  pardon'd  guilt  forbids  her  fears, 
 <c  Calmly  fhe  meets  the  dreadful  (hot, 
 «<  Secure  of  life  above  the  ftars. 
 
 8  "  But 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  219 
 
 cc  But  Frenzy  dares  eternal  fate, 
 
 M  And  fpurn'd  with  Honour's  airy  dreams, 
 
 "  Flies  to  attack  th*  infernal  gate, 
 
 <c  And  force  a  paflage  to  the  flames  V 
 
 Thus  hov'ring  o'er  Namurias  plains 
 Sung  heavenly  love  in  Gabriel's  form, 
 Young  €Tbrafo  felt  the  moving  (trains, 
 And  vow'd  to  pray  before  the  florm. 
 
 Anon  the  thund'ring  trumpet  calls, 
 "  Vows  are  but  wind  *,"  the  hero  cries, 
 Then  fwears  by  heaven,  and  fcales  the  walls 
 Drops  in  the  ditch,  defpairs,  and  dies. 
 
 The  Doflor's  long  elegy  to  the  dear  memory 
 as  he  exprefTes  himfelf  of  his  honoured  friend 
 Thomas  Gunfton  Efq;  is  throughout  full  of  gloom 
 and  melancholy,  and  forrow  appears  wrapped 
 in  the  deepeft  fables,  and  uttering  the  moft 
 bitter  and  hopelefs  wailings.  It  was  proper 
 the  cloud  ihould  be  irradiated  before  the  poem 
 'clofed,  and  this  the  author  has  done  by  intro- 
 ducing a  fpeech  of  Raphael's  in  the  following 
 eafy  happy  manner  : 
 
 *  In  the  firft  edition  of  the  Lyric  poems  the  fpeech  put 
 into  the  mouth  of  the  mad  hero  was,  "  My  vows  be 
 "  damn'd."  An  expreffion  moil  fuitable  to  fuch  a  charac- 
 ter as  the  Doilor  defcribes,  but  as  it  might  give  an  offence 
 to  pious  minds,  who  might  not  futHciently  obferve  that  the 
 fpeech  was  not  the  Dehors  own,  but  put  into  the  mouth 
 of  a  profane  fool-hardy  finner,  he  exchanged  it  for  M  Vows 
 "  are  but  wind"  and  facrificed  the  energy  of  his  verfe, 
 that  he  might  not  hurt  the  feelings  of  the  friends  of  re- 
 ligion. 
 
 One 
 
Z2o  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 One  labour  more,  my  mufe,  the  golden  fphere  f 
 Seems  to  demand.     See  through  the  dufky  air 
 Downward  it  mines  upon  the  rifing  moon, 
 And,  as  (he  labours  up  to  reach  her  noon, 
 Purfues  her  orb  with  repercuilive  light, 
 A  nd  ftreaming  gold  repays  the  paler  beams  of  night ; 
 But  not  one  ray  can  reach  the  darkfome  grave, 
 Or  pierce  the  folid  gloom  which  fills  the  cave 
 Where  Gunfton  dwells  in  death.     Behold  it  flames 
 Like  fome  new  meteor  with  diffufive  btams 
 Through  the  mid-heaven,  and  overcomes  the  liars. 
 <c  So  mines  thy  Gunjions  foul  above  the  fpheres" 
 Raphael  replies,  and  wipes  away  my  tears. 
 M  We  law  the  flefh  fink  down  with  clofing  eyes, 
 "  We  heard  thy  grief  (hriek  out,  "  He  dies,  he  dies  :'* 
 "  Miftaken  grief!  to  call  the  flefn  the  friend  ! 
 M  On  our  fair  wings  did  the  bright  youth  afcend, 
 6<  All  heaven  embrac'd  him  with  immortal  love, 
 *'  And  fung  his  welcome  to  the  courts  above  : 
 "  Gentle  Ithuriel  led  him  round  the  fkies  ; 
 "  The  buildings  tfruck  him  with  immenfe  furprize; 
 "  The  fpires  all  radiant,  and  the  manfions  bright, 
 <c  The  roof  hi crh  vaulted  with  etherial  light; 
 "  Beauty  and  flrength  on  the  tall  bulwarks  fat 
 "  In  heavenly  diamond,  and  for  every  gate 
 "  On  golden  hinges  a  broad  ruby  turns, 
 "  Guards  ofF  the  foe,  and  as  it  moves  it  burns : 
 "  Millions  of  glories  reign  through  every  part ; 
 <c  Infinite  power,  and  uncreated  art 
 <(  Stand  here  difplay'd,  and  to  the  ftranger  (bow 
 ■  "  How  it  outfhines  the  nobleft  feats  below: 
 "  The  ftranger  fed  his  gazing  pow'rs  awhile 
 "  Tranfported,  then  with  a  regardlefs  fmile 
 
 f  On  the  turret  on  the  top  of  the  houfe,  and  Hill  conr 
 tinued  there.  _ 
 
 ««  Glanc'd 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  zzt 
 
 u  Glanc'd  his  eye  downward  through  the  cryftal  floor, 
 ."  And  took  eternal  leave  of  what  he  built  before." 
 
 Now,  fair  Urania,  leave  the  doleful  itrain  ; 
 Raphael  commands ;  afTume  thy  joys  again, 
 In  everlafting  numbers  ling  and  fry, 
 c*  Gun/ion  has  mov'd  his  dwelling  to  the'realms  of  day, 
 "  Gun/ton  the  friend  dill  lives,  and  give  thy  groans 
 "  away." 
 
 Are  Perfonifications,  or  the  transformation  of 
 the  qualities  of  the  mind,  or  abftract  ideas,  and 
 general  notions  into  perfons,  noble  elevations  to 
 our  Poetry,  the  Doffor  with  a  mod  happy  fuccefs 
 avails  himfelf  of  them  ?  Thus  in  his  poem  to 
 Queen  Anne, 
 
 Thy  founding  arms  his  Gallic  patron  f  hears, 
 And  fpeeds  his  flight,  nor  overtakes  his  fears 
 Till  hard  Defpair  wring  from  the  tyrant's  foul 
 The  iron  tears  out.     Let  thy  frown  controul 
 Our  angry  jars  at  home,  til!  JVrath  fubmtt 
 Her  impious  banners  at  thy  facred  feet ; 
 Mad  Zeal  and  Pbrenzy  with  their  murd'rous  train 
 Flee  thefe  fweet  realms  in  thine  aufpicious  reign, 
 Envy  expire  in  rage,  and  Treafon  bite  the  chain. 
 
 Again,  in  the  Elegiac  ode  on  the  death  of 
 Sir  Thomas  Abney,  Knight  and  Alderman  of  Lon- 
 don, and  who  had  been  its  Mayor,  we  may  ob- 
 ferve  the  like  Perfonifications. 
 
 'Twas  heav'nly  JVifdom,  Zeal  divine 
 Taught  him  the  balance  and  the  fword  to  hold ; 
 
 His  looks  with  facred  fufiice  fhine 
 Beyond  the  fcarlet  honours  or  the  wreathen  gold. 
 
 f  Lewis  XIV.  patron  of  the  Pretender. 
 
 Truth, 
 
222  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Truth,  Freedom,  Courage,  Prudence  flood 
 Attending,  when  he  fill'd  the  folemn  chair : 
 
 He  knew  no  friendfhips,  birth  nor  blood, 
 Nor  wealth,  nor  gay  attire,  while  criminals  were  there* 
 
 But.  the  largefl  conftellation  of  Per  fortifications 
 which  occurs  to  my  mind  in  the  Doclors  odes 
 is  that  in  his  Epitaph  on  King  William  IIL 
 
 Ye  Sifter  Arts  of  paint  and  verfe, 
 Place  Albion  fainting  by  his  fide  ; 
 Her  groans  arifing  o'er  the  hearfe, 
 And  Belgia  finking  when  he  died. 
 
 High  o'er  the  grave  Religion  fet 
 
 In  folemn  gold,  pronounce  the  ground 
 
 Sacred  to  bar  unhallow'd  feet, 
 
 And  plant  her  guardian  Virtues  round. 
 
 Fair  Liberty  in  fables  drefs'd 
 Write  his  lovM  name  upon  his  urn 
 «'  William,  the  fcourge  of  tyrants  pa#, 
 w  And  awe  of  princes  yet  unborn." 
 
 Sweet  Peace,  his  facred  relics  keep 
 With  olives  blooming  round  his  head, 
 And  ftretch  thy  wings  acrofs  the  deep 
 To  blefs  the  nations  with  the  fhade. 
 
 Stand  on  the  pile,  immortal  Fame, 
 Broad  ftars  adorn  thy  brighteft  robe, 
 Thy  thoufand  voices  found  his  name 
 In  filver  accents  round  the  globe. 
 
 Flattery  (hall  faint  beneath  the  found, 
 While  hoary  Truth  infpire.s  the  fcng, 
 Envy  grow  pale  and  bite  the  ground, 
 While  Slander  gnaws  her  forky  tongue. 
 
 Night 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  223 
 
 Night  and  the  Grave  remove  your  gloom, 
 Darknefs  becomes  the  vulgar  dead, 
 But  Glory  bids  the  royal  tomb 
 Difdain  the  horrors  of  a  fhade : 
 
 Glory  with  all  her  lamps  (hall  burn, 
 And  watch  the  warrior's  fleeping  clay 
 Till  the  laft  trumpet  roufe  his  urn 
 To  aid  the  triumphs  of  the  day. 
 
 There  is  a  beauty  which  may  be  inferted 
 into  our  profe,  but  which  fhines  in  poetry  as 
 its  peculiar  fphere,  a  beauty  which  may  be 
 numbered  among  the  diftinguifhing  glories  of 
 Homer,  Virgil,  and  Milton,  and  which  to  an  at- 
 tentive reader  is  very  confpicuous  in  the  Hor* 
 Lyric*,  I  mean  that  of  choofing  out  words  ac- 
 commodated to  the  fenfe,  or  the  conveyance  of 
 the  ideas  of  our  verfe  in  the  very  founds  of  the 
 numbers  themfelves.  Several  examples  of  this 
 kind  fhall  be  produced. 
 
 In  the  Hymn  entitled  the  Penitent  pardoned 
 are  thefe  lines : 
 
 Black  heavy  thoughts,  like  mountains,  roll 
 O'er  my  poor  bread  wTith  boding  fears, 
 And,  crufhing  hard  my  tortur'd  foul, 
 Wring  through  my  eyes  the  briny  tears. 
 
 In  the  Hymn  ftyled  The  univerfal  Hallelujah 
 are  the  following  itanzas  : , 
 
 Shout  to  the  Lord,  ye  furging  feas, 
 
 In  your  eternal  roar  ; 
 Let  wave  to  wave  refound  his  praiJTe, 
 
 And  Ihore  reply  to  fhore  : 
 
 While 
 
±24  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 While  monfters  fporting  on  the  flood 
 
 In  fcaly  filver  fhine, 
 Speak  terribly  their  Maker  God, 
 
 And  lalh  the  foaming  brine. 
 
 But  gentler  things  (hall  tune  his  name 
 
 To  fofter  notes  than  thefe  : 
 Young  Zephyrs  breathing  o'er  the  ftream, 
 
 Or  whifpering  through  the  trees. 
 
 In  the  ode  infcribed  True  Learning  how  ex- 
 preflive  are  the  founds  of  the  fenfe  ? 
 
 Our  headftrong  Iufts  like  a  young  fiery  horfe, 
 Start,  and  flee  raging  in  a  violent  courfe 
 
 How  happily  constructed  is  that  verfe  in  con- 
 formity to  his  meaning  in  his  ode  called  Para- 
 dife?   ' 
 
 The  dull  unwinding  of  life's  tedious  thread. 
 
 The  Hymn  called  the  Law  and  Go/pel  has 
 thefe  expreiTive  lines ; 
 
 Thus  Sinai  roars,  and  round  the  earth 
 Thunder  and  fire  and  vengeance  flings 
 
 In  his  ode  entitled,  Breathing  towards  the 
 heavenly  country >  how  foft  and  fuitable  to  their 
 meaning  are  the  verfes  ? 
 
 There  glides  the  moon  her  fhining  way, 
 And  fhoots  my  heart  through  with  a  filver  ray. 
 
 And  in  the  poem  upon  the  victory  of  the 
 Poles  over  the  Turks  how  correfpondent  are  the 
 numbers  to  the  fenfe  ? 
 
 —-Hideous 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  225 
 
 Hideous  noife 
 
 From  claming  fhields  through  the  long  ranks  of  war 
 Clang'd  horrible. 
 
 Words  adapted  to  both  dark  and  bright 
 ideas  are  happily  mingled  in  the  following 
 lines, 
 
 George  is  the  name,  that  glorious  flar  f 
 Ye  faw  his  fplendors  beaming  far, 
 Saw  in  the  eaft  your  joys  arife 
 When  Anna  funk  in  weftern  fkies, 
 Streaking  the  heav'ns  with  crimfon  gloom  *> 
 
 Emblems  of  tyranny  and  Rome,  C 
 
 Portending  blood  and  nigfit  to  come.  J 
 
 *Twas  George  difFus'd  a  vital  ray 
 And  gave  the  dying  nations  day. 
 
 It  may  be  further  obferved  that  not  only  the 
 words  themfelves  that  compofe  ourverfes,  but 
 the  uncommon  meafures  of  them  may  fome- 
 times  moll  happily  exprefs  our  ideas ;  a  beauty 
 which  the  Bo 51  or  feems  not  unfrequently  to 
 have  ingrafted  into  his  Poems, 
 
 What  think  we  of  that  long  line  in  his  ode 
 infcribed  The  law  given  at  Sinai  ?  Does  it  not 
 admirably  correfpond  with  the  far  extending 
 founds  of  a  burning  mountain  in  the  height  of 
 its  noife  and  terrors  ? 
 
 jEtna  mail  be  nam'd  no  more, 
 /Etna  the  torch  of  Sicily : 
 Not  half  fo  high 
 
 o 
 
 Her  lightnings  fly, 
 Nor  half  fo  loud  her  thunders  roar 
 Crofs  the  Sicanlan  fea  to  fright  the  Italian  more. 
 
 CL  And 
 
226  MEMOIRS     O  r 
 
 And  in  the  fame  Poem, 
 A  thoufand  guards  before,  and  myriads  in  the  rear* 
 
 Are  we  not  detained  by  the  length  of  the 
 verfe  to  view  the  numerous  retinue  of  angels 
 which  accompanied  the  defcent  of  the  Almighty 
 upon  mount  Sinai  ? 
 
 Again  in  the  ode  ftyled  The  account  balanced 
 how  happily  extended  is  the  laft  verfe  of  the 
 flanza  ? 
 
 The  pleafmg  fenfe  of  love  awhile 
 Mix'd  with  the  heart-ach  may  the  pain  beguile3 
 
 And  make  a  feeble  fight 
 Till  forrows,  like  a  gloomy  deluge  rife, 
 Then  ev'ry  fmiling  paffion  dies, 
 And  hope  alone  with  wakeful  eyes 
 Darkling  and  folitary  waits  the  flow- returning  light. 
 
 The  protraction  of  the  line  admirably  agrees 
 with  the  tedious  hours  of  expectation  before  the 
 arrival  of  the  defired  mercy. 
 
 One  of  the  verfes  in  the  elegy  on  Mr.  Gun- 
 fton  runs, 
 
 And  the  two  nightly  bears  walk  round  and  watch  the  pole. 
 
 How  well  formed  is  the  line  to  reprefent  the 
 flow  progreflion  of  thefe  conflellations  ? 
 
 And  once  more  we  meet  with  a  like  extended 
 verfe  in  Mr.  Gouge's  Elegy. 
 
 With  throngs  of  waking  faints,  a  long  triumphing  train. 
 
 Do  we  not  fee  the  faints  palling,  as  it  were, 
 in  diftincl  review  before  us  ? 
 
 I  mall 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  227 
 
 I  fhall  clofe  the  inflances  of  this  kind  with 
 one  more,  that  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  and 
 which  mull  certainly  be  intended  by  the  DoEfor 
 to  correipond  as  far  as  poilible  with  the  immea- 
 furability  of  his  ideas.  It  is  in  the  line  that 
 concludes  his  Latin  Ode  to  Mr.  Pinhorne, 
 
 Vafti  fine  limite  numen  et 
 
 Immenfum  fine  lege  Deum  numeri  fine  lege  fonabunt. 
 
 IN     ENGLISH. 
 
 In  numbers  moft  fublime,  and  by  no  laws  control'd, 
 Thy  praife,  thou  infinite  Supreme,  fhall  by  the  mufe  be 
 told. 
 
 I  cannot  help  adding  that  like  augmenta- 
 tions of  the  verfe  are  to  be  met  with  in  other 
 poets  of  the  firft  reputation. 
 
 Majeftic  months  fet  out  with  him  to  their  appointed  race 
 
 is  a  line  of  Mr.  Dry  den's  in  his  tranflation  of 
 the  4th  pajioral  of  Virgil,  where  the  birth  of  an 
 illuftrious  prince,  who  was  to  be  the  friend  and 
 deliverer  of  mankind,  and  the  future  glories 
 and  felicities  of  his  reign  are  foretold  in  a  gran- 
 deur becoming  the  fabject. 
 
 And  Mr.  Pope  fometimes  indulged  himfeif  in 
 a  like  prolongation  of  his  verfe.  Thus  in  his 
 facred  paftoral  called  "The  Mejfiah  he  fays, 
 
 The  fmiling  infant  in  his  hand  fhall  take 
 The  crefled  bafilifk,  and  fpeckled  fnake, 
 Pleas'd  the  green  luftre  of  his  fcales  furvey, 
 And  with  his  forky  tongue  fhall  innocently  play. 
 
 0^2  Certainly 
 
228  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Certainly  the  poet  intended  by  giving  this  un- 
 common meafure  to  the  lafl  line  that  we  jfhould 
 itand  ftill  and  gratify  ourfelves  with  this  pleaf- 
 ing  and  wonderful  fight  the  infant  playing  with 
 the  forky  tongue  of  a  ferpent.  However  I 
 know  not  in  any  other  manner  to  account  for 
 his  introduction  of  this  Alexandrine,  and  this  not 
 at  the  end  but  in  the  midft  of  his  poem. 
 
 In  Mr.  Pope's  tranflation  of  Homer's  account 
 of  Heclor's  forcing  open  one  of  the  gates  of  the 
 Grecian  entrenchments  by  hurling  a  flone  of 
 prodigious  fize  againfl  it  we  find  a  line  of  the 
 fame  uncommon  length,  defigned  it  may  be 
 by  the  author  to  give  us  a  full  idea  of  the  re- 
 iiftlefs  force  with  which  the  Hone  fmote  the 
 gates  and  the  noife  it  occafioned  by  burlting 
 them  afunder. 
 
 Thus  arm'd  before  the  folded  gates  he  came 
 
 Of  marly  fubftance  and  flupendous  frame, 
 
 With  iron  bars  and  brazen  hinges  ftrong, 
 
 On  lofty  beams  of  folid  timber  hung  : 
 
 Then  thund'ring  through  the  planlcs  with  forceful 
 
 fway 
 Drives  the  (harp  rock ;  the  folid  beams  give  way, 
 The  folds  are  fhattcr'd  ;  from  the  crackling  door 
 Leap  the  refounding  bars,  the  flying  hinges  roar  *. 
 
 I  might  quote  another  inflance  of  this  kind 
 from  the  fame  celebrated  favourite  of  the  mufes 
 in  his  tranllation  of  Homer's  defcription  of 
 Sifyphus  f  heaving  an  huge  flone  with  incre- 
 
 *  Hqmer's  Iliad \  B.  12.  ad  finem. 
 |  Homer' *s  Qdyjfey,  B.  ii.  verfe  592. 
 
 dible 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  229 
 
 dible  labour  and  fweat  to  the  top  of  a  moun- 
 tain, and  then  feeing  all  his  toils  in  a  moment 
 defeated  by  its  inftantly  running  down  to  the 
 bottom. 
 
 I  turn'd  my  eye,  and  as  I  turn'd  furvey'd 
 A  mournful  vifion,  the  Stfyphian  fhade  : 
 With  many  a  weary  ftep,  and  many  a  groan 
 Up  the  high  hill  he  heaves  a  huge  round  flone : 
 The  huge  round  (lone,  refulting  with  a  bound, 
 Thunders  impetuous  down,   and   fmokes  along  the 
 ground. 
 
 The  longitude  of  the  laft  verfe  may  be  in- 
 tended to  reprefent  not  only  the  rapidity  of  the 
 flone  trundling  down  the  mountain,  but  to 
 what  a  length  it  proceeded  in  its  impetuous 
 career  before  it  ceafed  its  motion. 
 
 There  is  another  beauty  (at  lead  it  has 
 appeared  fo  to  me)  obfervable  in  the  Lyric 
 Poems,  which  I  never  met  with  in  any  poet  be- 
 fides,  arifing  not  from  the  extraordinary  di- 
 menfions  of  the  verfe,  but  from  the  Doffors 
 giving  the  idea  of  a  kind  of  bounding  velocity, 
 if  I  may  fo  call  it,  by  making  one  line  end 
 with  a  word  which  in  fenfe  is  infeparably  con- 
 nected with  that  which  begins  the  next.  That 
 there  was  intention  in  thus  forming  the  lines 
 may  be  conjectured,  if  not  abfolutely  inferred 
 from  the  manner  in  which  the  verfes  are  printed 
 in  a  very  early  edition  of  the  Hor*  Lyric*,  and 
 which  has  been  fince  continued.  In  the  ode 
 to  Sir  John  Hartopp  imitated  from  Cafimire  we 
 meet  with  the  following  ftanza, 
 
 0^3  Airy 
 
250  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Airy  chance  and  iron  fate 
 Hurry  and  vex  our  mortal  ftate, 
 And  all  the  race  of  ills  create : 
 Now  fiery  joy,  now  fullen  grief 
 Commands  the  reins  of  human  life  ; 
 
 The  wheels  impetuous  roll. 
 The  harnefs'd  hours,  and  minutes  ftrive, 
 And  days  with  itretching  pinions  drive — 
 
 — down  fiercely  on  the  goal. 
 
 Do  we  not  by  this  artifice  fee  our  days  reach- 
 ing as  per  faltum,  or  by  a  fudden  headlong  leap 
 the  goal  to  which  their  impetuous  career  is 
 driving  ? 
 
 "O 
 
 Part  II.  Containing  a  View  of  his  Imitations  of  the 
 Pfalms  of  David,  bis  Hymns,  and  his  Songs  for 
 Children. 
 
 H 
 
 AV I N  G  finifhed  our  furvey  of  the  Bctlor's 
 Lyrics  and  the  poems  in  his  Mifcellanies> 
 I  ihall  now  proceed  to  his  other  poetical  works, 
 where  we  mail  meet  with  the  like  beauties, 
 though,  by  the  defigned  abatements  of  language 
 and  reftraint  of  his  genius  *  fomewhat  fofter 
 
 in 
 
 "  In  fome  of  the  more  elevated  Pfalms,  fays  the  Doc- 
 tor, I  have  given  a  little  indulgence  to  my  genius,  and 
 if  it  fhould  appear  that  I  have  aimed  at  the  fublime,  yet 
 I  have  generally  kept  within  the  reach  of  an  unlearned 
 Reader.  I  never  thought  the  art  of  fublime  writing 
 confided  in  flying  out  of  fight,  nor  am  I  of  the  mind  of 
 the  Italian  who  faid  Obfcurity  begets  Greatnefs.  I  have 
 always  avoided  the  language  of  the  Poets,  where  it  did 
 3  "  not 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  231 
 
 in  their  colours,  and  not  fo  rich  in  their  embroi- 
 dery. I  might  from  his  Hymns,  Pfalms,  and  Songs 
 for  Children  collect  in  a  large  and  lovely  variety 
 
 Metaphors,  Allegories,   Periphrafes,  Comparifons, 
 
 "  not  fuit  the  language  of  the  gofpel.  In  many  of  thefe 
 *•  compofurcs  I  have  jufl  permitted  my  verfe  to  rife  above 
 "  a  flat  and  indolent  ilyle,  yet  I  hope  it  is  every  where 
 "  fupported  above  the  juft  contempt  of  the  critics.  Though 
 44  I  am  fenfible  I  have  often  fubdued  it  below  their  efteem, 
 "  becaufe  I  would  neither  indulge  any  bold  metaphors, 
 '•  nor  admit  of  hard  words,  nor  tempt  an  ignorant  wor- 
 *'  Ihipper  to  fing  without  understanding,"  Preface  to  his 
 Imitation  of  the  Pfalms. 
 
 In  his  Preface  to  his  Hymns  the  Do&or  fpeaks  in  the  like 
 manner  concerning  that  poetical  performance,  '*  The 
 *'  whole  book  is  written,  fays  he,  in  four  forts  of  metre, 
 "  and  fitted  to  the  moll  common  tunes.  I  have  feldom 
 *'  permitted  a  flop  in  the  middle  of  a  line,  and  feldom  left 
 "  the  end  of  a  line  without  one  —  The  metaphors  are  ge- 
 "  nerally  funk  to  the  level  of  vulgar  capacities.  I  have 
 ct  aimed  at  eafe  of  numbers  and  fmoothnefs  of  found,  and 
 (t  endeavoured  to  make  the  fenfe  plain  and  obvious.  If 
 "  the  verfe  appears  fo  gentle  and  flowing  as  to  incur  the 
 <€  cenfure  of  feeblenefs  I  may  honeftly  affirm  that  fome- 
 "  times  it  coll  me  labour  to  make  it  fo  :  fome  of  the  beau- 
 "  ties  of  poefy  are  neglected,  and  fome  wilfully  defaced. 
 *'  I  have  thrown  out  the  lines  that  were  too  fonorous,  and 
 "  have  given  an  allay  to  my  verfe  left  a  more  exalted  turn 
 44  of  thought  or  language  fliould  darken  or  diflurb  the  de- 
 "  votion."  As  to  the  Doctor's  Songs  for  Children  they  are 
 drawn  up  in  admirable  condefcenlion  to  their  feeble  capa- 
 cities, and  yet  a  rich  vein  of  genius  runs  through  them. 
 Perhaps  an  equal  inftance  cannot  be  found  in  any  EngJiJb 
 writings,  or  any  others,  where  the  eafieft  and  plaineft  lan- 
 guage is  accompanied  with  fome  of  the  Mneft  llrokes,  and 
 brighteft  colours  of  poetry. 
 
 Q^4  lively 
 
232  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 lively  and  glowing  Befcripticns^  Perfonifications, 
 and  the  Correfpondencies  between  found  and  fen- 
 timenty  but  as  I  have  taken  fuch  a  wide  range 
 among  thefe  excellencies  of  poetry,  and  flayed 
 fo  long  upon  them,  it  may  be  proper  to  reflrain 
 myfelf.  However  I  fhall  felecl:  fome  instances 
 of  them  from  the  above-mentioned  poetical 
 compofures,  and  the  rather  as  feveral  of  them 
 belong  to  fuch  forms  of  fpeech  as  have  been 
 hitherto  unnoticed. 
 
 Has  the  Contrafting  ideas,  or- the  Combina- 
 tion of  oppofite  fentiments  and  views  of  things 
 in  the  fame  flanza  a  fine  effect,  and  may  it  be 
 numbered  among  the  prime  excellencies  of 
 poetry  ?  We  fhall  meet  with  examples  of  this 
 kind  in  the  Doffor's  Hymns,  and  Pfalms.  In 
 the  defcription  of  a  faint  dying  in  the  joys  of 
 afTurance,  and  with  the  anticipation  of  heaven 
 in  his  foul,  what  a  finking  oppofition  of  ideas  is 
 there  in  the  following  lines  ? 
 
 Then,  while  ye  hear  my  heart-firings  break, 
 
 How  fvveet  the  minutes  roll ! 
 A  mortal  palenefs  on  my  cheek, 
 
 And  glory  in  my  foul  *. 
 
 Not  lefs  beautiful  in  the  fame  view  are  the 
 
 lines, 
 
 I  fing  my  Saviour's  wondrous  death, 
 
 He  conquer'd  when  he  fell ; 
 "  'Tis  finifh'd,"  faid  his  dying  breath, 
 
 And  fhook  the  gates  of  hell  f. 
 
 *  Hymn  xix.  bock  i.  f  Hymn  cxiv.  book  2. 
 
 And 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  235 
 
 And  again, 
 
 The  Lord  can  clear  the  darkeft  Ikies, 
 
 Can  give  us  day  for  night, 
 Make  drops  of  facred  forrow  rife 
 To  rivers  of  delight  f. 
 
 Are  Apfirophes  or  fudden  turns  of  fpeech  to 
 another  perfon  or  object  than  what  we  were  ad- 
 drefling  or  defcribing  to  be  reckoned  among 
 the  excellencies  of  compofition,  and  particu- 
 larly in  poetry  let  me  point  out  two  inflances  of 
 this  kind  in  the  Doflor's  Pfalms  ? 
 
 The  verfe,  addreffing  itfelf  to  the  Almighty,, 
 fays, 
 
 Sun,  moon,  and  ftars  convey  thy  praife, 
 Round  the  whole  earth,  and  never  (land  ; 
 So  when  thy  truth  began  its  race, 
 It  touch'd  and  glanc'd  on  ev'ry  land  : 
 
 Nor  fhall  thy  fpreading  gofpel  reft 
 Till  through  the  world  thy  truth  has  run, 
 Till  Chrift  has  all  the  nations  bleft 
 That  fee  the  light,  or  feel  the  fun. 
 
 Next  follows  the  dpoftrophe. 
 
 Great  Sun  of  righteoufnefs,  arife, 
 
 Blefs  the  dark  world  with  heavenly  light  3 
 
 Thy  gofpel  makes  the  limple  wife, 
 
 Thy  laws  are  pure,  thy  judgments  right  J. 
 
 And  again, 
 
 The  Lord  !  how  abfolute  he  reigns! 
 Let  ev'ry  angel  bend  his  knee, 
 Sing  of  his  love  in  heav'nly  (trains, 
 And  fpeak  how  fierce  his  terrors  be. 
 
 f  Pfalm  cxxvi.  J  Pfalm  xix. 
 
 High 
 
234  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 High  on  a  throne  his  glories  dwell, 
 An  awful  throne  of  fhining  blifs. 
 
 The  Apojlrophe  is  in  the  next  line. 
 
 Fly  through  the  world,  O  fun,  and  tell 
 How  dark  thy  beams  compar'd  to  his  *. 
 
 Are  defcriptions  in  language  adapted  to  the 
 fubjecls  among  the  prime  beauties  o£  poetry, 
 what  fine  inftances  of  this  kind  may  be  pro- 
 duced from  the  Pfalms  ? 
 
 Thy  voice  with  terror  in  the  found 
 Through  clouds  and  tempefts  broke ; 
 
 All  heav'n  in  lightning  (hone  around, 
 And  earth  with  thunder  fhook  f . 
 
 And  again, 
 
 Thus  on  the  heavenly  hills 
 
 The  faints  are  bleft  above, 
 
 Where  joy,  like  morning  dew,  diftils, 
 
 And  all  the  air  is  love  $. 
 
 How  happily  varied  are  the  numbers  accord- 
 ing to  the  change  of  the  matter  in  Pfalm  xlvi  r 
 
 Let  mountains  from  their  feats  be  hurl'd 
 Down  to  the  deep  and  buried  there, 
 Convulfions  fhake  the  folid  world, 
 Our  faith  fhall  never  yield  to  fear. 
 
 Loud  may  the  troubled  ocean  roar 
 In  facred  peace  our  fouls  abide, 
 While  ev'ry  nation,  ev'ry  fhore 
 Trembles,  and  dreads  the  fwelling  tide. 
 
 *  Pfalm  cxlviii.  f  Pfalm  lxxvii.  part  2. 
 
 X  Pfalm  cxxxiii. 
 
 There 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATT  S.  i# 
 
 There  is  a  ftream,  whofe  gentle  flow 
 Supplies  the  city  of  our  God  ; 
 Life,  love,  and  joy  ftill  gliding  through, 
 And*  watering  our  divine  abode. 
 
 And  the  like  beauty  is  obfervable  in  the 
 148th  Pfalm. 
 
 Awake,  ye  tempers,  and  his  fame 
 In  founds  of  dreadful  praife  declare, 
 And  the  fweet  whifper  of  his  name 
 Fill  ev'ry  gentler  breeze  of  air. 
 
 What  natural  and  yet  noble  imagery  do  we 
 meet  with  in  the  following  ftanza  ? 
 
 Immortal  life,  and  joys  unknown 
 Are  for  the  faints  in  darknefs  fown  ; 
 The  glorious  feeds  fhall  fpring  and  rife, 
 And  the  bright  harveft  blefs  our  eyes  J. 
 
 And  the  like  in  the  verfes — 
 
 Lord,  I  have  made  thy  word  my  choice 
 
 My  lading  heritage  : 
 There  fhall  my  nobleft  pow'rs  rejoice 
 
 My  warmeft  thoughts  engage. 
 
 I'll  read  the  hift'ries  of  thy  love, 
 
 And  keep  thy  laws  in  fight, 
 While  through  the  promifes  I  rove 
 
 With  ever  frefh  delight. 
 
 'Tis  a  broad  land  of  wealth  unknown 
 
 Where  fprings  of  life  arife; 
 Seeds  of  immortal  blifs  are  fown, 
 
 And  hidden  glory  lies  f . 
 
 X  Pfalm  xcvii.  3d  part.  t  p<*aIm  cxix-  Part  8' 
 
 To 
 
2$6  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 To  which  we  may  add  another  inftance, 
 
 Above  thefe  heav'ns  created  rounds 
 
 Thy  mercies  Lord  extend  : 
 Thy  truth  outlives  the  narrow  bounds, 
 
 Where  time  and  nature  end. 
 
 From  Thee,  when  creature-ftreams  run  low^ 
 
 And  mortal  comforts  die, 
 Perpetual  ftreams  of  life  (hall  flow, 
 
 And  raife  our  pleafures  high. 
 
 Though  all  created  li^ht  decay, 
 
 And  death  clofe  up  our  eyes, 
 Thy  prefence  makes  eternal  day, 
 
 Where  clouds  can  never  rife  f. 
 
 What  majefty  and  animation  are  there  in  the 
 flanzas  ? 
 
 Hofannah  to  the  Prince  of  light, 
 
 Who  cloth'd  himfelf  in  clay, 
 Enter'd  the  iron  gates  of  death, 
 
 And  tore  the  bars  away. 
 
 Death  is  no  more  the  king  of  dread 
 
 Since  our  Immanuel  rofe  ; 
 He  took  the  tyrant's  fting  away, 
 
 And  fpoil'd  our  hellifh  foes. 
 
 See  how  the  conqu'ror  mounts  aloft, 
 
 And  to  his  Father  flies 
 With  fears  of  honour  in  his  flefb, 
 
 And  triumph  in  his  eyes  %. 
 
 f  Pfalm  xxxvi.  J  Book  ii.  Hymn  76. 
 
 Are 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C     WATT  S.  237 
 
 Are  Exclamations  very  confiderable  beauties 
 in  compofkion  when  properly  introduced  ? 
 We  fhall  find  them  not  unfparingly,  nor  un- 
 fuccefsfully  uied  by  the  Doclor3  as  after  he  had 
 laid 
 
 This  life's  a  dream,  an  empty  (how, 
 But  the  bright  world  to  which  I  go 
 Hath  joys  fubftantial  and  fincere, 
 When  (hall  I  wake  and  find  me  there  ? 
 
 How  beautiful  is  the  Exclamation  in  the 
 next  flanza  ? 
 
 0  glorious  hour  !  O  blefl:  abode  \ 
 
 1  (hall  be  near  and  like  my  God, 
 And  flefh  and  fin  no  more  controul 
 The  facred  pleafures  of  the  foul  *. 
 
 So  again  towards  the  clofe  of  the  hymn 
 entitled  The  Characters  of  Chrift  after  the  verfe 
 had  gone  over  various  characters  of  him  bor- 
 rowed from  inanimate  things  in  fcripture  how 
 fuitable  is  the  Exclamation? 
 
 O  let  me  climb  thofe  higher  fides 
 Where  ftorms  and  tempefts  never  rife  I 
 There  he  difplays  his  pow'rs  abroad, 
 And  fhines  and  reigns  th'incarnate  God  f . 
 
 And  to  mention  no  more  of  thefe  Exclama- 
 tions, though  great  numbers  might  be  pointed 
 
 *  Pfalm  xvii. 
 
 f  Firft  Book,  Hymn  14.6. 
 
 out. 
 
238  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 out,  how  well  introduced  is  that  which  con- 
 cludes the  following  ftanzas  ? 
 
 *D 
 
 Grace  like  an  uncorrupted  feed, 
 
 Abides  and  reigns  within  : 
 Immortal  principles  forbid 
 
 The  Tons  of  God  to  fin. 
 
 Not  by  the  terrors  of  a  Have 
 
 Do  they  perform  his  will, 
 But  with  the  nobleft  pow'rs  they  have 
 
 His  fweet  commands  fulfil. 
 
 They  find  accefs  at  ev'ry  hour 
 
 To  God  within  this  veil : 
 Hence  they  derive  a  quickening  pow'r, 
 
 And  joys  which  never  fail. 
 
 O  happy  fouls !  O  glorious  ftate 
 
 Of  overflowing  grace, 
 To  dwell  fo  near  their  Father's  feat, 
 
 And  fee  his  lovely  face  f. 
 
 Is  a  Periphrqfis  when  made  ufe  of  to  keep 
 from  immediate  view  what  would  give  pain  or 
 difguft  in  an  open  reprefentation  a  beautiful 
 figure  of  fpeech  ?  May  we  not  obferve  a  very 
 pleafing  example  of  this  kind  in  the  following 
 ftanza,  in  which  neither  death,  nor  any  of  his 
 glooms  or  diftrefles  are  fo  much  as  mentioned, 
 but  it  is  only  faid, 
 
 f  Book  i.  Hymn  143. 
 
 How 
 
Dr.    I  S  A  A  C    W  A  T  T  S.  239 
 
 How  we  fhould  fcorn  thefe  clothes  of  flefh, 
 
 Thefe  fetters,  and  this  load, 
 And  long  for  evening  to  undrefs 
 
 That  we  may  reft  with  God  J  ? 
 
 And  may  not  that  Hymn  entitled  A  Pro- 
 fpett  of  Heaven  makes  Death  eafy  *  be  con- 
 lidered  as  a  periphrasis  by  the  help  of  a  pleaf- 
 ing  allegory  or  allujion  ?  The  wilder nefs  through 
 which  the  Jews  travelled  before  they  arrived 
 at  Canaan  is  the  prefent  life  ;  the  river  Jordan, 
 which  divided  between  them  and  the  promifed 
 land,  is  Death  -,  the  country  of  Canaan  is  the 
 heavenly  ftate;  and  Mofes's  view  of  the  in- 
 heritance of  Ifrael  from  the  top  of  Pifgah  is 
 the  profpect  by  faith  that  the  Chriftian  has 
 of  his  heavenly  reft  and  home.  How  admir- 
 ably are  thefe  ideas  wrought  up  to  make  Death? 
 that  king  of  terrors,  not  only  appear  unfright- 
 ful,  but  even  to  the  faint  defirable  ?  Perhaps 
 the  Do 51  or  in  this  hymn  by  the  aid  of  the 
 Periphrajis  has  even  excelled  himfelf. 
 
 There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 
 
 Where  faints  immortal  reign  : 
 Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 
 
 And  pleafures  banifii  pain. 
 
 There  everlafting  fpring  abides, 
 
 And  never-withering  flow'rs  : 
 Death,  like  a  narrow  fea,  divides 
 
 This  heav'nly  land  from  ours. 
 
 %  Second  Book,  Hymn  61. 
 *  Book  the  fecond,  Hymn  66. 
 
 Sweet 
 
:4o  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Sweet  fields  beyond  the  fwelling  flood 
 
 Stand  drefs'd  in  living  green  ; 
 So  to  the  Jews  old  Canaan  flood, 
 
 While  Jordan  rolPd  between. 
 
 But  tim'rous  mortals  ftart  and  Ihrink 
 
 To  crofs  this  narrow  fea, 
 And  linger  fhivering  on  the  brink, 
 
 And  fear  to  launch  away. 
 
 O  !  could  we  make  thefe  doubts  remove, 
 
 Thefe  gloomy  doubts  that  rife, 
 And  fee  the  Canaan  that  we  love 
 
 With  unbeclouded  eyes  ! 
 
 Could  we  but  climb  where  Mofcs  flood, 
 
 And  view  the  landfcape  o'er, 
 Not  Jordan's  ftreams,  nor  Death's  cold  flood 
 
 Should  fright  us  from  the  fhore. 
 
 Is  a  Climax,  or  the  rifing  of  the  fenfe  by 
 degrees  a  figure  of  no  fmall  glory,  how  well  is 
 the  following  wrought  up  by  the  Dottor  ? 
 
 No  bleeding  bird,  nor  bleeding  beaft, 
 Nor  hyflbp-branch,  nor  fprinkling  prieft, 
 Nor  running  brook,  nor  flood,  nor  fea, 
 Can  wafli  the  difmal  ftain  *  away  f. 
 
 The  Polyfyndeton  is  a  Rhetorical  figure  which 
 abounds  with  conjunctive  particles,  and  by 
 that  mean  gives  weight  and  folidity  to  our 
 compofitions.  Fine  examples  of  this  figure 
 may  be  met  with  in  Dr.  Watts' s  hymns.     After 
 
 *  Namely  of  fin  reprefented  in  the  former  verfe  as  a 
 Leprojy. 
 
 f  Pfalmli.  part  2. 
 
 having 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  241 
 
 having  gone  over  the  characters  of  Chrift  in 
 fcripture  borrowed  from  inanimate  things  he 
 fays 
 
 Nor  earth,  nor  fea,  nor  fun,  nor  (tars 
 Nor  heav'n  his  full  refemblance  bears: 
 His  beauties  we  can  never  trace 
 Till  we  behold  him  face  to  face  f. 
 
 And  after  two  of  the  fmootheft  lines  which 
 perhaps  were  ever  written,  and  which  in  the 
 happieft  manner  give  us  the  very  idea  they 
 were  meant  to  convey  two  more  are  added 
 to  complete  the  ftanza  which  contain  a  mod: 
 beautiful  Polyfyndeton. 
 
 His  own  foft  hand  (hall  wipe  the  tears 
 
 From  ev'ry  weeping  eye, 
 And  pains,  and  groans,  and  griefs,  and  fears, 
 
 And  death  itfelf  fhall  die  J. 
 
 I  mail  clofe  the  enumeration  of  the  poetical 
 excellencies  in  the  Doctor's  hymns  and  pfalms 
 with  two  inftances  of  Perfonification^  or  the 
 transformation  of  attributes,  or  affections  of 
 the  mind  into  perfons. 
 
 The  Penitent  humbling  himfelf  before  God 
 for  his  fins,  and  pleading  his  mercy  cries  Out, 
 
 Should  fudden  vengeance  feize  my  breath 
 I  muft  pronounce  Thee  juft  in  death, 
 And  if  my  foul  were  fent  to  hell 
 Thy  righteous  law  approves  it  well. 
 
 f  Bookfirft,  Hymn  146.  J  Book  firft,  Hymn  21. 
 
 R  Then 
 
242  M  E  M  O  I  R  S     OF 
 
 Then  follows  a  (hiking  P  erf onifi  cation  of 
 hope. 
 
 Yet  fave  a  trembling  firmer,  Lord, 
 Whofe  Hope,  flil!  hov'ring  round  thy  word, 
 Would  light  on  Tome  fvveec  promife  there, 
 Some  fure  fupport  againlr  defpair  -}-. 
 
 Conceive  a  bird,  fuppofe  a  dove,  tired  with 
 its  flight,  after  having  been  long  on  the  wing, 
 or  chafed  by  an  enemy,  hovering  in  the  air  to 
 difcover  fome  fpot  on  which  it  may  alight, 
 and  where  it  may  find  fafety  and  reft,  and  you 
 Will  have  the  ground  of  the  Perfonification. 
 
 The  other  inftance  of  this  figure  is  the  hymn 
 which  clofes  the  third  book  which  the  Boclor 
 has  devoted  to  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's 
 l'upper.  The  hymn  is  entitled  Divine  Glories 
 and  GraceSy  and  in  it  both  the  firft  and  the 
 laft  are  admirably  perfonified. 
 
 How  are  thy  glories  here  difplay'd, 
 Great  God,  how  bright  they  (hine, 
 
 While  at  thy  word  we  break  the  bread, 
 And  pour  the  flowing  wine  ! 
 
 Here  thy  revenging  Jujiice  ftands, 
 
 And  pleads  its  dreadful  caufe  j 
 Here  faving  Mercy  fpreads  her  hands, 
 
 Like  Jefus  on  the  crofs. 
 
 Thy  faints  attend  with  ev'ry  grace 
 
 On  this  great  facrifice, 
 And  Love  appears  with  cheerful  face, 
 
 And  Faith  with  fixed  eyes. 
 
 f  Pfalmli.  p.  7. 
 
 Our 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  243 
 
 Our  Hope  in  waiting  pofture  fits, 
 
 To  heav'n  dirccls  her  fight : 
 Here  ev'ry  warmer  Pajfion  meets 
 
 And  warmer  Powers  unite. 
 
 Zealand.  P^evenge  perfcrrh  their  part, 
 
 And  1  ifing  fin  Jeftrby  ; 
 Repentance  comes  with  aking  heartj 
 
 Yet  not  forbids  the  joy. 
 
 Dear  Saviour,  change  our  faith  to  fight, 
 
 Let  fin  forever  die* 
 Then  (hall  our  fouls  be  all  delight, 
 
 And  ev'ry  tear  be  dry. 
 
 As  to  the  D'vfio-rs  fongs  For  children,  cc  tho' 
 cc  he  has  endeavoured,  as  he  exprefTes  him- 
 M  felf  in  the  preface  to  them,  to  fink  the 
 cc  language  to  the  level  of  a  child's  under- 
 M  ftanding/'  yet  a  rich  vein  of  poetry,  as  we 
 have  already  obferved,  runs  through  them. 
 I  fhall  only  fclect  one  inftance,  that  of  the 
 comparifon  of  the  Sun  and  a  Chriftian  in  the 
 poem  flyled  A  Summer  Evening,  a  poem  fo 
 fine  that  I  once  afked  the  Doftor  why  he  had 
 not  inferted  it  in  his  Ror<e  Lyric<e>  to  which 
 he  anfwered  that  it  was  not  then  written. 
 
 I. 
 How  fine  has  the  day  been  ?  How  bright  was  the  fun  ? 
 How  lovely  and  joyful  the  courfe  that  he  run, 
 Though  he  rofe  in  a  mifr,  when  his  race  hebegui 
 And  there  follow'd  fome  droppings  of  rain  : 
 But  now  the  fair  traveller's  come  to  the  weft,  ~ 
 
 His  rays  are  all  gold,  and  his  beauties  are  belt,  J. 
 
 He  paints  the  fkies  gay  as  he  finks  to  his  reft,  i 
 
 And  foretels  a  bright  rifing  again. 
 
 R  2  Tuft 
 
 fun  ?  1 
 n,      3 
 
j 
 
 244  MEMOIRS     O!- 
 
 II. 
 
 Jufl  fuch  is  the  Chirflian.  Hiscourfe  he  begins, 
 Like  the  fun  in  a  mift,  while  he  mourns  for  his  fins, 
 And  melts  into  tears  :  then  he  breaks  out  and  (nines 
 
 And  travels  his  heav'nly  way, 
 But  when  he  comes  nearer  tofinifh  his  race, 
 Like  a  fine  fetting  fun,  he  looks  richer  in  grace, 
 And  gives  a  fure  hope  at  the  end  of  his  days 
 
 Of  riling  in  brighter  array. 
 
 Such   are   the   performances   of   this  great 
 man  in  verfe,  and  fuch  are  the  beauties  which 
 enrich  and  adorn  them.     How  wide  their  dif- 
 fudon  has  been  through  the   chriftian  world, 
 and  in   what  efteem    and   honour   they  have 
 been  and  are  ftill  held,  their  numerous  editions, 
 and  the  large,  and  fuccefiive  demands  for  them 
 abundantly  prove,  and  they  will  undoubtedly 
 remain    the  unperifhable   monuments   of  his 
 praife.     Before  1  conclude  this  article  I  mall 
 mention  fome  particulars  relating  efpecially  to 
 his  Hor<e  Lyrics  and  his  Hymns  which  may  de- 
 ierve  regard,  and  yet  may  have  hitherto  been 
 unknown  to  mo  ft,  if  not  all  my  readers.    Many 
 of  the  Lyric  Poems,  as  has  been  already  noticed, 
 were  written   in    1694,  when  the   Doctor  was 
 only  twenty  years  old,  and  fome  of  them  bear 
 even  a  prior  date.     In   a  courfe  of  time  they 
 increafed  till  they  amounted  to  a  considerable 
 number,  which  were  printed  (the  rlrft  by  way 
 of  the   I)oclor\  publications)  in    1706,  when 
 he  was  at  the  age  of  thirty-two.     This  collec- 
 tion falls  fliort  by  about  feventy  poems  inferted 
 
 in 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  245 
 
 in  the  /econd,  and  fubfequent  editions  of  his 
 Hora  Lyric*,  but  it  contains  feveral  pieces 
 which  are  not  to  be  found  there,  particularly 
 poetical  verfions  of  the  ifr,  3d,  ioodth,  and 
 131ft  Pfalmsy  all  of  which  now  appear  with 
 fome  and  in  feveral  places  confiderable  altera- 
 tions in  his  imitations  of  the  Pfalms— the  hun- 
 dredth Pfalm  in  trifyllable  feet  f — and  a  facred 
 fong  in  the  fame  meafure  entitled  The  Suffer- 
 ings and  glories  of Chrift,  which  I  fhall  give  my 
 readers  at  large. 
 
 I. 
 
 I  long  for  a  concert  of  heav'nly  praife 
 
 To  fefus  the  God,  the  omnipotent  Son  ; 
 
 My  verfe  fhould  awake  in  harmonious  Jays 
 
 Could  it  tell  half  the  wonders  which  Jefus  has  done ; 
 
 II. 
 
 I  would  fing  how  he  left  his  own  palace  of  light, 
 And  robes  made  of  glory  which  drefs\i  him  above, 
 Yet  pleas'd  with  his  journey,  and  fwifc  was  his  flight 
 For  he  rode  on  the  pinions  of  infinite  love. 
 
 f  In  this  verfion  there  are  two  ftanzas  particularly  which 
 have  true  poetical  merit, 
 
 'Twas  God  who  gave  life  to  our  fouls  with  a  breath, 
 He  fafhion'd  our  clay  to  the  figures  of  men, 
 And,  when  we  had  ftray'd  to  the  regions  of  death, 
 He  redue'd  his  own  fheep  to  his  paftures  again. 
 
 We  enter  his  gates  with  hofannahs  and  fongs  ; 
 The  arches  refound  with  the  notes  which  we  raife  ; 
 Thus  while  our  devotions  are  paid  with  our  tongues 
 *\  hy  temple  adores  by  repeating  thy  praife. 
 
 R  3  III.  Far 
 
246  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 III. 
 
 Far  down  to  the  place  of  our  diftant  abode 
 
 He  came,  we  adore  him,  to  raife  us  on  high  j 
 
 He  came  to  atone  the  revenge  of  a  God, 
 
 And  he  took  up  a  life  to  be  able  to  die. 
 •     IV. 
 
 All  hell  and  its  lions  flood  roaring  around, 
 
 His  flefh  and  his  fpirit  with  malice  they  tore  ; 
 
 While  worlds  of  (huge  J)  forrow  lay  preffinghim  down. 
 
 As  vaft  as  the  burden  of  fins  which  he  bore. 
 V. 
 
 Fafl  bound  in  the  chains  of  imperious  death 
 
 The  infinite  captive  a  prifoner  lay ; 
 
 The  infinite  capti'/e  arofe  from  the  earth, 
 
 And  leapt  to  the  hills  of  etherial  day. 
 VI. 
 
 Then  mention  no  more  the  wrath  of  a,  God 
 Of  the  lions  of  hell  and  their  roarings  no  more, 
 We  lift  up  our 'eyes  to  his  fhining  abode, 
 And  our  loudeff.  Hofamahs  his  name  (hall  adore. 
 
 VII. 
 We  crown  the  triumpher  with  th'  honours  he  won  : 
 Hofannah  through  ail  the  celeftial  groves  ! 
 The  God  and  the  man  !  How  he  fills  up  his  throne  ! 
 How  he  fits !  How  he  fhines !   How  he  looks  !  How  he 
 loves  ! 
 
 VIII. 
 O  happy,  ye  hcav'ns,  and  happy,  ve  hills, 
 Where  he  treads  with  his  feet,  and  diffufes  his  grace, 
 While  mercy  and  majefty,  glories  and  fmiles 
 Play  gently  around  the  fweet  air  of  his  face. 
 
 \  I  have  ventured  to  put  in  this  word  as  the  line  would 
 be  incomplete  without  it,  owing  no  doubt  not  to  the  Do3or, 
 but  to  the  prefs, 
 
 IX.  Among 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  247 
 
 IX. 
 Among  a  full  choir  of  archangels  and  fongs 
 The  mighty  Redeemer  eternally  reigns, 
 And  the  found  of  his  name  from  a  million  of  tongues 
 Flies  o'er  the  bright  mountains,  and  blefTes  the  plains. 
 
 This  Song,  not  improbably  becaufe  the  quick 
 and  airy  meafure  of  the  verfe  did  not  iuit  the 
 divine  grandeur  of  the  fubjecl,  the  Doclor  left 
 out  in  the  fubfequent  editions  of  his  Lyric 
 Poems,  but  he  has  evidently  collected  the  chief 
 ideas  of  it,  and  converted  them  into  an  hymn  J 
 entitled  Chrift's  fufferings  and  glories. 
 
 I. 
 
 Now  for  a  tune  of  lofty  praife 
 To  great  fehovah^  equal  Son  ! 
 Awake,  my  voice,  in  heavenly  lays, 
 Tell  the  loud  wonders  he  hath  done. 
 
 II. 
 Sing  how  he  left  the  worlds  of  light, 
 And  the  bright  robes  he  wore  above  : 
 How  fwift  and  joyful  was  his  flight 
 On  wings  of  everlafting  love  ? 
 
 III. 
 Down  to  this  bafe,  this  finful  earth 
 He  came  to  raife  our  nature  high ; 
 He  came  t'atone  almighty  wrath  ; 
 Jefus  the  God  was  born  to  die, 
 
 IV. 
 Hell  and  its  lions  roar'd  around, 
 His  precious  blood  the  monfters  fpilt, 
 While  weighty  forrows  prefs'd  him  down, 
 Large  as  the  loads  of  all  our  guilt. 
 
 \  Bock  ii.  Hymn  43. 
 
 R  4  V.  Deep 
 
i48  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 V. 
 
 Deep  in  the  (hades  of  gloomy  death 
 Th'  almighty  captive  prifoner  Jay, 
 Th'  almighty  captive  left  the  earth, 
 And  rofe  to  everlafling  day. 
 
 VI. 
 Lift  up  your  eyes,  ye  Sons  of  light, 
 Up  to  his  throne  of  fhining  grace, 
 See  what  immortal  glories  fit 
 Round  the  fweet  beauties  of  his  face : 
 
 VII. 
 Among  a  thoufand  harps  and  fongs 
 Jefus  the  God  exalted  reigns, 
 His  facred  name  fills  all  their  tongues, 
 And  echoes  round  the  heav'nly  plains. 
 
 After  the  tranfcription  of  the  above  fong 
 from  the  firft  edition  of  the  Boclors  Lyric  Poems, 
 and  this  manifeft  converfion  of  it  into  an  hymn, 
 and  this  inferted  in  the  volume  of  his  hymns, 
 how  flrange  may  it  juftly  appear  that  the  Rev. 
 Mr.  Toplady,  a  divine  of  the  church  of  England 
 lately  deceafed,  mould,  in  his  account  of  Br. 
 Watts  publifhed  a  few  years*  fince  under  the 
 title  of  Some  outlines  of  his  life,  thus  preface 
 and  afterwards  give  the  world  the  fong  al- 
 moftword  for  word  as  it  ftands  in  the  DocJors 
 Lyrics,  printed  1706  ?  "  There  is  an  hymn, 
 <c  fays  Mr.  Toplady  of  Br.  Watts,  which,  to 
 cc  the  beft  of  my  knowledge,  has  never  yet 
 <c  appeared  in  print,  and  which  feems  from 
 "  the  unfmifhed  ftate  in  which  he  left  it  to 
 <c  have  been  one  of  the  lad  products  of  his 
 il  poetic  pen.     This  little  poem,  whofe  au~ 
 
 <c  thenticity 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  249 
 
 "  thenticity  is  unqueftionable,  and  which,  a- 
 tc  midft  all  its  inaccuracies,  is  replete  with 
 <f  heavenly  faith  and  poetic  fire  deferves  to 
 <c  emerge  from  its  long  obfcurity.  Though 
 "  capable  of  obvious  correction  and  improve- 
 tc  ment  it  fhall  be  fubmitted  to  the  reader 
 iC  verbatim,  and  without  a  fingle  alteration 
 <c  exactly  as  it  was  communicated  to  me," 
 Perfons  who  attempt  to  communicate  to  the 
 public  the  memoirs  of  deceafed  perfons,  un- 
 doubtedly ought  to  make  themfelves  acquaint- 
 ed not  only  with  their  writings,  but  with  the 
 editions  and  dates  of  them,  that  they  may  be 
 fecured  both  from  committing  miftakes  them- 
 felves and  from  propagating  their  errors  among 
 mankind.  If  this  had  been  done  by  Mr,  Top- 
 lady  he  would  never  have  attributed  the  writing 
 of  a  poem  to  the  lafb  sra  of  Br.  Watts' s  life 
 which  was  evidently  compofed  forty  years  be- 
 fore his  deceafe,  nor  would  he  have  given  to 
 the  world  as  new  what  had  actually  been  printed 
 near  half  a  century  before. 
 
 In  the  firft  edition  of  the  Lyric  Poems  there  is 
 an  epiftle  to  the  Doctor's  fillers,  S.  and  M.  W. 
 u  e.  to  Sarah  and  Mary  Watts,  which  partly  in 
 profe,  partly  in  verfe  runs  thus, 
 
 Dear  Sifters, 
 Read  the  love  of  my  heart  in  the  firft  line  of 
 my  letter,  and  believe  it.     1  am  much  con- 
 cerned to  hear  of  my  mother's  continued  weak- 
 jiefs.     We  take  our  fhare  of  thefe  painful  dis- 
 orders 
 
250  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 orders  of  nature  which  afflict  her  whom  wc 
 honour  and  love.  I  know  alfo  that  your  hur- 
 ries of  bufinefs  muft  be  more  than  doubled 
 thereby,  but  we  are  daily  leaving  care  and  fin 
 behind  us.  The  paft  temptations  fhall  vex  us 
 no  more.  The  months  which  are  gone  return 
 not,  and  the  forrows  which  we  hourly  feel  leflfen 
 the  decreed  number.  Every  pulfe  beats  a 
 moment  of  pain  away,  and  thus  by  degrees 
 we  arrive  nearer  to  the  fweet  period  of  life  and 
 trouble. 
 
 Bear  up,  my  dear  ones,  through  the  ruffling  ltorms 
 Of  a  vain  vexing  world,  tread  down  the  cares, 
 Thofe  ragged  thorns  which  lie  acrofs  the  road, 
 Nor  fpend  a  tear  upon  them,     Truft  mc,  Sifters, 
 The  dew  of  eyes  will  make  the  briers  grow ; 
 Nor  let  the  diftant  phantom  of  delight 
 Too  long  allure  your  gaze,  or  fwell  your  hope 
 To  dangerous  fize.    If  it  approach  your  feet, . 
 And  court  your  hand  forbid  the  intruding  joy 
 To  fit  too  near  your  heart.     Still  may  our  fouls 
 Claim  kindred  with  the  fkies,  nor  mix  with  duft 
 Our  better-born  affection?,  leave  the  globe 
 A  neft  for  worms,  and  batten  to  our  home. 
 
 O  there  are  gardens  of  th'  immortal  kind, 
 Which  crown  the  heavenly  Edens  rifing  hills 
 With  beauty  and  with  fweets.     No  lurking  mifchief 
 Dwells  in  the  fruit,  nor  ferpent  twines  the  bougbs; 
 The  branches  bend  laden  with  life  and  blifs 
 Ripe  for  the  tafte,   but  'tis  a  fteep  afcent ; 
 Hold  faft  the  golden  chain  *  let  down  from  heav'n, 
 
 *  The  gofpc!. 
 
 'Twill 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  251 
 
 'Twill  help  your  feet  and  wings.     I  feel  its  force 
 Draw  upward  :  faften'd  to  the  pearly  gate 
 It  guides  the  way  unerring.    Happy  clue 
 Through    this  dark  wild  !     ?Twas   wifdom's  nobleft 
 
 work, 
 All  join'd  by  pow'r  divine,  and  every  link  is  love. 
 
 Sisters, 
 
 Accept  the  fudden  rapture  Idndly.  The 
 mufe  is  not  awake  every  day.  If  ihe  has  a 
 moment's  releafe  from   the  lethargy,  fee  'tis 
 
 devoted  toferve  and  pleafe  you &c. 
 
 June  15,    1704. 
 
 I  have  inferted  this  epiftle  into  my  work 
 that  it  may  be  a  witnefs  both  to  the  Doflor's 
 filial  duty,  and  fraternal  affection,  and  that  I 
 might  take  the  opportunity  of  mowing  how 
 much  he  enlarged  thefe  verfes  in  the  fubfe- 
 quent  edition  of  his  Lyric  Poems,  when,  not 
 improbably  after  the  death  of  his  filter  Mary^ 
 he  thus  addreffes  the  fame  epiftie  to  his  fifter 
 Sarah  only  under  the  name  of  Sarijfa,  for  I 
 take  her  to  be  the  perfon  intended. 
 
 Bear  up,  SariJJay  through  the  ruffling  ftorms 
 Of  a  vain  vexing  world,  tread  down  the  cares, 
 Thofe  ragged  thorns  which  lie  acrofs  the  road, 
 Nor  fpend  a  tear  upon  them.     Trufl  the  Mufe, 
 She  fings  experience  truth,  this  briny  dew, 
 This  rain  of  eyes  will  make  the  briers  grow. 
 We  travel  through  a  defert,  and  our  h^t 
 Have  meafured  a  fair  fpace,  and  left  behind 
 A  thoufand  dangers,  and  athoufand  fnares 
 Well  fcap'd.     Adieu,  ye  horrors  of  the  dark, 
 Ye  fin ifh'd  labours,  and  ye  tedious  toils 
 Of  days  and  hours :  the  twinge  of  real  fmart, 
 
 And 
 
:Sz  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 And  the  falfe  terrors  of  ill-boding  dreams 
 Vanifh  together,  be  alike  forgot, 
 Forever  blended  in  one  common  grave. 
 
 Farewel,  ye  waxing,  and  ye  waning  moons, 
 Which  we  have  watch'd  behind  the  flying  clouds 
 Qn  night's  dark  hill,  or  fetting,  or  afcending, 
 Or  in  meridian  height.     Then  iilence  reign'd 
 O'er  half  the  world  ;  then  ye  beheld  our  tears, 
 Ye  witnefs'd  our  complaints,  our  kindred  groans, 
 Sad  harmony,  while  with  your  beamy  horns. 
 Or  richer  orb  ye  filver'd  o'er  the  green 
 Where  trod  our  feet,  and  lent  a  feeble  light 
 To  mourners-     Now  ye  have  fulfill'd  your  rounds, 
 Thofe  hours  are  fled,  farewel.    Months  that  are  gone 
 Are  gone  forever,  and  have  borne  away 
 Each  his  own  load.     Our  woes  and  forrows  pafr, 
 Mountainous  woes,  ftill  leflen  as  they  fly 
 Far  off.     So  billows  in  a  ftormy  fea 
 Wave  after  wave,  a  long  fucceflion,  roll 
 Beyond  the  ken  of  fight.     The  failors  fafe 
 Look  far  aftern  till  they  have  loft  the  ftorm, 
 And  fhout  their  boifterous  joys.     A  gentler  Mufc 
 Sings  thy  dear  fafety,  and  commands  thy  cares 
 To  dark  oblivion  ->  buried  deep  in  night 
 Lofe  them,  Sarij/a,  and  aflift  my  fong. 
 
 Awake  thy  voice ;  fmg  how  the  (lender  line 
 Of  fate's  immortal  now  divides  the  past 
 From  all  the  future  with  eternal  bars 
 Forbidding  a  return.     The  paft  temptations 
 No  more  fhall  vex  us.      Every  grief  we  feel 
 Shortens  the  deftin'd  number.     Every  pulfe 
 Beats  a  (harp  moment  of  the  pain  away, 
 And  the  lad  ftrokewill  come.     By  fwift  degree* 
 Time  fweeps  us  off,  and  we  (hall  foon  arrive 
 At  life's  fvveet  period.     O  celeflial  point, 
 \Vhich  ends  this  mortal  ftory  I 
 
 But 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  253 
 
 But  if  a  glimpfe  of  light  with  flattering  ray 
 Break  through  the  clouds  of  life,  or  wandering  fire 
 Amidfl  the  (hades  invite  your  doubtful  feet, 
 Beware  the  dancing  meteor.     Faithlefs  guide, 
 Which  leads  the  lonely  pilgrim  wide  aftray 
 To  bogs,  and  fens,  and  pits,  and  certain  death. 
 Should  vicious  pleafure  take  an  angel-form, 
 And  at  a  diftance  rife  by  flow  degrees 
 Treacherous  to  wind  herfelf  into  your  heart, 
 Stand  firm  aloof,  nor  let  the  gaudy  phantom 
 Too  long  allure  your  gaze.     The  jure,  delight, 
 That  heav'n  indulges  lawful,  muft  obey 
 Superior  pow'rs,  nor  tempt  your  thoughts  too  far 
 In  flavery  to  fenfe,  nor  fwell  your  hope 
 To  dangerous  fize.     If  it  approach  your  feet, 
 And  court  your  hand  forbid  th'mtruding  joy 
 To  fit  too  near  your  heart.     Still  may  our  fouls 
 Claim  kindred  with  the  fkies,  nor  mix  with  dun; 
 Their  better-born  affections,  leave  the  globe 
 A  neft  for  worms,  and  haften  to  our  home. 
 
 O  there  are  gardens  of  th'immortal  kind, 
 Which  crown  theheav'nly  Eden's  rifing  hills 
 With  beauty  and  withfweets :  no  lurking  mifchief 
 Dwells  in  the  fruit,  nor  ferpent  twines  the  boughs; 
 The  branches  bend  laden  with  life  and  blifs 
 Ripe  for  the  tafte,  but  'tis  a.fte'ep  afcent. 
 Hold  fail  the  golden  chain*  let  down  from  heav'n, 
 'Twill  help  your  feet  and  wings.     I  fed  its  force 
 Draw  upwards:  faften'd  to  the  pearly  gate 
 It  guides  the  way  unerring.     Happy  clue 
 Thro' this  dark  wild  !  'Twas  wifdom's  nobleft  work, 
 All  join' d  by  pow'r  divine,  and  every  link  is  love. 
 
 It  has  been  obferved  in  the  account  of  the 
 Doctor's  life,  that  he  fpent  two  years  after  he 
 
 *  The  Gofpel. 
 
 -had 
 
254  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 had  finifhed  his  academical  ftudies  at  his  fa- 
 ther's  at  Southampton,  in  Reading,  Meditation* 
 and  Prayer,  /.  «?.  the  years  1695  and  1696, 
 the  twenty-firft  and  twenty-Fecond  years  of  his 
 age.  During  this  period  he  compofcd  his 
 hymns  at  lead  great  part  of  them  *  the  rife  of 
 which  is  too  remarkable  for  me  to  pafs  over 
 in  filence.  Mr.  John  Morgan,  a  minifler  of 
 very  refpectable  character  now  living  at  Rom- 
 fey,  Hants,  has  fent  me  the  following  in- 
 formation. "  The  occafion  of  the  Doflor's 
 <c  hymns  was  this,  as  I  had  the  account  from  his 
 €C  worthy  fellow-labourer  and  colleague,  the 
 cc  Rev.  Mr.  Price  in  whofe  family  I  dwelt 
 cc  above  fifty  years  ago.  The  hymns  which 
 c<  were  fung  at  the  diflenting-meeting  at  South- 
 "  ampton  were  fo  little  to  the  guft  of  Mr. 
 cc  Watts  that  he  could  not  forbear  complain- 
 "  ing  of  them  to  his  father.  The  father  bid 
 cc  him  try  what  he  could  do  to  mend  the  mat- 
 <c  ter.  He  did,  and  had  fuch  fuccefs  in  his 
 "  firft  effay,  that  a  fecond  hymn  was  earneftly 
 cc  defired  of  him,  and  then  a  third,  and  fourth* 
 cc  &c.  till  in  procefs  of  time  there  was  fuch 
 <c  a  number  of  them  as  to  make  up  a  volume. ' 
 Let  my  reader  reflect  a  moment  what  a 
 fpirit  of  devotion,  and  what  a  bright  genius 
 the  Doftor  difcovered  at  fuch  an  early  feafon 
 of  life,  at  the  moft  but  twenty-two  years  of 
 age  as  to  compofe  at  once  fuch  pious  and 
 beautiful  hymns  on  fuch  a  variety  of  fubjecls, 
 and  let  him  thence  judge  how  well  this  txcel- 
 3  knt 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  255 
 
 lent  man  filled  up  his  time  at  his  father's, 
 and  how  much  noble  improvement  was  con- 
 tained in  the  dedication  of  two  years  to  the 
 purpofes  of  Reading,  Meditatio?i,  and  Prayer. 
 Thefe  hymns  were  not  publifhed  till  the  year 
 1707.,  as  the  Doftor  thought  it  bed,  as  he 
 himfelf  informed  me,  to  fend  his  Lyric  Poems 
 mil  into  the  world,  confidering  with  himfelf 
 it  is  not  improbable,  that  if  thefe  were  ac- 
 cepted with  mankind  they  would  be  in  a  fa- 
 vourable difpofition  to  receive  his  hymns,  but 
 that  if  the  brighter  and  beft  productions  of  his 
 Mufe  in  his  Lyric  Odes  did  not  meet  with  fuc- 
 cefs  it  might  be  prudent  in  him  to  withhold 
 from  the  public  a  work  in  which,  in  conde- 
 fcenfion  to  the  plainer!  capacities,  he  had  pur- 
 pofely  reduced  his  poetry  to  a  lower  ftrain. 
 Thus  the  Lyric  Poems  were  firft  printed  in 
 1706,  and  the  encouragement  given  to  them 
 (for  a  fecond  edition  appeared  in  1709)  no 
 doubt  determined  the  Doficr  to  venture  his 
 hymns  into  the  world,  and  accordingly  they 
 were  publifned  in  the  next  year  1707.  This 
 edition  including  the  feveral  doxologies,  and 
 reckoning  each  one  of  them  as  an  hymn,  con- 
 tains two  hundred  and  twenty  hymns,  and  has 
 an  efiay  annexed  to  it  towards  the  improvement 
 of  pfalmody,  or  an  Inquiry  how  the  pfalms  of 
 David  ought  to  be  tranflated  into  Chriftian 
 fongs,  and  how  lawful  and  neceflary  it  is  to 
 compofe  other  hymns  according  to  the  clearer 
 revelations  of  the   gofpel   for  the  ufe  of  the 
 
 christian 
 
256  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 chriflian  church.  A  fecond  edition  followed 
 in  1709,  which  is  faid  in  the  title-page  to  be 
 corrected  and  much  enlarged,  and  fo  indeed 
 it  is,  fome  of  the  hymns  in  the  firil  edition 
 having  been  confiderably  altered,  and  an  ac- 
 ceflion  of  new  hymns  having  been  made  to  it, 
 but  the  Loftor  himfelf  has  given  an  account 
 of  the  matter  himfelf  in  what  he  flyles  Adver- 
 tifements  concerning  the  fecond  edition,  which 
 run  thus. 
 
 <f  I.  There  are  almoft  one  hundred  and  fifty 
 u  new  Hymns  added,  and  one  or  more  fuited 
 cc  to  every  theme,  and  fubjecl:  in  divinity. 
 <c  Having  found  by  converfe  with  chriflians 
 <c  what  words  or  lines  in  the  former  made 
 cc  them  leis  ufeful,  I  have  not  only  made 
 <c  various  corrections  in  them,  but  have  en- 
 <c  deavoured  to  avoid  the  fame  miftakes  in  all 
 cc  the  new  compofures.  And  whereas  many 
 Cf  of  the  former  were  too  particularly  adapted 
 <c  to  fpecial  frames  and  feafons  of  the  chriflian 
 <c  life,  almofl  all  which  are  added  have  a 
 <c  more  general  and  extenfive  fenfe,  and  may 
 <f  be  affumed  and  lung  by  moil  perfons  in  a 
 iC  worshipping  congregation. " 
 
 cc  II.  About  fourteen  or  fifteen  Pfalms  which 
 cc  were  tranflated  in  the  firft  edition  are  left 
 fC  out  in  this,  becaufe  I  intend,  if  God  af- 
 cc  ford  life  and  aiTiilance  to  convert  the  biggefl 
 tc  part  of  the  book  of  Pfalms  into  fpiritual 
 <c  fongs  for  the  ule  of  chriflians,  yet  the  fame 
 "  numbers  are  applied  to  the  Hymns,  that  there 
 4  "  may 
 
£>r.    ISAAC    WATTS.  257 
 
 tc  may  be  ho  confufion  between  the  firft  and 
 "  fecond  editions. " 
 
 Thefe  advertifements  are  dated  April  1 709. 
 
 In  a  note  of  March  3,  1719-20,  the  Doclor 
 adds,  <c  Since  the  fixth  edition  of  this  book 
 "  (the  hymns)  the  author  has  finifhed  what 
 <c  he  had  fo  long  promifed,  namely,  the  Pfalms 
 iC  of  David  imitated  in  the  language  of  the 
 <c  New  Teftament,  which  the  world  feems  to 
 "  have  received  with  approbation  by  the  fale 
 <c  of  fome  thoufands  in  a  year's  time*.  There 
 <c  the  reader  will  find  thole  Pfalms  which  were 
 cc  left  out  of  all  the  later  editions  of  thefe  Hymns 
 <c  in  their  proper  places.  It  is  prefumed  that 
 <c  book  in  conjunction  with  this  may  appear  to 
 <c  be  fuch  a  provifion  for  pfalmody  as  to  an- 
 "  fwer  mod  occafions  of  the  chriftian's  life ; 
 <c  and,  if  an  author's  own  opinion  may  be 
 <c  taken,  he  efleems  it  the  greateft  work  that 
 se  ever  he  has  publifhed,  or  ever  hopes  to  do 
 cc  for  the  ufe  of  the  churches." 
 
 Thus  have  I  taken  a  furvey  of  the  Dolor's 
 Writings  in  verfe,  not  merely  confidering 
 them  (cf  which  there  needs  no  other  evidence 
 but  their  own)  as  fine  compositions,  but  tra- 
 cing their  peculiar  beauties,  and  diftin&ly 
 mowing  what  gives  them  their  eminence  and 
 worth.  As  to  their  ufefulnefs,  or  how  con- 
 ducive they  all  are  to  the  promotion  of  piety 
 and  virtue  this   is  feen   and   confeifed  by  all^ 
 
 His  Pfalms  were  rlrft  printed  in  1719. 
 
 S  a*id 
 
tf8  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 and  I  am  very  certain  I  fhould  expreis  the  fen- 
 timents  of  thoufands  and  ten  thoufands  were 
 he  flill  living  if  t  fhould  addrefs  the  verfes  of 
 Mr.  Prior  to  Dr.  Sherlock  on  his  Difcourfe  on 
 Death  to  Dr.  Watts  on  his  poetical  compo- 
 fures,  at  once  including  his  Lyric  Poems,  Pfalms, 
 Hymns,  and  Songs  for  children. 
 
 Thee  youth  {hall  fludy,  and  no  more  engage 
 Their  flattering  wifhes  for  uncertain  age  ; 
 No  more  with  fruitlefs  care,  and  cheated  ftrife 
 Chafe  fleeting  pleafure  through  this  maze  of  life. 
 Finding  the  wretched  all   they  here  can  have 
 But  prefent  food,  and  but  a  future  grave  ; 
 Each  great  as  Philip's  victor  fon  fhall  view 
 This  abje£t  world,  and  weeping  afk  a  new. 
 
 Decrepit  age  fhall  read  thee,  and  confefs 
 Thy  labours  can  aiTuage  where  medicines  ceafe, 
 Shall  blefs  thy  words,  their  wounded  fouls  relief, 
 The  drops  that  fweeten  the  laft  dregs  of  life, 
 Shall  look  to  heav'n,    and  laugh  at  all  beneath, 
 Own  riches  gathcr'd  trouble,  fame  a  breath, 
 And  life  an  ill,   whofe  only  cure  is  death. 
 
 Thy  even  thoughts  with  fo  much  plainnefs  flow 
 Their  fenfe  untutor'd  infancy  may  know, 
 Yet  to  luch  height  is  all  that  plainnefs  wrought 
 Wit  may  admire,  and  let:erTd  pride  be  taught : 
 £afy  in  words  thy  ftyle,  in  fenfe  fublime 
 On  its  bleft  fteps  each  age  and  fex  may  rife, 
 'Tis  like  the  ladder  in  the  Patriarch's  dream, 
 Its  foot  on  earth,  its  height  above  the  fkies  ; 
 DifFus'd  its  virtue,  boundlefs  is  its  pow'r, 
 'Tis  public  health,  and  univerfal  cure, 
 Of  heav'nly  Manna  'tis  a  fecond  feaft, 
 A  nation's  food,  and  all  to  ev'ry  tafte. 
 
 CHAP 
 
Dr.    I  S  A  A  C     WATTS,  259 
 
 CHAP.     VIII. 
 
 His    Improvements   on  the  Poetical  Compofitions 
 of  others. 
 
 AS  the  Doclor  was  very  eminent  for  his 
 poetical  powers,  of  which  his  hymns,  his 
 Imitation  of  the  Pfalms  of  David,  and  his  Lyric 
 Poems  are  moft  honourable  and  permanent  mo- 
 numents, fo  he  had  a  wonderful  ability  for 
 enlarging  and  improving  the  poems  of  others. 
 I  can  produce  feveral  inflances  of  this  kind, 
 which  will  not  only  evince  the  truth  of  what  I 
 fay,  but  I  am  well  perfuaded  give  entertain- 
 ment to  my  readers. 
 
 The  firft  inftance  mail  be  that  of  Cajimire's 
 Lyric  Ode  entitled  Celebris  Polonorum  de  Ofmano 
 Turcarum  vicloria,   pralio  ad  Chocimum  f  Da* 
 
 cico, 
 
 f  Khochim,  commonly  written  in  the  maps  Chocz.yny  is 
 a  city  of  Moldavia  on  the  river  Tyras  or  Neijler,  over 
 againft  Kaminieck.  The  walls  were  repaired  by  the  Turks 
 after  the  battle  of  Hierafus  with  the  addition  of  more 
 modern  works  fo  that  it  may  be  accounted  the  bulwark  of 
 the  whole  Turkijb  empire  againft  the  Poles  and  RuJJians. 
 Modern  Univ.  Hill.  vol.  xii.  p.  451.  It  may  not  be 
 without  its  inftruction  and  entertainment  to  give  the  reader 
 a  brief  account  of  this  battle  which  Cajimire  has  repre- 
 fented  in  fuch  glowing  colours,  and  with  fo  much  glory 
 to  his  countrymen  the  Poles.  "  Ofmantixz  Turkijb  emperor, 
 "  perceiving  that  the  chriftian  army  was  increafed  daily 
 S  2  **  pro- 
 
z6o  M  EMOIRS     OF 
 
 cicOy  Anno  Domini  1621,  Quarto  Ncn.  Sept. 
 commiffb)  parta.  Galefi  rfgricoj*  Dacid  cantus 
 inducitur.  I  fhall  trarifcribc  the'  poem  irfelf 
 from  Ccfimire,  follow  it  with  an  Englifh 
 verfion  of  my  own,  and  afterwards  infert  the 
 Doctor  §  mofl  excellent  paraplirafe,  if  I  may  fo 
 term  it,  leaving  the  reader  to  trace  out  his 
 mod  admirable  improvements  of  his  author 
 either  by  confulting  Cafimire  in  the  original  or 
 by  perufing my  tranjlation,  which,  if  it  has  no 
 other  merit  in  it,  will  convey  the  fenfe  of  the 
 ode  with  little  or  no  addition. 
 
 *:  propofed  a  general  attack  on  their  lines  by  the  28th 
 *'  of  September,  and  led  his  troops  in  perfon.  The  "Janif- 
 "  juries  began  the  attack  by  break  of  day,  and  fought 
 "  with  the  mofl  defperate  fury  for  twelve  hours,  frefli 
 44  troops  conftantly  fupplying  the  place  of  the  fatigued, 
 "  wounded,  and  (lain.  Ten  times  were  the  Turks  re- 
 "  pulfed,  and  as  often  were  they  led  back  to  the  attack  by 
 "  their  Bajbaivs,  who  charged  under  the  immediate  eye 
 "  of  the  Sultan,  and  were  ambitious  of  diicinguifhing 
 *l  themfelves.  All  their  efforts  were  fruitlefs,  the  Pole* 
 "  were  impenetrable,  and  the  infidels  were  at  lail  forced 
 "  to  found  a  retreat,  after  having  loll  near  30,000  flain 
 "  before  the  intrenchments.  From  the  time  the  two 
 "  armies  had  nril  faced  each  other  the  different  attacks 
 "  coil  the  Sultan  upwards  of  6o,oco  lives,  the  bulk  of 
 "  whom  confided  of  JaniJJaries,  the  flower  of  the  army, 
 *'  and  the  bulwark  of  the  Otbman  empire.  Difeafe  and 
 "  famine  co-operated  .  with  the  fword,  and  the  TurkiJJ: 
 iC  armv  which  confiiled  of  300,000  men  was  diminifhed 
 "  to  half  that  number."  Modern  Univ.  Hill.  vol.  xxxiv. 
 p. 185. 
 
 Dive; 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  26* 
 
 Dives  Galefus,  fertilis  accola 
 GaleCus  Iflri,  dum  fua  Dacicis 
 
 Fatigat  in  campis  aratra 
 
 £t  galea?,  clypeofq;  pafllm,   ac 
 
 Mao-norum  acervos  eruit  ofiium  ; 
 Vergente  ferum  Tub  fole  hefperum 
 
 FefTus  refedifTe,  &  folutos 
 
 Non  folito  tenuifle  cantu 
 
 Fertur  juvencos.     Carpite,  dum  licet, 
 Dum  tuta  vobis  otia,  carpite, 
 
 Oblita  jam  vobis  vircta 
 
 Emeriti,  mea  cura,  tauri, 
 
 Victor  Polonus  dum  pofita  fuper 
 Refpirat  hafta,  fie  etiam  vicnl 
 
 Saevufque.  Pro  quantis,  Polone, 
 
 Moldavici  tegis  arma  campi 
 
 Thracumruinas  !  Quas  ego  Biftonum 
 Hie  cerno  ftrages  ?   Quanta  per  avio* 
 
 Disjccla  late  fcuta  collcis  ? 
 
 Quas  Geticis  vacua  arma  truncis  ? 
 
 Hacacer  ibat  Sarmata,   (Thracibus 
 Captfvus  olim  nam  memini  puer) 
 
 lilc  cere  fquallenteis  &  auro 
 
 Concanus  explicuit  catervas. 
 
 Heu  quanta  vidi  prrelia,  cum  Dacis 
 Confertus  haftis  campus,  &  horridi 
 
 Collata  tempeftas  Gradivi 
 
 Ambiguis  fiuitaret  armis. 
 
 Sufpenfa  paullum  fubftitit  alitis 
 Procelia  ferri,  donee  ahenea 
 
 Hinc  inde  nubes  fulphuratQ 
 
 Plurima  detonuiflet  igni, 
 
 s  3  Turn 
 
.262  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Turn  vero  fignis  figna,  viris  viri, 
 Dextraeque  dextris,  et  pedibus  pedes9 
 Et  tela  refpondere  telis, 
 Et  clypeis  clypei  retundi. 
 
 Non  tanta  campos  grandine  verberat 
 Nivalis  Arclos,    non  fragor  Alpium 
 Tantus,  renitenteis  ab  imo 
 Cum  violens  agit  aufter  ornos, 
 
 Hinc  quantus  atque  hinc  impetus  aereo 
 Defufus  imbri.     Mifcet  opus  frequens 
 Furorque,  virtufque,  et  perenni 
 Immoritur  brevis  ira  famae. 
 
 Diu  fupremam  nutat  in  aleam 
 Fortuna  belli.     Stat  numerofior 
 
 Hinc  BefTus,  hinc  contra  Polonus 
 
 Exiguis  metuendus  alis. 
 
 Sed  quid  Cydones,  aut  pavidi  Dahae, 
 Mollefque  campo  cedere  Concani, 
 Quid  Seres,  averfoque  pugnax 
 Parthusequo,  Cilicumque  turmas, 
 
 Contra  fequacis  peclora  Sarmatas 
 PoiTent  fugaces  ?    Hinc  ruit  impiger 
 Polonus,  hinc  Lithuanus;  atro 
 Quale  duplex  ruit  axe  fulmen  : 
 
 Aut  qualis  alto  fe  geminus  jugo 
 Devolvit  amnis,  raptaque  cum  fuis 
 Armenta  filvis,  atque  aperto 
 Praecipitat  nemora  alto  campo. 
 
 Heu  quale  fasvus  fulminat  sneo 
 BoruiTus  igni  ?  Non  ego  Livonum 
 
 Pugnas,  &  inconfulta  vita; 
 
 Tranfierim  tua,  RufTe,  figna. 
 
 Vobis 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     W  A  T  T  S.  263 
 
 Vobis  fugaces  vidi  ego  Biftonum 
 
 Errare  lunas,  fignaque  barbaris 
 Derepta  vexillis,  et  aclam 
 Retro  equitum  peditumque  nubem. 
 
 Virtute  pugnant  non  numero  viri, 
 Et  una  filvam  faepius  eruit 
 
 Bipennis,  &  paucae  fequuntur 
 
 Innumeras  aquilae  columbas. 
 
 Heu  quse  jacentum  ftrata  cadaverum, 
 
 Qualemque  vobis  iEdonii  fuga 
 Campum  retexere  ?  Hie  Polonam 
 Mordet  adhuc  Othomannus  haftam  : 
 
 Hie  fufus  iEmon  :  hie  Arabum  manus 
 Confixa  telis  :   hie  Caracas  jacct 
 
 Conopeis  fubter  Lechorum 
 
 Non  bene  pollicitus  minaci 
 
 Ccenam  tyranno.     Spes  nimias  Deus 
 PJerumque  foedos  ducit  ad  exitus, 
 
 Ridetque  gaudentem  fuperbum 
 
 Immodicis  dare  vela  votis. 
 
 Quo  me  canentem  digna  trahunt  equis 
 Non  arm  a  tauris  ?  Siftite  barbaras 
 
 Non  haec  inurbana,  camcense, 
 
 Bella  decet  memorare  buxo, 
 
 Majore  quondam  quae  recinent  tuba; 
 Seri  nepotes;  et  mea  jam  fuis 
 
 Aratra  cum  bubus  reverti 
 
 Praecipiti  monet  axe  vefper. 
 
 S  4  A  liter*! 
 
*64  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 A  literal  Tranjlation  of  the  Ode  in  Cafimire  en* 
 titled  "  The  famous  Viclory  obtained  by  the  Poles 
 <c  over  Ofman  the  Emperor  of  the  Turks  in 
 Cf  /i^Dacian  battle  at  Cboezim  on  the  fourth  of 
 lc  the  Nones  of  September  in  the  Year  of  guy 
 
 .     «  Lord  1 621." 
 
 [Gahfuf,  a  Dacian  farmer,  is  introduced  as  Tinging.] 
 
 Galefus,  a  rich  yeoman  on  the  banks 
 Where  rolls  the  fruitful  Danube,  tir*d  his  fhare 
 In  ploughing  o'er  his  grounds,  which  oft  upturn'd 
 Helmets,  and  fhields,  and  heaps  of  mighty  bones ; 
 But,  when  the  fun  hung  o'er  the  weftern  main, 
 Relaxing  from  his  toils,  as  fame  reports, 
 And  loofing  from  the  yoke  his  weary  bulls, 
 He  held  them  pleas'd  with  an  unufual  fong. 
 My  fellow- labourers,  my  delightful  care, 
 In  fafety  now  enjoy  the  fweets  of  peace, 
 And  freed  from  labour  at  your  pleafure  rove 
 The  fmiling  meads,  and  crop  the  flow'ry  focd 
 So  long  untafted,  while  upon  his  fpear 
 Leans  the  victorious  Pole,  but  throws  his  eyes 
 Watchful  and  fierce  around.    Brave  countrymen, 
 What  ranks  of  Tbracian  enemies  have  fall'n 
 By  your  refiftlefs  fwords  ?   What  carnage  ft! I'd 
 Moldavia's  fields  ?  What  piles  of  bucklers  ftrow'd 
 The  pathlefs  mountains  ?  What  huge  armour  lay 
 Wide-fcattcr'd,  of  Mahometan  limbs  defpoi Fd  ? 
 Here  the  fierce  Sarmatans,  (for  while  a  boy 
 In  Turkifi  flavery  I  mark'd  their  drefs) 
 And  here  the  Concanans  in  order  rang'd 
 Advanced  all  arm'd  in  radiant  brafs  and  gold. 
 O  what  a  battle  did  thefe  eyes  furvey  ? 
 The  ground  was  planted  thick  with  Dacian  fpears, 
 
 2  Ana 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  265 
 
 And  the  fufpended  tempefr.  of  the  war 
 
 Stood  frowning,  doubtful  where  to  bend  its  fall. 
 
 Th'  encounter  of  the  fword,  all  edge,  alJ  fiamc 
 
 For  flaughtcr,  was  reluctantly  delay'd 
 
 Till  the  deep-bellowing  cannon  had  difgorg'd 
 
 Sulphureous  fires,   and  hurl'd  deftruclion  round  : 
 
 Then  ftandards  mix  with  fhndards,  men  with  men 
 
 And  hands  to  hands,  and  feet  to  feet  oppofe, 
 
 Darts  clafh  with  darts,  and  {hields  with  {hields  refound. 
 
 Furious  the  onfet,  infinite  th*  uproar 
 
 Of  brazen  deaths  reciprocally  fent 
 
 In  flames  and  thunder  round  th'  embattl'd  field: 
 
 Louder  the  ncife  than  when  the  rattling  hail, 
 
 Engender'd  by  the  North-wind's  freezing  pow'rs, 
 
 Lafhes  the  plains  :  not  equal  fragor  fills 
 
 The  Alps,  when  from  their  ridges  tow'rins;  high 
 
 The  fouthern  blafts  rend  afties  from  their  roots, 
 
 And  roll  them  down  the  rocks.     The  battle  reigns 
 
 In  all  its  fiercefl  terrors  :   boundlcfs  rage, 
 
 Undaunted  valour  deal  their  havoc  round, 
 
 And  fhort-liv'd  wrath  expires  in  endlefs  fame. 
 
 The  fcales  of  victory  long  uncertain  hung 
 
 To  neither  fide  inclin'd.     Here  flood  the  Turks 
 
 In  numbers  far  fuperior,  here  the  Poles 
 
 More  formidable,  though  with  fmaller  wings. 
 
 But  what  the  foft  Cydonians?  What  the  train 
 
 Of  timid  Da  bees  f  What  the  Concanans 
 
 Effeminate,  too  tender  for  the  fight? 
 
 Or  what  the  Seres  ?  What  the  Parihians  fkill'd 
 
 Behind  their  backs  to  whirl  the  hoftile  dart 
 
 As  on  their  racing  fteeds  they  quit  the  plain? 
 
 What  were  Cilicians,  what  the  Sarmatans, 
 
 Before  their  foes,  which  hung  upon  their  flight, 
 
 And  mow'd  them  down  in  death  ?  Here  the  brave  Poles, 
 
 The  Lithuanians  brave  rufh'd  on  their  foes, 
 
 Rdiftlefs  as  the  thunder's  double  bolt 
 
 Launch'd 
 
2'6  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Launch'd  from  the  burfling  clouds,  or  like  a  flood 
 
 Which  in  two  torrents  from  fome  rocky  ridge 
 
 Rolls  down  its  weight  of  waters,  fweeps  away 
 
 The  grazing  herds,  and  bears  the  ftately  woods 
 
 In  crafhing  ruin  headlong  to  the  plain. 
 
 The  Prujjiam  pointed  with  well-levell'd  aim 
 
 Their  brazen  tubes,  and  fulmin'd  on  the  foes 
 
 In  thoufand  flaming  deaths.     Livonia 's  fons 
 
 Bore  in  the  battle  a  diftingutfhed  (hare, 
 
 And  fhar'd  thepraife.     Where  RuJJias  banners  wavM 
 
 Great  actions  were  achieved,  all  refolute 
 
 And  prodigal  of  life.     The  Turkijh  moons 
 
 Now  wander'd  thro*  the  field,  torn  from  their  {laves 
 
 Their  ftandards  too  were  fcatter'd  through  the  air. 
 
 And  all  the  Ottoman  cavalry  and  foot 
 
 In  frame  and  terror  fled  thJ  enfanguin'd  field, 
 
 An  hideous  rout.     Valour  not  multitude 
 
 Avails  in  battle.     Thus  a  fingle  axe 
 
 Lays  a  whole  foreft  level  with  the  ground  ; 
 
 Thus  a  few  eagles  on  refounding  wings 
 
 Sail  through  the  fkies,  and  chafe  a  thoufand  doves. 
 
 Soon  as  th'  Edonian  fquadrons  had  withdrawn 
 
 What  a  dire  fpeclacle  the  plains  difclos'd  ? 
 
 What  an  extent  of  ground  was  cover'd  o'er 
 
 With  ghaftly  bodies  all  outftretch'd  in  death? 
 
 Here  one  Bajhaw  lay  welt'ring  in  his  blood, 
 
 And  here  another  horrible  to  fight 
 
 With  rigid  teeth  ftill  bit  the  Polijh  fpear  ; 
 
 While  round  their  chiefs  transfix'd  with  darts  were 
 
 fpread 
 Their  flaughter'd  foldiers.     Vaunting  Caracas 
 Here  lay  a  mangled  corpfe  expos'd  and  bare, 
 His  inaufpicious  promife  unfulfilPd 
 Under  his  proud  pavilion  to  regale 
 At  night  the  Sultan  with  voluptuous  fare. 
 
 Thus 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATT  S.  267 
 
 Thus  heav'n  prefumptuous  confidence  confounds, 
 And  laughs  to  fee  vain  mortals  hoift  the  fails 
 Of  tow'ring  hopes,  and  never  afk  its  aid. 
 But  why  mould  I  relate  to  plodding  bulls 
 Battles  more  fit  for  warlike  horfe  to  hear  ? 
 Or  rather  ceafe,  my  barbarous  mufe  :  the  theme 
 Is  much  too  elevate  for  ruftic  lays. 
 Pofterity  thefe  wonders  mall  refound 
 In  fongs  of  equal  glory.     See  the  night 
 Advances,  from  the  fteep  of  heav'n  defcends 
 The  evening-ftar  on  burning  wheels,  and  gives 
 The  fignal  for  the  ploughmen  and  their  teams 
 To  quit  the  fields,  and  feek  their  homes  and  reft. 
 
 Br.  Watts's   paraphrafe  and  improvements 
 are  as  follow  : 
 
 The  celebrated  Viclory  of  the  Poles  over  Ofman 
 the  Turkifh  Emperor  in  the  Dacian  Battle 
 iranjlated  from  Cafimire  Book  4,  Ode  4,  with 
 large  additions  *. 
 
 Gadorf,  the  old,  the  wealthy,  and  the  ftrong, 
 Chearful  in  years  (nor  of  the  heroic  mufe 
 
 Unknowing 
 
 *  Cafimire  was  a  very  favourite  poet  with  Dr.  Watts,  for 
 thus  he  fpeaks  of  him  in  his  Preface  to  his  Lyric  Poems. 
 "  The  imitations  of  that  nobleft  Latin  poet  of  modern 
 '*  ages  Cafimire  Sarbievofii  of  Poland  would  need  no  ex- 
 "  cufe  did  they  but  arife  to  the  beauty  of  the  original.  I 
 "  have  often  taken  the  freedom  to  add  ten  or  twenty  lines, 
 "  or  to  leave  out  as  many  that  I  might  fuit  my  fong  m»re 
 «  to  my  own  defign,  or  becaufe  I  faw  it  impoflible  to  pre- 
 "  fent  the  force,  the  finenefs,  and  the  fire  of  his  expreffion 
 <<  in  our  language.     There   are  a  few  copies  wherein  I 
 
 "  borrowed 
 
269  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Unknowing  nor  unknown)  held  fair  pofteilions 
 Where  flows  the  fruitful  Danube.     Seventy  fprings 
 
 Smil'tt 
 
 *'  borrowed  fome  hints  from  the  fame  author  without  the 
 *'  mention  of  his  name  in  the  title."  I  have  now  in  my 
 ftudy  Cafimire's  poems,  in  the  quarto  edition,  the  very  book 
 which  was  Dr.  JVattis.  At  the  head  of  the  29th  ode  of 
 the  fourth  book,  inferibed  Ad  Equites  Polonos  anno  1630, 
 the  Doclor  has  written,  Carmen  Saculare  Horatiano  fuh- 
 limius*  Even  when  the  Do&or  pafTes  a  cenfure  upon  fome 
 paflages  in  his  poems  he  has  done  it  in  fuch  a  manner  as 
 more  than  to  compenfate  it  with  his  praifes,  as  when  he 
 fays,  fpeaking  of  our  judgment  upon  books  in  his  Firfl  Part 
 of  the  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  chap.  5.  §  10.  ««  You 
 "  ihall  hear  Altifino  not  only  admire  Caftmire  of  Poland  in 
 "  his  Lyrics  as  the  utmoft  purity  and  perfection  of  Latin 
 "  poefy,  but  he  will  allow  nothing  in  him  to  be  extrava- 
 "  gant  or  faulty,  and  will  vindicate  every  line.  Nor  can 
 "  I  much  wonder  at  it  when  I  have  heard  him  pronounce 
 "  Lucan  the  bell  of  the  ancient  Latins,  and  idolize  his  very 
 "  weaknefies  and  miftakes.  I  will  readily  acknowledge 
 "  the  odes  of  Caftmire  to  have  more  fpirit  and  force,  more 
 44  magnificence  and  fire  in  them,  and  in  twenty  places  arife 
 *'  to  more  dignity  and  beauty  than  I  could  ever  meet  with 
 *'  in  any  of  our  modern  poets.  Yet  I  am  afraid  to  fay 
 "  that  P  alia  fui  His  e  Luce,  a  robe  ft  itched together  of  light , 
 "  has  dignity  enough  for  the  drefs  of  the  Almighty,  lib.  4. 
 "  ode  7.  1.  37.  or  that  the  man  of  virtue,  lib.  4.  ode  3. 
 t(  1.  44.  under  the  ruins  of  heaven  and  earth  will  bear  up  the 
 ct  fragments  of  the  falling  world  ivith  a  comely  wound  on  his 
 «<  Jhoulders." 
 
 *              late  ruenti 
 Subjiciens  fua  colla  ccelo 
 Mundum  decoro  vulnere  fulciet ; 
 Interque  cceli  fragmina 
 
 "  Yet  I  mud  needs  confefs  alfo  that  'tis  hardly  poflible  a 
 c'  man  mould  rife  to  fo  exalted  and  fublime  a  vein  ©f 
 
 "  poefy 
 
Da.   IS  A  AC     WATTS.  269 
 
 Smil'd  on  his  feed,  and  feventy  harvefl- moons 
 
 Fill'd  his  wide  granaries  with  autumnal  joy. 
 
 Still  he  refum'd  his  toils,  and  fame  reports, 
 
 While  he  broke  up  new  ground,  and  tir'd  his  plough 
 
 In  grafly  furrows,  the  torn  earth  difclos'd 
 
 Helmets  and  fwords,  bright  furniture  of  war 
 
 Sleeping  in  duft,  and  heaps  of  mighty  bones. 
 
 The  fun  defcending  to  the  weftern  deep 
 
 Bid  him  lie  down  and  reft ;  he  loos'd  the  yoke^ 
 
 Yet  held  his  wearied  oxen  from  their  food 
 
 With  charming  numbers  and  uncommon  fong. 
 
 Go,  fellow  labourers,  you  may  rove  fecure 
 Or  feed  befide  me ;  tafte  the  greens  and  boughs 
 That  you  have  long  forgot,  crop  the  fweet  herb, 
 And  graze  in  fafety,  while  the  victor  Pole 
 Leans  on  his  fpear  and  breathes,  yet  ftill  his  eye 
 Jealous  and  fierce.     How  large,  old  foldier,  fay 
 How  fair  an  harveft  of  the  flaughter'd  Turks 
 Strew'd  the  Moldavian  fields  ?  What  mighty  piles 
 Of  vaft  deftruclion  and  of  Tbracian  dead 
 Fill  and  amaze  my  eyes  ?   Broad  bucklers  lie, 
 A  vain  defence,  fpread  o'er  the  pathlefs  hills, 
 And  coats  of  fcaly  fteel,  and  hard  habergeon 
 Deep-bruis'd,  and  empty  of  Mahometan  limbs. 
 This  the  fierce  Saracen  wore,  for  when  a  boy 
 I  was  their  captive  and  remind  their  drefs, 
 
 M  poefy  as  Cafimire,  who  is  not  in  danger  now  and  then 
 '*  of  fuch  extravagancies,  but  Mill  they  ihould  not  be  ad- 
 '*  mired,  or  defended,  if  we  pretend  to  pafs  ajuftjudg- 
 "  ment  on  the  writings  of  the  greater;:  men."  What  en- 
 comium is  here  ?  The  Doclor  only  fays  that  there  are  fpots 
 in  the  fun. 
 
 f  The  Doctor  has  happily  changed  the  name  Galefus  in 
 Cafimire  to  that  of  Gadcr,  which  has  a  found  in  it  not  ill 
 adapted  to  an  inhabitant  of  Dacia* 
 
 Here 
 
»7o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Here  the  Polonians  dreadful  march'd  along 
 
 In  auguft  port  and  regular  array 
 
 Led  on  to  conqueft  :  here  the  Turkijh  chief 
 
 Prefumptuous  trod,  and  in  rude  order  rang'd 
 
 His  long  battalions,  while  his  populous  towns 
 
 Pour'd  out  frefh  troops  perpetual,  dreft  in  armsj 
 
 Horrent  in  mail,  and  gay  in  fpangled  pride. 
 
 O  the  dire  image  of  the  bloody  fight 
 Thefe  eyes  have  feen,  when  the  capacious  plain 
 Was  throng'd  with  Dacian  fpears^  when  polifh'd  helms.* 
 And  convex  gold  blaz'd  thick  againft  the  fun 
 Reftoring  all  his  beams,  but  frowning  war 
 All  gloomy,  like  a  gather'd  tempeft,  flood 
 Wavering  and  doubtful  where  to  bend  its  fall  ! 
 
 The  ftorm  of  mifiive  fteel  delay'd  awhile 
 By  wife  command  :  fledg'd  arrows  on  the  nerve, 
 And  fcymeter  and  fabre  bore  the  (heath 
 ReluChnt,  till  the  hollow  brazen  clouds 
 Had  bellow'd  from  each  quarter  of  the  field 
 Loud  thunder,  and  difgorg'd  their  fulphurous  fire  5 
 Then  banners  wav'd,  and  arms  were  mix'd  with  arms* 
 Then  javelins  anfwer'd  javelins  as  they  fled* 
 For  both  fled  hilling  death.     With  adverfe  edge 
 The  crooked  falchions  met,  and  hideous  noife 
 From  clafhing  fhields  through  the  long  ranks  of  war 
 Clang'd  horrible.     A  thoufand  iron  dorms 
 Roar  diverfe,  and  in  harfh  confufion  drown 
 The  trumpet's  filver  found.     O  rude  effort 
 Of  harmony  !  Not  all  the  frozen  ftores 
 Of  the  cold  North,  when  pour'd  in  rattling  hail, 
 Laih  with  fuch  madnefs  the  Norwegian  plains, 
 Or  fo  torment  the  ear :   fcarce  founds  fo  far 
 The  direful  fraeor,  when  fome  fouthern  blaft 
 Tears  from  the  Aipi  a  ridge  of  knotty  oaks 
 Dccp-fang'd  and  ancient  tenants  of  the  rock  : 
 The  maflv  fragment  many  a  rood  in  length 
 
 With 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  271 
 
 With  hideous  crafh  rolls  down  the  rugged  cliff 
 Reilftlefs,  plunging  in  the  fubjec~t  lake 
 Como'  or  Lugaine,  th'  afflicted  waters  roar, 
 And  various  thunder  all  the  valley  fills  : 
 Such  was  the  noife  of  war  !  The  troubled  air 
 Complains  aloud,  and  propagates  the  din 
 To  neighbouring  regions  ;  rocks  and  lofty  hills 
 Beat  the  impetuous  echoes  round  the  iky. 
 
 Uproar,  revenge,  and  rage,  and  hate  appear 
 In  all  their  murderous  forms,  and  flame,  and  blood, 
 And  fweat,  and  duft  array  the  broad  campaign 
 In  horror  j  hafty  feet,  and  fparkling  eyes, 
 And  all  the  favage  paflions  of  the  foul 
 Engage  in  the  warm  bufinefs  of  the  day. 
 Here  mingling  hands,  but  with  no  friendly  gripe, 
 Join  in  the  fight,  and  breads  in  clofe  embrace., 
 But  mortal  as  the  iron  arms  of  death  : 
 Here  words  auftere  of  perilous  command, 
 And  valour  fwift  t' obey  j  bold  feats  of  arms, 
 Dreadful  to  fee  and  glorious  to  relate^ 
 Shine  through  the  field  with  more  furprizing  brightnefs 
 Than  glitt'ring  helms  or  fpears.     What  loud  applaufe, 
 Bed  meed  of  warlike  toil,  what  manly  fhouts, 
 And  yells  unmanly  through  the  battle  rine, 
 And  fudden  wrath  dies  into  endleis  fame? 
 
 Long  did  the  fate  of  war  hang  dubious.     Here 
 Stood  the  more  numerous  Turk,  the  valiant  Pole 
 Fought  here,  more  dreadful,  though  with  leffer  wings. 
 
 But  what  the  Dabees,  or  the  coward  foul 
 Of  a  Cydonian?  What  the  fearful  crouds 
 Of  bafe  Ciliciam  'fcaping  from  the  {laughter, 
 Or  Parthian  beads  with  all  their  racing  riders, 
 What  could  they  mean  againft  the  intrepid  brefift 
 Of  the  purfuing  foe  ?   Th'  impetuous  Poles 
 Rufli  here,  and  here  the  Lithuanian  horfe 
 Drive  down  upon  them  like  a  double  bolt 
 
 Of 
 
27*  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Of  kindled  thunder  raging  through  the  fky 
 
 On  founding  wheels  !   Or  as  fome  mighty  flood 
 
 Rolls  his  two  torrents  down  a  dreadful  fteep 
 
 Precipitant,  and  bears  along  the  ftream 
 
 Rocks,  woods,  and  trees  with  all  the  grazing  herds. 
 
 And  tumbles  lofty  forefts  to  the  plain. 
 
 The  bold  BoruJJtan  fmoking  from  afar 
 Moves  like  a  tempeftin  a  duiky  cloud, 
 And  imitates  th'  artillery  of  heav'n, 
 The  lightning  and  the  roar.     Amazing  fcene  ! 
 What  fhow'rs  of  mortal  hail  !  What  flaky  fires 
 Burft  from  the  darknefs,  while  their  cohorts  firm 
 Met  the  like  thunder  and  an  equal  florm 
 From  hoftile  troops  but  with  a  braver  mind  ! 
 Undaunted  bofoms  tempt  the  edge  of  war, 
 And  rum  on  the  (harp  point,  while  baleful  mifchiefs, 
 Deaths,  and  bright  dangers  flew  acrofs  the  field 
 Thick  and  continual,  and  a  thoufand  fouls 
 Fled  murmuring  through  their  wounds.    I  flood  aloof, 
 For  'twas  unfafe  to  come  within  the  wind 
 Of  Ruffian  banners,  when  with  whizzing  found, 
 Eager  of  glory,  and  profufe  of  life, 
 They  bore  down  fcarlefs  on  the  charging  foes, 
 And  drove  them  backward.    Then  the  Turkijh  moons  * 
 Wander'd  in  difarray.     A  dark  eclipfe 
 Hung  on  the  filver  crefcent  boding  night, 
 Long  night,  to  all  her  fons  ;  at  length  difrob'd 
 The  ftandards  fell,  the  barbarous  enfigns  torn 
 Fled  with  the  wind,  the  fport  of  angry  heav'n, 
 And  a  large  cloud  of  infantry  and  horfe 
 Scatt'ring  in  wild  diforder  fpread  the  plain. 
 
 Not  noife,  nor  number,  nor  the  brawny  limb 
 Nor  high  built  fize  prevails.     'Tis  courage  fights, 
 
 *  The  Ttirkijh  ftandards  are  diftinguiflied  by  the  figure 
 of  the  moon  upon  them. 
 
 'Tis 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  3.7  f 
 
 Tis  courage  conquers.     So  whole  forefts  fall, 
 
 A  fpacious  ruin,  by  one  fingle  ax, 
 
 And  fteel  well-fharpen'd ;   fo  a  generous  pair 
 
 Of  young-wing'd  eaglets  fright  a  thoufand  doves.- 
 
 Vaft  was  the  Slaughter,  and  the  flow'ry  green 
 Drank  deep  of  flowing  crimfon.     Veteran  bands 
 Here  made  their  laft  campaign.     Here  haughty  chiefs 
 Stretch'd  on  the  bed  of  purple  honour  lie 
 Supine,  nor  dream  of  battle's  hard  event, 
 Opprefs'd  with  iron  flumbers  and  long  night : 
 Their  ghofts  indignant  to  the  nether  world 
 Fled  but  attended  well,  for  at  their  fide 
 Some  faithful  Janizaries  ftrew'd  the  field 
 FalPn  in  juft  ranks  or  wedges,  lunes  or  fquaresj 
 Firm  as  they  flood  ;  to  the  Warfovian  troops 
 A  nobler  toil  and  triumph  worth  their  fight. 
 But  the  broad  fabre  and  keen  poll-ax  flew 
 With  fpeedy  terror  through  the  feebler  herd, 
 And  made  rude  havoc  and  irregular  fpoil 
 Among  the  vulgar  bands  which  own'd  the  name 
 Of  Mahomet.     The  wild  Arabians  fled 
 In  fwift  affright  a  thoufand  different  ways 
 Through  brakes  and  thorns,  and  climb'd  the  craggy 
 
 mountains 
 Bellowing,  yet  hafty  fate  o'ertook  the  cry, 
 And  Polijh  hunters  clave  the  tim'rous  deer. 
 
 Thus  the  dire  profpecl  diftant  fill'd  my  foul 
 With  awe,  till  the  laft  relics  of  the  war 
 The  thin  Edonians  flying  had  difclos'd 
 The  ghaftly  plain  :  I  took  a  nearer  view 
 Unfeemly  to  the  fight,  nor  to  the  fmell 
 Grateful.    What  loads  of  mangled  flefh  and  limbs, 
 A  difmal  carnage,  bath'd  in  reeking  gore 
 Lay  weltring  on  the  ground,  while  flitting  life 
 Convuls'd  the  nerves  ftill  fniv'ring,  nor  had  loft 
 All  tafte  of  pain  !  Here  an  old  Tbracian  lies 
 
 T  Deform'd 
 
:74  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Deform'd  with  years  and  fears,  and  groans  aloud 
 
 Torn  with  frcfli  wounds,  but  inward  vitals  firm 
 
 Forbid  the  foul's  remove,  and  chain  it  down 
 
 By  the  hard  laws  of  nature  to  fuftain 
 
 Long  torment ;  his  wild  eye-balls  roll,  his  teeth 
 
 Gnaftiing  with  anguifh,  chide  his  ling'ring  fate: 
 
 Emblazon'd  armour  fpoke  his  high  command 
 
 Among  the  neighbouring  dead  ;   they  round  their  Lord 
 
 Lay  proftrate;  fome  in  flight  ignobly  flain, 
 
 Some  to  the  fkies  their  faces  upwards  turn'd 
 
 Still  brave,  and  proud  to  die  fo  near  their  prince. 
 
 I  mov'd  not  far,  and  lo  at  manly  length* 
 Two  beauteous  youths  of  richeft  Ottoman  blood 
 Extended  on  the  field,  in  friendmip  join'd, 
 Nor  fate  divides  them  :   hardy  warriors  both, 
 Both  faithful,  drown'd  in  fhow'rs  of  darts  they  fell 
 Each  with  his  (hield  fpread  o'er  his  lover's  heart, 
 In  vain,  for  on  thofe  orbs  of  friendly  brafs 
 Stood  groves  of  javelins.     Some,  alas,  too  deep 
 Were  planted  there,  and  through  their  lovely  bofoms 
 Made  painful  avenues  for  cruel  death. 
 
 0  my  dear  native  land,  forgive  the  tear 
 
 1  dropt  on  their  wan  cheeks,  when  ftrong  compafiio* 
 Pour'd  from  my  melting  eyes  the  briny  dew, 
 
 And  paid  a  facrifice  to  hoftile  virtue  : 
 
 Dacia,  forgive  the  figh  that  wifli'd  the  fouls 
 
 Of  thofe  fair  infidels  fome  humble  place 
 
 Among  the  bleft.     "  Sleep,  fleep,  ye  haplefs  pair, 
 
 "  Gently,  I  cry'd,  worthy  of  better  fate 
 
 "   And  better  faith."     Hard  by  the  general  lay 
 
 Of  Saracen  defcent,  a  grizly  form 
 
 *  This  tender  affedling  fcene  of  the  Ottoman  youths  is 
 the  entire  invention  of  Dr.  Watts.  He  has  run  the  defcrip- 
 tion  into  almoit  twenty  lines,  and  they  are  in  my  opinion 
 lull  of  nature  and  poetry. 
 
 Brcathlefs, 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  275 
 
 Breathlefs,  yet  pride  fat  pale  upon  his  front 
 Jn  disappointment,  with  a  furly  brow 
 Low'ring  in  death*  and  vcx'd  :  his  rigid  jaws 
 Foaming  with  blood  bite  hard  the  PoliJJj  fpcrir : 
 In  that  dread  vifage  my  remembrance  reads 
 Ra(h  Caracas.     In  vain  the  boafting  Have 
 Promis'd,  and  footh'd  the  Sutton  threatens  fierce 
 With  royal  (uppers,  and  triumphant  fare 
 Spread  wide  beneath  Warfovian  filk  and  geld. 
 See  on  the  naked  ground  all  cold  he  lies 
 Beneath  the  damp  wide  covering  of  the  air, 
 Forgetful  of  his  word.     How  heav'n  confounds 
 Infulting  hope?,  with  what  an  awful  fmile 
 Laughs  at  the  proud.,  who  loofen  all   the  reins 
 To  their  unbounded  wifhes,  and  leads  on 
 Their  blind  ambition  to  a  fhameful  end  ! 
 
 But  whither  am  I  borne  ?  This  thought  of  arms 
 Fires  me  in  vain  to  fing  to  fenfelefs  bulls 
 What  generous  horfc  fhould  hear.  Break  off,  my  Cong, 
 My  barbarous  mufe  be  ftill.     Immortal  deeds 
 Mud  not  be  thus  prophan'd  In  ruftic  verfe  : 
 The  martial  trumpet,  and  the  following  a^e, 
 And  growing  fame  (hall  loud  rehenrfe  the  nVht 
 In  founds  of  glory.     Lo,   the  evening  flur 
 Shines  o'er  the  weftern  hill.     My  ftxen,  come, 
 The  well-known  flar  invites  the  labourer  home. 
 
 Having  laid  before  my  readers,  if  I  mif* 
 take  not,  a  bright  fpecimen  of  Dr.  Watts\  ta- 
 lents in  enlarging  and  adorning  the  poetical 
 compofures  of  others  in  his  happy  improve- 
 ments of  the  above  recited  ode  of  Cajmire, 
 I  lhall  produce  another  example  of  the  fame 
 kind  in  which  he  appears  to  have  bellowed 
 ibme  noble  decorations  upon  a  very  fine  poem 
 by  another  hand. 
 
 T  2  An 
 
,76  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 An  ode  was  publimed  in  the  time  of  Queen 
 Ann   by   S.  Cobb   M.  A.    entitled  the  Female 
 Reign  alluding  to  Horace  B.  iv.  Od.  14,  at- 
 tempted in  the  ftyle  of  Pindar  occafioned    by 
 the  wonderful  fuccefs  of  her  majefty's   arms, 
 and  her  allies.     cc  This  poem,  fays  the  Dottor, 
 "  (in  a    note  on  the  title-page   of  the  copy 
 <e  he  himfelf  gave  me  not  many  years  before 
 <c  his     death  with    his   emendations)    in    my 
 cc  opinion  is   the  trueft    and   belt.  Pindaric  I 
 cc  ever   read,  yet  I  thought  fome  parts  of  it 
 cf  were  capable  of  improvement,  I  have  there - 
 cc  fore  taken    fome   pains,  and   much  liberty 
 cc  with   it  to  form   it   entirely  to  my  tafte." 
 The  ode  with  the  Dcfior's  alterations  inferted 
 into  it  I   mail  prefent  to  the  public,  and  the 
 original  words  of  Mr.  Cobb  are  placed  at  the 
 foot  of  every  flanza,  the  altered  lines  of  which 
 are  marked,   1,  2,  3,  fcfr. 
 
 I. 
 
 What  can  the  Britijh  fenate  give 
 To  make  the  name  of  Anna  live  ? 
 
 *  By  future  kings  and  fhepherds  fung, 
 
 *  The  labour  and  the  joy  of  every  grateful  tongue. 
 Can  faithful  regifters  or  rhyme 
 
 In  charming  eloquence,  or  fprightly  wit, 
 The  wonders  of  her  reign  tranfmit 
 
 To  th'  unborn  children  of  fucceeding  time  ? 
 
 Can  Painter's  oil,  or  Statuary's  art 
 Eternity  to  her  impart  ? 
 
 3  No  :  thefe  are  all  but  empty  things : 
 
 Let  titled  ftatues,  marble  honours,  rife  * 
 
 Infcrib'd 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WAtTS.  zr 
 
 Infer  ib'd  to  pride  and  fwcll'd  with  lies,  * 
 
 When  flatt'ry  pays  her  facrifice  4 
 
 To  lawlefs  Ner'os,  or  Bourbonian  kings  : 
 
 True  Virtue  to  her  kindred  ftars  afpires, 
 Does  all  our  pomp  of  done  and  verfe  furpafs, 
 
 And,  mingling  with  setherial  fires, 
 
 No  ufelefs  ornament  requires 
 From  fpeaking  colours,  or  from  breathing  brafs. 
 
 1  By  future  people  to  be  fung, 
 
 2  The  labour  of  each  grateful  tongue. 
 
 3  No.  Titled  flatues  are  but  empty  things  : 
 
 4  hifcriVd  to  royal  vanity, 
 The  facrifice  of  flattery. 
 
 II. 
 
 Greateft  of  princes  !  where  the  wand'ring  fun 
 Does  o'er  earth's  habitable  regions  roll, 
 
 And  fees  thy  race  of  glory  run 
 
 With  fwiftnefs  equal  to  his  own 
 From  th'  eaftern  barriers  to  the  weflern  goal, 
 Thee  on  the  banks  of  Flandrian  Scaldis  fings 
 
 The  jocund  fwain,  releas'd  from  Gallic  fear,  s 
 Thee  the  repeating  banks,  thee  every  valley  rings, 
 
 And  fmiling  meadows  hear.  6 
 
 The  Gaul,  untaught  to  bear  the  flames 
 
 Of  men  who  drink  the  Tweed  or  Thames,  7 
 
 From  the  Britannic  valour  flies, 
 No  longer  able  to  withftand 
 The  thunderbolt  launch'd  by  a  female  hand, 
 
 Or  lightning  darted  from  her  eyes. 
 
 5  "  The  Englijh  voice  unus'd  to  hear."     Omitted9 
 
 6  Inferted. 
 
 7  Ofthofewho  drink  the  Maefe  or  Thames. 
 
 III. 
 What  treble  ruin  pious  Anna  brings 
 On  falfe  Electors,  perjur'd  Kings, 
 
 T3  Let 
 
»;g  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Let  the  twice  fugitive  Bavarian  tell, 
 Who  from  his  airy  hope  of  better  (late 
 By  Kifl  of  fway,   irregularly  great, 
 Like  an  apoftate  angel,  fell. 
 
 8  He,  by  imperial  favour  rais'd, 
 
 9  In  higheft  rank  of  glory  blaz'd  ; 
 And  had  till  now  unrivai'd  fh one- 
 More  than  a  King,  contented  with  his  own  : 
 
 But  Lucifer's  bold  fteps  he  trod, 
 
 Who  durft  affault  the  throne  of  God, 
 And  for  contended  realms  of  blifsful  light 
 
 Gain'd  the  fad  privilege  to  be 
 
 The  firft  in  folid  mifery, 
 Monarch  of  hell,  and  woes,  and  endlefs  night. 
 
 Corruption  of  the  bed  is  worft, 
 And  foul  ambition,  like  an  evil  wind, 
 Biights  the  fair  bloflbms  of  a  noble  mind  ; 
 And  if  a  Seraph  fall,  he's  doubly  curs'd. 
 
 2  Who,    by  &c.  %  P  &  higheft,  &c. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Had  guile,  and  pride,  and  envy  grown 
 In  the  black  groves  of  Styx  alone, 
 
 1  Nor  earth  the  baleful  mifchiefs  known, 
 The  fwain,  without  amaze,  had  till'd 
 The  Flandrian  glebe,   a  guiltlefs  field  : 
 
 *  Nor  broken  fword,  nor  batter'd  (hield, 
 
 2  Nor  magazines  of  death  had  found, 
 
 *  Nor  bones  of  heroes  in  the  furrow'd  ground  : 
 No  crimfon  ftreams  had  lately  fwell'd 
 
 The  DyU9  the  Danube,  and  the  Scheldt 
 But  evils  are  of  neceflary  growth 
 
 To  roufe  the  brave,  and  banifh  floth, 
 And  fome  are  born  to  win  the  ftars 
 By  fvveat,  and  blood,  and  worthy  fears. 
 
 Heroic 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  z79 
 
 Heroic  virtue  is  by  action  fecn, 
 
 3  Vice  only  fervcs  to  make  it  keen  ; 
 
 And,  as  gigantic  tyrants  rife, 
 
 Nafjaus  and  Annas  leave  the  fkies 
 
 The  earth-born  mongers  to  chaftife  ; 
 
 While  Cerberus  and  Hydra  grow 
 For  an  Alcidcs,  or  a  Marlborough, 
 
 1  Nor  ever  had  on  earth  the  baleful  crop  been  [own  : 
 *  Nor  had  he  zuoud'red  when  he  found 
 
 The  bones  of  heroes  in  the  ground. 
 3  And  vices  ferve,  &c. 
 
 V. 
 
 If,  heav'nly  mufe,  you  burn  with  a  defire 
 To  praife  the  man  whom  all  admire  : 
 Come  from  your  4learn'd  Cajlalian  fittings, 
 
 And  ftretch  aloft  *  your  Pcgafcan  wings  j 
 Srike  the  loud  Pyndaric  firings, 
 Like  the  lark,  who  foars  and  fino-s  : 
 And,  as  you  fail  the  liquid  fkies, 
 
 Call  on  f  Menapian  fields  your  weepin'>eves : 
 (For  weep  they  furely  mud: 
 
 To  fee  the  bloody  annual  facrificc, 
 To  think  how  the  neglected  dull, 
 Which,  with  contempt,  is  b.ik-ly  trod, 
 
 Was  once  the  limbs  of  captains,   brave  and  juft, 
 The  mortal  part  of  fome  great  demy-God  : 
 
 6  They  for  thrice  fifty  years  of  ftubborn  war, 
 With  flaughi'ring  arms  the  gun  and  (word, 
 Have  dug  the  mighty  fepulchre, 
 And  fall'n  as  martyrs  on  record 
 
 Of  tyranny  reveng'd,  and  liberty  reftoi'd.) 
 
 4  Come  from  thy,  $zc. 
 
 s   And Jr etch  aloft  thy,  &c 
 
 6  Who  for  thrice,  kc. 
 
 The  Vunapii  were  the  ancient  inhabitants  of  Flanders. 
 T  4  Sec, 
 
jgc  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 VI. 
 
 Sec,  where  at  Audenard,  with  heaps  of  flain, 
 TV  heroic  man,  infpir'dly  brave, 
 Mowing  acrofs,  beftrews  the  plain, 
 And  with  new  tenants  crowds  th'encumber'd  grave  73 
 His  mind  unmaken  at  the  frightful  fcene, 
 His  looks  as  cheerfully  ferene 
 The  routed  battle  to  purfue, 
 
 As  onee  adorn'd  the  Paphian  queen, 
 When  to  s  the  arms  of  Mars  her  Paramour  (he  flew. 
 
 The  gathering  troops  he  kens  from  far, 
 And  with  a  bridegroom's  paffion  and  delight, 
 Courting  the  war,  and  glowing  for  the  fight, 
 The  new  Salmoneus  meets  the  Celtic  thunderer. 
 Ah  cur  fed  pride !  infernal  dream  ! 
 Which  drove  him  to  the  wild  extreme, 
 That  dull:  9  {hould  dare  afpire  to  be 
 *  The  rival  of  divinity  ; 
 a  And,  as  thro'  wond'ring  ftreets  he  rode, 
 3  Bethought  immortal  and  afTu  me  the  God  ; 
 That4  rattling  brafs,  and  trampling  horfe 
 Should  counterfeit  th*  inimitable  force 
 Of  divine  thunder  :  horrid  crime  ! 
 But  vengeance  is  the  child  of  time, 
 And  will  too  furely  be  repay'd 
 On  his  prophane,  devoted  head, 
 Who  durft  affront  the  pow'rs  above. 
 And  their  eternal  flames  difgrace  : 
 5  How  fatal  will  the  kindled  thunder  prove, 
 
 1  i  —  the  wealthy  grave. 
 
 *  — —  to.  her  Thracian  Paramour — 
 
 9  That  dufl  a  deity  Jhould  feem. 
 
 ■  *  Be  thought^  as  thro  the  wondWing  Jlreets  he  rodex 
 
 3  Th'  immortal  man,  or  mortal  God* 
 
 4  With  rattling  brafs,    &c. 
 
 5  Too  fatal,  brandifitd  by  the  rightful  Jove. 
 
 {  When 
 
Dr.  isaac   Watts,  i*x 
 
 s  When  brand ifh'd  by  the  rightful  jfove, 
 Or  *  Pallas^  who  fupplies  his  place? 
 
 VIT. 
 The  BritiJJj  Pallas !  who,  as  *  Homer 's  did 
 For  her  iov'd  D'w?ned, 
 Her  hero's  mind  with  wifdom  fills, 
 And  heavenly  courage  in  his  heart  inftils. 
 Hence  thro*  the  thicker!  fquadrons  does  he  ride 
 With  Annas  angels  by  his  fide. 
 With  what  uncommon  fpeed 
 He  fpurs  his  foaming,  fiery  freed, 
 And  pufhes  on  thro*  midmoft  fires 
 Where  France 's  fortune  with  her  fons  retires. 
 Now  here,  now  there  the  fweepy  ruin  flies  j 
 f  As  when  the  Pleiades  arife, 
 The  fouthern  wind  affiiefs  the  fkies, 
 Then*5  roaring  thro'  the  deep,  buffets  th' unruly  brine, 
 Till  clouds  and  water  feem  to  join  ; 
 Or  as  a  dyke,  cut  by  malicious  hands, 
 O'erflowsthe  fertile  Netherlands  5 
 Thro*  the  wide  yawn  th'  impetuous  fea, 
 Lavifh  of  his  new  liberty, 
 
 *  Homer,  in  his  fifth  Iliad,  becaufe  the  "hero  of  that 
 book  is  to  do  wonders  beyond  the  power  of  man,  premifes 
 in  the  beginning,  that  Pallas  had  peculiarly  fitted  him  for 
 that  day's  exploits. 
 
 f  Indomitas  prope  qualis  undas  . 
 Exercet  Aufier,  Pleiadum  choro 
 Scindente  nubes,  impiger  hoftium 
 Vexare  turmas,  &  frementem 
 Mittere  equum  medios  per  ignes. 
 Sic  tauriformis  volvitur  Aufidus, 
 Qui  regna  Dauni  praefluit  Appuli, 
 Cumfaevit,  horrendamque  cultis    1 
 piluviem  meditaturagris. 
 
 Beftrides 
 
2$z  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Beftriucs  the  vale,  and  with  tumultuous  noifc 
 Bellows  along  the  delug'd  plain, 
 Deftru&ive  to  the  ripening  grain 
 Far  as  th'  horizon  he  dcitroys  : 
 The  weeping  fhepherd  from  an  hill  bewails  the  watry 
 
 6  ■  muttering  o'er  the  deep,  ts'c. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 So  rapid  flows  the  unprifond  ftream  ! 
 
 So  ftrong  the  force  of  Mindlcheim  ! 
 
 In  vain  the  woods  of  Audenard 
 
 Would  fhield  the  Gaul,  a  fencelefs  guard. 
 
 As  foon  may  whirlwinds  be  with-held 
 
 7  As  Marlborough  marching  crofs  the  Seheld. 
 
 In  vain  the  torrent  would  oppofe, 
 
 In  vain  arm'd  banks,  and  num'rous  foes  : 
 
 8  They  with  inglorious  hafte  retire, 
 Fly  fafter  than  the  river  flows, 
 And  fwifter  than  our  fire. 
 Vendofme  from  far  upbraids  their  nimble  fhame, 
 And  pleads  his  royal  matter's  fame, 
 "  By  Condi s  mighty  ghoft,  he  cries, 
 46  By  Luxemburg/?,  Turenne,  and  all 
 cc  Thofe  noble  fouls,  who  fell  a  facrifice 
 "  At  f  Lens,  at  Fleurus,  and  at  Lcinden  fight, 
 "  Stop,  I  conjure,  your  ignominious  flight," 
 But  fear  is  deaf  to  honour's  call. 
 Each  frowning  threat  and  foothing  prayer 
 Is  loft  in  the  regardlefs  air. 
 
 7  As  his  pajjage  o'er  the  Seheld. 
 
 8  Who  with,  &c. 
 
 t  Near  this  place  the   Prince  of  Condi  gave   the  Spa- 
 niards a  very  great  overthrow,  1678. 
 
 As 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  2S; 
 
 As  well  he  may 
 The  billows  of  the  ocean  (lay, 
 While  Churchill,  like  a  driving  wind, 
 Or  high  fpring-tide,  purfues  behind, 
 And  with  redoubled  (peed  urges  their  forward  way. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Nor  lefs,  Eitgemo^  thy  important  care, 
 Thou  fecond  thunderbolt  of  war  ! 
 Partner  in  danger  and  in  fame, 
 With  Marlborough  the  winds  fhall  bear 
 
 To  diftant  colonies  thy  conquYmg  name. 
 Nor  fhall  the  mufe  forget  to  fing 
 From  harmony  whatbleflings  fpring, 
 
 To  tell  how  death  did  envioufly  repine 
 To  fee  a  friendfhip  fo  divine, 
 
 When  in  abalPs  deitroyingfhapc  (he  pa  ft, 
 And  mark'd  thythreatn'd  brow  I  in  haftej 
 Butdurft  not  touch  that  facred  brain 
 Where  the  concerns  of  Europe  reign  ; 
 a  Surpris'd  file  bow'd  her  ghaftly  head, 
 She  faw  the  mark  of  heav'n,  and  fled. 
 
 As  cruel  Brennus  once,  infulting  Gaul, 
 When  he,  at  Alllas  fatal  flood, 
 Had  fiird  the  plains  with  Roman  blood, 
 With  confeious  awe  forfook  the  capital, 
 Where  Jove,  revenger  of  profanenefs,    flood. 
 
 1 at  lajl. 
 
 ~  For  Jlraight  fie  bow'd  her  ghajlly  head* 
 
 X. 
 
 But,  where  the  good  and  brave  command, 
 What  capitol,  what  caftle  can  withfiand  ! 
 3  Nor  Jove  will  lift  an  hoftile  hand. 
 Virtue,  as.  well  as  gold,  can  pafs 
 Thro*  walls  of  flone,  and  tow'rs  of  brafs. 
 
 Lip 
 
284  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 4  Lijle  was  the  hired  progeny 
 
 Of  Vauban's  wond'rous  fkill  ; 
 Captive  in  Lewis9  arms  me  lay, 
 Yet,   like  a  nymph  of  honour,  ftill 
 She  claim'd  the  glory  to  be  courted  long  : 
 Eugene  the  bold,  the  vigorous,  and  the  young, 
 Attacks  the  fair  with  warlike  art, 
 How  brave  in  arms  the  dauntlefs  lover  flood 
 Againft  her  frowning  thunders,  and  thro*  feas  of  blood 
 Tore  the  bright  darling  from  th'  old  tyrant's  heart  ! 
 Such  f  Buda  faw  him  when  proud  %  Apti  fell, 
 
 Unhappy,  valiant  infidel  ! 
 Who,  vanquifh'd  by  fuperior  ftrength, 
 s  Surrendered  haughtily  his  breath, 
 6  On  the  broad  breach  meafuringhis  manly  length, 
 And  fhun'd  the  bow-ftring  by  a  nobler  death. 
 
 3  Inferted. 
 
 4  Lifle,  like  a  mijlrefs,  had  been  courted  long. 
 And  always  yielded  to  the  bold  and  young  : 
 The  fairejl  progeny  ^Vauban'j  art, 
 
 Till  Savoy'*  warlike  prince  with/food 
 Her  frowning  thunders,  &c. 
 s  Surrendered  up  his  haughty  breath, 
 6  Upon  the  breach  meafuring  his  manly  length. 
 
 XI, 
 
 Such  1|  Harfcham's  field  beheld  him  in  his  bloom, 
 When  Viclory  befpoke  him  for  her  own, 
 
 f  Prince  Eugene  bore  a  confiderable  ihare  in  the  glory  of 
 that  day  on  which  Buda  was  taken. 
 
 %  He  wax  baflaw  of  the  city,  and  loft  his  life  on  the 
 breach. 
 
 ||  This  was  a  fatal  battle  to  the  Turks  in  the  year  1687. 
 Prince  Eugene  with  the  regiments  of  his  brigade  was  the 
 firft  who  entered  the  trenches,  and  for  that  reafon  had  the 
 honour  to  be  the  firft  meflenger  of  this  happy  news  to  the 
 emperor. 
 
 Her 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  285. 
 
 Her  favourite,   immortal  Ton, 
 And  told  of  better  years  revolving  on  the  loom  : 
 How  he  fhould  make  the  Turkifn  crefcent  wane, 
 
 And  choak  §  Tibifcus  with  the  flain  ; 
 7  While  flaughter'd  bafTaws  over  bafTaws  rolTd, 
 And  viziers  lay  beneath  the  lofty  pile ; 
 
 Then  all  his  numerous  acts  fhe  told 
 From  Latian  Carpi  down  to  Flandrian  Life, 
 u  Hero  (fhefaid)  each  rifmg  day 
 "  New  conquefts  (hall  produce, 
 "  Surprifing  fcenes  fliall  every  fun  furvey, 
 <c  Labour  for  envy,  and  a  mufe. 
 "  8  Here  with  her  rattling  trumpet's  found 
 "  9  Fame  fhall  (hake  the  hills  around  ; 
 cc  I0  Shall  tell  how  Webb,  nigh  woody  Wynendale, 
 <c  Argu'd  each  inch  of  the  important  ground. 
 "  So  much  in  virtue's  fcale 
 "  True  valour  numbers  can  out-do, 
 "  And  thoufands  are  but  cyphers  to  a  few.'* 
 
 7  (While  viziers  lay  beneath  the  lofty  pile 
 
 Of /laughter' d  bajfaws  who  o'er  baffaivs  rowFd) 
 
 And  all  his  numerous  a  els  fie  told 
 From  Latian  Carpi  down  to  Flandrian  Lille. 
 Where  every  day  new  conquefis  Jhould  produce , 
 
 Labour  for,  £sfa. 
 
 9  Where  with  her,  &c.  9  Fame  Jhould,  &c. 
 
 10  Should  tell,  &c. 
 
 §  This  battle  was  fought  on  the  10th  of  Oclober  1697  ; 
 where  Prince  Eugene  commanded  in  chief;  in  which 
 there  never  happened  fo  great  and  fo  terrible  a  deftruclion 
 to  the  Ottoman  army,  which  fell  upon  the  principal  com- 
 manders more  than  the  common  foldiers,  for  no  lefs  than 
 15  bafTaws  (five  of  which  had  been  viziers  of  the  bench) 
 were  killed,  befides  the  fupreme  vizier. 
 
 Honour 
 
2S6  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 XII. 
 Honour  with  open  arms  receives  at  lad 
 The  heroes,  who  thro'  Virtue's  temple  paft  j 
 
 And  fhow'rsdown  laurels  from  above 
 
 On  thofe  whom  Heavn  and  Anna  love  \ 
 
 And  fome,  not  fparingly,  fhe  throws 
 
 For  the  young  eagles,  who  could  try  ', 
 
 And  dare  the  fun  with  fteady  eye, 
 
 For  Hanover  s  and  Prujpas  brows, 
 Eugenes  in  bloom,  and  future  Marlborough^, 
 To  Hamver^  Brunfwiga's  fecond  grace, 
 Descendant  from  a  long  imperial  race, 
 The  mufedirecls  an  unaffecled  flight, 
 And  prophefies,  from  fo  ferene  a  morn, 
 
 To  what  clear  glories  he  is  born, 
 When,    blazing  with  a  full  meridian  light, 
 He  fhall  the  Britijk  hemifphere  adorn. 
 When  lAarsfhzW  lay  his  batter'd  target  down, 
 
 z  He  in  his  full- grown  harveft  of  renown, 
 
 Shall  after  his  great  father  fit, 
 
 (If  heav'n  fo  long  a  life  permit) 
 
 And,  having  fwell'd  the  flowing  tide 
 
 Of  fame,  which  he  in  arms  (hall  get, 
 
 (The  purchafe  of  an  honeft  fweat) 
 Shall  fafe  in  ftormy  feas  Britannia's  veilel  guide. 
 
 i  Omitted,  "The  faith  and  judgment  cf  the  fty" 
 1  And  he  (fincc  death  will  never  /pare 
 The  good \  the  pious^  and  the  fair) 
 i  In  hh  ripe  harvejl  of  renown. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Britannia  %  vefTel,  which,  in  Anna's  reign 
 And  prudent  pilocy,  enjoys 
 The  tempeft,  which  the  v/orld  deflroys, 
 
 And  rides  triumphant  o'er  the  fubjecl  main. 
 
 O  may  flic  foon  a  quiet  harbour  gain ! 
 
 2  And 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  287 
 
 And  fure  the  promis'd  hour  is  come, 
 When  in  fo ft  notes  the  peaceful  lyre 
 
 Shall  ftill  the  trumpet  and  the  drum, 
 Shall  play  what  gods  and  men  defire, 
 
 And  ftrike  Bellond's  mufic  dumb  ; 
 When  war,  by  parents  curlt,  fhall  quit  the  field 
 
 Unbuckle  his  bright  helmet,  and  to  reft 
 His  weary  limbs,  fit  on  his  idle  (hield 
 
 With  fears  of  honour  plow'd  upon  his  breaft. 
 But  if  the  Gallic  Pharaoh's  ftubborn  heart 
 4  Still  hardens  and  conftrains  th'  unwilling  (kies 
 
 Toactthe  laft,  ungrateful  part, 
 Thy  forces,  Anna,  like  a  flood  fhall  rife, 
 
 And  th'  unrelenting  vengeance  whelm 
 Over  his  famifh'd  defolated  realm  : 
 
 The  fons  of Pharamond  in  vain 
 (Who  with  difhoneft  envy  fee 
 The  fweet  forbidden  fruits  of  diftant  liberty) 
 ■-  Shall  curfe  their  Salic  law,  and  wifh  a  female  reign 
 
 4  Grows  frefu  for  punijlment  and  h  ar  dens  fill y 
 Prepard  for  tb*  irrecoverable  ill ; 
 And  force  th'  unwilling  files  to  acl  the  loft  ungrateful  part -t 
 Thy  forces ',  Anna,  like  a  flood fhall  zvhelm 
 (If  heav'n  does  fcepterd  innocence  maintain) 
 
 HisfamijFd,  defolated  realm, 
 And  all  the  fons  of  Pharamond  in  vain 
 s  Shall  curfe  their  rigid  Salic  law,  Zfc. 
 
 XIV. 
 A  female  reign,  like  thine, 
 O  Anna,  Britifb  heroine  ! 
 To  thee  aiHided  empires  fly  for  aid, 
 Where'er  tyrannic  fhndards  are  difplay'd, 
 From  the  wrong'd  Iber  to  the  threatned  Rhine, 
 Thee,  where  the  golden- faadedTajw  flows 
 
 Beneath 
 
228  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Beneath  fair  *  UlyJJippo's  walls 
 
 The  frighted  Lufitanian  calls  ; 
 Thee,  they  who  drink  the  Sein,  with  thofe 
 
 Who  plow  Iberian  fields,  implore 
 To  give  the  lab'ring  world  repofe, 
 
 And  univerfal  peace  rcflore  : 
 
 *  Lutetia  mournful  fcarce  furvives  the  fate 
 Of  her  fall'n  grandeur,  and  departed  ftate, 
 7  And  dares  not  whifperin  a  figh, 
 
 Ker  murder'd  and  forgotten  liberty  ; 
 s  Yet  is  by  fad  experience  taught  to  own 
 That  virtue  is  a  fafer  way  to  rife, 
 
 A  fhorter  paflage  to  the  fkies 
 
 Than  Pelion  upon  f  Offa  thrown : 
 *  Giants,  whofe  vain  attempts  afpire 
 To  reach  the  ftarry  thrones,  become 
 Sure  food  for  thunder  and  JEtnean  fire : 
 Their  pride  by  an  inevitable  doom 
 Gains  but  a  higher  fall,  a  mountain  for  their  tomb. 
 
 6  Thee  Gallia,  mournful  to  furvive  the  fate 
 
 7  Inferted. 
 
 8  By  fad  experience  taught  to  oivn 
 
 v  For  they  who  by  denyd  attempts  prefume 
 
 To  reach  thejlarry  thrones,  become 
 Sure  food  for  thunder ;  and  condemn  d  to  howl 
 In  i*Etna,  or  in  Arima  to  roll 
 By  an  inevitable  doom, 
 Gain  but  a  higher  fall,    &c. 
 
 I  fhall  clofe  the  examples  of  the  Doctor's  im- 
 provements of  the  poems  of  others  with  what 
 he  did  of  this  kind  in  refpect  of  Dr.  2~oungs 
 
 *  The  old  name  of  Lifcon,  faid  to  be  built  by  Vlyjfes. 
 t  Two  mountains  where  Jupiter  lodged  the  giants. 
 
 poetical 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.     .  289 
 
 poetical  paraphrafe  of  the  latter  part  of  the 
 Book  of  Job.  The  following  is  the  defcription 
 of  the  comet  by  Br.  Young : 
 
 Who  drew  the  comet  out  to  fuch  a  fize, 
 And  pour'd  his  flaming  train  o'er  half  the  fkies  ? 
 Did  thy  refentment  hang  him  out  ?   Does  he 
 Glare  on  the  nations,  and  denounce  from  thee  ? 
 
 The  lines  are  thus  altered  by  Br.  Watts* 
 
 Who  ftretch'd  the  comet  to  prodigious  fize, 
 And  pour'd  his  flaming  train  o'er  half  the  fkies  ? 
 Is't  at  thy  wrath  the  heav'nly  monfter  glares 
 O'er  the  pale  nations  to  denounce  thy  wars  *  ? 
 
 Br.  Young's  defcription  of  the  peacock  is 
 contained  in  fix  lines. 
 
 How  rich  the  peacock  ?  What  bright  glories  run 
 From  plume  to  plume,  and  vary  in  the  fun  ? 
 He  proudly  fpreads  them  to  the  golden  ray, 
 Gives  all  his  colours,  and  adorns  the  day  ; 
 With  confeious  (rate  the  fpacious  round  furveys 
 And  flowly  moves  amidft  the  waving  blaze. 
 
 Br.  Watts  has  enlarged  the  defcription  to  thir- 
 teen lines. 
 
 *  The  Doctor  informed  me  that  he  well  remembered  the 
 great  comet  which  appeared  in  1680,  and  took  up  to  the 
 eye  the  third  part  of  the  heavens.  It  is  no  wonder  when 
 fuch  a  deep  and  early  impreflion  was  made  upon  his  mind 
 (being  then  about  fix  years  old)  that  a  genius  like  his  own 
 produced  fuch  a  fine  defcription  of  the,  comet  as  his  lines 
 afford  us. 
 
 U  View 
 
29o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 View  next  the  peacock.     What  bright  glories  fun 
 From  plume  to  plume,  and  vary  in  the  fun  ? 
 Proudly  he  boafts  them  to  the  heav'nly  ray, 
 Gives  all  his  colours,  and  adorns  the  day. 
 Was  it  thy  pencil,  Job,  divinely  bold 
 Dreft  his  rich  form  in  azure,  green,  and  gold  ? 
 Thine  hand  his  head  with  ftarry  radiance  crown'd,  * 
 And  fpread  his  fweepy  train  ?  His  train  difdains  the  I 
 
 ground,  > 
 
 And  kindles  living  lamps  through  all  the  fpacious  I 
 
 round.  J 
 
 Mark  with  what  confeious  ftate  the  bird  difplays 
 His  native  gems,  and,  midft  the  waving  blaze, 
 On  the  flow  ftep  of  majefty  he  moves, 
 AfTerts  his  honours  and  demands  his  loves. 
 
 It  may  not  be  improper  to  obferve  that  theie 
 additions  which  the  Doftor  made  to  the  poems 
 of  others  are  not  to  be  confidered,  as  is  evident 
 from  what  he  fays  in  his  preface  to  the  free- 
 doms he  had  taken  with  Mr.  Cobb's  ode,  as 
 degradations  of  them,  or  as  if  he  entertained  a 
 low  opinion  concerning  them.  The  cafe,  if  I 
 am  right  in  my  conjecture,  was  really  no  other 
 than  this.  The  Doftor  read  thefe  noble  borrr- 
 pofitions,  felt  his  mufe  kindled  by  them,  in- 
 dulged the  tranfport,  and  in  that  tranfport 
 made  thefe  happy  improvements,  nourifhing 
 the  flame  where  it  appeared  too  languid,  and 
 enlarging  the  defcriptions  where  he  found  them 
 not  in  full  proportion  to  their  objects.  In  a 
 word,  becaufe  they  were  fine  productions,  there- 
 fore he  beftowed  his  pains,  and  hereby  virtually 
 palTed  his  higheft  encomiums  upon  them. 
 
 CHAP. 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  291 
 
 CHAP.     IX.   . 
 
 The  honourable  Notice  taken  of  the  Doctor  while 
 living, 
 
 PREFIXED  to  the  later  editions  of  his  Hor<e 
 Lyric*  are  feveral  copies  of  verfes.  That 
 of  the  earliefl  date  {April  17,  1706)  was  com- 
 pofed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jofeph  Standen,  which  is 
 not  deftkute  of  poetical  merit,  and  pays  the 
 highefl  honour  to  the  Doclor, 
 
 The  next  commendatory  verfes  in  order  of 
 time  {July  1706)  are  thofe  of  Mifs  Singer ,  after- 
 wards Mrs,  Rowe,  under  the  name  of  Philomela, 
 The  numbers  are  remarkably  eafy  and  flowing, 
 and  the  beauties  of  poetry,  and  the  greater!: 
 encomiums  on  the  Doclor  are  blended  together. 
 
 The  Rev.  Mr.  Henry  Grove  next  adds  his 
 commendations  in  a  copy  of  verfes  dated  Sep- 
 tember 4,  1706,  which  does  honour  to  the  au- 
 thor as  well  as  the  fubjec"t  of  them.  They  con- 
 tain an  inimitable  tendernefs  and  beauty  of  de- 
 fcription,  and  the  fublimeft  panegyric  upon  the 
 'Doclor' *s  Divine  Poems. 
 
 A  fourth  poem  is  prefixed  to  the  Dcclor's 
 Lyrics  under  the  fignature  of  Britannicus,  Who 
 the  author  of  thern  was  I  never  heard,  nor 
 have  I  any  guide  to  conjecture,  but  it  appears 
 from  his  account  of  himfelf  that  he  was  buc 
 young,  and  had  not  been  ufed  to  poetic  com- 
 U  2  pofures. 
 
292  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 pofures.  The  clofe  of  the  poem  has  fomething 
 very  noble  in  its  fentiment  and  imagery,  and 
 the  lines  are  at  once  majeftic  and  flowing  as 
 well  as  full  of  honour  to  the  Dottor. 
 
 The  only  remaining  copy  of  verfes  that  in- 
 troduces the  Doctor's  Lyrics  is  fubfcribed  Eufe- 
 bia,  who  without  doubt  was  no  lefs  a  perfon  than 
 the  Count efs  of  Hertford  afterwards  the  Duchefs  of 
 Somerfet.  The  lines  are  remarkably  eafy ,  fmooth, 
 and  poetical,  and  difcover  a  tranfcendent  efleem 
 of  the  Doctor's  genius  and  piety. 
 
 Mr.  now  Dr.  Mather  Bytes,  Paftor  of  one 
 of  the  churches  at  Bofion  in  New  England,  ad- 
 drefied  an  ode  to  the  Doctor  Feb.  i,  1727-28, 
 which  deferves  a  place  in  our  work. 
 
 To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Watts  on  his  Horae  Lyrics. 
 
 I. 
 
 Say,  fmiling  Mufe,  what  heav'nly  ftrain 
 
 Forbids  the  waves  to  roar, 
 Comes  gently  gliding  o'er  the  main, 
 
 And  charms  our  Iift'ning  more  r 
 
 II. 
 
 What  angel  ftrikes  the  trembling  firings, 
 
 And  whence  the  filver  found  ? 
 Is't  from  the  heights  where  Gabriel  fings  ? 
 
 Or  Watts  on  lower  ground  ? 
 III. 
 'Tis  thine,  feraphic  Watts  !  thy  lyre 
 
 Plays  foft  along  the  floods; 
 Thy  notes  the  anfw'ring  hills  infpire. 
 
 And  bend  the  waving  woods. 
 
 IV.  The 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  293 
 
 IV. 
 
 The  deferts,  fill'd  with  vital  drains, 
 
 A  fin i ling  verdure  fhow, 
 While  whifp'ring  o'er  the  fertile  plains 
 
 The  tuneful  breezes  blow. 
 V. 
 Such  artful  founds,  fuch  flowing  grace 
 
 Ev'n  the  rough  rocks  regale, 
 And  flow'ry  joy  fpreads  o'er  the  face 
 
 Of  ev'ry  laughing  vale* 
 VI. 
 And  thou,  my  foul,  the  tranfport  own, 
 
 Fir'd  with  immortal  heat, 
 While  dancing  pulfes  driving  on 
 
 In  cheerful  motions  beat. 
 VII. 
 Long  as  the  fun  (hall  rear  his  head, 
 
 And  chafe  the  flying  glooms, 
 When  from  the  ocean's  eaftern  bed 
 
 The  gallant  bridegroom  comes ; 
 VIII. 
 Long  as  the  dufky  evening  flies, 
 
 And  fheds  a  doubtful  light 
 Till  fhadows  thick'ning  round  the  fkies 
 
 Veft  half  the  globe  with  night, 
 IX. 
 O  JVatts,  thine  heav'nly  lays  fo  long 
 
 Shall  ev'ry  befom  fire, 
 And  ev'ry  Mufe,  and  ev'ry  tongue 
 
 To  fpeak  thy  praife  confpire: 
 
 X. 
 When  thy  fair  foul  {hall  on  the  wing 
 
 Of  fhouting  feraphs  rife 
 Then  with  fupericr  fweetnefs  ling 
 
 Amid  thy  native  fkics  : 
 
 U  3  XI.  Stilt, 
 
29V  MEMOIRS     O  F 
 
 XL 
 
 Still,  as  thy  gentle  numbers  flow 
 
 Melodious  and  divine, 
 Angels  above  and  faints  below 
 
 The  deathlefs  chorus  join  : 
 
 XII. 
 To  our  far  fhore,  the  found  fhall  roll, 
 
 As  Philomela  *  fung, 
 And  Eaft  to  Weft,  and  pole  to  pole, 
 
 Th'  eternal  tune  prolong. 
 
 Befides  the  above  poems  in  honour  of  the 
 Dotlor  I  have  met  with  another  faid  to  be 
 written  by  a  youth  of  17  years  of  age,  which 
 breathes  a  warm  refpect  and  veneration  for 
 him,  and  in  fbme  of  its  verfes  at  leaft  is  truly 
 poetical. 
 
 *  I  fuppofe  Dr.  Byles  here  refers  to  the  Iaft  ftanzas  in 
 the  poem  Mrs.  Roive  wrote  in  honour  to  the  DoSior  under 
 the  name  of  Philomela,  and  which  we  find  prefixed  to  his 
 Her  a  Lyrica- 
 
 With  fuch  a  graceful  harmony 
 
 Thy  numbers  ftill  prolong, 
 And  let  remoteft  lands  reply, 
 
 And  echo  to  thy  feng; 
 
 Far  as  the  diftant  regions,  where 
 
 The  beauteeus  morning  fprings, 
 
 And  fcatters  odours  through  the  air 
 From  her  refplendent  wings, 
 
 Unto  the  new-found  realms,  which  fee 
 
 The  latter  fun  arife, 
 When  with  an  eafy  progrefs  he 
 
 Rolic  down  the  nether  fkics. 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  295 
 
 To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Watts. 
 
 Uluflrious  Watts!  accept  thefe  early  lays;  * 
 
 To  you  the  mufe  this  grateful  offering  pays, 
 To  your  capacious  and  exalted  mind, 
 Endow'd  with  talents  of  the  nobleft  kind 
 Superior  knowledge  on  the  heart  imprefs'd, 
 And  wit  that's  guarded  by  a  pious  breaft, 
 Goodnefs  ally'd  to  an  extenfive  foul, 
 Which  all  the  fenfual  pafiions  can  control, 
 In  fine  with  ev'ry  grace  and  virtue  blefs'd 
 Lov'd  by  the  pious,  by  the  wife  carefs'd. 
 Taught  by  thy  labours  and  inftruclive  page 
 See  virtuous  youths  adorn  the  rifing  age, 
 And  fprung  from  them  in  future  ages  fhine 
 Youths,  who  fhall  glory  in  thy  works  divine. 
 
 The  inward  zvitnefs  *  to  the  truth  you  prove, 
 And  all  th'  objections  of  the  vain  remove, 
 Exhort  the  Chriftian  boldly  to  abide 
 The  fcoffing  jefts  of  all  the  fons  of  pride, 
 Humble  religion  and  fincere  you  (how 
 To  be  the  fource  of  all  our  blifs  below 
 Whence  more  true  joy,  more  folid  comfort  fprings 
 Than  from  the  grandeur  and  the  pomp  of  kings. 
 
 Your  lovely  youth  f  with  pitying  eyes  we  view 
 Rejecting  Jejus  and  falvation  too. 
 Th*  unwary  youth,  ah  fatal  fnare  !  behold 
 Too  ftrongly  fetter'd  in  his  chains  of  gold. 
 
 The  lofty  themes  which  on  your  numbers  wait 
 Proclaim  a  foul  that's  nobly  good  and  great, 
 While  virtue  triumphs  in  your  hallow'd  ftrains, 
 And  binds  our  paffions  in  harmonious  chains. 
 
 *  Sermons  on  the  Inward  Witnefs  to  Chriftianity. 
 f  Sermons  on  an  hopeful  Youth  falling  fliort  of  heaven. 
 U  4  Hail 
 
296  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Hail  facred  bard  !  in  BritiJJ)  verfe  you  fing 
 The  heav'n-fprung  writings  of  the  Hebrew  king, 
 Which  Denhanis  Mufe  afpiring  after  fought, 
 But  fail'd  in  conftruing  what  great  David  thought  ; 
 In  your  more  nervous  and  pathetic  lines 
 Each  facred  thought  in  genuine  beauty  (nines. 
 Lo  !  here  prophetic  rage  exalts  the  theme, 
 And  fpreads  the  glory  of  Mejfiatis  name  : 
 There  dread  Jehovah's  pow'r  infpires  the  lay, 
 Loud  thunders  roar,  and  livid  lightnings  play; 
 His  cloudy  chariot  with  fwift  motion  flies 
 As  winded  winds  acrofs  the  tow'rino;  fkies. 
 But  mark  the  glory  of  the  varied  fcene 
 The  bright  defcription  of  the  god  ferene 
 In  matchlefs  light,  and  dazzling  pomp  difplay'd, 
 With  honour  rob'd,  and  majefty  array'd, 
 While  mercy,  meeknefs,  and  falvation  ftand, 
 In  glorious  order  at  his  fov'reign  hand. 
 Here  Hebrew  flocks  the  tuneful  fhepherd  leads 
 To  the  green  paflures  and  the  flow'ry  meads,- 
 And  now  with  balmy  reft  he  fooths  his  foul, 
 Where  placid  ftreams  of  living  waters  roll. 
 With  ev'ry  line  my  raptur'd  breaft  is  fiVd, 
 And  hints  like  thofe  that  heav'nly  bard  infpir'd, 
 Far  more  delightful  then  Ely/tan  ftreams, 
 Or  the  vain  fables  of  old  pott's  dreams. 
 
 Let  gay  loofe  wits  perpetuate  their  name, 
 And  boaft  their  record  in  the  rolls  of  fame, 
 Though  thefe  fhould  univerfal  praife  obtain 
 Vain  is  their  honour,  and  their  triumph  vain  : 
 To  raife  the  foul  t'  immortal  realms  be  thine, 
 While  heav'nly  numbers  fwell  the  theme  divine. 
 
 May  I  be  allowed  the  liberty  of  clofing  the 
 train  of  poetical  pieces  in  praife  of  this  mod 
 
 worthy 
 
Dr.    I  S  A  A  C     W  A  T  T  S.  297 
 
 worthy  and  excellent  man  with  an  epigram  of 
 my  own  writing  feveral  years  fince  ? 
 
 /;/  Virum  reverendum  pbilofophicis,  poeticis^  ei  theo~ 
 logicis  Studiis  eximium  Ifaacum  Watts^  S.  T,  P. 
 
 Calliope,  Pallas,  Virtus  cceleftia  fpirans 
 Floribus  &  gemmis  certant  torquere  coronam  : 
 Magniiicus  fragranfque  labor  concluditur:   at  quis 
 Grande  opus  accipiet  ?  Wattfi,  tua  tempora  cingit. 
 
 ENGLISHED. 
 
 Science,  the  Mufe,  and  Virtue  heav'nJy  fair 
 
 Of  flow'r s  and  jewels  a  rich  wreath  prepare  : 
 
 The  chaplet  the  concurring  fitters  weave, 
 
 But  fay  whofe  temples  (hall  the  crown  receive  ? 
 
 Thy  brows,  O  !  WATTS  !  the  circling  glory  wear, 
 
 And  each  bright  nymph  aflifts  to  fix  it  there. 
 
 To  the  above  poems  in  honour  of  the  Doc- 
 tor we  fli all  acid  fome  encomiums  parTed  upon 
 him  by  feveral  writers  in  profe. 
 
 The  46 1  ft  number  of  the  Spectator  contains 
 a  poetical  verfion  of  the  114th  Pfalm,  and  an 
 introductory  letter,  both  compofed,  and  com- 
 municated by  the  Doftor  to  the  authors  of  that 
 celebrated  work.  Not  only  were  they  thought 
 deferving  a  place  in  thofe  ingenious  papers,  but 
 they  are  ulhered  in  with  an  encomium  upon 
 the  author  due  to  his  merit,  and  are  a  teftimony 
 in  what  eftcem  his  compofitions  were  held  by 
 perfons  of  the  firft  reputation  for  fine  tafte  and 
 elegant  writing. 
 
 Sir 
 
z9S  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Sir  Richard  Blachnorc,  who  was  himfelf  no  hi- 
 confiderable  poet,  as  his  poem  entitled  Creation 
 mod  demonstratively  proves  *,  in  his  preface 
 to  a  collection  of  poems  on  various  fubjecls 
 publifhed  171 8  has  the  following  pafTage. 
 "  Hitherto,  as  I  have  faid,  but  few  of  the  wits 
 "  of  this  kingdom,  which  abounds  in  genius 
 (C  and  poetical  infpiration  above  any  nation 
 **  upon  earth,  have  thought  fit  to  exercife  their 
 <c  peris  exprefsly  and  directly  in  cultivating  di- 
 "  vine  and  moral  poetry,  but  only  in  an  alle- 
 "  gorical  and  difguifing  drefs.  Some  perfons 
 cc  of  great  virtue  and  piety  have  attempted  it, 
 "  but  thefe  having  neither  poetical  genius  nor 
 
 *  The  Spectator  No.  339  takes  notice  of  this  poem,  and 
 like  an  herald  proclaims  its  praifes,  when  recent  from  the 
 prefs.  "  I  cannot  conclude,  fays  he,  this  book  (meaning 
 M  Milton's  7th  book  of  his  Paradife  Loft)  upon  the  Creation 
 "  without  mentioning  a  poem  which  has  lately  appeared 
 "  under  that  title.  The  work  was  undertaken  with  fo  good 
 *c  an  intention,  and  is  executed  with  fo  great  a  maftery 
 "  that  it  deferves  to  be  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  moft  ufe- 
 "  ful  and  noble  productions  in  our  Engliih  verfe.  The 
 {'  reader  cannot  but  be  pleafed  to  find  the  depths  of  phi- 
 "  lofophy  enlivened  with  all  the  charms  of  poetry,  and  to 
 "  fee  fo  great  a  flrength  of  reafon,  amidft  fo  beautiful  a 
 M  redundancy  of  the  imagination.  The  author  has  fhown 
 "  us  that  defign  in  all  the  works  of  nature,  which  neceffa- 
 "  rj'ly  leads  us  to  the  knowledge  of  its  firft  caufe.  In  fhort 
 "  he  has  illuftrated  by  numberlefs  and  inconteflible  evi- 
 '•'  dences  that  divine  wifdom  which  the  fon  of  Siracb  has  fo 
 "  nobly  afcribed  to  the  Supreme  Being,  in  his  formation  of 
 rc  the  world,  when  he  tells  us,  that  he  created  her,  and  f aw. 
 "  her,  and  numbered  her,  and  poured  her  out  upon  all  his 
 "  wris." 
 
 jud 
 
Dr.     IS  A  A  C     W  ATT  S.  299 
 
 "  judgment,  neither  fertile  imagination  nor 
 <c  any  knowledge  of  the  rules  and  fpirit  of  poe- 
 cc  try  have  only  written  indifferent  profe  in  the 
 iC  pooreft  verfe ;  and,  though  they  deferve  the 
 <c  honour  of  good  men,  they  muft  be  contented 
 <c  with  the  character  of  bad  poets.  This  I 
 "  think  is  a  juft  cenfure  on  the  greater!:  part  of 
 cc  thofe  who  have  written  religious  books  in 
 "  Englifh  verfe  ;  but  I  except  from  this  num- 
 cc  ber  the  ingenious  Mr.  JVatts,  whofe  divine 
 cc  poetry  is  very  laudable,  and  much  fuperior 
 "  to  all  who  have  gone  before  him  in  xht  Lyric 
 «  kind." 
 
 By  the  way  this  public  refpect  which  Sir 
 Richard  paid  the  Dotlor  was  genteelly  returned 
 by  him  in  a  prefent  of  his  Imitation  of  the  Pfalms 
 of  David,  accompanied  with  a  few  lines  to  him 
 in  the  unprinted  page  at  the  beginning  of  the 
 volume.     The  Doctor  thus  writes, 
 
 To  Sir  Richard  Blackmore,  Knt.  &cJ 
 
 "  Worthy  Sir, 
 <c  Though  you  have  conftrained  me  to  de- 
 face one  of  the  befb  pages  in  my  Preface  by 
 forbidding  me  the  honour  of  fhowing  your 
 name  to  the  world  there,  yet  I  cannot  deny 
 myfelf  the  pleafure  of  letting  your  name  in 
 this  blank  leaf,  where  none  but  yourfelf  will 
 be  witnefs  to  the  high  efleem  that  I  pay  you. 
 So  fecret  a  gratitude  can  never  offend,  while 
 the  honour  you  have  done  me  in  a  late  Pre- 
 
 "  face 
 
3oo  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 <c  face  of  yours  is  thus  iilently  acknowledged 
 "  by,  Sir, 
 
 cc  Your  obliged,  humble  fervant, 
 
 Jan.  9,  1718-19.  cc  Isaac  Watts*.0 
 
 Prefixed  to  the  German  tranQation  of  the 
 Bettor's  Difconrfes  on  'Death  and  Heaven  publi  fri- 
 ed at  Halle  in  Saxony  1727  is  the  following 
 preface. 
 
 To  the  Reader. 
 
 "  Here  is  communicated  to  you  a  treatife  in 
 "  which  the  late  pious  Mr.  Frank,  ProfefTor  of 
 "  Divinity  at  Halle >  found  lb  much  edification 
 "  and  fatisfa&ion  that  he  engaged  an  ableper- 
 <c  fon  to  tranflate  it  into  our  German  tongue  to 
 cc  make  others  partake  of  the  fame  fpiritual 
 cc  benefit.     This  treatife  confilts  of  two  fune- 
 cc  ral  fermons  which    an   Englifn  divine,   who 
 ct  perhaps  is  flill  living,  compofed  on  the  death 
 "  of  two  eminent  perfons,   which  he  enlarged 
 "  for  their  publication.     The  fubjeel:  of  the 
 "  flrft  is  Death  taken  from  1  Cor.  xv.  26.  The 
 "  fecond  is  Heaven  from  Heb.  xii.  23.    From 
 tc  this  laft  he  takes  an  occafion  of  flying  with 
 «  his  thoughts  into  the  bleffed  manfions  of  the 
 "  juft  made   perfect  by  giving  us  not  only  a 
 "  very  probable  and  beautiful  idea  of  the  glory 
 
 *  The  book  with  the  lines  above  in  the  blank  page  is 
 now  in  the  hands  of  my  worthy  brother  the  Rev.  Dr.  John 
 Trotter,  whence  I  tranferibed  it. 
 
 "  of 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  301 
 
 €t  of  a  future  life  in  general,  but  alfo  an  enu- 
 cc  meration  of  the  many  forts  of  enjoyments 
 <c  and  pleafures  which  are  to  be  met  with 
 cc  there. 
 
 <c  Though  the  firft  fermon  contains  many 
 "  elegant  paflages  worthy  to  be  read,  yet  the 
 cc  latter  feems  to  be  a  more  elaborate  piece, 
 cc  becaufe  it  fets  the  doctrine  of  eternal  life  in 
 <c  a  greater  light,  and  enriches  it  with  many 
 cc  probable  inferences  from  the  word  of  God. 
 cc  He  propofes  his  excellent  thoughts  in  moil 
 cc  emphatical  terms,  in  that  beautiful  order  and 
 <c  with  fuch  a  vivacity  of  flyle  that  he  keeps 
 cc  the  reader  in  a  continual  attention,  and  an 
 Cf  eager  defire  to  read  on.  It  is  plain  the  au- 
 fC  trior's  mind  was  fo  taken  up  with  the  beauty 
 w  of  heaven  that  his  mouth  could  not  but  fpeak 
 "  the  abundance  of  his  heart.  There  is  a  fe- 
 cc  cret  unction  in  his  expreffions  which  leaves  a 
 "  fweet  favour  in  the  reader's  heart  and  raifes 
 "  in  him  a  defire  after  the  blefTed  fociety  he 
 <c  defcribes;  and  though  the  reader  fhouldnot 
 <c  entirely  agree  with  the  author's  notions  yet 
 cc  he  will  not  perufe  this  treatife  without  a  par- 
 <c  ticular  edification  and  blefTing.  I  cannot  deny 
 cc  but  the  author's  conjectures  may  befometimes 
 "  carried  a  little  too  far,  but  that  doth  not 
 fC  prejudice  the  fubject  in  the  leaft.  Befides, 
 "  he  is  generally  fo  happy  as  to  find  fome  ar- 
 <c  guments  for  his  probable  notions  in  the. 
 "  word  of  God,  and  to  anfwer  very  dexteroufly 
 
 "  all 
 
$02  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 <c  all  the  objections  which  can  be  made  againft 
 cc  him, 
 
 "  May  the  everliving  God  give  a  bleiTing  to 
 <c  this  work,  and  grant  that  thofe  fweet  and  re- 
 cc  lifhing  truths  propofed  in  thefe  leaves  may 
 <c  mafce  fuch  an  imprefiion  on  the  minds  of  the 
 <c  readers  as  thofe  noble  truths  deferve  1  May 
 «c  he  prevent  all  abufe  of  this  delightful  fubjecl, 
 fC  and  never  permit  it  to  be  turned  into  a  mere 
 cc  dry  or  fruitlefs  fpeculation  ;  but  may  he  in- 
 <c  flame  every  reader  with  an  holy  defire  after 
 cc  a  blefTed  eternity,  and  roufe,  and  excite  all 
 "  thofe  who  have  not  yet  begun  the  paths 
 <c  of  falvation  to  enter  into  them  without  de- 
 cc  lay,  that  they  may  not  reft  in  a  mere  de- 
 €C  lightful  profpect  of  the  land  .of  Canaan^  nor 
 cc  be  forever  excluded  by  their  unbelief  from 
 cc  the  eternal  enjoyment  of  it !  Given  at  Halle 
 cc  July  10,  1727. 
 
 cc  John  Jacob  Rambach, 
 Cf  S.  Theol.  Prof.  Ordinar." 
 
 We  fhall  conclude  with  the  dedication  by 
 Dr.  Philip  Doddridge  of  his  very  valuable  trea- 
 tife  entitled, '  The  rife  and  progrefs  of  religion  in 
 the  foal. 
 
 To  the  Rev.  Br.  Jfaac  Watts: 
 
 Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 
 With  the  molt  affectionate  gratitude  and  re- 
 fpect  I  beg  leave  to  prefent  to  you  a  book, 
 
 which 
 
Dr.     IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  305 
 
 which  owes  its  exigence  to  your  requeft,  its 
 copiouinefs  to  your  plan,  and  much  of  its  per- 
 fpicuity  to  your  review,  and  to  the  ufe  I  made 
 of  your  remarks  on  that  part  of  it,  which  your 
 health  and  leiiure  would  permit  you  to  exa- 
 mine. I  addrefs  it  to  you  not  to  beg  your  pa- 
 tronage to  it,  for  of  that  1  am  already  well  af- 
 fured,  and  much  lefs  from  any  ambition  of 
 attempting  your  character,  for  which,  if  I  were 
 more  equal  to  the  fubjecl,  I  mould  think  this 
 a  very  improper  place,  but  chiefly  from  a  fe- 
 cret  delight  which  I  find  in  the  thought  of 
 being  known  to  thofe  whom  this  may  reach  as 
 one  whom  you  have  honoured  not  only  with 
 your  friendfhip,  but  with  fo  much  of  your 
 efteem  and  approbation  too  as  muft  fubilan- 
 tially  appear  in  your  committing  a  work  to  me, 
 which  you  had  yourfelf  projected  as  one  of  the 
 moft  confiderable  fervices  of  your  life. 
 
 I  have  long  thought  the  love  of  popular  ap- 
 plaufe  a  meannefs  which  a  philofophy  far  infe- 
 rior to  that  of  our  divine  Matter  might  have 
 taught  us  to  conquer.  But  to  be  efteemed  by 
 eminently  great  and  good  men  to  whom  we 
 are  intimately  known  appears  to  me  not  only 
 one  of  the  moil  folid  atteftations  of  fome  real 
 worth,  but  next  to  the  approbation  of  God 
 and  our  own  confeiences  one  of  its  moft  va- 
 luable rewards.  It  will  I  doubt  not  be  found 
 fo  in  that  world  to  which  fpirits_  like  yours  are 
 tending,  and  for  which,  through  divine  grace, 
 you  have  obtained  fo  uncommon  a  degree  of 
 
 ripenefs. 
 
304  MEMOIRS    Of 
 
 ripenefs.  And,  permit  me,  Sir,  while  I  write 
 this  to  refrefh  myfelf  with  the  hope  that  when 
 that  union  of  hearts^  which  has  fo  long  fubfifted 
 between  us,  ftiall  arrive  to  its  full  maturity  and 
 endearment  there,  it  will  be  matter  of  mutual 
 delight  to  recollect  that  you  have  adigned  me, 
 and  that  I  have  in  fome  degree  executed  a  tafk 
 which  may  perhaps,  under  the  blefllng  of  God, 
 awaken  and  improve  religious  fentiments  in 
 the  minds  of  thofe  we  leave  behind  us,  and  of 
 others  that  may  arife  after  us  in  this  vain,  tran- 
 fitory,  and  enfnaring  world. 
 
 Such  is  the  improvement  you  have  made  of 
 your  capacities  for  fervice  that  I  am  fully  per- 
 fuaded  heaven  has  received  very  few  in  theie 
 latter  ages  who  have  done  fo  much  to  ferve  its 
 interefts  here  below  -,  few  who  have  laboured 
 in  this  bed  of  caufes  with  equal  zeal  and  fuc- 
 cefs  -,  and  therefore  I  cannot  but  join  with  all 
 who  wifli  well  to  the  Christian  interefl  amongft 
 us  in  acknowledging  the  goodnefs  of  Provi- 
 dence to  you,  and  to  the  church  of  Chrift  in 
 prolonging  a  life  at  once  fo  valuable  and  fo 
 tender  to  fuch  an  advanced  period.  With  them, 
 Sir,  I  rejoice  that  God  hath  given  you  to  porleis 
 in  fo  extraordinary  a  degree  not  only  the  con- 
 fcioufnefs  of  intending  great  benefit  to  the 
 world,  but  the  fatisfaction  of  having  effected 
 it,  and  feeing  fuch  an  harveft  already  fpringing 
 up,  I  hope  as  an  carneft  of  a  more  copious  in- 
 creafe  from  thence.  With  multitudes  more  I 
 blefs  God  that  you  are  not  in  the  evening  of  fo 
 
 afflicted 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  305 
 
 afflicted  and  fo  laborious  a  day  rendered  entirely 
 incapable  of  ferving  the  public  from  the  prefs 
 and  from  the  pulpit,  and  that  amidft  the  p-iin 
 which  your  active  fpirit  feels  when  thefe  pleaf- 
 ing  fervices  fufTer  long  interruption  from  bo- 
 dily weaknefs  it  may  be  fo  Angularly  refreihed 
 by  reflecting  on  that  fphere  of  extenfive  ufeful- 
 nefs  in  which  by  your  writings  you  continually 
 move. 
 
 I  congratulate  you,  dear  Sir,  that,  while  you 
 are  in  a  multitude  of  families  and  fchools  of  the 
 lov/er  clafs  condefcending  to  the  humble  yet 
 important  work  of  forming  infant-minds  to  the 
 fir  ft  rudiments  of  religious  knowledge  and  de- 
 vout impreffions  by  your  various  Catechifms  and 
 divine  Songs,  you  are  aifo  daily  reading  lectures 
 of  Logic  and  other  ufeful  branches  of  philofophy 
 to  ftudious  youth  ;  and  this  not  only  in  private 
 academies  but  in  the  moil  public  and  celebrated 
 feats  of  learning,  not  merely  in  Scotland,  and  in 
 our  American  colonies,  where  for  fome  peculiar 
 confiderations  it  might  be  mod  naturally  ex- 
 pected, but,  through  the  amiable  candor  of 
 fome  excellent  men  and  accomplished  tutors, 
 in  our  Englijh  univerfities  too.  I  congratulate 
 you  that  you  are  teaching  no  doubt  hundreds 
 of  minifters  and  private  Chriftians  by  your 
 fermons,  and  other  theological  trails,  fo  happily 
 calculated  to  diffufe  through  their  minds  that 
 light  of  knowledge,  and  through  their  hearts 
 that  fervor  of  piety,  which  God  has  been  pleafed 
 
 X  to 
 
jo6  MEMOIRS    Of 
 
 to  enkindle  in  your  own.  But  above  all  I  con- 
 gratulate you  that  by  your  f acred  poetry,  efpe- 
 cially  by  your  Pfalms,  and  your  Hymns  you  are 
 leading  the  worfhip  and  I  truft  alfo  animating 
 the  devotion  of  myriads  in  our  public  afTem- 
 blies  every  Sabbath,  and  in  their  families  and 
 clofets  every  day.  This,  Sir,  at  leaft  fo  far  as 
 it  relates  to  the  fervice  of  the  fanfruary,  is  an 
 unparalleled  favour  by  which  God  hath  been 
 pleafed  to  diftinguifh  you,  I  may  boldly  fay  it, 
 beyond  any  of  his  fervants  now  upon  earth. 
 Well  may  it  be  efteemed  a  glorious  equivalent, 
 and  indeed  much  more  than  an  equivalent  for 
 all  thofe  views  of  ecclefiaftical  preferment  to 
 which  fuch  talents,  learning,  virtues,  and  inte- 
 reft  might  have  entitled  you  in  an  eftablifh- 
 ment,  and  I  doubt  not  but  you  joyfully  accept 
 it  as  fuch. 
 
 Nor  is  it  eafy  to  conceive  in  what  circum- 
 flances  you  could  on  any  fuppofition  have  been 
 eafier  and  happier  than  in  that  pious  and  truly 
 honourable  family  in  which,  as  I  verily  believe 
 in  fpecial  indulgence  both  to  you  and  to  it, 
 Providence  has  been  pleafed  to  appoint  that 
 you  fhould  fpend  fo  confiderable  a  part  of  your 
 life.  It  is  my  earned  prayer  that  all  the  re- 
 mainder of  it  may  be  ferene,  ufeful,  and  plea- 
 fant.  And  as  to  my  certain  knowledge  your 
 compofitions  have  been  the  Angular  comfort  of 
 many  excellent  Chriftians,  fome  of  them  num- 
 bered among  my  deareft  friends,  on  their  djr- 
 I  ing 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  307 
 
 ing  beds,  for  I  have  heard  ftanzas  of  them 
 repeated  from  the  lips  of  feveral,  who  were 
 doubtlefs  in  a  few  hours  to  begin  the  fong  of 
 Mofes  and  the  Lamb,  fo  I  hope  and  truft  that, 
 when  God  fhall  call  you  to  that  falvation  for 
 which  your  faith  and  patience  have  fo  long 
 been  waiting,  he  will  ihed  around  you  the 
 choiceft  beams  of  his  favour,  and  gladden  your 
 heart  with  confolations  like  thofe  which  you 
 have  been  the  happy  inftrument  of  adminifter- 
 ing  to  others. 
 
 In  the  mean  time,  Sir,  be  allured  that  I  am 
 not  a  little  animated  in  the  various  labours  to 
 which  Providence  has  called  me  by  reflecting 
 that  I  have  fuch  a  contemporary  and  efpecially 
 Rich  a  friend,  whofe  fingle  prefence  would  be 
 to  me  as  that  of  a  cloud  of  witneffes  here  below 
 to  awaken  my  alacrity  in  the  race  which  is  [Gt 
 before  me.  And  I  am  perfuaded  that,  while  I 
 fay  this,  I  fpeak  the  fentiment  of  many  of  my 
 brethren,  even  of  various  denominations  ;  a 
 confideration  which  I  hope  will  do  fomething 
 towards  reconciling  a  heart  fo  generous  as  yours 
 to  a  delay  of  that  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
 of  glory  which  is  now  fo  nearly  approaching. 
 Yes,  my  honoured  friend,  you  will  I  hope 
 chearfully  endure  a  little  longer  continuance  in 
 life  amidfl  all  its  infirmities  from  an  affurance 
 that,  while  God  is  pleafed  to  maintain  the  ex- 
 ercife  of  your  reafon,  it  is  hardly  poflible  you 
 fhould  live  in  vain  to  the  world  or  yourfelf. 
 Every  day,  and  every  trial  is  brightening  your 
 X  2  crown; 
 
3oS  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 crown,  and  rendering  you  ftill  more  and  more 
 meet  for  an  inheritance  among  the  faints  in 
 light.  Every  word  which  you  drop  from  the 
 pulpit  has  now  furely  its  peculiar  weight.  The 
 eyes  of  many  are  on  their  afcending  prophet 
 eagerly  intent  that  they  may  catch  if  not  his 
 mantle,  at  leafl  fome  divine  fentence  from  his 
 lips,  which  may  long  guide  their  ways,  and 
 warm  their  hearts.  This  folicitude  your  friends 
 bring  into  thofe  happy  moments  in  which  they 
 are  favoured  with  your  converfe  in  private,  and, 
 when  you  are  retired  from  them,  your  prayers 
 I  doubt  not  largely  contribute  towards  guard- 
 ing your  country,  watering  the  church,  and 
 bleffing  the  world.  Long  may  they  continue 
 to  anfwer  thefe  great  ends !  And  permit  me, 
 Sir,  to  conclude  with  exprefiing  my  chearful 
 confidence  that  in  thefe  belt  moments  you  are 
 often  particularly  mindful  of  one,  who  fo  highly 
 efteems,  fo  greatly  needs,  and  fo  warmly  re- 
 turns that  remembrance  as, 
 
 Reverend  Sir, 
 Your  mod  affectionate  Brother, 
 
 And  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 Northampton,  Philip  Doddridge*." 
 
 Bee.  13,  1744. 
 
 To 
 
 *  As  Dr.  Doddridge  entertained  a  very  high  opinion  of 
 Dr.  Watts  fo  the  Dofior  had  the  fame  of  him,  for  in  a  letter 
 to  Mr.  David  Longucville^  miniiter  of  the  Englijh  church  at 
 Jmjlerdam,  he  thus  writes  to  him  : 
 
 3  £ev. 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  309 
 
 To  the  enumeration  of  the  honours  the  Doc- 
 tor received  from  various  perfpns  of  acknow- 
 
 ledged 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  It  is  a  very  agreeable  employment  to  whic'i 
 y,ou  call  me,  and  a  very  fenfible  honour  you  put  upon  me, 
 when  you  defire  me  to  give  you  my  fcntiments  of  that  re- 
 verend and  learned  writer  Dr.  Doddridge  to  be  prefixed  to  a 
 tranflation  of  any  of  his  works  into  the  Dutch  tongue.  I 
 have  well  known  him  many  years,  and  have  enjoyed  a  con- 
 fiant  intimacy  and  friendfhip  with  him  ever  fince  the  Pro- 
 vidence of  God  called  him  to  be  a  profefTor  cf  human 
 icience,  and  a  teacher  of  facred  theology  to  young  men 
 among  us,  who  are  trained  up  for  the  miniitry  of  the  Gofpel. 
 I  have  no  need  to  give  you  a  large  account  of  his  knowledge 
 in  the  fciences,  in  which  I  confefs  him  to  be  greatly  my 
 fuperior;  and  as  to  the  doctrines  of  divinity,  and  the  Gof- 
 pel of  Chrilt  I  know  not  of  any  man  of  greater  (kill  than 
 himfelf,  and  hardly  fufficient  to  be  his  fecond.  As  he  hath 
 a  molt  exacl:  acquaintance  with  the  things  of  God  and  our 
 holy  religion,  fo  far  as  we  are  let  into  the  knowledge  of 
 them  by  the  light  of  nature  and  the  revelations  cf  fcripture, 
 fo  he  hath  a  jnofl  happy  manner  of  teaching  thofe  who  are 
 younger.  He  hath  a  molt  fkilful  and  condefcending  way 
 of  inftruclion,  nor  is  there  any  perfon  of  my  acquaintance, 
 with  whom  I  am  more  entirely  agreed  in  all  the  fentiments 
 of  the  doftrine  of  Chrilt.  He  is  a  molt  hearty  believer  of 
 the  great  articles,  and  important  principles  of  the  Reformed 
 church,  a  molt  affectionate  preacher,  and  pathetic  writer  on 
 the  practical  parts  of  religion,  and  in  one  word,  fmce  lam 
 now  advanced  in  age  beyond  my  feventieth  year,  if  there 
 were  any  man  to  whom  Providence  would  permit  me  to. 
 commit  a  fecond  part  of  my  life  and  ufefulnefs  in  the 
 church  of  Chrift  Dr.  Doddridge  fhould  be  the  man.  If  you 
 have  read  that  excellent  performance  of  his,  The  rife  and 
 progrefs  of  religion  in  the  foul,  &c«  you  will  be  of  my  mind  ; 
 his  Dedication  to  me  is  the  only  thing  in  that  book  I  could 
 Hardly  permit  myfelf  to  approve.  Beiides  all  this  he  pof- 
 X  3  fefle* 
 
Sic  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 ledged  eminence  and  merit  I  will  add  that  in 
 the  year  1720  the  univerfities  both  of  Edinburgh 
 and  Aberdeen  in  North* Britain  in  a  mod  refpec~t- 
 ful  manner,  without  his  knowledge,  conferred 
 the  degree  of  Do  far  of  Divinity  upon  him  -,  nor 
 can  I  on  any  account  omit  that  ad  of  honour, 
 which  the  late  illuftrious  Speaker  of  the  Houfe 
 of  Commons,  the  Right  Honourable  Arthur 
 
 feffes  a  fpirit  of  fo  much  charity,  love,  and  goodnefs  to- 
 wards his  fellow  Chriflians,  who  may  fall  into  fome  letter 
 differences  of  opinion,  as  becomes  a  follower  of  the  blelfed 
 JtfuS)  his  Mailer  and  mine.  In  the  practical  part  of  his 
 labours  and  miniftry  he  hath  fufficiently  fhewn  himfelf  mod 
 happily  furnifhed  with  all  proper  gifts  and  talents  to  lead 
 perfons  of  all  ranks  and  ages  into  ferious  piety  and  drift 
 religion.  I  edeem  it  a  confiderable  honour  which  the 
 Providence  of  God  hath  done  me,  when  it  makes  ufe  of  me 
 as  an  instrument  in  his  hands  to  promote  the  ufefulnefs  of 
 this  great  man  in  any  part  of  the  world,  and  it  is  my 
 hearty  prayer  that  our  Lord  Jefus,  the  Head  of  the  church, 
 may  blefs  all  his  labours  with  moil  glorious  fuccefs,  either 
 read  or  heard,  in  my  native  language  or  in  any  other 
 tongue.  I  am,  Pveverend  Sir,  with  much  iincerity  your 
 faithful  humble  iervant,  and  affectionate  brother  in  the 
 Gofpei  of  our  common  Lord, 
 
 Isaac  Watts. 
 
 See  this  letter  in  Mr.  Orion's  Memoirs  of  the  Life,  Cha- 
 racter, and  Writings  of  the  late  Rev.  Philip  Doddridge, 
 D.  D.  a  performance  that  exhibits  a  mod  aitoniihing  ex- 
 ample of  piety,  benevolence,  and  labours  for  the  glory  of 
 God,  and  the  good  of  his  generation.  Where  is  the  won- 
 der that  fuch  fouls  as  thofe  of  Dr.  Watts  and  Dr.  Doddridge 
 mould  be  knit  together  in  the  tendered  endearment  and 
 clofeft  affection  fince,  as  Mr.  Addifon  expreffes  himfelf, 
 
 Like  fouls  by  indinct  to  each  other  turn, 
 Demand  alliance,  and  in  friendship  burn  ? 
 
 Onflow, 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  311 
 
 Onflow,  Efq.  paid  this  venerable  man.  Not 
 long  before  the  Doftor's  death,  taking  with 
 him  the  late  Dr.  Jabez  Earle,  and  the  late 
 Dr.  Jofeph  Stinnett,  two  eminent  di  lien  ting 
 minifters,  in  his  coach,  he  made  a  vifit  to  the 
 Dottor  at  Stoke  Newington  for  the  purpofe  of 
 gratifying  himfelf  with  the  fight  of  fo  great 
 and  good  a  man,  whom  he  held  in  the  higheft 
 efteem,  and  I  might  truly  fay  above  the  com- 
 mon rank  of  mortals.  The  Speaker  declared 
 to  me  that  when  he  faw  him  he  thought 
 he  faw  a  man  of  God,  and  in  the  lad  vifit 
 but  one  I  made  Mr.  Onflow,  for  I  had  the 
 honour  of  an  intimacy  with  him,  he  men- 
 tioned the  affair  afrefh,  and  devoutly  cried 
 out,  <c  My  foul  where' his  foul  now  is!" 
 
 CHAP.     X. 
 
 His  Decline  and  Death. 
 
 TH  E  Doclor  in  his  Sermon  on  the  privi- 
 lege of  the  living  above  the  dead  *  ob- 
 ferves  "  that  a  calm  and  chearful  readinefs  for 
 "  a  removal  out  of  this  world  is  an  honour 
 "  done  to  Chrift  and  his  gofpel  here  on  earth, 
 "  which    belongs  not  to  the  heavenly  date. 
 
 *  See  fortieth  fermon  in  his  Difcourfes  on  various  fub- 
 je&s. 
 
 X  4  "  Death 
 
312  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 (C  Death  in  the  courfe  of  nature,  fays  he,  as 
 
 £C  well   as  by  the  hands  of  violence,  hath  al- 
 
 <c  ways  fomething  awful  and  formidable  in  it. 
 
 <f  FJcfh  and  blood  fhrink  and   tremble  at  the 
 
 <c  appearance  of  a  diflblution,  and   Chrift  de- 
 
 cc  lights    to  fee  the  grace   he  has  wrought  in 
 
 cc  the    faints   gain  the    afcendency   over   flefh 
 
 <c  and  blood,  and  conquer  the  terrors  of  death 
 
 <c  and  the  grave.     He  loves  to  fee  his  faith- 
 
 <c  ful    followers  maintain   a  ferene    foul,    and 
 
 "  venture  into  the   invifible  world,  upon   the 
 
 Ci  merit  of  his  blood,  with  holy  fortitude,  and 
 
 cc  a  chearful  faith.  It  is  only  the  lively  chriflian 
 
 <c  that  can  die,  and  glorify  God  his  Saviour 
 
 <c  in    that  great   and    important  hour.      The 
 
 <c  faints   who  are   arrived  at  heaven  dwell  in 
 
 (C  the  temple  of  God,  and  fhall   go  no  more 
 
 "  out.     They   are    for    ever   pofTeffed  of  life 
 
 <c  and  immortality.  There  are  no  more  deaths 
 
 (t  and  dangers  to    encounter,  no  more  terrors 
 
 <c  to  engage  their  conflict.     Death   is  the  laft 
 
 <c  enemy  of  all    the    faints,     and,    when    the 
 
 <c  chriflian  meets  it  with   facred   courage,  he 
 
 <c  gives  that   honour  to  the  captain  of  his  fal- 
 
 <c  vation,  which  the  faints  in  glory  can  never 
 
 "  give,  and   which  he  himfelf  can   never  re- 
 
 <f  peat.      Dying  with  faith    and  fortitude    is 
 
 <c  a  noble  conclufion  of  a  life  of  zeal  and  fer- 
 
 (C  vice.      It  is    the  very  laft  duty  on  earth. 
 
 cc  When    that  is  done   then    heaven   begins/' 
 
 To  the  fame  purpofe  he  fpeaks  in  another  dif- 
 
 courfe. 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  315 
 
 eourfe  j\  cc  It  is  a.  glory,  fays  he,  to  the 
 "  gofpel  when  we  can  lie  (:ov/n  with  courage 
 <c  in  hope  of  its  promifc  ^flings.  It  is  an 
 <c  honour  to  our  common  faith,  when  it  over- 
 "  comes  the  terrors  of  death,  and  raifes  the 
 c<  cnriftian  to  a  fong  of  triumph  in  the  view^ 
 <c  of  the  laft  enemy.  It  is  a  new  crown  put 
 cc  upon  the  head  of  our  Redeemer,  and  a  liv- 
 «  ing  cordial  put  into  the  hands  of  mourning 
 "  friends  in  our  dying  hour,  when  we  can 
 "  take  our  leave  of  them  with  holy  fortitude 
 "  rejoicing  in  the  falvation  of  Chrift.  No 
 <c  fooner  does  he  call  but  we  are  ready,  and 
 cc  can  anfwer  with  holy  tranfport,  Lord,  1 
 <c  come." 
 
 What  the  Doftor  fo  juflly  and  properly  de- 
 fcribes  that  he  himfelf  exemplified  in  his  laft 
 hours.  As  his  day  of  life  was  eminently  bright 
 and  ufeful  fo  its  fetting  was  remarkably  ferene 
 and  happy.  His  weaknefs  was  iuch  as  greatly 
 to  interrupt  him  in  the  purfuit  of  his  fludies, 
 though  not  fo  great  as  to  deprive  him  of  his 
 intellects,  or  to  leave  him  to  any  ftrange 
 chimeras  of  fancy,  which  I  have  frequently 
 heard,  but  without  any  kind  of  ground  attri- 
 buted to  him  *.     He  faw  his  approaching  dif- 
 
 folution 
 
 f  Difcourfe  III.  on  the  World  to  corne. 
 
 *  How  it  came  to  pafs  I  know  not,  but  that  it  has  fo 
 happened  is  certain,  that  reports  have  been  raifed,  pro- 
 pagated, and  currently  believed  concerning  the  Doftor^ 
 that  he  has  imagined  fuch  things  concerning  himfelf,  a* 
 
 would 
 
V4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 foltition  with  a  mind  perfectly  calm  and  com- 
 pofed,  without  the  lead  alarm  or  difmay,  and 
 I  never  could  difcover,  though  I  was  fre- 
 quently with  him,  the  leaft  fhadow  of  a  doubt 
 as  td  his  future  everlaftmg  happinefs,  or  any 
 thing  that  looked  like  an  unwillingnefs  to  die. 
 How  have  I  known  him  recite  with  a  felf- 
 application  thofe  words  in  Heb.  x.  36.  <c  Ye 
 "  have  need  of  patience,  that  after  ye  have 
 "  done  the  will  of  God,  ye  may  receive  the 
 cc  promife  i"  And  how  have  I  heard  him, 
 upon  leaving  the  family  after  fupper  and  with- 
 drawing to  reft,  declare  with  the  fweeteft  com- 
 pofure,  fC  that  if  his  mafter  was  to  fay  to  him 
 "  he  had  no  more  v/ork  for  him  to  do  he 
 <c  fhould  be  glad  to  be  difmiffed  that  night  ?" 
 And  I  once  heard  him  fay  with  a  kind  of  im- 
 
 would  prove,  if  they  were  true,  that  he  fometimes  loft  pof- 
 feflion  of  himfelf,  or  fufFered  a  momentary  eclipfe  of  his 
 intellectual  faculties,  and  I  could  refer  my  reader  to  a  bi- 
 ographer who  gives  the  world  a  grave  narrative  of  the 
 particulars  of  thefe  wild  reveries.  But  I  take  upon  me, 
 and  feel  myfelf  happy  to  aver  that  thefe  reports  were  ut- 
 terly and  abfclutely  falfe  and  groundle£s  ;  and  I  do  this 
 from  my  own  knowledge  and  obfervation  of  him  for  feve- 
 ral  years,  and  feme  of  them  the  years  of  his  decay,  when 
 he  was  at  the  weakeft  ;  from  the  exprefs  declaration  of 
 Mr  Jofeph  Parker  his  amanuenfis  for  above  twenty  years, 
 and  who  was  in  a  manner  ever  with  him  ;  and  above  all 
 from  that  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Abncy,  the  furviving  daughter 
 of  Sir  Thomas  and  Lady  Jbney,  who  lived  in  the  fame 
 family  with  him  all  the  time  of  the  Dior's  refidence  there, 
 a  period  of  no  lefs  than  thirty-fix  years.  Can  any  evi- 
 dence be  more  convincing  and  dccifivc  ? 
 
 patience, 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATT  S.  315 
 
 patience,  perhaps  fuch  as  might  in  fome  de- 
 cree trefpafs  upon  that  fubmiffion  we  ought 
 at  all  times  to  pay  to  the  divine  will,  "  I  won- 
 <c  der  why  the  great  God  mould  continue  me 
 "  in  life,  when  I  am  incapable  of  performing 
 cc  him  any  further  fervice."  "  His  truft  in 
 <c  God,  fays  Dr.  Jennings  in  his  Funeral  Dif- 
 «  courfe,  through  Jefus  the  Mediator  remain- 
 "  ed  unfhaken  to  the  lafl  f."  He  has  been 
 heard  to  fay,  "  I  blefs  God  I  can  lie  down 
 i(  with  comfort  at  night,  not  being  folicitous 
 <c  whether  I  awake  in  this  world  or  another." 
 A°-ain,  "  I    mould   be  glad  to  read  more,  yet 
 
 -f  I  know  a  perfon  now  living  who  enjoyed  the  Dorter's 
 company  an  hour  or  two  a  few  months  before  his  death, 
 when  his  difcourfe  was  moil  devout  and  heavenly,  and  he 
 particularly  fpoke  of  our  dependance  on  Chriit,  obferving 
 "  that  if  we  parted  with  him  what  would  become  of  our 
 *'  hopes?"  About  the  fame  time,  I  fuppofe  it  might 
 be  nearer  his  difTolution,  I  came  into  his  ftudy,  found  him 
 alone,  and  fat  down  for  converfation  with  him.  With 
 high  pleafure  he  fpoke  concerning  the  fcripture-method  of 
 falvadon.  Not  a  word  did  he  fay  of  what  he  had  been  or 
 done  in  life,  but  his  foul  feemed  to  be  fwallowedup  with 
 gratitude  and  joy  for  the  redemption  of  finners  by  Jefus 
 Chriit.  I  have  reafon  to  regret  that  upon  leaving  his  com- 
 pany I  did  not  commit  to  writing  the  very  words  in  whic'i 
 he  expreffed  himfelf,  but  my  recollection  fufficiently  ferves 
 me  to  authenticate  this  anecdote,  and  perhaps  in  all  his 
 days  he  was  never  in  a  frame  of  mind  in  which  he  more 
 fully  anfwered  the  defcription  of  the  apoftle  Peter,  when 
 he  fays,  referring  to  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriit,  1  Pet.  i.  8. 
 M  Whom  having  not  feen  ye  love;  in  whom  though  now 
 "  ye  fee  him  not,  yet  believing  ye  rejoice  with  joy  un- 
 **  fpeakable,  and  full  of  glory." 
 
 not 
 
* 
 
 3i6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 "  not  in   order  to  be  confirmed  more  in  the 
 "  truth  of  the   chriftian  religion,    or   in   the 
 <c  truth    of  its   promifes,  for   I   believe  them 
 <c  enough  to  venture  an  eternity  on   them." 
 When  he  was  almoft  worn  out    and   broken 
 down  by  his   infirmities  he  obferved,  in  con- 
 verfation  with  a  friend,  <c  that  he  remembered 
 <c  an  aged  minifler  ufed  to  fay,  that  the  mofl 
 cc  learned  and  knowing  chriftians,  when  they 
 <c  come  to  die  have  only  the  fame  plain  pro- 
 cc  mifes  of  the  gofpel  for  their  fupport,  as  the 
 tc  common   and    unlearned  -,  and  fo,  faid   he, 
 iC  I  find  it.     They  are  the  plain  promifes  of 
 "  the   gofpel   which   are    my  fupport,    and  I 
 <c  blefs   God  they   are  plain  promifes,  which 
 <c  do    not  require   much  labour    or   pains    to 
 "  underftand  them,  for  1  can  do  nothing  now 
 "  but  look  into  my  Bible  for  fome  promife  to 
 <c  fupport  me,  and  live  upon  that."     When 
 he  has  found  his  fpirit  tending  to  impatience, 
 and  ready  to  complain  he  would  thus  check 
 himfelf,     "  The   bufinefs   of  a   chriftian  is  to 
 <c  bear  the  will  of  God  as  well  as  to  do  it.     If 
 cc  I  were  in  health  I  could  only  be  doing  that, 
 "  and  that  I  may  do  now.     The  belt  thing  in 
 «  obedience  is  a  regard  to  the  will  of  God, 
 "  and  the  way  to  that  is  to  get  our  inclinations 
 fC  and    averfions    as   much    mortified    as    we 
 «  can." 
 
 I  vinted  the  Defter  on  his  death-bed*,  where 
 
 I  found 
 
 •  Speaking  of  the  Dcdor  on  his  death-bed  may    afford 
 a  proper  opportunity  for  purging  Mr.  Toplaafi  narrative 
 
 of 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATT  S.  317 
 
 I  found  him  exceedingly  weak  and  low,  the 
 lamp  of  life  very  feebly  glimmering  in  its  laft 
 decay,  but  he  was  dill  in  the  perfect  pofiefTion 
 of  his  understanding.  He  told  me  in  anfwer 
 to  my  inquiry  whether  he  had  any  pain  in  his 
 body  that  he  had  none,  and  acknowledged  it 
 as*  a  great  mercv.  To  my  fecond  queftion, 
 how  it  was  with  his  foul,  whether  all  was  com- 
 fortable there,    he    replied    it  was,  and  con- 
 
 of  another  fabulous  ftory.  He  tells  us,  '*  that  little  more 
 «'  than  half  an  hour  before  Dr.  Watts  expired  he  was 
 "  vifited  by  his  dear  friend,  Mr.  Whitefield.  The  latter 
 "  aflcing  him  how  he  found  himfelf,  the  dying  Dotfor 
 "  anfvvered,  "  Here  am  I,  one  of  Chrift's  waiting  fer- 
 "  vants."  Soon  after  a  medicine  was  brought  in,  and  Mr. 
 **  Whitefield  afiifted  in  raifing  him  up  upon  the  bed  that  he 
 **  might  with  more  conveniency  take  the  draught.  On 
 "  the  Doftor's  apologizing  for  the  trouble  he  gave  Mr. 
 "  Whitefield,  the  latter  replied  with  his  ufual  amiable 
 "  politenefs,  Surely,  my  dear  brother,  I  am  not  too 
 "  good  to  wait  on  awaiting  fervant  of  Chrift.  Soon  after 
 "  Mr.  Whitefield  took  his  leave,  and  often  regretted  fince 
 "  that  he  had  not  prolonged  his  vifit,  which  he  would 
 "  certainly  have  done  could  he  have  fcrefeen  that  his 
 "  friend  was  but  within  halfan  hcur*s  diftance  from  the 
 **  kingdom  of  glory."  The  whole  of  this  ftory  is  ficti- 
 tious, for  Mr.  Whitefield  never  vifited  the  Dottor  in  his 
 laft  illnefs  or  confinement,  nor  had  any  converfation  or 
 interview  with  him  for  fome  months  before  his  deceafe. 
 It  were  to  be  wiihed  that  greater  care  was  praclifed  by  the 
 writers  of  other  perfons  lives  that  illufions  mig  t  not  take 
 place,  and  obtain  the  regards  of  truth,  and  lay  hiftorians 
 who  come  after  them  under  the  unpleafing  neceffity  of 
 diftblving  their  figments,  and  thereby  in  confequence 
 evincing  to  the  world  how  little  credit  is  due  to  their  re- 
 lations. 
 
 fefled 
 
3i2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 fefied  it  to  be  a  great  mercy.  Mr.  Jofcph 
 Parker^  a  perfon  of  moft  refpectable  character, 
 and  the  Better's  amanuenfis,  as  has  been  be- 
 fore mentioned,  for  about  one-and-twenty 
 years,  fent  the  following  intelligence  concern- 
 ing him  to  his  brother  at  Southampton  but  the 
 day  before  his  death,  Nov.  24,  1748.  fC  I 
 <c  wrote  to  you  by  the  laft  pod  that  we  ap- 
 cc  prehended  my  m after  very  near  his  end, 
 cc  and  that  we  thought  it  not  poflible  he  fhould 
 fC  be  alive  when  the  letter  reached  your  hands  ; 
 cc  and  it  will  no  doubt  greatly  furprife  you  to 
 cc  hear  that  he  (till  lives.  We  ourfelves  are 
 cc  amazed  at  it.  He  paft  through  the  laft 
 cc  night  in  the  main  quiet  and  eafy,  but  for 
 cc  five  hours  would  receive  nothing  within  his 
 rc  lips.  I  was  down  in  his  chamber  early  in 
 cc  the  morning,  and  found  him  quite  fenfible. 
 "  I  begged  he  would  be  pleafed  to  take  a 
 cc  little  liquid  to  moiften  his  mouth,  and  lie 
 fC  received  at  my  hand  three  tea  fpoonfuls, 
 fc  and  has  done  the  like  feveral  times  this  day. 
 "  Upon  inquiry  he  told  me  he  lay  eafy,  and 
 €c  his  mind  peaceful  and  ferene.  I  laid  to 
 f?  him  this  morning  that  he  had  taught  us 
 <c  how  to  live,  and  was  now  teaching  us  how 
 cc  to  die  by  his  patience  and  compofure,  for 
 fc  he  has  been  remarkably  in  this  frame  for 
 «c  feveral  days  paft.  He  replied,  cc  Yes."  I 
 ,c  told  him  I  hoped  he  experienced  the  com- 
 «c  fort  of  thefe  words,  cc  I  will  never  leave 
 "  thee>  nor  forfake  thee."     He  anfwered,  cc  I 
 
 «  do.'* 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  319 
 
 tf  do."  The  eafe  of  body  and  calmnefs  of 
 cc  mind  which  he  enjoys  is  a  great  mercy  to 
 cc  him,  and  to  us.  His  fick  chamber  has  no- 
 Xi  thing  terrifying  in  it.  He  is  an  upright 
 <c  man,  and  I  doubt  not  but  his  end  will  be 
 <c  peace.  We  are  ready  to  ufe  the  words  of 
 <c  Job  and  fay,  cc  We  fhall  feek  him  in  the 
 <c  morning  but  he  fhall  not  be."  But  God 
 <c  only  knows,  by  whofe  power  he  is  upheld 
 <c  in  life,  and  for  wife  purpofes  no  doubt. 
 cc  He  told  me  he  liked  I  mould  be  with  him. 
 cc  All  other  bufiriefs  is  put  off,  and  I  am  in 
 c<  the  houfe  night  and  day.  I  would  admi- 
 "  nifter  all  the  relief  that  is  in  my  power. 
 <c  He  is  worthy  of  all  that  can  be  done 
 c<  for  him.  I  am  your  very  faithful  and 
 cc  truly  afflicted  fervant."  On  the  26th  of 
 November,  the  day  after  the  Dcflor's  deceafe, 
 Mr.  Parker  wrote  again  to  the  fame  perfon. 
 "  At  length  the  fatal  news  is  come.  The 
 <c  fpirit  of  the  good  man,  my  dear  mafter, 
 "  took  its  flight  from  the  body  to  worlds  un- 
 "  feen  and  joys  unknown  yefterday  in  the 
 cc  afternoon  without  a  druggie  or  a  groan. 
 "  My  Lady  Abney,  and  Mrs.  Abney  are  fup- 
 cc  ported  as  well  as  we  can  reafonably  expecl. 
 cc  It  is  an  houfe  of  mourning  and  tears,  for  I 
 cc  have  told  you  before  now  that  we  all  at- 
 cc  tended  upon  him  and  ferved  him  from  a 
 cc  principle  of  love  and  efteem.  May  God 
 cc  forgive  us  all  that  we  have  improved  no 
 w  more  by  him,  while  we  enjoyed  him  !'* 
 
 Thus 
 
320  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Thus  did  this  great  and  good  man  after  an 
 eminently  holy  and  ufeful  life  finifh.  his  courfe 
 with  joy,  and  the  laft  fight  of  him  to  the  eye 
 of  faith  was  not  unlike  that  which  the  corpo- 
 real eye  of  Elijha  had  of  Elijah,  when  he 
 afcended  in  triumph  to  the  heavenly  glory. 
 May  I  not  apply  his  delightful  defcription  of 
 a  faint  launching  into  eternity  \  to  the  Doftor 
 himfelf? 
 
 Thus  Watts 's  foul  forfakes  this  mortal  ftand 
 Fearlefs,  when  the  great  matter  gives  command  : 
 Death  is  the  ftorm,  fhe  fmiles  to  hear  it  roar, 
 And  bids  the  tempeft  waft  her  from  the  fhore  j 
 Then  with  a  fkilful  helm  fhe  fweeps  the  feas, 
 And  manages  the  raging  ftorm  with  eafe : 
 Her  faith  can  govern  death  :  (he  fpreads  her  wings 
 Wide  to  the  wind,   and  as  fhe  fails  fhe  fings, 
 And  lofes  by  degrees  the  fight  of  mortal  things. 
 As  the  fhores  leflen  fo  her  joys  arife 
 The  waves  roll  gentler,  and  the  tempeft  dies  : 
 Now  vaft  eternity  fills  all  her  fight, 
 She  floats  on  the  broad  deep  with  infinite  delight, 
 The  feas  forever  calm,  the  fkies  forever  bright. 
 
 May  I  be  excufed  if  I  take  the  liberty  of 
 adding  that  I  faw  the  corpfe  of  this  excellent 
 man  in  his  coffin,  and  obferved  nothing  more 
 than  death  in  its  afpedl  ?  The  countenance 
 appeared  quite  placid,  like  a  perfon  fallen  into 
 a  gentle  deep,  or  fuch  as  the  fpirit  might  be 
 fuppofed  to  leave  behind  it  upon  its  willing 
 departure  to   the    celeftial    happinefs.      How 
 
 f  See  his  Lvric  Poems,  B.  i. 
 
 juftly 
 
Da.     ISAAC     WATTS.  321 
 
 juftly  might  I  have  faid  at  the  moment  I  be- 
 held his  dead  earthy  as  related  to  fuch  an 
 holy  foul,  as  the  Boclor  does  in  an  epitaph 
 upon  a  pious  young  man,  who  was  removed 
 from  our  world  after  a  lingering  and  painful 
 Ulnefs  ? 
 
 So  fleep  the  faints  and  ceafe  to  groan, 
 When  fin  and  death  have  done  their  worft  : 
 Chrift  has  a  glory  like  his  own 
 Which  waits  to  clothe  their  waking  duft  *. 
 
 Or  might  I  not  have  broken  out,  upon  the 
 fight  of  his  lifelefs  clay,  and  in  the  faith  of 
 future  glory,  in  the  lines*  fomewhat  varied) 
 of  Mr.  Prior  to  Br.  Sherlock  ? 
 
 Thus  in  full  age  and  hoary  holinefs 
 Thou  haft  afcended  to  thy  promis'd  blifs  : 
 Untouch'd  thy  tomb,  uninjur'd  be  thy  duft, 
 As  thine  own  fame  among  the  future  juft, 
 Till  in  laft  founds  the  dreadful  trumpet  fpeaks, 
 Till  judgment  calls  and  quicken'd  nature  wakes5 
 Till  thro'  the  utmoft  earth  and  deepeft  fea 
 Our  fcatter'd  atoms  find  their  deftin'd  way 
 In  hafte  to  clothe  their  kindred  fouls  again, 
 Perfect  our  ftate,  and  build  immortal  man  ; 
 Then  fearlefs  thou,  who  well  fuftain'd  the  fight, 
 To  paths  of  joy  and  tracks  of  endlefs  light 
 Lead  up  all  thofe  who  heard  thee  and  believ'd  ;      -% 
 Midft  thine  own  flock,  great  fhepherd,  be  receivM,  V 
 And  glad  all  heav'n  with  myriads  thou  haft  fav'd.  I 
 
 See  his  Mifcellanies,  No.  70. 
 
 Y  lfhall 
 
3^2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 I  fhall  add  to  my  account  of  his  decline  and 
 death  a  defcription  of  the  Doftor's  perfon,  and 
 a  fummary  of  his  character,  as  I  know  not  of 
 a  fitter  place  in  my  work  both  for  the  one  and 
 the  other. 
 
 His  flature  was  beneath  the  common  ftand- 
 ard,  perhaps  not  above  five  feet,  or  at  moft 
 five  feet  two   inches,  but   without  any  thing 
 like  a  deformity  in  his  frame.     His  body  was 
 fpare  and  lean,  his  face  oval,  his  nofe  aquiline, 
 his    complexion  fair    and  pale,    his   forehead 
 low,  his    cheek-bones    rather  prominent,  but 
 his    countenance  on  the  whole   by   no  means 
 difagreeable.     His   eyes  were  fm'all  and  grey, 
 and,   whenever   he   was    attentive    or    eager, 
 amazingly    piercing     and    expreflive.       His 
 voice   was   rather    too    fine   and    (lender,    at 
 lead  would  have  been   thought  fo   if  he  had 
 been  of  a  larger  mould,  but  it  was  regular, 
 audible,   and  pleafant.     But  from  a  view  of 
 the  cabinet   let  us  open  to  the  incomparable 
 jewel  it  contained,  and  take   a   furvey  of  his 
 intellectual    powers,    and    moral    and   divine 
 accomplishments  and  graces,  collecting  as  into 
 a  point  what  has  been  in  fcattered  parts  of  our 
 work  obferved  concerning   him.     He  had   a 
 moft   vivid   and    abounding  genius  f   joined 
 
 with 
 
 t  I  recoiled  his  telling  me,  u  that  when  he  fet  him- 
 felf  to  ftudy  now  in  his  advanced  years  he  had  only  one 
 
 "  thought 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  323 
 
 with  the  moft  patient  indefatigable  induftry; 
 a  moft  quick  conception  with  a  tenacious  me- 
 mory * ;  a  great  mind  flrengthened  and  cul- 
 tivated by  ftudy,  and  replenished  with  the 
 treafures  of  a  vaft  and  noble  literature.  He 
 had  the  copious  and  heavenly  knowledge  of 
 the  divine,  the  clear  perception  and  patient 
 thinking  of  the  philofopher,  and  the  rich 
 imagination  and  fublime  rapture  of  the  poetf; 
 
 one 
 
 tf  thought  occurring  when  in  former  times  he  had  ten.'* 
 How  exuberant  mull  his  imagination  have  been  in 
 younger  life  when  no  poverty  or  interruption  of  his  ideas 
 was  difcoverable  to  the  end  of  his  days  ? 
 
 *  As  a  proof  of  his  faithful  memory  I  well  remember 
 his  repeating  in  converfation  feveral  verfes  of  Juve- 
 nal without  the  leaft  hefitation.  When  he  had  ended 
 them  I  aflted  him  "  how  long  it  might  be  fince  he  had 
 *f  read  that  poet?"  His  anfwer  was,  "  never  fmce  I  was 
 *(  a  young  man." 
 
 f  Dr.  Jennings  in  his  funeral  difcourfe  very  juftly  ob- 
 ferves  concerning  him,  "  that  though  that  which  gave 
 "  him  the  moft  remarkable  pre-eminence  was  the  extent 
 €t  and  fublimity  of  his  imagination,  yet  how  few  have 
 <e  excelled  or  even  equalled  him  in  quicknefs  of  appre- 
 (<  henfion  and  folidity  of  judgment  ?" 
 
 The  late  Lord  Barjington  in  a  letter  to  the  Dctfcr  giv- 
 ing his  opinion  of  one  of  his  then  recent  publications, 
 tells  him,  "  that  he  was  Angularly  happy  in  the  diftinct- 
 "  nefs  of  his  thoughts,  and  the  clearneis  of  his  expreflion, 
 "  and  that  no  one  could  exceed  him  in  a  felicity  of 
 "  ranging  the  ideas  he  would  convey  to  us."  He  then 
 adds,  "  the  fchsme  you  have  propofed  could  come  only 
 "  from  a  man  of  great  acutenefs  and  intenfe  thought. 
 "  The  whole  work  ihows  a  vaft  reading  of  the  Bible,  ami 
 u  that  you  have  every  text  in  it  ready  for  ufe." 
 
 Y  2  Dr. 
 
yH  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 one  of  which  characters,  in  fuch  an  high  de- 
 gree as  he  poiTeiTed   it,  might  have  been  fur"* 
 ficient  to  have  raifed  him   an   immortal  fame. 
 He   was   pious   without   oftentation ;    devout 
 without  enthufiafm  ;  humble  without  difguife; 
 patient  without  fainting  or  complaint  ;  faithful 
 without  morofity  ;  firm  without  rigour  j  zeal- 
 ous without  fury  ;  and  ftudious  without  gloom 
 or   ftiffnefs.      With  equal   truth,  and  in   the 
 lame  manner  of  defcription  I  might  add  that 
 he  was  pleafant  without  levity;  mild  without 
 mcartnefs  ;  learned  without  pride ;  polite  with- 
 out  diflimulation  ;    bountiful    without  vanity 
 or  imprudence;  and  pure  and  temperate  with- 
 out   the  kail  fhadow  of  the   contrary  vices. 
 In  his  whole  courfe  of  life  he  appeared  to  have 
 a  fingle  eye  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  good 
 of  men.     The  gofpel  of  righteoufnefs  and  fal- 
 vation   he  diffufed  in  a  wide  extent  from  the 
 pulpit,  but  in   a  much  wider  from  the  prefs, 
 and   what  crowned   all  was  he   enforced   and 
 adorned  what  he  recommended  by  an  uncom- 
 
 Dr.  Gibjon  Bilhop  of  London  in  one  of  his  letters  to  the 
 Doftor  obferves  to  him  "  that  he  wondered  at  one  thing, 
 "  and  that  was  how  a  mind  which  thought  fo  clofe;y 
 "  could  at  the  fame  time  frame  itfelf  to  that  eafy  and  fa- 
 "  miliar  way,  which  appeared  in  fome  other  of  his 
 "  writings." 
 
 Such  were  the  ideas  the  above  perfons,  men  of  confi- 
 derable  abilities,  entertained  of  the  Dofiors  clofenefs  of 
 thinking,  and  folidity  of  judgment,  at  the  fame  time  that 
 the  world  confeffes  the  ftrength  and  fubiimity  of  his 
 imagination  in  his  poetic  writings. 
 
 mon 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  32 
 
 mon  exactnefs  of  life,  and  fanftity  of  manners. 
 He  was  a  living  epiftle  of  his  Lord  and  Savi- 
 our  deeply  infcribed   with   his  honours,    and 
 known  and  read  of  all  men.     If  Nimrod,  Alex- 
 ander^ and  Crffar,  thofe  mighty  hunters  of  men, 
 abufed  their  great  capacities  in  cruel  defignsa  and 
 reftlefs  endeavours  for  the  destruction  of  their 
 fellow-creatures,   this  excellent  man's  eminent 
 talents  were  employed  in  his  bed  attempts  to 
 blefs  and  fave  them,  and  in  the  day  of  univer- 
 fal  audit  and  retribution  when   thefe    bloody 
 heroes  fhall  fee  thoufands   and  ten   thoufands 
 who  fell    by   their   victorious  fwords   rife   up 
 to  witnefs    againft    their  wanton    and   unpro- 
 voked   barbarities,    and    call    for   vengeance 
 upon  them,  thoufands  and  ten  thoufands  may 
 hail  this   bed   of  benefactors  to  mankind   as 
 the  happy  inftrument  under  God  of  their  firft 
 converfion  to  him,  or  their  after  aftiftance  and 
 confolation  in  their  way  to  heaven.     He  died 
 in  peace  honoured  and  lamented,  and  has  left 
 behind  him  an  example  worthy  the  imitation  of 
 all,    and  efpecially  of  the  minifters  of  the  go- 
 fpel  of  ChrifL     Perhaps  very  few  of  the  de- 
 fendants of  Adam  have  made  nearer  approaches 
 to  angels  in  intellectual  powers  and  divine  dif? 
 pofitions  than  Br.  Wattsx  and  among  the  nu- 
 merous (tars  which  have   adorned   the  hemi- 
 fphere  of  the  Chriftian  church  he  has  fhone  and 
 will  fhine  an  orb  of  the  firft  magnitude. 
 
 A  few   months   fince  my  learned  and  ho- 
 noured friend  the  Rev.  Daniel  Turner,  M.  A. 
 of  Abingdon  Berks  fent  me  a  Latin  epitaph  upor> 
 Y  .3  th* 
 
3i6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 the  Doctor,  "  which  he  tells  me  he  compofed 
 "  many  years  ago  for  his  private  entertain- 
 "  menu"  I  fhall  infert  it  together  with  his 
 EngUJh  verfion  as  it  may  very  properly  follow 
 the  defcription  I  have  given  of  the  Doctor's  cha- 
 racter, as  it  is  ib  remarkably  harmonious  with  it. 
 
 EPITAPHIUM 
 
 /  S  A  A  C  I      W  ATT  S9      S.  T.  P. 
 
 M.  S. 
 
 Quern  tot  Unguis,  tam  jufte  cclebrat  fama 
 Hac  infcriptione  fepulchrali 
 
 Commemoratur, 
 
 Vir  admodum  reverendus, 
 
 Isaacus  Watts,  S.  T.  P. 
 
 Cui  corpus  fragile  et  languidum, 
 
 Mens,  tamen  cognata  coelo, 
 
 Vigore  plena,  fagax,  atque  ad  omnia 
 
 Praeftantiflima  parata ; 
 
 Literis  tam  humanis  quam  facris, 
 
 Et,  quod  fupra,  pietate  vera 
 
 Ornata. 
 
 Vixit 
 
 Integrse  benevolentias,  modeftiae  eximia?, 
 
 Et  omnigenae  virtutis 
 
 Praeclarum  exemplar ; 
 
 Deoque  multum  hommibufque  dileclus : 
 
 Praeco 
 
 Verbi  divini,  mira  oration  is 
 
 Vi  etfuavitate  prasditus, 
 
 Veritatis    amator    fincerus, 
 
 •     Et  pacificus  cultor  : 
 
 Per   plurimos   annos, 
 
 Coetus  Christum  colentium 
 
 Apu-1  Londinum 
 
 i  Fidel  is 
 
Dr.     I  S  A  A  C    W  AT  T  S.  327 
 
 Fidelis  vigilanfque  prasfes  : 
 
 Vates  infignis, 
 
 Qui  nobis  (numine  afflatus  vero) 
 
 Jefliadie  odas  Hebraicas, 
 
 Scrmone  patrio, 
 
 Feliciterque  ad  modum  cukus  evaagelici 
 
 Aptas  prxbuit ; 
 
 Multaque  prceterea, 
 
 Carmine  fublimi,  exculto,  et  numerofo, 
 
 Alia,  amicitiae  et  virtuti  dicata, 
 
 Domini  Jesu  nomini  gratiaeque  alia, 
 
 Delicias  piorum  omnia  edidit : 
 
 Ediditque  etiam 
 
 Traclatus  piures,  numcris  folutos, 
 
 De  rebus  facris,  artibufque  ingenuis  ; 
 
 In  quibus  omnibus, 
 Ingenii  ejus  vis  magna,  judicii  folertia, 
 Et  cordis  benignitas 
 Uluftrrfiime  enitent. 
 Tandem,  fene&ute,  morbis,  tsediifque 
 Vitse  perutilis  attritus, 
 Decreto  divino  conceflit 
 Die  Nov.  250,  A  D.  1748°.  JEtat.  750. 
 Fletu  multo  omnium  deploratus, 
 Sapientium,  bonorumque  maxime. 
 Sed  licet  obruit 
 Domicilium  terreftre  ruina  tarn  deflenda 
 Mens  tamen  incola, 
 Invidla  Letho,  vinclifque  mortalibus  exuta, 
 Poli  paterni  limina  attigit, 
 Vitamque  degit  divine  beatam  ; 
 Atqui  ardenter  tempus  mirabilc 
 Olim  praedictum  expeclans, 
 Cum  miniftri  fupremi  tuba 
 Orbem   attonitum  concutiet, 
 Et  ofla,  nunc  tumulo  condita, 
 Ad  vitam  fempiternam  vocabit : 
 
 Y  4  Quando, 
 
31$  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Quando, 
 
 Quam  bonus,  magnufque,  dignufque- 
 
 Hie  fuit  Jaudis, 
 
 (Quod  data  eft  nee  Mufae  nee  Famae  copia  fandf 
 
 Tu  plene  cognofces,  lector, 
 
 fotufque  mirabitur 
 
 Mundus  ! 
 
 AN      EPITAPH 
 
 Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  Isaac  Watts,  D.  IX, 
 
 This  monumental  infeription 
 
 Commemorates  the  very  Reverend 
 
 Isaac  Watts,  D.  D. 
 
 The  man  fo  juftly  celebrated 
 
 By  univerfal  fame. 
 
 He  had  a  weak  and  languid  body, 
 
 But  a  foul  akin  to  heaven, 
 
 Vigorous,  fagacious, 
 
 $nd  prepar'd  for  every  thing  excellent; 
 
 Adorn'd  with  univerfal  literature. 
 
 And,  what  is  ftill  more, 
 
 With  real  piety. 
 
 He  lived  an  illuftrious  example 
 
 Of  pure  benevolence, 
 
 Extraordinary  humility,' 
 
 And  every  kind  of  virtue  ; 
 
 Greatly  beloved  both  of  God  and  man* 
 
 He  was  a  preacher 
 
 Of  admirably  fweet  and  powerful  elocution  ; 
 
 A  fincere  lover, 
 
 And  pacific  promoter 
 
 Of  truth  5 
 
 For  many  years 
 
 A  faithful  and  vigilant  paftor 
 
 Of  a  Chriltian  fociery 
 
 In  London  : 
 
 The 
 
Br.     ISAAC    WATTS.  j^ 
 
 The  excellent  poet, 
 
 Who,  infpired  by  a  Mufe  truly  divine, 
 
 Gave  us  the  Pfalms  of  David  in  Englijh  vcrfc, 
 
 flappily  adapted  to  the  Chriftian  ftate  and  worfhip* 
 
 And  publifhed  befides  many  pieces 
 
 In  fublime,  polite,  and  harmonious  numbers, 
 
 Some  facred  to  virtue  and  friendfhip, 
 
 And  others  to  the  name  and  grace 
 
 Of  the  Lord  jesus  ; 
 
 AH  of  them  the  delight  of  the  pious. 
 
 He  publifhed  alfo 
 
 Several  tracts  in  profe 
 
 On  divine  fubjecls,  and  the  liberal  arts; 
 
 In  all  which, 
 
 The  great  ftrength  of  his  genius, 
 
 The  acutenefs  of  his  judgment, 
 
 And  the  goodnefs  of  his  heart 
 
 Are  illuftrioufly  difplay'd. 
 
 At  length, 
 
 Worn  out  with  age,  ficknefs,  and  the  toils 
 
 Of  a  very  ufeful  life,  he  dkdy 
 
 Nov.  25,   1748,  in  the  75th  year  of  his  agea 
 
 Much  lamented  by  all, 
 
 Efpecially  by  the  wife  and  the  good. 
 
 But,  though  a  ruin  fo  deplorable 
 
 Has  crufh'd   his   tenement   of  clay, 
 
 The  indwelling  Mind, 
 
 Unfubdued  by  death, 
 
 And  freed  from  mortal  chains, 
 
 Has  reach'd  her  kindred  fkies, 
 
 And  lives  divinely  blefl; 
 
 Yet  waits  with  ftrong  defire 
 
 The  wondrous  day  of  old  predicted, 
 
 When  the  archangel's  trump 
 
 §hall  {hake  the  aftonim'd  globe, 
 
 And  call  the  duft, 
 
 Now 
 
33?  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Now  treafurM  in  the  tomb 
 
 To  life  immortal. 
 
 When,  how  good,  and  great, 
 
 And    worthy  of  praife   he   was, 
 
 (Which  nor  the  Mufe  nor  Fame  can  tell) 
 
 Reader,  thou  (halt  know, 
 
 And    all  the  world   admire ! 
 
 If  the  character  I  have  given  of  the  Boclor 
 fhould    feem   too    highly  wrought,    and   that 
 my  cfteem  for  him  has  made  me  in  fome  de- 
 gree exceed  the  ftriclnefs  of  truth  I  will  only 
 fay  with  the  compilers  of  Archbijhop  Seeker's 
 life  ( Dr.  Pertetis  and  Br.  Stinton)  transferring 
 to  Br.  Walts  what  they  apply  to  him,  <c  that 
 c«  this  is  what  I  judged  proper  to  lay  before 
 "  the  world  in  relation  to  this  excellent  man, 
 *c  not  with  any  view  of  exalting  his  character 
 "  higher  than  it  deferves,  but  of  making  its 
 "  real  value  more  generally  known.    To  fome 
 ".  no  doubt   the  portrait  here  drawn  of  him 
 <:  will  appear  a  flattering  one,  but  it  will  be 
 *c  much  eafier  to   call  than  to  prove  it  fuch. 
 "  Nothing    has  been  advanced  but  what   is 
 <€  founded   on   the   moll  authentic  evidence, 
 "  nor  has  any  circumftance  been  defignedly 
 "  drained  beyond  the   truth;    but  if  he  did 
 *c  really  live  and  act  in  fuch  a  manner  that  the 
 iS  moft    faithful  delineation   of  his    character 
 u  mult  necefTarily  have  the  air   of  panegyric, 
 u  it  is  owing  not  to  the  copy,  but  the  ori- 
 "  ginal." 
 
 CHAP, 
 
Br.  'IS  A  AC    WATTS.  £${ 
 
 CHAP.     XL 
 
 The  Re f peels  paid  him  at  his  Deceafe* 
 
 TH  E  Doctor  was  interred  in  a  very  hand- 
 fome  manner  amidft  a  vaft  concourfe  of 
 people  in  the  burial-ground  in  Bunhill-JieldSy 
 London.  His  pall  was  fupported  by  fix  re- 
 fpectable  minifters,  two  of  the  Prejbyteriany 
 two  of  the  Congregational y  and  two  of  the  Anti- 
 pcedobaptift  denominations.  Br.  Samuel  Chand- 
 ler delivered  an  oration  at  the  grave,  which 
 was  afterwards  printed,  in  which  are  the  fol- 
 lowing juft  commendations  of  the  deceafed. 
 "  We  here  commit  to  the  ground  the  venera- 
 Cf  ble  remains  of  one  who,  being  intrufted 
 cc  with  many  excellent  talents  by  him  who  is 
 "  the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift, 
 cc  cheerfully  and  unweariedly  employed  them 
 <c  as  a  faithful  fteward  of  the  manifold  grace 
 Cf  of  God  in  his  Matter's  fervice,  approving 
 "  himfelf  as  a  minifter  of  Chrifb  fn  much  pa- 
 <c  tience,  in  afflictions,  and  diftreffes,  by  pure- 
 "  nefs,  by  knowledge,  by  long-fuffering,  by 
 <c  kindnefs,  by  love  unfeigned,  by  the  word 
 "  of  truth,  by  the  armour  of  righteoufnefs, 
 tc  by  honour  and  difhonour,  by  evil  report 
 "  and  good  report,  and  who,  amidft  trials 
 "  from  within  and  from  without,  was  conti- 
 U  nued  by  the  kind  providence  of  God,  and 
 
 "  the 
 
33z  MEMOIRS     O  F 
 
 <e  the  powerful  fupports  of  his  grace  to  a  gooc! 
 "  old  age  honoured  and  beloved  by  all  par^ 
 c<  ties,  retaining  his  ufefulnefs  till  he  had 
 <c  juft  finiiried  his  courfe,  and  being  at  laft  fa- 
 "  voured,  according  to  his  own  wilhes  and 
 •c  prayers,  with  a  releafe  from  the  labours  of 
 <c  life  into  that  peaceful  ftate  of  good  men, 
 ,c  which  commences  immediately  after  death. 
 tc  O  how  delightful  is  that  voice  from  heaven 
 fC  which  has  thus  pronounced,  BlerXed  are  the 
 "  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  ?  Yes,  faith  the 
 €C  Spirit,  that  they  may  reft  from  their  la- 
 "  hours,  and  their  works  follow  them.** 
 
 On  the  nth  of  December,  a  little  more  than 
 a  fortnight  after  the  DcRor\  death,  Dr.  Jen- 
 nings preached  a  funeral  fermon  to  the  church 
 of  which  Dr.  Watts  was  pa  (lor  from  Heb.  xi. 
 4.  "  By  it,  he   being  dead  yet   /peaks,"    in 
 which  there  is  a   draught  of  his  character,  of 
 which  we  have   made  frequent  ufey    and   to 
 which  we  own  ourfelves  much  obliged  in  the 
 courfe  of  thefe  memoirs.     Dr.  John  Milner  alfo 
 preached  a  fermon  at  Peckham  near  London  on 
 the  fame  day,  and  afterwards  printed  it.     His 
 text  was  taken  from  Revel,  xiv.  13.  "  And  I 
 <c  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  faying  unto  me, 
 "  Write,  bleffed   are  the  dead  which  die   in 
 cf  the  Lord,  from  henceforth,  yea,    faith  the 
 "  Spirit  that  they  may  reft  from  their  labours, 
 "  and  their  works  follow  them."     The  title 
 of  the  fermon   is,  The  reft  and  reward  of  good 
 men  at  death,  and  it  is  (aid  to  have  been  delr- 
 4  vered 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  333 
 
 vered  the  next  Lord's  day  after  the  interment 
 of  that  eminent,  faithful,  and  ufeful  minifter 
 of  Jefus  Chrift   Dr.  Tfaac  Watts.     In  a  letter 
 prefixed  to  his  difcourfe  to  a  friend  whofe  name 
 is  not  mentioned  Dr.  Milner  obferves  "  that 
 «  while  Dr.  Watts  lived  he  was  an  honour  to 
 "  the  DifTenters.     His  uncommon  genius,  his 
 «  polite  taile,    his  pious  and   ufeful  labours 
 "  fhould  endear  his  memory  to  thofe  who  had 
 <c  the  credit  and  benefit  of  them.     A  weak 
 "  conftitution    too  often  confined   him   from 
 «  appearing  in  active  life,  yet  this  he  com- 
 «  penfated  by  his  diligence  in  the  conternpla- 
 <c  tive.     He  did  not  retreat  to  indolence  and 
 <c  eafe,    under   the   favour  of  an  honourable 
 «  friendfhip,    but  fully   employed  himfelf  in 
 «*  finifhing  thofe  plans   he  defigned    for    the 
 «  good   of  mankind.      The   number  of  his 
 "  works  juft  publilhed,  and  thofe  he  left  be- 
 cc  hind  him  in  manufcript  fhow  that  he  was 
 <c  diligent  in  his  retirement,  and  animated  in 
 "  his  compofitions  by  generous  and  focial  af- 
 <c  feclions.      His   works   generally  met  with 
 cc  acceptance,  as  he  wrote  with  eafe  and  ele- 
 cc  gance,  and  could  from  the  richnefs  of  his 
 "  imagination  enliven  the  mod  common  fub- 
 cc  jecls,  and  add  a  luftre  to  the  moft  intereft- 
 cc  ing.      His    charity  was  very  extenfive   to 
 cc  honeft  men  in  different  fentiments  from  him- 
 cc  felf.     He  firmly  adhered  to  what  he  took 
 cc  to  be  truth,  and  as  freely  condemned  error, 
 <r  but  at  the  fame  time  was  ready  to  make 
 
 ft  allowance 
 
334.  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 «?  allowance  for  human  weaknefs,  and  to  con* 
 "  fider  the  different  fentiments  among  chrifti- 
 cc  ans,  if  they  did  not  eclipfe  the  diftinguifh- 
 <4  ing  glories  of  our  holy  religion,  and  deftroy 
 *c  its  practical  power  and  influence,  I  fay  he 
 <c  could  confider  them,  as  monuments  of  our 
 cc  imperfection,  and  trials  of  our  charity  to 
 H  one  another." 
 
 Towards  the  clofe  of  his  letter  Dr.  Milner 
 adds,  <c  Such  was  Dr.  Waits' s  chriftian  temper 
 cc  that  it  difpofed  him  to  friendship  with  per- 
 *c  fons  of  different  denominations.  Such  were 
 <c  his  abilities  and  labours  that  he  has  ac- 
 <c  quired  to  his  name  a  kind  of  immortality 
 «  on  earth.  His  name  will  be  mentioned 
 cc  with  refpeci  while  true  vital  religion  pre- 
 €C  ferves  its  authority  amongft  us,  while  li- 
 cc  berty  and  the  gofpel  mall  be  the  honour  of 
 <c  Great  Britain.  When  we  come  to  inftruct 
 tc  our  young  friends  at  home,  or  to  praife 
 <c  God  in  our  public  afTemblies  the  name  of 
 "  this  excellent  man  will  be  repeated,  who 
 <c  has  furnifhed  us  with  fuch  agreeable  helps 
 <c  for  both,  neither  will  his  name  or  worth 
 cc  be  unknown  to  the  fchools  of  philofophy." 
 
 Mr.  afterwards  Dr.  Caleb  Afhworth  preached 
 and  printed  a  fermon  on  Dr.  Watts  %  death  to 
 his  congregation  at  Dav entry  in  Northampton- 
 shire from  2  Sam.  iii.  38.  "  Know  ye  not 
 fC  that  there  is  a  prince,  and  a  great  man 
 c-  fallen  this  day  in  Ifrael  ln  entitled  Reflex- 
 ions en  the  fall  of  a  great  man.     It  contains  a 
 
 flceteh 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  335 
 
 fketch  of  the  Dotlors  character  chiefly  drawn 
 from  his  writings,  which  may  not  be  unaccept- 
 able to  our  Readers.  "  Dr.  JVatts's  labours, 
 cc  fays  this  writer,  as  an  author  were  amazing, 
 cc  efpecially  confidering  the  invincible  embar- 
 cc  go  fo  often  laid  upon  him  by  extreme  weak- 
 «  nefs,  and  his  perfeverance  in  them  truly 
 <c  noble  and  generous,  when  bodily  indifpofi- 
 "  tion  might  have  formed  a  very  powerful 
 fC  difcouragement. 
 
 cc  Though  he  was  capable  of  converfing  with 
 "  the  grea-teft  men  on  the  moil  abftrufe  fub- 
 cc  jecls,  as  appears  by  his  fuccefsful  attempts 
 cc  to  make  fome  of  the,  learned  fciences  more 
 cc  eafily  attained,  yet  he  condefcended  to  be  a 
 "  teacher  of  babes ;  and  happy  is  it  for  us,  and 
 "  for  our  children  that  he  did,  he  having  fur- 
 cc  niihed  us  With  the  beft  afliftance  we  any 
 cc  where  meet  with  for  inftructing  them  in  the 
 "  do  fir  in  e  and  hi  ft  or y  of  our  bibles,  for  preferving 
 "  them  from  the  vices  and  follies  to  which  they 
 cc  are  fo  much  expofed,  as  well  as  forming 
 <c  their  unpractifed  lips  to  the  fublime  duties 
 "  of  prayer  and  praife. 
 
 <c  Nor  has  he  confined  his  labours  to  ex- 
 <c  plaining  thefe  duties  to  children,  but  has 
 cc  given  us  a  free  and  rational  account  of  the 
 "  gift*  grace,  and  fpirit  of  prayer,  fuitc4  to  the 
 "  edification  of  the  moft  eminent  Chriflians, 
 cc  yet  containing  fuch  directions  for  the  prac- 
 "  tice  of  it,  as  will  leave  the  meaner!:  and  raoflr 
 "  ignorant  without  excufe  in  the  neglect  of 
 
 "  that 
 
336  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 «c  that  duty  >  and  his  attempts  to  render  cur  m\- 
 cc  thems  of  praife  more  evangelical  and  edifying 
 <f  were  fo  fuccefsful  that  our  circumftances 
 <c  can  hardly  be  fo  uncommon,  but  we  may 
 cc  find  a  facred  fong  fuited  to  our  cafe.  The 
 "  happy  manner  in  which  he  has  rendered 
 cc  thefe  compofures  intelligible  to  the  ignorant 
 cc  and  illiterate,  yet  inftructive  and  delightful 
 tc  to  the  more  intelligent^  mow  at  once  hott 
 cc  warm  a  defire  of  extenfive  ufefulnefs  ani- 
 <c  mated  his  heart,  and  how  fkilful  an  hand 
 <c  directed  his  pen,  while  the  flrong  images, 
 cc  the  bold  flights,  the  lively  painting,  the 
 *c  fublimity  of  thought,  and  majefty  of  ex- 
 tc  predion,  which  occur  in  fome  other  of  his 
 *c  poetical  writings  proclaim  what  a  mafter  he 
 **  was  in  that  art,  and  how  much  felf-denial 
 "  he  practifed  in  condefcending  to  a  lower 
 u  flrain  when  the  genius  of  thofe  for  whom  he 
 cc  wrote  required  it. 
 
 cc  The  pains  he  has  taken  to  defend  the  go- 
 <c  fpel  mow  what  an  high  veneration  of  it  pof- 
 C£  feffed  his  heart.  The  growing  neglect  of 
 fc  this  gave  him  concern,  and  engaged  him  to 
 "  enter  a  caveat  againfi  infidelity ',  and  to  illuf- 
 Ci  trate  the  humbling  truth  of  the  weaknefs  of 
 cf  human  reafon  againft  thofe  who  magnified  its 
 <c  fnfficiency  to  the  difhonour  and  neglect  of 
 cc  divine  revelation. 
 
 "  But  it  was  not  the  name  of  a  revelation, 
 cc  that  pleafed  him,  or  the  belief  of  it  alone 
 cc  that  he  aimed  to  promote,  but  a  cordial  and 
 
 cc  affectionate 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  337 
 
 "  affectionate  fenfe  of  its  peculiar  difcoveries. 
 ¥  It  was  this  which  engaged  him  to  difcourfe 
 *c  on  the  great  defign  of  the  gofpel  as  having 
 "  its  foundation  in  the  ruin  of  mankind  by  the 
 tc  fall  of  their  fir  ft  parents^  and  intended  for  our 
 fC  recovery ;  and  as  he  faw  with  unfeigned  grief 
 "  the  neglect  with  which  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift 
 c<  and  his  Spirit  were  treated  he  has  particu* 
 "  larly  confidered  and  defended  the  character 
 "  and  offices  of  the  Redeemer  and  Sanclifier  in 
 "  this  important  work,  namely,  the  recovery 
 u  of  finners  to  the  favour  and  likenefs  of 
 "  God. 
 
 "  His  defign  in  all  his  theological  writings 
 <c  moft  apparently  was  to  promote  practical 
 cc  and  vital  religion,  without  which  he  well 
 cc  knew  a  fpeculative  belief  of  the  gofpel,  or 
 cc  the  warmed  zeal  for  its  peculiar  doctrines 
 Cf  would  be  of  no  importance.  The  decay  of 
 "  this  appeared  to  him  fo  general  and  threat- 
 "  ening  that  it  occafioned  his  making  an 
 "  humble,  and,  blelTed  be  God,  I  hope  in  many 
 cc  inftances  a  fuccefsful  attempt  towards  its  re- 
 cf  vival  by  a  ferious  and  affectionate  addrefs  to 
 <c  minifters  and  people  urging  upon  them  the 
 €C  refpective  advantages  they  enjoyed,  and  the 
 <c  obligations  to  which  they  were  bound  to  do 
 cc  their  utmoft  in  fo  neceffary  a  work.  But  left 
 <c  it  fhould  degenerate  into  cold  and  lifelefs 
 sc  formality  he  has  largely  inftrudted  us  in  the 
 <c  nature  of  the  human  pajjions^  their  ufe  and  abufe 
 cc  in  matters  of  religion^  and  efpecially  in  the 
 Z  "  nature^ 
 
338  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 <c  nature \  importance,  a?id  influence  of  the  love  of 
 <c  God,  by  the  prevalence  of  which  in  the  foul 
 cc  all  the  reft  of  the  paffions  will  be  guided 
 Cf  and  confecrated. 
 
 et  His  fermo)is  on  various  fubjecls  have  been  a. 
 €e  cordial  to  us  in  our  retirements,  and  in- 
 cc  flruclive  in  our  families,  as  well  as  have 
 Cf  often  entertained  us  on  fuch  occafions  as 
 (C  thefe  *.  I  need  not  remind  you  my  friends 
 <e  of  the  peculiar  pleafure  with  which  we  have 
 <c  perufed  his  difcourfes  on  the  pious  fouVs 
 <c  drawing  nigh  to  God,  or  of  the  pleafmg  and 
 f(  awful  affections  which  have  by  turns  pof- 
 €C  feffed  our  minds,  while  he  defcribed  the 
 u  lovely  youth  perijhing  in  fin.  Kow  many  of 
 fc  us  have  been  refrefhed  by  his  evangelical  dif- 
 ec  courfes  ?  Our  faith  in  the  truth  of  the  gofpel  has 
 ' c  been  confirmed,  our  regards  to  Chrifi  the  Lamb  of 
 "  Godjfrengthened,  the  hopes  of  the  weakeft  in- 
 cc  creafed,  while  we  have  feen  the  beginnings 
 <c  andfirft  acls  of  faith  defcribed,  and  carried  on 
 €C  almoft  to  aflurance  when  we  faw  it  in  its 
 <c  higheft  advances,  and  grown  up,  as  it  were, 
 ♦c  to  knowledge  and  certainty.  How  have 
 tc  our  hearts  glowed  and  gathered  confidence, 
 (c  when  the  witnefs  of  the  Spirit  has  been  ex- 
 fC  plained  ?  And  we  have  found  all  our  expe- 
 Cf  rience  related  to  us  in  thofe  juft  and  lively 
 
 *  An  Evening  Lecture,  where  a. printed  fermon  of  the 
 Doctor's  was  fometimes  read, 
 
 *'*  defcriptions 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  339 
 
 Cf  defcriptions  of  the  contcfts  between   the  fiefh 
 cc  and  fpirit  % 
 
 u  He  was  a  true  friend  to  liberty,  though 
 "  he  would  never  give  up  the  caufe  of  truth, 
 cc  or  facririce  any  part  of  the  gofpel  to  make  a 
 <c  comprehenfion  with  infidels.  He  knew  how 
 "  to  contend  earneftly,  and  yet  in  the  fpirit  of 
 "  peace,  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
 cc  faints,  and  he  has  explained  and  defended 
 cc  what  appeared  to  him  according  to  fcripture 
 Cf  ftandard,  orthodoxy,  at  the  fame  time  repre- 
 «  fenting  it  in  the  clofeft  connexion  with 
 <c  charity. 
 
 <f  And  to  engage  our  regards  to  the  whole 
 "  fcheme  of  Chriftian  doctrines  and  duties, 
 cc  graces  and  virtues,  he  held  forth  the  pro- 
 Cf  mifed  crown  of  life,  directing  our  views  to 
 cc  thofe  blelTed  abodes,  where  feparate  fpirit s 
 c<  are  made  perfeel,  and  in  the  ftrongeft  colours 
 <c  painting  before  us  the  different  eternal  flates 
 cc  of  the  world  to  come. 
 
 <c  Thefe  are  fome  of  his  principal  labours  as 
 "  a  writer  in  the  fervice  of  religion.  But  be- 
 cc  fides  this  his  heart  and  life  were  a  fair  book, 
 "  in  which  the  feveral  characters  of  a  true 
 <c  Chriftian  were  plainly  delineated,  where  the 
 <c  love  of  God,  faith  in  Chrift,  and  diffufive 
 €C  benevolence  to  men  together  with  the  in- 
 <c  fluence  thefe  principles  ihould  have  on  the 
 cc  whole  temper  and  conduct  were  exhibited 
 "  with  a  more  engaging  luftre  than  any  de- 
 Z  &  fC  fcriptions 
 
34©  MEMOIRS    OK 
 
 "  fcriptions  could  afford,  even  from  a  pen  like 
 
 "  his  own." 
 
 To  the  above  honourable  and  public  tefti- 
 monies  to  the  Doftcr's  uncommon  merits  we 
 will  add  fome  poems  which  were  printed  foon 
 after  his  deceafe  \  the  two  laft  of  which  efpe- 
 cially,  if  we  are  not  miftaken,  not  only  do 
 honour  to  his  memory,  but  to  the  authors 
 themfelves. 
 
 EPITAPH 
 
 On  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Watts. 
 
 To  real  merit  due  this  humble  fong, 
 WatU  /  now  no  more,  to  thee  be  facred  long ; 
 Sweet  were  thy  numbers  as  thy  foul  was  great, 
 In  virtue  rich,  in  piety  replete; 
 In  vain  to  thee  Vice  founds  her  foft  alarms, 
 In  vain  (he  fpreads  her  gay  alluring  charms, 
 Thy  fteady  zeal  the  wily  foe  o'erthrew, 
 And  gave  her  veiPd  deformity  to  view  *, 
 From  thee  our  youths  enlarg'd  their  op'ning  views  -f, 
 Learn'd  heav'nly  truths,  and  reafon's  proper  ufe  J. 
 What  varied  beauties  grac'd  thy  tuneful  Jyre§  ! 
 To  charm,  reftrain,  improve,  correcl,  infpire^ 
 From  torturing  fears  the  foul  deprefs'd  to  Utt 
 Ev*n  David's  ftrains  receiv'd  new  charms  from  thee  g. 
 In  hafte  to  aid,  but  in  refentment  flow, 
 An  ardent  friend,  and  quick- forgiving  foe. 
 
 *  An  hymn  called  the  Deceitfulnefs  of  fin. 
 
 -J-  He  wrote  feveral  pieces  for  the  ufe  of  children  and 
 
 youth  in  profe  and  verfe. 
 
 %  Sermons  on  various  fubjetts  and  Logic* 
 
 $  Book  of  Hymns  and  Hora  Lyric  a, 
 
 i|  Vcrfioii  of  David's  Pfalnvr. 
 
 O  may 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  341 
 
 O  may  thy  foul,  now  loos'd  from  mortal  clay, 
 Wing  its  fwift  flight  to  realms  of  endlefs  day, 
 There  all  its  glories,  all  its  joys  improve 
 la  fcenes  of  perfect  purity  and  love  ! 
 
 To  the  Memory  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Isaac  Watts. 
 By  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mofes  Browne  *. 
 
 Thy  funeral  honours  weeping  friends  have  paid  : 
 Peace  to  thine  hallow'd  duft,  paternal  fhade  ! 
 Our  thoughts  thofe  mournful  images  employ  : 
 O  lately  ours,  whom  angels  now  enjoy  ! 
 Still  flows  the  tear,  which  wifdom  bids  us  blame  5 
 Self-love  its  weaknefs  hides  with  forrow's  name  : 
 For  thee  fo  bleft  in  life,  in  death  fo  bleft, 
 Should  evVy  tear  bedry'd,  and  plaint  fuppreft, 
 Faith  fhould  her  triumph  o'er  weak  fenfe  difplay  : 
 Death  was,  dear  faint,  thy  coronation-day. 
 Shall  faints  above  their  acclamations  (how  ? 
 And  fadnefs  damp  the  pomp  from  faints  below  ? 
 Souls  of  one  temper,  one  fraternal  race, 
 One  in  communion,  tho'  disjoin'd  in  fpace? 
 Yet  thefe,  fo  happy  now,  their  toils  and  fears 
 Once  knew,  bewilder'd  in  this  vale  of  tears, 
 Known  too  by  thee  how  late,  while  here  below, 
 O  gentle  fhade,  juft  freed  from  mortal  woe, 
 How  vaft  thy  tranfient  change !  — I  fee  thee  now- 
 Light  robes  thy  form,  and  glory  wreaths  thy  brow  : 
 And  hark  !  I  hear  thee.     O  thy  tuneful  tongue  ! 
 Round  the  Lamb's  blifsful  throne  thou  breath'ft  his 
 
 fong. 
 Reft  in  thy  blifs. — Be  ours  thy  life's  eflay, 
 Thy  bright  example  leading  all  the  way, 
 
 *  Vkar  of  OJney,  Bucks. 
 
 Z  3  Thr 
 
34*  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Thy  labour'd  volumes  nobleft:  fame  fhall  give, 
 And  through  each  age  for  its  inftrudlion  live  : 
 In  ev'ry  character  thy  merits  fhine, 
 Admir'd  in  each,  faint,  poet,  fage,  divine: 
 To  thee  heav'n's  largeft  trull:  of  talents  fell, 
 So  humbly  all  pofTefs'd,  and  us'd  fo  well  ! 
 
 Adieu — till  thy  fhort  fleep  be  paft— adieu  ! 
 Hope  keeps  affur'd  thy  waking  hour  in  view: 
 Our  eyes,  which  forrowing  o'er  thy  lifelefs  dufr, 
 Saw  the  bafe  earth  receive  its  precious  truft, 
 Again  (hall  view  from  that  difhonouring  bed 
 View  thee  in  vernal  glories  lift  thy  head, 
 Mark  thy  bright  way  and  fee  thee  radiant  rife, 
 Fair  as  a  fun  to  gild  eternal  Ikies, 
 
 On  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Watts. 
 By  the  Rev.  Mr.  Benjamin Sowden*, 
 
 From  earth  rernov'd,  in  ev'ry  virtue  warm, 
 Adieu  !  bright  feraph  in  an  human  form, 
 Whofe  nobleft  lot  indu  gent  heav'n  aflign'd. 
 Whate'er  could  charm,   or  edify  mankind  : 
 Whom  true  poetic  talents  largely  bleft, 
 Whofe  tuneful  vein  not  hoary  age  fupprefs'd  5 
 He,  like  fome  dying  fwan,  beneath  the  reeds 
 Of  rivers  gliding  through  delightful  meads 
 In  fweeteft  notes  refign'd  his  parting  breath, 
 And  funk  melodious  in  th'  embrace  of  death. 
 
 H»s  much-lov'd  mufe  Urania,  heav'nly  maid, 
 With  artlefs  grief  bewails  her  fav'rite  dead. 
 Her  bofom  heaving  with  inceiTant  fighs 
 Stream  the  big  forrows  from  her  melting  eyes, 
 
 *  Minifler  of  the  Englijb  Church  at  Rotterdam,  lately 
 deceafed. 
 
 Whofe 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  3^3 
 
 Whofe  graceful  orbs,  fuffus'd  their  brilliant  pow'r, 
 Look  faint,  as  fun-beams  fhining  thro'  a  fhow'r. 
 No  more  with  harmony  divine  (he  lings, 
 Nor  airs  celeftial  warble  on  her  firings  : 
 Her  once  enchanting  lyre  relax'd  and  broke 
 Hangs  now  negle&ed  on  the  blafted  oak, 
 While,  in  the  gloom  of  willows,  which  overlook 
 The  fable  waters  of  yon  filent  brook, 
 Whofe  leaden  flream  ne'er  mantles  to  the  wind, 
 Fix'd  in  dumb  fadnefs,  on  her  arm  reclin'd, 
 With  cheek  all  wan,  and  wild  difhevel'd  hair, 
 She  lies  a  breathing  ftatue  of  defpair. 
 
 Not  caufelefs  anguifh  this — her  darling  thou, 
 Illuftrious  fhade!  while  refident  below; 
 While  green  in  youth  fhe  prompted  thee  to  raife 
 In  her  exalted  numbers  virtue's  praife*, 
 To  ftrike  with  matchlefs  fkill  the  vocal  lyre, 
 And  kindle  in  thy  breaft  Pindaric  fjre  f. 
 Oh  loft  too  early,  tho'  thy  life  was  long  ! 
 Who  now  (hall  rife  renown'd  in  Lyric  fong  ? 
 The  harlotries  of  vice  with  verfe  control, 
 And  pour  inftru&ion  o'er  the  raptur'd  foul  ? 
 
 Nor  weeps  o'er  Waits  the  Lyric  Mufe  alone, 
 Fair  Science  hears  her,  and  returns  the  groan: 
 Beneath  yon  yew-tree's  melancholy  fhade, 
 On  the  cold  ground  her  form  divine  is  laid ; 
 Penfive  and  pale  her  fpeaking  looks  exprefs 
 Beyond  the  force  of  words  a  vaft  d iftre fs ; 
 So  the  fond  mother  mourns  her  infant- truft, 
 Her  blooming  offspring  mingled  with  the  dufl. 
 
 Well  might  thou  weep,  Parnajfian  virgin  !    well 
 Lament  to  think  in  Watts  what  learning  fell  ; 
 Nurs'd  by  thy  care,  and  train'd  beneath  thy  wing, 
 Hedrank'deep  draughts  of  knowledge  from  thy  fpring, 
 
 *  Reliquits  Juveniles.  -J-  Hora  Lyrics. 
 
 Z  4  And, 
 
344-  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 And,  when  poflefs'd  of  an  extenfive  fhare, 
 
 Rejoic'd  to  lead  his  fellow- mortals  there; 
 
 He  broke  the  fubtle  cobwebs  of  the  fchools, 
 
 Freed  the  young  genius  from  unmeaning  rules, 
 
 Led  reafon  fafely  thro*  th*  illufive  maze  *, 
 
 Where  wide  from  truth  bewitching  fancy  drays. 
 
 Small  was  his  ftature,  but  his  manly  foul 
 
 Could  grafp  the  globe,  and  reach  the  diftant  pole, 
 
 With  eafe  the  vivid  planets  courfe  could  trace, 
 
 Thro'  their  wide  orbits  in  the  fields  of  fpace  fi 
 
 But  not  the  graces  fcience  can  impart 
 
 Vy'd  with  his  moral  excellence  of  heart, 
 
 There  unaffected  goodnefs  reign'd,  and  thence 
 
 Rufti'd  the  ftrong  tide  of  warm  benevolence  ; 
 
 Eafy  of  accefs,  in  the  focial  hour 
 
 Cenfure  grew  dumb,  and  envy  ceas'd  to  lour, 
 
 Surpris'd  to  hear  his  copious  accents  flow, 
 
 Wife  without  art,  and  learn'd  without  the  fhow. 
 
 Say  ye  his  flacky  his  late  peculiar  care 
 For  whom  he  wreflled  oft  in  fervent  pray'r, 
 What  tranfports  ran  thro'  all  your  mental  frame, 
 Whene'er  he  made  redeeming  love  his  theme  ? 
 When  he  proclaimed  deliverance  from  fin 
 How  eagerly  ye  drank  the  mufic  in  ! 
 But,  when  he  chang'd  the  tender  fcenc,  2nd  fhcw'd 
 Th*  awaken'd  anger  of  an  awful  God, 
 Full  in  your  ears  all  Sinai's  terrors  rung, 
 Flafh'd  from  his  eye-balls,  thunder'd  from  his  tongue: 
 Againft  himfelf  his  confeience  rouz'd  in  arms 
 The  daring  Tinner  trembles  at  th'  alarms. 
 Juft  are  the  tears  to  fuch  a  pafror  giv'n, 
 Who  taught  at  once,  and  led  the  way  to  heav'n., 
 Whofe  life  enfore'd  the  rules  he  urg'd  on  you, 
 And  was  himfelf  the  great,  good  man  he  drew. 
 
 *  Kis  Logic,  t  His  Geography  and  Jflronomy. 
 
 But 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  345 
 
 But  while  the  Doftors  tranfcendent  worth 
 procured  him  thefe  honours  which,  like  rich 
 perfume  or  fragrant  flowers  were  all  volunta- 
 rily fcattered  on  his  grave,  yet  he  in  his  life- 
 time feemed  concerned  to  prevent  what  might 
 have  been  only  proper  and  becoming  honours 
 over  the  place  where  his  duft  was  to  be  depo- 
 fited.  He  gave  directions  to  have  only  a  ftone 
 erected  to  his  memory  with  the  following  hum- 
 ble infcription,  a  compliance  with  which  pre- 
 cluded any  other  which  might  have  contained 
 his  juft  praifes. 
 
 cc  Ifaac  WattSy  D.  D.  paftorofa  church  of 
 cc  Chrift  in  London,  fuccefTor  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
 cc  7°feph  Caryl,    Dr.  John  Owen,  Mr.  David 
 c<  Clark/on,  and  Dr.  Ifaac  Chauncy,  after  fifty 
 f<  years  of  feeble  labours  in  the  gofpel,  inter- 
 "  rupted   by  four  years  of  tirefome   ficknefs, 
 u  was  at  lad  difmiiTed  to  his  reft— 
 cc  In  uno  Iesu  omnia. 
 "  2  Cor.  v.  8.  Abfent   from  the  body,  and 
 cc  prefent  with  the  Lord, 
 
 cc  Col.  iii.  4.  When  Chrift  who  is  my  life 
 <f  fhall  appear,  then  fhall  I  alfo  appear  with 
 "  him  in  glory/' 
 
 This  infcription  with  the  time  of  his  death 
 accordingly  appears  upon  an  handfome  tomb 
 in  BunhilUfields  burying- ground  raifed  to  his 
 memory  (as  mentioned  on  the  monument)  at 
 the  joint  expence  of  Sir  John  Hartopp,  Bart. 
 once  the  Doftor's  pupil,  and  Dame  Mary  Ab- 
 fieyy  in  whofe  houfe  he  fo  long  and  fo  happily 
 3  refided3 
 
?46  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 ^efided,  and  who,  as  fhe  exprefled  herfelf  to 
 me  foon  after  his  death,  €e  had  in  him  the 
 cc  blefiing  of  a  prophet  in  her  family." 
 
 CHAP.    XII. 
 
 Seleft  Letters  of  his  Correfpondents, 
 
 LETTER     L 
 
 From  Mr.  afterwards  Dr.  Thomas  Seeker,  firft 
 Bifhop  of  Oxford,  and  for  fever al  years  before 
 bis  death  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury. 
 Rev.  Sir,  Gloucefler,  Nov.  18,  1711. 
 
 BEFORE  I  give  you  an  account  of  the 
 flate  of  our  academy,  and  thofe  other 
 things  you  defired  me,  pleafe  to  accept  of 
 my  hearty  thanks  for  that  fervice  you  have 
 done  me,  both  in  adviiing  me  to  profecute  my 
 ftudies  in  fuch  an  extraordinary  place  of  edu- 
 cation, and  in  procuring  me  admittance  into 
 it.  I  wifh  my  improvements  may  be  anfwer- 
 able  to  the  advantages  I  enjoy  ;  but,  however 
 that  may  happen,  your  kindnefs  has  fixed  me 
 in  a  place  where  I  may  be  very  happy,  and 
 fpend  my  time  to  good  purpofe ;  and  where, 
 if  I  do  not,  the  fault  will  be  all  my  own. 
 
 I  am  fenfible  how  difficult  it  is  to  give  a 
 character  of  any  perfon  or  thing,  becaufe  the 
 moft  probable  guefTes  we  make  very  often 
 prove  falfe  ones.     But,  fince  you  are  pleafed 
 
 to 
 
Dr.  ISAAC    WATTS.  347 
 
 to  defire  it,  I  think  myfelf  obliged  to  give  you 
 the  bed  and  moil  impartial  account  of  matters 
 I  can. 
 
 Mr.  Jones  then  I  take  to  be  a  man  of  real 
 piety,  great  learning,  and  an  agreeable  temper; 
 one  who  is  very  diligent  in  initructing  all  un- 
 der his  care,  very  well  qualified  to  give  in- 
 structions, and  whofe  well-managed  famili- 
 arity will  always  make  him  refpected.  He  is 
 very  Uriel:  in  keeping  good  orders,  and  will 
 effectually  preferve  his  pupils  from  negligence 
 and  immorality.  And  accordingly  I  believe 
 there  are  not  many  academies  freer  in  general 
 from  thofe  vices  than  we  are.  In  particular, 
 my  bedfellow  Mr.  Scott  f  is  one  of  unfeigned 
 religion,  and  a  diligent  fearcher  after  truth. 
 His  genteel  carriage  and  agreeable  difpofition 
 gain  him  the  efteem  of  every  one.  Mr.  Grif- 
 fith is  more  than  ordinary  ferious  and  grave, 
 and  improves  more  in  every    thing  than    one 
 
 f  Afterwards  Dr.  Daniel  Scott,  with  whom  T  was  in'*~ 
 mately  acquainted.  He  was  a  very  learned  and  ami 
 man.  After  he  had  ftudied  under  Mr.  Jones  he  remov  i 
 to  Utrecht  for  further  education,  where  he  took  the  degree 
 of  DoSior  of  laws,  but  never,  from  what  I  have  ever 
 learned,  entered  on  the  work  of  the  miniftry.  In  the  year 
 1741  hepubliihed  a  newverfmn  of  St.  Matthew's  Gofpel 
 with  critical  notes,  and  an  Examination  of  Dr.  Mills's 
 various  readings.  He  published  alfo  in  the  year  1745 
 an  Appendix  to  H.  Stephens's  Greek  Lexicon  in  two  vo- 
 lumes. He  dedicated  them  to  Dr.  Seeker  and  Dr.  Butler, 
 \vho  had  been  his  fellow-ftudents  at  Mr.  Jones's. 
 
 could 
 
343  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 could  expect  from  a  man  who  feems  to  be  not 
 much  under  forty ;  particularly  in  Greek  and 
 Hebrew  he  has  made  a  great  progrefs.  Mr. 
 Francis  *  and  Mr.  Waikins  are  diligent  in  ftudy 
 and  truly  religious.  The  elder  Mr.  Jonesy  ha- 
 ving had  a  better  education  than  they,  will  in 
 all  probability  make  a  greater  fcholar  j  and  his 
 brother  is  one  of  quick  parts. 
 
 Our  Logic,  which  we  have  read  once  over,  is 
 fo  contrived  as  to  comprehend  all  Hecreboord, 
 and  the  far  greater  part  of  Mr.  Locke's  EfTay, 
 and  the  Art  of  thinking.  What  Mr.  Jones  dic- 
 tated to  us  was  but  fhort,  containing  a  clear 
 and  brief  account  of  the  matter,  references  to 
 the  places  where  it  was  more  fully  treated  of, 
 and  remarks  on,  or  explications  of  the  authors- 
 cited,  when  need  required.  At  our  next  lec- 
 ture we  gave  an  account  both  of  what  the 
 author  quoted  and  our  tutor  faid,  who  com- 
 monly then  gave  us  a  larger  explication  of  it, 
 and  fo  proceeded  to  the  next  thing  in  order. 
 He  took  care,  as  far  as  pofiible,  that  we  under- 
 flood  the  fenfe  as  well  as  remembered  the  words 
 of  what  we  had  read,  and  that  we  fhould  not 
 fuffer  ourfelves    to    be  cheated  with  obfcure 
 
 *  Not  improbably  Mr.  Henry  Francis,  for  fome  time 
 Affiftant  in  London  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Fox.ony  and  after- 
 wards Paftor  of  the  church  at  Southampton.  I  have  now 
 before  me  an  original  letter  of  Dr.  Watts  to  him,  dated 
 March  ioth,  1728-9,  perfuading  Mr.  Francis' %  (lay  at 
 Southampton,  in  which  are  exprcffions  of  the  warmeft  affec- 
 tion and  efteem. 
 
 terms 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  349 
 
 terms  which  had  no  meaning.  Though  he  be 
 no  great  admirer  of  the  old  Logic,  yet  he  has 
 taken  a  great  deal  of  pains  both  in  explaining 
 and  correcting  Heereboord>  and  has  for  the  mod 
 part  made  him  intelligible,  or  fhewn  that  he  is 
 not  fo. 
 
 The  two  Mr.  Jones's,  Mr.  Francis,  Mr.  Wat- 
 kins,  Mr.  Sheldon,  and  two  more  gentlemen  are 
 to  begin  Jewijh  Antiquities  in  a  fhort  time.  I 
 was  defigned  for  one  of  their  number,  but  ra- 
 ther chofe  to  read  Logic  once  more  5  both  be- 
 caufe  I  was  utterly  unacquainted  with  it  when 
 I  came  to  this  place,  and  becaufe  the  others 
 having  all,  except  Mr.  Francis,  been  at  other 
 academies  will  be  obliged  to  make  more  hafte 
 than  thofe  in  a  lower  clafs,  and  confequently 
 cannot  have  fo  good  or  large  accounts  of  any 
 thing,  nor  fo  much  time  to  ftudy  every  head. 
 We  fhall  have  gone  through  our  courfe  in  about 
 four  years  time,  which  I  believe  nobody  that 
 once  knows  Mr.  Jones  will  think  too  long. 
 
 I  began  to  learn  Hebrew  as  foon  as  I  came 
 hither,  and  find  myfelf  able  now  to  conftrue, 
 and  give  fome  grammatical  account  of  about 
 twenty  verfes  in  the  eafier  parts  of  the  Bible  af- 
 ter lefs  than  an  hour's  preparation.  We  read 
 every  day  two  verfes  a-piece  in  the  Hebrew 
 Bible  which  we  turn  into  Greek  (no  one  know- 
 ing which  his  verfes  fhall  be,  though  at  firft  it 
 was  otherwife).  And  this  with  Logic  is  our 
 morning's  work. 
 
 Mr. 
 
$50  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Mr.  Jones  alio  began  about  three  months  ago 
 fome  critical  leclures  in  order  to  the  expofition 
 you  advifed  him  to.  The  principal  things  con- 
 tained in  them  are  about  the  Antiquity  of  the 
 Hebrew  Language,  Letters,  Vowels,  the  Incorrupt 
 tion  of  the  Scriptures,  ancient  Divifions  of  the 
 Bible,  an  account  of  the  Talmud,  Mafora,  and 
 Cabala.  We  are  at  prefent  upon  the  Septuagint, 
 and  fhall  proceed  after  that  to  the  Targumim> 
 and  other  verfions,  &c.  Every  part  is  ma- 
 naged with  abundance  of  perfpicuity,  and  fel- 
 dom  any  material  thing  is  omitted  that  other 
 authors  have  laid  upon  the  point,  though  very 
 frequently  we  have  ufeful  additions  of  things 
 which  are  not  to  be  found  in  them.  We  have 
 fcarce  been  upon  any  thing  yet  but  Mr.  Jones 
 has  had  thofe  writers  which  are  moft  valued  on 
 that  head,  to  which  he  always  refers  us.  This 
 is  what  we  flrft  {ct  about  in  the  afternoon ; 
 which  being  fmilhed  we  read  a  chapter  in  the 
 Greek  Tejiament,  and  after  that  Mathematics. 
 We  have  gone  through  all  that  is  commonly 
 taught  of ,  Algebra  and  Proportion,  with  the  fix 
 firft  books  of  Euclid,  which  is  all  Mr.  Jones  de- 
 figns  for  the  gentlemen  I  mentioned  above,  but 
 he  intends  to  read  fomething  more  to  the  clafs 
 that  comes  after  them. 
 
 This  is  our  daily  employment,  which  in  the 
 morning  takes  up  about  two  hours,  and  fome- 
 thing more  in  the  afternoon.  Only  on  TVednef- 
 days  in  the  morning  we  read  Dicnyfius's  Periegefis, 
 on  which  we  have  notes  moftly  geographical, 
 
 but 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  351 
 
 but  with  fome  criticifms  intermixed;  and  in 
 the  afternoon  we  have  no  lecture  at  all.  So  on 
 Saturday  in  the  afternoon  we  have  only  a  the/is, 
 which  none  but  they  who  have  done  with  Logic 
 have  any  concern  in.  We  are  alfo  jufl  begin- 
 ning to  read  Ifocrates  and  Terence  each  twice  a 
 week.  On  the  latter  our  tutor  will  give  us 
 fome  notes  which  he  received  in  a  college  from 
 Perizonius. 
 
 We  are  obliged  to  rife  at  five  of  the  clock 
 every  morning,  and  to  fpeak  Latin  always,  ex- 
 cept when  below  flairs  amongft  the  family. 
 The  people  where  we  live  are  very  civil,  and 
 the  greateft  inconvenience  we  fuffer  is,  that  we 
 fill  the  houfe  rather  too  much,  being  fixteen  in 
 number  befides  Mr.  Jones.  But  I  fuppofe  the 
 increafe  of  his  academy  will  oblige  him  to  re- 
 move next  fpring.  We  pafs  our  time  very 
 agreeably  betwixt  fludy  and  converfation  with 
 our  tutor,  who  is  always  ready  to  difcourfe 
 freely  of  any  thing  that  is  ufeful,  and  allows  us 
 either  then  or  at  lecture  all  imaginable  liberty 
 of  making  objections  againfl  his  opinion,  and 
 profecuting  them  as  far  as  we  can.  In  this 
 and  every  thing  elfe  he  mows  himfelf  fo  much 
 a  gentleman,  and  manifefts  fo  great  an  affec- 
 tion and  tendernefs  for  his  pupils,  as  cannot  but 
 command  refpect  and.  love.  I  almoft  forgot 
 to  mention  our  tutor's  library  which  is  com- 
 pofed  for  the  moft  part  of  foreign  books,  which 
 feem  to  be  very  well  chofen,  and  are  every  day 
 of  great  advantage  to  us. 
 
 1  Thus 
 
35*  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 Thus  I  have  endeavoured,  Sir,  to  give  you 
 an  account  of  all  that  I  thought  material  or 
 obfervable  amongft  us.  As  for  my  own  part,  I 
 apply  myfelf  with  what  diligence  I  can  to  every 
 thing  which  is  the  fubjett  of  our  lectures,  with- 
 out preferring  one  fubjecl  before  another;  be- 
 caufe  I  fee  nothing  we  arc  engaged  in,  but 
 what  is  either  necelTary,  or  extremely  ufeful 
 for  one  who  would  thoroughly  underftand  thofe 
 things,  which  mod  concern  him,  or  be  able  to 
 explain  them  well  to  others.  I  hope,  1  have 
 not  fpent  my  time,  fince  I  came  to  this  place, 
 without  fome  fmall  improvement  both  in  hu- 
 man knowledge,  and  that  which  is  far  better, 
 and  I  earneftly  defire  the  benefit  of  your  pray* 
 ers,  that  God  would  be  pleafed  to  fit  me  bet- 
 ter for  his  fervice  both  in  this  world,  and  the 
 next.  This,  if  you  pleafe  to  afford  me,  and 
 your  advice  with  relation  to  ftudy,  or  whatever 
 elfe  you  think  convenient,  rnuft  needs  be  ex- 
 tremely ufeful,  as  well  as  agreeable,  and  mall 
 be  thankfully  received  by  your  mod  obliged 
 humble  fervant,  « 
 
 T.  Secker  *. 
 
 *  This  very  fenfible  letter  was  written  by  Mr.  afterwards 
 Archbijhop  Secker  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen.  It  does 
 honour  to  himfelf  at  the  fame  time  it  pays  fuch  dif- 
 tinguifhed  and  deferved  refpeft  to  his  learned,  vigilant,  and 
 amiable  tutor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sar.uel  Jones.  Had  Dr  Pcr- 
 tcous,  and  Dr.  Stintcn,  the  authors  of  the  Archbijhop 's  Me- 
 moirs prefixed  to  his  Works,  been  acquainted  with  Mr. 
 Jones's  eminent  merits^    they   certainly  would    not  have 
 
 pafTed 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  |£| 
 
 LETTER    IL 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Cuddefden,  near  Oxford,  June  19,  1741* 
 
 I  am  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  the 
 agreeable  prefent  of  your  book  f,  which  is  pe- 
 culiarly well  adapted  for  the  direction  and  im- 
 provement of  ftudents  in  the  univerfity,  where 
 your  Logic  is  by  no  means  the  only  piece  of 
 yours  that  is  read  with  high  efteem.  You  have 
 been  a  diligent  promoter  of  ufeful  and  efpe- 
 cially  religious  knowledge,  of  Chriftian  faith, 
 and  Chriftian  morals.  On  thefe  accounts  I 
 have  always  refpected  you  from  the  time  that  I 
 had  fo  many  years  ago  the  advantage  of  your 
 converfation,  and  always  rejoiced  in  the  juft 
 honour,  that  has  been  univerfally  paid  you ; 
 and,  as  this  opportunity  of  exprefiing  my  re- 
 gard gives  me  much  pleafure,  fo,  if  the  favour 
 of  letting  me  fee  you  next  winter  will  not  be 
 inconvenient  to  you,  it  will  be  a  great  fatis- 
 faction  to,  Sir, 
 
 Your  affectionate  humble  Servant, 
 
 Tho.  Oxford. 
 
 pa/Ted  him  over  fo  /lightly  as  one  Mr.  Jonesy  who  kept  an 
 academy  at  Gloucejler.  But  they  will  undoubtedly  give 
 him  his  juft  honours  in  all  fubfequent  editions. 
 
 f  Dr.  Watts' s  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  or  a  Supple- 
 ment  to  the  Art  of  Logic. 
 
 A  a  LET- 
 
25*  MEMOIRS    && 
 
 LETTER     III. 
 
 From  the  fame, 
 
 •  SIR,  Cuddefden,  Sept.  14,  1743. 
 
 I  heartily  thank  you  for  your  obliging 
 letter,  and,  had  I  known  that  you  had  printed 
 a  fermon  on  the  fubjedt  *,  I  fliould  not  have 
 failed  to  enrich  my  own  from  it.  I  hope  the 
 things  I  have  faid  in  favour  of  our  charity- 
 fchools  are  true.  I  hope  the  Chriftians  of  this 
 nation  in  general  are  grown  much  milder  to- 
 wards each  other,  and  I  am  (lire  we  have  great 
 need  to  gain  in  this  virtue  what  we  lofe  in 
 others,  and  become  a  more  united  body  as  we 
 become  a  fmaller,  which  I  apprehend  we  do. 
 But,  fear  not,  little  flock.  May  God  direct 
 and  blefs  us  all  in  our  poor  endeavours  to  fervc 
 him  !  May  he  give  you  every  needful  fupport 
 under  your  long  ficknefs,  and  reflore  you 
 fpeedily  to  your  former  ufefulnefs,  if  it  be  his 
 holy  will !  I  am  with  great  efteem,  Sir, 
 Your  affectionate  and  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 Tho.  Oxford. 
 
 *   Dr.   Watts'*  EflUy  towards   the  Encouragement  of 
 Charity -/(boots. 
 
 LET- 
 
Br.    ISAAC    WATTS.  J5$ 
 
 LETTER    IV. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 i  SI  R,       St.  James's,  Weftminfter,  March  20,  1744-5. 
 
 1  heartily  thank  God  that  he  hath  reftored 
 you  to  a  better  ftate  of  health,  and  fhould  not 
 have  permitted  your  letter,  which  brought  me 
 that  good  news,  to  continue  unanfwered  fo 
 long,  if  more  than  ordinary  bufinefs  had  not 
 fometimes  put  it  out  of  my  power,  and  fome- 
 times  out  of  my  thoughts  to  make  you  my  ac- 
 knowledgments for  it.  The  civilities  for  which 
 you  thank  me  are  no  more  than  a  very  imper- 
 fecl:  return  of  juftice  for  the  great  fervices  you 
 have  done  to  religion ;  and  you  have  made  a 
 valuable  addition  to  them  in  the  book  f  you 
 have  now  been  pleafed  to  fend  me  :  particularly 
 by  what  you  have  written  in  fo  flrong  and  aw- 
 ful yet  fo  companionate  and  good-natured  a 
 manner,  in  defence  of  the  fcripture-doclrine 
 concerning  the  duration  of  future  punifh- 
 ments.  I  pray  God  to  continue  you  long  in  a 
 capacity  of  being  ftill  farther  ufeful,  and  am 
 with  great  regard,  Sir, 
 
 Your  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 Tho.  Oxford. 
 
 f  Dr.  Watts' 's  Difcourfes  on  the  World  to  come. 
 
 A  a  z  LET^ 
 
356  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 LETTER     V. 
 From  Dr.  Jofiah  Hort,  Archbljhop  of  Tuam  $„ 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Dublin,  Dec.  15,   1743. 
 
 I  am  brought  into  the  circumftance  of  an 
 infolvent  debtor,  who  is  afraid  to  fee  the  face 
 of  his  creditor  j  and  yet  it  is  not  through  idle- 
 nefs  or  difregard  that  I  remain  fo  long  in  my 
 friend's  debt  for  his  kind  letter  of  the  lad  fum- 
 mer,  but  I  am  really  oppreiTed  with  letter- 
 writing,  and  buiinefs  of  various  kinds,  fome  of 
 my  own,  but  more  of  other  perfons ;  fome  pri- 
 vate, but  more  public,  both  ecciefiaftical  and 
 fecular,  which  are  incident  to  my  ftation. 
 
 However  I  have  at  lair  found  a  fpare  hour 
 for  thanking  ycu  for  the  prefent  of  your  book, 
 which  ought  more  properly  to  be  done  by  my 
 wife,  who  prefentiy  laid  hands  upon  it,  and  took 
 it  into  her  own  library.  She  is  much  taken 
 with  the  vein  of  piety,  which  breathes  in  your 
 works,  and  buys  them  up. 
 
 I  am  truly  concerned  for  your  infomme> 
 which  I  fuppofe  proceeds  from  weak  nerves. 
 If  you  could  ride  an  eafy  pad,  increafing  your 
 journey  every  day  from  one  to  four  or  five 
 miles,  as  your  flrength  would  permit,  I  fhould 
 •  hope  for  fome  good  effect,  as  the  laflitude  oc^ 
 
 \  Some  account  of  him   rr.ay   be  found  in  oar  Third 
 Chapter. 
 
 cafior>ed 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  3S7 
 
 cafioned   by  that  exercife   would    incline  you 
 more  naturally  to  reft  than  the  ufe  of  drugs. 
 
 I  blefs  God  I  enjoy  good  health,  which  en- 
 ables me  to  go  through  much  bufinefs  -,  but  I 
 have  for  many  years  been  going  down  the  hill, 
 and,  if  the  doctrine  of  gravitation  takes  place 
 in  the  life  of  man,  the  motion  mull  accelerate 
 as  I  come  nearer  the  bottom.  Your  cafe  is  the 
 fame  though  more  aggravated  by  diftempers. 
 God  grant  we  may  be  ufefui  while  we  live,  and 
 may  run  clear,  and  with  unclouded  minds  till 
 we  come  to  the  very  dregs ! 
 
 I  fend  you  my  vifitation  charge  to  my  clergy 
 of  Tuam.  The  former  part  is  a  copy  of  my 
 charge  to  the  clergy  of  Kilmore  and  Ardagh, 
 whjch  being  of  general  ufe,  I  faw  no  occafion 
 to  change.  The  latter  part  is  new,  and  I  fub- 
 mit  it  to  your  judgment.  I  am,  dear  Sir, 
 Your  old  Friend;  and  affectionate  Servant, 
 
 Josi.  Tuam. 
 
 LETTER     VI. 
 From  Dr.  Edmund  Gibfon  *,  Eifiop  of  London. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Whitehall,  March  7,  1732-3. 
 
 I  thank  you  heartily  for  your  late  kind 
 prefent,  but,  as  the  courfe  of  my  life  has  led  me 
 into  iludies  of  another  kind  f,  I  am  fenfible  I 
 
 *   See  his  life  in  the  Biographical  Dictionary. 
 f  Not  improbably  the  Dover's  Treatife  on  Lagk,  or  The 
 right  ufe  of  renfori. 
 
 A  a  1  cannot 
 
35s  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 cannot  profit  fo  much  by  it,  as  others  will  do, 
 whofe  thoughts  have  been  more  employed  in 
 that  way.  It  is  certainly  a  very  laudable  exer- 
 cife  of  the  mind,  efpecially  as  you  apply  it 
 throughout  to  the  good  of  religion  -,  and  what 
 you  have  publifhed  will,  I  doubt  not,  be  of 
 great  ufe  to  the  growing  generation  by  leading 
 them  into  a  juft  way  of  thinking  and  reafoning. 
 One  thing  I  wonder  at,  and  that  is,  how  a 
 mind,  that  thinks  fo  clofely,  can  at  the  fame 
 time  frame  itfelf  to  that  eafy  and  familiar  way, 
 which  appears  in  fome  of  your  other  writings. 
 I  commend  you  and  your  labours  to  the  divine 
 care  and  direction,  and  remain,  with  great 
 truth,  Sir, 
 
 Your  very  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London, 
 
 LETTER    VII.- 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Whitehall,  Jan.  22,  1734-5. 
 
 Since  I  received  the  favour  of  your  prefent 
 it  has  become  part  of  my  Sunday's  exercife, 
 and  I  have  now  read  it  over  with  pleafure,  and 
 I  hope  not  without  profit.  The  new  notion 
 that  has  prevailed  among  us  of  late  years,  that 
 the  Chriftian  religion  is  little  more  than  a  good 
 fyftem  of  morality  muft  in  courfe  draw  on  a 
 difregard  to  fpiritual  exercifes,  which  calls  or* 
 all  ferious  Christians  to  do  all  that  is  in  their 
 6  power 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  359 
 
 power  to  raife  and  keep  alive  a  fpirit  of  devo- 
 tion and  piety  in  this  lukewarm  and  degenerate 
 age.  I  pray  God  to  give  a  blefling  to  your 
 labours  in  that  way,  and  remain  wirh  great  re- 
 ipect,  Sir, 
 
 Your  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London, 
 
 LETTER    VIII, 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Whitehall,  Jan.  19,  1735-6. 
 
 I  thank,  you  very  heartily  for  the  book  -f-  I 
 lately  received,  and  which  I  have  read  with 
 great  fatisfa&ion  and  delight.  The  feeing  fo 
 ihameful  a  departure  from  true  chriflianity  on 
 the  tv/o  points  which  are  the  fubject  of  your 
 book  has  long  been  a  fenfible  concern  and 
 grief  to  me,  and  efpecially  when  I  fee  it  coun- 
 tenanced and  propagated  by  many  who  call 
 themfelves  chriftians,  but  are  in  reality  little 
 more  than  deifts,  for  if  the  great  work  of 
 our  redemption  and  the  blefled  fruits  of  it  are 
 to  be  laid  afide  I  cannot  fee  that  the  name  of 
 chriflian  fignifies  much.  You  have  fct  this 
 matter  in  fo  clear  a  light,  and  worked  up  the 
 whole  in  fo  agreeable  a  manner,  that  I  hope, 
 by  the  blefling  of  God,  it  will  have  great  ef- 
 fect j  and   it   would  have  had  greater  if  you 
 
 f  Undoubtedly  Dr.  TVatts's  Redeemer  and  San&ifier. 
 
 A  a  4  had 
 
$60  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 had  fct  your  name  to  it.     To  deal  clearly  with 
 you,  I  have  thought  for  fome  time  that  thofe 
 doctrines  and  others  of  the  fame  kind  have 
 received  a  grievous  wound  from  the  indiffer- 
 ence about  them  (to  fay  no  worfe)  which  fome 
 diffenting  minifters  have  difcovered  of  late; 
 and  the  wound  is  the  deeper  becaufe  hitherto 
 the  diffenters  were,  without  exception,  zealous 
 for  them,  and  the  prefent  manifeft  abatement 
 of  that  zeal  in  fome  of  their  leading  men  will 
 be  reckoned  an  evidence  of  their  prefent  con- 
 viction   that  their  doctrines    are    either   falfe, 
 or  at  lead  of  fmall  moment.     Forgive  me  if 
 I  add  that  I  think  due  care  has  not  yet  been 
 taken   to  fatisfy  the  world  that,  notwithftand- 
 ing  the  defection  of  fome  diffenters,  there  are 
 many  among  them,  and  thofe  of  great  note, 
 who  are  not  in  the  leaft  tainted  with  the  mo- 
 dern notions,  but  adhere  ftedfaftly  to  the  true 
 doctrines  of  the  gofpel,  as  delivered  to  us  by 
 Chrift  and  his  apoflles.     I  am,  with  great  truth 
 and  eiteem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  very  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London, 
 
 LETTER    IX. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Whitehall,  April   23,   1737. 
 
 I   have  perufed  your  Difcowfe  upon  Humi- 
 lity f  with  much  fatisfaction,  and  J  hope,  with 
 
 f  Dr.  Watts's  Difcourfe  on  Humility  reprefented  in  the 
 charafter  of  St.  Paul. 
 
 1  profit 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  361 
 
 profit  to  myfelf;  if  not,  I  am  lure  it  is  my 
 own  fault.  There  was  no  occafion  to  make 
 the  apology  (page  52)  for  defcending  to  the 
 lowed:  fcenes  of  life.  It  is  a  fault  both  in 
 preaching  and  writing  upon  practical  fubjects, 
 when  we  keep  too  much  to  general  reafon- 
 ings,  and  do  not  bring  down  our  doctrines  to 
 common  life,  which  are  belt  remembered, 
 and  take  the  fafteft  hold  upon  the  minds  and 
 confeiences  of  our  hearers  and  readers. 
 
 I  wifh  you  a  full  enjoyment  of  health  that 
 you  may  be  able  to  proceed  in  your  good  de- 
 figns  for  the  benefit  of  religion,  and  am,  with 
 great  truth  and  efteem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London^ 
 
 LETTER    X. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Fulham,  June  6,    1741, 
 
 I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  kind 
 remembrance  of  me,  and  particularly  for  the 
 late  prefent  of  your  book-f.  It  found  me  en- 
 gaged in  a  particular  bufinefs  that  has  been 
 upon  my  hands  fome  time,  fo  that  I  have  not 
 yet  been  at  leifure  to  perufe  it.  But  I  have 
 feen  enough  to  fatisfy  me  of  the  ferviceable- 
 nefs  of  it  towards    replenifning  the  mind  with 
 
 f  Dr.  Watis's  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  or  a  Supple-. 
 pient  to  the  Art  cf  Logic, 
 
 ufeful 
 
^2  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 ufeful  knowledge  and  true  wifdom,  and  how 
 well  the  rules  laid  down  for  that  end  are  cal- 
 culated for  the  general  improvement  of  all, 
 whether  learned  or  unlearned,  who  will  attend 
 to  them,  and  be  conducted  by  them.  But 
 while  you  are  teaching  others  how  to  employ 
 their  thoughts  wifely  and  ufefully,  you  mud 
 be  fo  juft  to  yourfelf,  as  not  to  ftretch  your 
 own  beyond  your  ftrength,  but  to  take  the 
 warning,  which  age  and  infirmities  give  us,  to 
 ftacken  and  moderate  our  pace.  Under  this 
 reflraint  I  heartily  wifh  you  a  fuccefsful  pro- 
 grefs  in  your  further  defigns  for  the  fervice  of 
 religion,  and  remain  with  great  truth  and 
 efteem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London* 
 
 LETTER    XI. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Good  Sir,  Fulham,  July  12,    1742. 
 
 I  desire  you  to  accept  my  hearty  thanks  for 
 
 your  kind  and  valuable  prefent*,  which  was 
 
 part   of  my  employment  yefterday ;  and  this 
 
 day  I  am  fetting  out  on  my  vifitation  of  Eflex 
 
 and   Hertford/hire.      It  is   written   with    great 
 
 clearnefs   and   ftrength,    and  whoever  perufes 
 
 and  attends  to    it  will  find  much  light  from 
 
 it  in  reading  feveral  of  the  epiftles  of  St*  Paul. 
 
 *  Suppofed  to  be  Dr.  Watts' s  Harmony  of  all  the  reli- 
 gions which  God  ever  prefcribed. 
 
 lam 
 
Dr,    ISAAC    WATTS.  363 
 
 I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  have  no  difficulty 
 in  making  him  the  writer  of  the  epiftle  to  the 
 Hebrews  (which  I  took  fome  pains  to  clear 
 in  my  third  paftoral  letter)  and  that  you  carry 
 on  the  gradual  opening  of  the  gofpel-difpen- 
 fation  by  him,  and  the  other  apoftles  to  the 
 times  after  our  Saviour's  afcenfion. 
 
 The  method  you  take  0/ reducing  the  mat- 
 ter to  be  treated  of  into  chapters  and  para- 
 graphs of  no  great  length  keeps  every  thing 
 clear  and  diftincV  and  I  wifh  it  were  obferved 
 by  all  other  writers. 
 
 As  I  take  it  for  granted  you  have  by  you 
 other  difcourfes  unpubliihed  I  hope  God  will 
 give  you  health  and  fcrength  to  revife  them 
 if  needful,  and  then  to  publifh  them  for  the 
 fervice  of  religion,  which  is  the  fincere  wifh 
 of,  Sir, 
 
 Your  very  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London* 
 
 LETTER    XIL 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 Good  Sir,  Whitehall,  March  2,   1 744-5. 
 
 I  send  this  with  my  fincere  thanks  for  the 
 valuable  prefent  *,  which  I  have  lately  re- 
 ceived from  you.  I  have  already  perufed  part 
 of  it,  and  find  much  fatisfaction   in  obferving 
 
 *  Very  probably  the  Dotior's  Difcourfes  on  the  World  to 
 roffje, 
 
 the 
 
364  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 the  true  fpirit  of  piety  and  zealous  concern  for 
 fouls  which  appear  in  every  page.  God  knows 
 the  prefent  degeneracy  and  lukewarmnefs 
 among  chriftians  ftand  in  great  need  of  fuch 
 awakenings  as  to  their  future  ftate  ;  and  as  it 
 is  the  duty  of  us  all,  in  our  feveral  flations, 
 to  ufe  our  beft  endeavours  for  that  end,  fo  I 
 heartily  wifh  and  pray  that  you  in  particular, 
 who  have  it  fo  greatly  at  heart,  may  be  blefTed 
 with  health  and  flrength  to  purfue  and  perfect 
 all  your  defigns  in  that  way.  I  am,  Sir, 
 Your  very  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 Edm.  London. 
 
 LETTER    XIII. 
 
 From  Frances  Countefs  of  Hartford,  afterwards 
 Dutchefs  of  Somerfet  *. 
 
 SIR,  Grofvenor-Street,  Feb.  23,  1729-30. 
 
 I  could   not  have   been    fo    long  without 
 making  my  acknowledgments  for   the  favour 
 
 of 
 
 *  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  the  Honourable  Mr. 
 H'hynne,  brother  to  the  Lord  Vifcount  Weymouth.  She  mar- 
 ried Algernon,  Earl  of  Hartford,  Son  of  Charles  Seymour, 
 Duke  of  Somerfet,  who  fucceeded  to  the  honour  and  eltate 
 of  his  father  on  his  demife  December  the  2d,  1748,  by 
 which  event  fhe  became  Dutchefs  of  Somerfet.  His  grace, 
 her  hufband,  died  Feb.  9,  1750,  and  fne  furvived  him 
 only  till  July  7,  1754,  leaving  an  only  daughter  married 
 to  Sir  Hugh  Smithfon,  Baronet,  who  fucceeded  his  father- 
 in-law  as  Earl  of  Northumberland,  while  Sir  Edivard  Sey- 
 mur,  Baronet,  fucceeded  him  as  Duke  of  Somerfet,     Her 
 
 triacc 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  36^ 
 
 of  your  excellent  and  obliging  letter  had  not 
 my  Lord  Hartford's  illnefs  in  a  long  and  fevere 
 
 fit 
 
 grace  appears  to  have  been  a  truly  pious,  amiable,  and 
 accomplithed  lady.  Mr.  Thorn/on  in  his  poem  entitled 
 Spring  thus  addreiTes  her  : 
 
 O  Hartford,  fitted  or  to  fhine  in  courts 
 With  unaffected  grace,  or  walk  the  plain 
 With  innocence  and  meditation  join'd 
 In  foft  affemblage,  liften  to  my  fong, 
 Which  thy  own  feafon  paints  j  when  nature  all 
 Is  blooming,  and  benevolent  like  thee. 
 
 In  a  collection  of  feledt  letters  lately  publifhed  by  Mr. 
 Hull  in  two  volumes  from  the  Dut chefs  of  Somerfet,  Lady 
 Luxborougb,  Mifs  Dolman,  Mr.  WbifiUr,  Mr.  R.  Dodfley, 
 William  Sbenftcne,  Efq,  and  others,  there  are  included 
 eleven  letters  written  by  the  Dutchefs,  of  which  Mr, 
 Sbenfone  has  given  the  following  character  (fee  the  pre- 
 face p.  3)  :  "  that  there  are  difcernible  in  them  a  perfect 
 "  rectitude  of  heart,  delicacy  of  fentiment,  and  a  truly 
 "  claffic  eafe  and  elegance  of  ftyle.  There  are  many  of 
 *f  them  (he  then  adds)  tinged  with  an  air  of  melancholy 
 <{  through  the  lofs  of  her  only  fon  Lord  Beauchamp." 
 This  young  gentleman  died  of  the  fmall-pox  at  Bologna 
 in  Italy,  on  Sept.  11,  his  birth-day,  when  he  compleated 
 his  nineteenth  year  1744.  This  was  undoubtedly  a  moft 
 diftrefling  providence  to  her  ladyihip,  and  it  is  no  wonder 
 that  it  mould  fpread  a  fettled  gloom  of  forrow  over  her 
 mind,  efpecially  as  he  was  a  youth  eminent  for  his  filial 
 duty,  and  who  gave  the  brighteft  hopes  of  future  honour 
 to  the  illuftrious  family  whence  he  fprung,  and  of  benefit 
 in  his  exalted  ftation  to  the  world;  but  it  ought  to  be 
 recorded  to  her  ladyfhip's  praife  that,  when  (he  look? 
 back  to  this  melancholy  event,  fhe  does  it  in  a  manner 
 becoming  the  chrifiian,  and  that  her  resignation  and  ac 
 tjuiefcence  in  the  will  of  heaven  break  through  and  irra  ■ 
 Jute  the  dark  cloud  that  hung  fo  heavy  upon  her,  fbr  thu. 
 
 •   me 
 
366  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 fit  of  the  gout  confined  me  to  a  continual  at- 
 tendance in  his  chamber.  He  is  now,  I  thank 
 God,  on  the  recovery,  though  not  yet  able  to 
 walk  without  the  help  of  crutches. 
 
 Our  human  ftate  is  indeed  liable  to  many 
 inconveniencies  ;  we  are  loaded  with  bodily 
 infirmities,  and  tormented  with  paflions  $  but 
 a  few  circling  years  will  clear  the  profpeft, 
 and  we  fhall,  through  the  grace  of  God,  be 
 relieved  from  all  the  pains  and  forrows  which 
 vex  us  here.  My  health  has  been  very  un- 
 certain all  this  winter  :  at  the  beginning  of  it 
 a  violent  rheumatifm  confined  me  to  my  bed 
 and  chamber  for  fome  weeks,  and  I  am  at 
 prefent  very  much  difordered  by  a  very  fevere 
 cold,  which  has  lafted  me  more  than  a  fort- 
 
 ihe  writes  to  Lady  Luxborough  in  retrofpeft  no  doubt  ot 
 the  death  of  her  fon,  and  more  recently  that  of  her  huf- 
 band  (Sept.  9,  1750).  "  You  are  very  obliging  in  the 
 "  concern  you  exprefs  for  the  fcenes  of  fcrrow  I  have 
 **  palTed  through.  I  have  indeed  fullered  deeply,  but, 
 ff  when  I  confider  it  is  the  will  of  God,  who  never  chaf- 
 4e  tifes  his  poor  creatures  but  for  their  good,  and  reflect  at 
 "  the  fame  time  how  unworthy  I  was  cf  zhefe  bleffings, 
 *e  which  I  now  lament  the  lofs  of,  I  lay  my  hand  upon 
 <f  my  mouth,  and  dare  not  repine,  but  hope  1  can  with 
 <e  truth  appeal  to  him  in  the  following  words :  Quefto 
 <(  affano  ei  fu  che,  non  fi  oppone  al  fuo  fan  to  voler  :  chio 
 "  gemo  e  gli  aftro  tutti  il  gemiti  miei  chio  rango  et  in 
 "  tanto  benedicoil  fuo  nome  in  mezzo  al  pianto."  The 
 Englijb  of  which  is,  "  Such  forrow  is  fent  that  none  may 
 "  oppofe  his  holy  will.  Let  me  figji  and  offer  up  all  my 
 "  fighs  to  him  !  Let  me  mourn,  and  in  the  mean  time 
 "  blefs  his  name  in  the  midlt  of  my  forrow  I" 
 
 night, 
 
Br.     ISAAC    WATTS.  367 
 
 nieht,  and  is  rather  worie  than  it  was  at  firft. 
 My  Lord  and  my  daughter  afTure  you  of 
 their  fincereft  regards.  I  am  truly  concerned 
 to  hear  you  have  been  fo  ill,  but  I  hope  you 
 will  enjoy  a  more  confirmed  ftate  of  health 
 for  the  future,  that  you  may  pafs  your  pil- 
 grimage here  with  as  little  uneafinefs  as  mor- 
 tality will  admit  of. 
 
 Governor  Shute  brought  me  your  picture, 
 which  I  mall  always  fet  an  high  value  upon  as 
 I  fhall  do  on  every  thing  that  reminds  me  of 
 fo  worthy  a  friend. 
 
 I  will  not  trouble  you  any  longer  at  prefent 
 than  to  beg  to  be  remembered  in  your  prayers 
 that  I  may  lead  a  life  of  holinefs  for  the  few- 
 remaining  years  that  may  yet  be  left  me.  I 
 am  with  a  fincere  friendfhip,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER    XIV. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  May  17,  1731, 
 
 I  am  afraid  you  will  think  me  very  ungrate- 
 ful for  the  favour,  you  have  done  me  in  fend- 
 ing me  your  excellent  book  f,  for  fuch  1  may 
 juftly  call  it,  fince  I  never  read  any  thing  writ* 
 
 f  Suppofed  to  be  the  Doctor's  humble  Attempt  towards 
 the  Revival  of  praSiical  Religion  among  Cbrijliansf  by  a 
 ferioiu  Addrefs  to  Mi/t/fters  end  People,  dated  April  2,  1731. 
 
 ten 
 
36S  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 ten  with  more  piety,  or  founded  upon  jufter 
 principles.     If  you  defign  one  for  Mrs.  Rowe, 
 be  fo  good   as  to  fend   it  to  me,  and  I  will 
 convey  it  to  her  as  foon  as  I  get  to  Marlborough  t 
 which  I  hope  to  do  next  week.     I  mould  not 
 have  been  filent  thus  long,  but  I  have  been  of 
 late  a  perfect  nurfe,  for  the  old  fervant  who 
 bred  me  up,  and  whom  I  now  look  on  as  a 
 mother,    was   fo   ill   about   a   fortnight   fmce 
 that  fhe  was  given  over  for  many  days  toge- 
 ther, and,  however  it  might  found  to  the  fa- 
 fhionable  part  of  the  world,  I  dare  own  to 
 you  that  it  was  a  great  affliction  to  me,  and 
 hindered  me  from  doing  every  thing  but  try- 
 ing to  contribute  what  lay  in  my  power  (by 
 my  care   and  prayers)  to   her  recovery.     As 
 foon  as  fhe  grew  a  little  better  my  Lord  fell 
 into  a  fevere  fit  of  the  gout,  and  is  not  yet 
 able  to  fet  his  feet  to  the  ground,  and  I  caii 
 feldom   be  long  enough  out  of  his  room  to 
 write  a  letter ;  this  1   hope  will  plead  my  ex- 
 cufe,  fmce  whatever  I  may  appear  to  be,  you 
 may  be  affured  I  am  in  reality  with  the  fincereft 
 efteem, 
 
 Your  mod;  obliged  Friend 
 
 And  faithful  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LET- 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  369 
 
 LETTER     XV. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  Aug.  3,   173!. 
 
 I  hope  you  have  before  this  time  heard  that. 
 Mrs.  Rowe  has  received  your  book,  which  I 
 took  care  to  have  fafely  delivered  to  her.  I 
 afilire  you  it  has  been  my  companion  in  many 
 of  my  evening  walks,  and  the  moderation  with 
 which  you  treat  our  way  of  worfnip  ought  in 
 my  opinion  to  engage  the  leading  people  of 
 our  church  to  judge  with  equal  candour  of 
 yours,  and  then  methinks  there  would  be  lit- 
 tle caufe  for  feparation,  fince  we  all  acknow- 
 ledge one  fhepherd.  The  fummer  is  almoft 
 paft,  and  we  have  feen  very  little  of  it,  fince 
 I  think  we  have  fcarce  been  able  to  leave  off 
 fires  for  above  three  days  together.  I  have  a 
 cou^h  which  flill  hangs  upon  me,  but  I  hope 
 air  and  ekercife,  with  the  blefling  of  God, 
 will  foon  remove  it.  I  am  with  a  very  fincere 
 efleem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  faithful  Friend  and  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 My  Lord  and  my  young  people  fend  their 
 fervices  to  you.  I  afTure  you  my  little  boy  is 
 grown  a  great  proficient  in  your  Songs  fcr  ChiU 
 dren,  and  fings  them  with  great  pleafure, 
 
 B  b  LET- 
 
3;o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 LETTER    XVI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  Grofvenor-Street,  Feb.  9,   1734. 
 
 The  frefli  proof  of  friendfhip  you  defign  to 
 c/ive  me  t  is  as  agreeable  to  me  as  it  muft  be 
 to  receive  any  inflance  of  kindnefs  and  ap- 
 probation from  thofe  we  fincerely  elleem. 
 Since  you  allow  me  to  object  to  any  thing  in 
 the  dedication  I  will  trefpafs  fo  far  upon  your 
 good-nature  as  to  beg  you  will  leave  out 
 whatever  may  imply  my  attempting  to  write 
 poetry  ;  but  if  there  be  any  among  the  things 
 you  have  of  mine  which  you  think  worth 
 placing  among  yours  I  fhall  have  juft  caufe 
 to  be  pleafed  at  feeing  them  come  abroad  in 
 fuch  company,  if  you  will  have  the  goodnefs 
 to  conceal  my  name  either  under  that  of 
 Eufebia,  or  A  Friend %;,  a  title  which  I  fhall 
 think  myfelf  happy  to  deferve.  My  Lord  and 
 the  children  allure  you  of  their  fervices  and 
 kind  wifhes,  and  I  am  with  great  truth  and 
 regard, 
 
 Your  mod  obliged 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 f  That  of  the  Do6lor\  dedication  of  his  MifccUanies  in 
 Profe  and  Verfe  to  her  ladyfhip. 
 
 \  No  doubt  therefore  can  be  made  but  the  four  poetical 
 pieces,  entitled  A  Rural  Meditation,  A  Penitential  Thought % 
 A   Midnight   Hymn,   and  The  Dying  Chrijlian's  Hope,  in- 
 
 ferted 
 
Dr.   IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  37* 
 
 LETTER    XVIL 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  April  8,    1734. 
 
 I  have  received  the  book  to  which  you  had 
 the  partiality  to  prefix  my  name§.  This  pub- 
 lic mark  of  your  friendmip  and  the  kind  opi- 
 nion you  exprefs  of  me  would  be  in  danger  of 
 giving  me  a  felf-fatisfaction  which  I  have  no 
 title  to*,  if  a  crowd  of  frailties  and  defects, 
 which  are  too  frequently  reminding  how  far 
 I  am  from  meriting  your  efteem,  did  not  hin- 
 der me  from  giving  way  to  a  complacence 
 which  would  be  criminal  unlefs  my  life  were 
 more  perfect. 
 
 I  have  gone  aimoft  half  through  the  book 
 from  which  I  have  received  the  pleafure  which 
 your  writings  never  fail  to  give  me,  a  plea- 
 fure attended  by  profit  and  reafon.  I  am, 
 Sir,  with  the  trueft  friendiTiip, 
 
 Your  mod  obliged  and  faithful  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford* 
 
 My  Lord,  and  our  young  people  fend  fer- 
 vices  to  you. 
 
 ferted  in  the  fixty-third  number  of  his  Mifcellanies,    attri- 
 buted to  Eufebia,  and  inferibed  to  Philomela,  a  name  by 
 which   Mrs.  Rotve,    her  Ladymip's   intimate  friend,  was 
 diftinguifhed,  are  the  compofitions  of  her  Ladyfhip. 
 §  The  Do&or's  Mifcellanies, 
 
 B  h  z  t  E  T- 
 
372  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 LETTER    XVIII. 
 
 From  the  fame  *. 
 S  I  R, 
 I   am    extremely  concerned  that   I  cannot 
 have  the  pleafure  of  feeing  you  on  Tburfday, 
 fince  I  think  it  very  long  fince  I  had  that  fa- 
 tisfaclion,  which  I  afiure  you  I  wifh  for  much 
 oftener  than  I  enjoy,  but  it  is  my  lot  at  pre- 
 fent  to  be  in  waiting  £,  and  befides  my  Lord 
 has  been  laid  up,  and  ftill  is  fo  with  a  moil 
 fevere  fit  of  the  gout,  fo  that  what  time  I  can 
 fpare  from  my  attendance  on   the  Queen  is 
 palled  by  his  bed's  fide.     If  he  is  able  to  be 
 lifted  into  the  coach  he  talks  of  leaving  Lon- 
 don next  week.     We  have  had  an  unpleafant 
 winter,  for  betwixt  illnefs  and  accidents  there 
 has  fcarce  been  a  week  in  which  the  whole 
 family  was  well  enough  to  go  out.     I  have  for 
 my  own   particular    fuffered  extremely,    firft 
 from  an  intermitting  fever,  which  lafted  a  long 
 time,  and  fince  that  from  a  bruife  I  got  on 
 horfe-back  by  a  waggon  which  crufhed  my 
 ftirrup-leg  in  fo  fad  a  manner  that,  though  it 
 is  more  than  feven  weeks    ago,   I   have  ftill 
 great  trouble  *  with  it.     My  Lord,    and   my 
 young  people  afiure  you  of  their  hearty  com- 
 
 •  There  is  no  date  to  this  letter,  but  the  Doftor  has 
 written  on  the  back  of  it  April  1735. 
 
 %  Lady  of  the  Bed-chamber  to  Quten  Caroline, 
 
 pliments. 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  37J 
 
 pliments.  I  hope  you  will  be  fo  good  as  to 
 remember  me  in  your  prayers,  and  believe 
 me,  as  I  am  with  great  truth'and  efteem, 
 
 Your  mod  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER     XIX. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  April  13,   1737. 
 
 I  would  fooner  have  thanked  you  for  the 
 favour  of  your  letter,  and  the  book  which  I 
 received  juft  after,  but  delayed  it  till  I  could 
 get  time  to  finifh  the  inclofed  lines  which  I 
 began  foon  after  Mrs.  Rowe's  death  J,  but  had 
 not  leifure  to  proceed  with  them  till  after  my 
 Lord's  return  to  London,  whither  he  and  my 
 daughter  went  laft  week.  He  was  taken, 
 while  he  was  here  -f-,  with  a  violent  pain  in 
 his  ftomach  and  bowels,  which,  whether  it 
 were  gout  or  cholic,  reduced  him  very  low, 
 and  alarmed  me  extremely,  but  I  blefs  God, 
 he  is  now  in  perfect  health  again,  and  1  hear 
 has  recovered  his  good  looks  entirely.  I  am 
 myfelf  much  better  than  I  was  in  the  winter, 
 bating  a  fhortnefs  of  breath  which  makes  them 
 judge  my  continuance  in  the  country  abfo- 
 lutely  neceffary.  I  muft  now  thank  you  for 
 your  excellent  Difcourfe  on  Humility,    which 
 
 %  Verfes  on  Mrs.  Rowe's  death. 
 f  Suppofed  at  Marlborough. 
 
 B  b  3  I  have 
 
S;4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 I  have  read  with  great  pleafure,  and  I  hope  1 
 fhall  receive  profit  from  the  juft  manner  in 
 which  you  have  treated  fo  ufeful  a  fubjecl. 
 I  mud  alfo  repeat  my  gratitude  for  your  book 
 en  the  Strength  and  Weakv.efs  of  human  Reafoiu 
 I  never  read  any  thing  more  entertaining  and 
 inftructive.  I  mould  be  very  happy  if  I  could 
 flatter  myfelf  that  I  had  goodnefs  enough  to 
 make  my  life  as  ufeful  as  the  benevolence  and 
 charity  of  your  temper  incline  you  to  think 
 it  may.  I  beg  the  favour  of  you  not  to  give 
 any  copy  of  the  inclofed  verfes,  for  I  would 
 wim  my  excurfions  of  this  kind  to  be  a  fecret 
 from  every  body  but  you,  and  a  friend  or  two 
 more,  who  know  that  I  do  not  aim  at  the 
 character  of  a  genius  by  any  attempts  of  this 
 nature,  but  am  led  to  them  merely  to  amufe 
 a  leifure  hour,  and  fpeak  the  fentiments  of  my 
 heart.  I  have  no  company  at  prefent  but  my 
 fon,  his  tutor  being  gone  to  London  about 
 bufinefs,  but  I  do  not  mention  this  as  a  mor- 
 tification. I  am  afraid  the  decline  of  years, 
 and  the  languiihing  flate  of  health  I  have  lar 
 boured  under  for  fome  time  make  it  rather 
 necefTary  for  me  to  endeavour  to  find  argu- 
 ments to  reconcile  myfelf  to  the  variety  of 
 company  to  which  my  ftation  and  the  occu- 
 pation I  am  attached  to  in  a  court  require  me 
 to  accommodate  myfelf.  I  am,  Sir,  with  the 
 Ilncerefl  efteem  and  regard, 
 Your  mod  obliged 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford* 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  375 
 
 LETTER     XX. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,      Hermitage  on  St.  Leonard's  Hill,  May  2, 1737. 
 
 I  return  you  my  thanks  for  the  Epigram* 
 you  were  fo  good  as  to  fend  me,  and  fhould 
 think  myfelf  very  happy  if  any  thing  of  mine 
 could  defer ve  to  fhow  the  joy  I  fhould  feel 
 in  being  able  to  imitate  Mrs.  Rowe  in  the 
 fmallefl  inflance.  I  have  only  two  medita- 
 tions of  hers  which  fhe  gave  me  with  the 
 ftrongeft  injunctions  not  to  let  any  body  fee 
 them  left:  they  fhould  be  thought  too  raptu- 
 rous, but,  as  I  conclude  fhe  would  not  have 
 included  you  among  thofe  from  whom  fhe 
 meant  they  fhould  be  concealed,  I  will  have 
 them  copied  if  you  defire  it. 
 
 I  thank  God  all  my  family  except  myfelf 
 are  in  perfect  health,  and  I  am  myfelf  much 
 better  than  in  the  winter,  only  that  I  have 
 flill  a  fhortnefs  of  breath,  which  makes  walk- 
 
 *  This  Epigram  is  to  be  met  with  in  the  fixth  Number 
 of  the  Dolor's  Mifcellanies,  entitled,  Remnants  of  Time 
 employed  in  Profe  and  Verfe  publifhed  after  his  deceafe,  and 
 it  is  thus  introduced  : 
 
 On  an  Elegy  written  by  the   Right  Honourable  the  Countefs  of 
 Hartford  on  the  Death  of  Mrs.  Ro*ve>    1737. 
 Struck  with  the  fight  of  Philomela's  urn 
 Eufebia  weeps,  and  calls  her  Mufe  to  mourn  : 
 While  from  her  lips  the  tuneful  forrows  fell 
 The  groves  confefs  a  rifing  Philomel. 
 
 B  b  4  ing 
 
376  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 ing  up  flairs,  or  any  afcent  very  painful  to 
 me,  but  as  I  have  a  better  appetite  I  have  re- 
 covered fome  of  my  flefh,  and  a  little  of  my 
 natural  colour.  My  Lord  and  Betty  are  in 
 London,  fo  that  my  fon  and  his  governor  are 
 my  only  companions  at  prefent,  but  we  pafs 
 our  time  agreeably  enough  between  reading, 
 walking,  and  fuch  other  amufements  as  the 
 place  in  which  we  are,  and  the  feafon  of  the 
 year  afford  us.  We  have  been  lately  reading 
 Leonidas,  in  which  I  think  there  are  many 
 fine  thoughts,  but  I  hear  the  town  are  much 
 divided  in  their  fentiments  about  it,  fince  one 
 part  of  them  are  for  preferring  it  to  Milton ', 
 and  others  for  levelling  it  to  the  lowefl  rank 
 of  poetry.  I  confefs  neither  of  thefe  appear 
 to  me  a  juft  reprefentation  of  it.  If  you  have 
 read  it  I  fhall  be  glad  to  know  your  thoughts 
 of  it. 
 
 I  own  I  find  a  pleafure  in  thinking  that  I 
 perceive  dawnings  of  an  honeft  heart,  and 
 tolerable  reafoning  in  Lord  Beaucbamp,  and  his 
 o-overnor  and  I  flatter  ourfelves  that  we  fee 
 a  clearness  of  judgment  and  diftinctnefs  of  ideas 
 in  the  themes  he  compofes,  which  are  infinitely 
 the  favourite  part  of  his  ftudies,  and  always 
 performed  with  good  humour,  though  he  is 
 obliged  to  write  them  in  three  languages, 
 Englijhy  Latin,  and  French.  He  is  by  no  means 
 good  at  getting  things  by  heart,  for  which 
 reafon  Mr.  Balton  is  very  favourable  in  his 
 impofitions   of  that  kind,    which  he  feldom 
 
 give:. 
 
Dr.  IS  A  AC    WATTS.  377 
 
 gives  him,  and  in  fmall  quantities.  Now  I 
 have  faid  fo  much  of  my  Ton  I  fhould  be  un- 
 juft  to  his  fitter  if  I  did  not  tell  you  that  I  have 
 the  happinefs  to  fee  her  a  very  good-natured, 
 fenfible  young  woman,  with  a  fincere  fenfe  of 
 religion  and  virtue,  and  the  fame  obfervance 
 from  affection  to  my  Lord  and  me  at  almoft 
 one  and  twenty  years  old  that  fhe  had  in  her 
 earlieft  childhood.  You  fee,  Sir,  I  take  the 
 privilege  of  a  friend,  and  flatter  myfelf  that 
 you  will  not  be  tired  with  a  detail  of  my  family 
 comforts,  for  the  enjoyment  of  which  I  hope  I 
 am  thankful  as  I  ought  to  be,  and  moil:  parti- 
 cularly fo  that  my  Lord  is  fo  entirely  recovered 
 as  to  allow  me  to  hope  his  children  will  long 
 kave  the  bleffing  of  the  tenderefl  father,  and 
 my  felf  of  the  beft  hufband  I  ever  faw.  You 
 will  forgive  the  length  of  this  letter,  and  believe 
 me  with  the  trueft  efteem,  Sir, 
 Your  moft  obliged 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER     XXI, 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  July  13,  1 737. 
 
 *  Nothing  but  my  own  very  bad  ftate  of 
 health,  and  the  confinement  I  have  had  with 
 my  Lord,  who  is  juft  recovering  from  a  fevere 
 fit  of  the  gout,  fhould  fo  long  have  hindered 
 
 mc 
 
378  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 me  from  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your 
 letter,  and  the  papers  inclofed  with  it,  parti- 
 cularly the  letter  which  you  were  lb  good  as  to 
 defign  to  prefix  to  Mrs.  Rowe's  Meditations,  I 
 can  with  the  ftricleft  truth  affirm  that  I  do  not 
 know  any  diftinction  upon  earth  that  I  could 
 feel  a  truer  pleafure  in  receiving  were  I  defer* 
 ving  of  it,  but,  as  I  am  forced  to  fee  how  much 
 I  fall  below  the  idea  which  the  benevolence  of 
 your  nature  has  formed  of  me,  it  teaches  me 
 to  humble  myfelf  by  that  very  incident  which 
 might  adminifler  a  laudable  pride  to  a  more 
 worthy  perfon.  If  I  am  conftrained  to  acknow- 
 ledge this  mortifying  truth  you  may  believe 
 there  are  many  people  in  the  world  who  look 
 upon  me  with  more  impartial  eyes  than  felf- 
 love  will  allow  me  to  do ;  and  others,  who 
 perhaps  think  I  enjoy  more  of  this  world's 
 goods  than  I  either  merit,  or  than  falls  to  the 
 common  lot,  look  at  me  with  envious  and  ma- 
 lignant views,  and  are  glad  of  every  oppor- 
 tunity to  debafe  me  or  thofe  who  they  believe 
 entertain  a  favourable  opinion  of  me.  I  would 
 hope  that  I  have  never  done  any  thing,  wil- 
 fully I  am  fure  I  have  not,  to  raife  any  fuch 
 fentiments  in  the  breaft  of  the  meaneft  perfon 
 upon  earth,  but  yet  experience  has  convinced 
 me  that  I  have  not  been  happy  enough  to 
 efcape  them.  For  thefe  reafons,  Sir,  I  muft 
 deny  myfelf  the  pleafure  and  the  pride  I  mould 
 have  in  fo  public  a  mark  of  your  friendfhip 
 and  candour,  and  beg,  that  if  you  will  defign 
 
 me 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  379 
 
 me  the  honour  of  joining  any  addrefs  to  me 
 with  thofe  valuable  remains  of  Mrs.  Rowe,  that 
 you  will  either  retrench  the  favourable  expref- 
 fions  you  intended  to  infert,  or  elfe  give  me  no 
 other  Title  at  the  top  of  it  than  that  of  a  Friend 
 of  yours  and  hers,  an  appellation  which,  in  the 
 fincerity  of  my  foul,  I  am  prouder  of  than  I 
 could  be  of  the  moil  pompous  name  that 
 human  grandeur  can  lay  claim  to.  My  Lord 
 and  his  children  defire  me  to  allure  you  of  their 
 fervice  and  beft  wifhes.  I  inclofe  you  a  copy 
 of  the  letter  which  Mrs.  Rcwe  left  for  me  % 
 
 and 
 
 •  The  following  is  an  exacl:  copy  of  Mrs.  Rogue's  letter 
 tranferibed  from  Lady  Hartford's  own  hand-writing. 
 
 To  the  Right  Honourable  the  Count e/s  of  Hartford. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 This  is  the  laft  letter  you  will  ever  receive  from  me,  the 
 laft  afTurance  I  mail  give  you  on  earth  of  a  fincere  and  fted- 
 faft  friendfhip  5  but;  when  we  meet  again,  I  hope  it  will 
 be  in  the  heights  of  immortal  love  and  extafy.  Mine  per- 
 haps may  be  the  firft  glad  fpirit  to  congratulate  your  fafe 
 arrival  on  the  happy  mores.  Heaven  can  witnefs  how  fin- 
 cere  my  concern  for  your  happinefs  is.  Thither  I  have 
 fent  my  ardent  wimes  that  you  may  be  fecured  from  the 
 flattering  delufion  of  the  world,  and,  after  your  pious  ex- 
 ample has  been  long  a  blefiing  to  mankind,  may  ycu 
 calmly  relign  your  breath,  and  enter  the  confines  of  un- 
 molefted  joy ! 
 
 I  am  now  taking  my  farewel  of  you  here,  but  'tis  a  ffcort 
 
 adieu,   for  I  die  with  full  perfuafion  that  we  fhall  meet: 
 
 again. — But,  O,  in  what  elevation  of  happinefs !   in  what 
 
 enlargement  of  mind,    and  perfection  of  every  faculty X 
 
 3  What 
 
3?o  MEMOIRSOF 
 
 and  am  glad  of  every  opportunity  to  repeat 
 that  I  am  with  the  greateft  efteem,  Sir, 
 Your  moil:  obliged 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 What  tranfporting  reflexions  (hall  we  make  on  the  advan- 
 tages of  which  we  (hall  feel  ourfelves  eternally  poflefl ! 
 
 To  him  that  loved  us  and  warned  us  from  our  fins  in  his 
 own  blood  we  fhall  afcribe  immortal  glory,  dominion,  and 
 praife  for  ever.  This  is  all  my  falvation,  and  all  my  hope. 
 That  name  in  whom  the  Gentiles  truft,  in  whom  all  the 
 families  on  earth  are  blefied  is  now  my  glorious,  my  un- 
 failing confidence  ;  in  his  merits  alone  I  expect  to  ftand 
 juftified  before  infinite  purity  and  juftice.  How  poor  were 
 my  hopes  if  I  depended  on  thofe  works,  which  my  own 
 \-anity  or  the  partiality  of  men  have  called  good,  and 
 which,  if  examined  by  Divine  Purity,  would  prove  perhaps 
 but  fpecious  fins  ?  The  beft  actions  of  my  life  would  be 
 found  defective,  if  brought  to  the  tefl  of  that  unblemifhed 
 holinefs  in  whofe  fight  the  heavens  are  not  clean. — Where 
 were  my  hopes  but  for  a  Redeemer's  merits  and  atone- 
 ment?— How  defperate,  how  undone  my  condition?-— 
 With  the  utmoft  advantage  I  can  boaft  I  mould  ftart 
 back  and  tremble  at  the  thoughts  of  appearing  before  the 
 unblemifhed  Majefty.  —  O  Jefus,  what  harmony  dwells  in 
 thy  name? — Celeftial  joy  and  immortal  life  are  in  the 
 found. — Let  angels  fet  thee  to  their  golden  harps ;  let  the 
 ranfomed  nations  for  ever  magnify  thee! 
 
 What  a  dream  is  mortal  life !— What  fhadows  are  the 
 objects  of  fenfe!—  All  the  glories  of  mortality,  my  mucrj- 
 beloved  friend,  will  be  nothing  in  your  view  at  the  awful 
 hour  of  death,  when  you  muit  befeparated  from  the  whole 
 creation,  and  enter  on  the  borders  of  the  immaterial 
 world. 
 
 Something  perfuades  me  that  this  will  be  my  laft  fare- 
 
 wel  in  this  world.     Heaven   forbid  that  it  mould  be  an 
 
 5  everlafung 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  3«i 
 
 LETTER     XXII. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  Auguft  17,  1737. 
 
 The  fincere  efteem  I  have  for  you  makes  it 
 very  difficult  for  me  to  oppofe  any  thing  you 
 defire  f,  and  it  is  doubly  fo  in  an  initance 
 where  I  might  have  an  opportunity  of  in- 
 dulging fo  juftifiable  a  pride  as  I  fhould  feel  in 
 letting  the  public  fee  this  frefh  mark  of  your 
 partiality  to  me,  but  as  I  am  apprehenfive  that 
 the  envy  fuch  a  diftinction  would  raife  againft 
 me  might  draw  fome  vexation  with  it,  I  hope 
 you  will  have  the  goodnefs  to  change  the  Dedi- 
 cation into  a  Letter  to  a  Friend,  without  giv- 
 ing me  any  other  appellation. 
 
 I  have  been  fo  ill  as  to  keep  my  chamber, 
 and  almoft  my  bed  fince  I  received  the  firft  of 
 your  letters,  and  my  Lord  has  had  a  return  of 
 the  gout.  Nothing  elfe  fhould  have  made  me 
 fo  long  delay  owning  the  receipt  of  it,  and 
 afiuring  you  that  I  am  with  the  greatelt.  efteem, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your  mofl  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 everiafting  parting!— May  that  Divine  Protedlion,  whofe 
 care  I  implore,  keep  you  ftedfaft  in  the  faith  of  Chriftianity, 
 and  guide  your  Heps  in  the  ftri&eft  paths  of  virtue  !  Adieu, 
 my  moll  dear  friend,  till  we  meet  in  the  paradife  of  God. 
 
 Elizabeth  Rowe. 
 f  That  the  Doftor  might  addrefs  Mrs.  Rovje's  Devout 
 Excrci/es  to  her  Ladyfhip  by  name. 
 
 LET- 
 
38i  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 LETTER     XXIII. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Oftober  27,  1737. 
 
 1  should  fooner  have  thanked  you  for  Mrs. 
 Rowe's  Meditations,  which  you  were  fo  good 
 as  to  fend  me,  but  that  I  had  a  mind  to  read 
 them  carefully  over  firfb.  You  have  in  your 
 Preface  taken  the  kindeft  and  mod  judicious 
 care  to  excufe  fome  exprefllons  in  them  which 
 I  muft  confefs  appear  to  me  to.ftand  in  need 
 of  fome  apology,  but  upon  the  whole  I  think 
 there  are  feveral  excellent  fentiments  in  them, 
 which  I  think  cannot  fail  of  doing  good  efpe- 
 cially  to  thofe  who,  by  their  acquaintance  with 
 her,  know  how  fmcerely  they  came  from  her 
 heart.  Lady  Betty  returns  her  thanks  for  the 
 book  you  fent  her,  and  fays  fhe  fhall  always 
 value  it  as  being  written  by  Mrs.  Rowey  and 
 as  a  mark  of  your  kind  regard  to  herfelf.  I 
 have  many  acknowledgments  to  make  you  for 
 the  honour  you  have  done  me  in  your  Dedica- 
 tion J,  which  by  your  kindnefs  in  fupprefTing 
 my  name  gives  me  an  unmixed  pleafure  by 
 affording  me  the  fatisfadlion  of  receiving  fuch 
 
 %  This  declaration  of  her  Ladyfhip,  and  what  (he  fays  in 
 the  two  foregoing  letters  make  it  evident  to  whom  the 
 Doclor  infciibed  Mrs.  Rowe's  Meditations,  though  the  name 
 is  concealed  in  the  Dedication.  The  whole  of  it  agrees  to 
 her  Ladyfhip,  and  fhows  what  n  high  opinion  and  efleem 
 he  entertained  concerning  her. 
 
 a  mark 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS.  383 
 
 a  mark  of  your  partiality  without  the  hazard  of 
 raifing  the  public  envy. 
 
 My  Lord,  and  my  fon  prefent  their  fervices 
 to  you,  and  I  am  with  the  fincereft  gratitude 
 and  efteem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER    XXIV. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  St.  Leonard's  Hill,  June  6,  173S. 
 
 I  had  the  pleafure  on  Saturday  to  receive 
 the  book  *,  and  the  kind  letter  you  were  fo 
 good  as  to  fend  me.  I  dare  fay  I  (hall  go 
 through  the  book  with  a  great  deal  of  pleafure. 
 I  have  already  read  part  of  it,  and  find  nothing 
 as  yet  to  give  me  any  apprehenfions  that  I 
 fhall  find  it  dry  or  unpleafant.  I  am  fure  the 
 fubject  is  of  importance,  and  is  rendered  moft 
 particularly  fo  at  this  time,  when  the  polite 
 part  of  the  world  look  on  the  Sabbath  as  an 
 old-fafhioned  inflitution,  from  which  they 
 would  gladly  be  releafed.  I  inclofe  you  fome 
 verfes  which,  though  perhaps  not  ftriclly  right 
 as  to  the  rules  of  poetry,  I  believe  you  will  ex- 
 cufe  for  the  piety  of  the  fentiments.  They 
 were  fent  me  by  a  friend  of  mine  who  lives 
 
 *  Undoubtedly  his  Difcourfes  on  the  Holinefs  of  Times, 
 Places,  and  People;  publiihed  1738. 
 
 at 
 
384  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 at  Gloucefler>  and  fhc  fays  were  written  by  a 
 
 young  gentleman  there  f. 
 
 I  thought 
 
 f  The  verfes  are  entitled,  Returning  to  God,  and  are  as 
 follow : 
 
 All-gracious  God,  my  beft  retreat, 
 
 A  wounded  foul  reftore  : 
 Unnumber'd  are  my  fins,  and  great, 
 
 Thy  tender  mercies  more  : 
 
 Receive  a  wandring,  wanton  fon, 
 
 Unworthy  of  the  name, 
 Who  bends  before  thine  awful  throne, 
 
 O'erwhelm'd  with  guilt  and  fhame : 
 
 Long-wean'd  from  Heav'n  by  earthly  joys 
 
 I've  fix'd  my  Canaan  here, 
 Quitting  for  prefent  empty  toys 
 
 My  bright  reverfion  there  : 
 
 Like  Noabh  reillefs  dove  I've  flown 
 
 Around  the  delug'd  ball, 
 But,  ah!  what  reft  can  there  be  known, 
 
 Where  fin  has  cover'd  all  ? 
 
 Then  let  me  to  my  ark  return, 
 
 Where  peace  and  comfort  reign, 
 With  holy  flames  here  let  me  burn, 
 
 Nor  wifh  to  cool  again. 
 
 With  fin  and  toil,  ye  mifers  blind, 
 
 Your  idol,  gold,  procure, 
 Here  I  fhall  nobler  treafure  find, 
 
 From  moth  and  ruft  fecure. 
 
 While  fenfual  joy  vain  fools  inflames 
 
 With  gay  delufive  fhow, 
 Grant  me,  O  God,  thofe  blifsful  ftreams 
 
 That  from  thy  prefence  flow ! 
 
 It 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  385 
 
 I  thought  it  very  long  fince  I  had  heard 
 from  you,  and  fhould  without  ceremony  have 
 written  again,  but  I  have  laboured  under  a  very 
 painful  diforder  in  my  head  and  face,  which 
 has  of  late  made  writing  very  difficult  to  me. 
 J  thank  God  it  is  now  a  little  better,  though  fo 
 far  from  well  as  to  hinder  me  of  the  pleafures 
 of  riding  and  walking,  to  which  the  leafon  of 
 the  year  would  naturally  invite  me,  and  which 
 are  generally  more  beneficial  to  my  health  than 
 any  medicine  in  the  difpenfary.  But  I  ouo-ht 
 not  to  repine  at  thefe  little  inconveniencies 
 which  are  fo  far  lefs  afflicting  than  I  deferve, 
 while  I  have  the  blefiing  to  fee  my  Lord  and 
 my  children  enjoy  a  perfect  ftate  of  health,  for 
 though  I  doubt  I  muft  never  hope  to  fee  my 
 Lord  able  to  walk  again,  he  is  otherwife  in  as 
 good  health  and  fpirits  as  ever  he  was  fince  I 
 knew  him.  He  and  my  daughter  are  this  day 
 going  to  London  to  flay  till  Thurfday  or  Friday^ 
 
 If  worth  and  beauty  claim  my  heart 
 
 What's  fair  and  good  like  thee  ? 
 If  kindeft  love  my  foul  can  move, 
 
 What  love  's  like  thine  to  me  ? 
 
 I  burn,  defcending  from  the  ikies 
 
 Swift  flames  diflblve  my  foul ; 
 My  pow'rs  in  facred  raptures  rife, 
 
 And  foar  above  the  pole. 
 
 Adieu,  vain  earth,  vain  thoughts,  depart, 
 
 Delufive  dreams  farewel ; 
 Such  trifling  guefts  muft  leave  that  heart, 
 
 Where  God  vouchsafes  to  dwell. 
 
 C  c  but 
 
386  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 but  my  fon  and  I  remain  here.  They  ail  aflure 
 you  of  their  bed  willies.  It  is  comfortable  to 
 find  that  there  are  Hill  enough  of  fuch  well- 
 difpofed  minds  as  to  encourage  Mrs.  Rowe's 
 Meditations^  which  certainly  breathe  as  fincere 
 a  fpirit  of  piety  a3  can  be  met  with  in  any 
 writing.  I  am  afraid  I  have  tired  you  with 
 this  long  letter,  and  indeed  the  pain  of  my 
 eyes  reminds  me  that  it  is  time  to  conclude  it 
 by  arTuring  you  that  I  am  with  the  greateft 
 efteem,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moil  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford* 
 
 LETTER     XXV. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  St.  Leonard's  Hill,  Aug.  8,  1738. 
 
 I  would  much  fooner  have  thanked  you  for 
 the  favour  of  your  laft  letter  but  have  been 
 hindered  by  my  attendance  on  my  Lord  in  a 
 fevere  fit  of  the  gout,  though,  I  thank  God,  it 
 has  been  only  in  his  limbs,  and  not  affected 
 either  his  head  or  ftomach. 
 
 I  think  every  body  mufl  v/ifh  a  Mufe  like 
 Mr.  Pope's  were  more  inclined  to  exert  itfelf  on 
 divine  and  good-natured  fubjects,  but  I  am 
 afraid  Satire  is  his  highefl  talent,  for  I  think 
 his  Univerfal  Prayer  is  by  no  means  equal  to 
 fome  other  of  his  works  -,  and  I  think  his  tenth 
 
 ftanza- 
 
Da.    ISAAC    WATTS.  387 
 
 flanza  |  an  inftance  how  blind  the  wifefl  men 
 may  be  to  the  errors  of  their  own  hearts ;  for 
 he  certainly  did  not  mean  to  imprecate  fuch  a 
 proportion  of  vengeance  on  himfelf,  as  he  is 
 too  apt  to  load  thofe  with  whom  he  diflikes  j 
 nor  would  he  wifh  to  have  his  own  failings  ex- 
 pofed  to  the  eye  of  the  world  with  all  the  in- 
 vective and  ridicule*  with  which  he  publifhes 
 thofe  of  his  fellow-creatures. 
 
 I  have  lately  met  with  fome  riddles  which 
 we  think  pretty  enough  in  their  way,  and.,  as 
 I  remember  you  once  told  me^  you  thought 
 them  tolerable  amufements,  I  will  inclofe  you 
 one  or  two  of  them,  and,  if  they  do  not  dif- 
 pleafe  you,  can  furnifh  you  with  a  few  more, 
 which  we  don't  think  bad  ones.  My  Lord  and 
 our  young  people  afTure  you  of  their  fervices. 
 I  am,  Sir,  with  the  fincereft  efleem, 
 
 Your  moft  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 LETTER    XXVI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Jan.  17,  1739. 
 
 I  am  truly  forry  to  find  you  complain  of  any 
 decay,  but  I  am  fure  if  you  have  any  it  mull 
 
 1  ........  — _____^_»^__^_ 
 
 f  Teach  me  to  feel  another's  woe, 
 To  hide  the  fault  I  fee, 
 That  mercy  I  to  others  mow, 
 That  mercy  mow  to  me. 
 
 C  c  1  be 
 
3?8  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 be  bodily,  and  has  no  other  effect  than  that, 
 which  both  Mr.  Waller  *  and  yourjelf  have  fo 
 happily  defcribed  as  letting  in  light  upon  the  foul. 
 
 I  never 
 
 *  Mr.  Waller's  lines,  to  which  her  LaJyfhip  refers,  arc 
 at  the  conclufion  of  his  Divine  poems. 
 
 The  foul's  dark  cottage  batter'd  and  decay'd 
 Lets  in  new  light  through  chinks  that  time  has  made  : 
 Stronger  by  weaknefs,  wifer  men  become, 
 As  they  draw  near  to  their  eternal  home  : 
 Leaving  the  old  both  worlds  at  once  they  view, 
 That  ltand  upon  the  threihold  of  the  new. 
 
 The  verfes  of  Dr.  Watts  which  her  Ladyfhip  intends  is 
 the  poem  in  his  Hora:  Ljrtca?  entitled  A  fight  of  heaven  in 
 Juknefs* 
 
 Oft  have  I  fat  in  fecrct  fighs 
 
 To  feel  my  fleih  decay, 
 Then  groan'd  aloud  with  frighted  eyes 
 
 To  view  the  tottering  clay  ; 
 
 But  I  forbid  my  forrows  now, 
 
 Nor  dares  the  flefh  complain  ; 
 Difeafes  bring  their  profit  too  ; 
 
 The  joy  o'ercomes  the  pain. 
 
 My  chearful  foul  now  all  the  day 
 
 Sits  waiting  here  and  fings ; 
 Looks  through  the  ruins  of  her  clay, 
 
 And  pra&ifes  her  winj 
 
 Faith  almoft  changes  into  fight. 
 
 While  from  afar  fhe  fpies 
 Her  fair  inheritance  in  light 
 
 Above  created  ikies. 
 
 Had  but  the  prifon-walls  been  ftrong, 
 
 And  firm  without  a  flaw, 
 In  darknefs  fhe  had  dwelt  too  long, 
 
 And  lefs  of  glory  faw  : 
 
 But 
 
Dp.    ISAAC    WATTS.  3g9 
 
 I  never  read  any  thing  in  my  life  that  pleafed 
 me  better  than  your  meditations  on  Revela- 
 tion ioth,  and  I  hope  I  fhall  not  only  delight 
 in  reading  the  words,  but  lay  the  fubftance  of 
 it  to  my  heart,  to  which  end  allow  me  to  beg 
 your  prayers  as  an  aftiftance. 
 
 My  dear  Lord's  Hate  of  fuffering  (for  he  is 
 again  confined  to  his  bed  by  the  gout)  gives 
 me  little  opportunity  and  lefs  inclination  to 
 lofe  much  time  in  the  gay  amufements  which 
 are  apt  to  divert  other  people  from  the  thoughts 
 of  their  diffolution  ;  but  I  am  not  fure  that  a 
 life  of  care  and  anxiety  has  not  as  bad  an  effect 
 by  fixing  the  mind  too  attentively  on  the  pre- 
 fent  gloom,  which  obfcures  every  chearful  ray 
 which  would  ptherwife  enliven  one's  (pints. 
 
 But  now  the  everlafting  hills 
 
 Through  ev'ry  chink  appear. 
 And  fomething  of  the  joy  me  feels, 
 
 While  fhe's  a  prifoner  here. 
 
 The  mines  of  heav'n  rum  fweetly  in 
 
 At  all  the  gaping  flaws ; 
 Vifions  of  endlefs  blifs  are  feen, 
 
 And  native  air  (he  draws. 
 
 O  may  thefe  walls  Hand  tottering  fKU, 
 
 The  breaches  never  clofe 
 If  I  muft  here  in  darknefs  dwell 
 
 And  all  this  glory  lofe! 
 
 Or  rather  let  this  flefh  decay, 
 
 The  ruins  wider  grow 
 Till  gkd  to  fee  th'  enlarged  way 
 
 I  ftretch  my  pinions  too. 
 
 C  p  .1  I  wilh 
 
 '/' 
 
3po  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 I  wifh  I  had  any  thing  to  fend  more  worth 
 your  reading  than  the  following  verfes ;  but  I 
 have  fo  little  leifure  that  I  can  fcarce  get  time 
 to  write  letters  to  the  few  friends  I  correfpond 
 with.  Thefe  lines  were  written  one  morning 
 in  Ofiober  as  I  was  fitting  in  a  bow-window  in 
 my  chamber  at  St.  Leonard's  Hill,  which  looks 
 pn  a  little  grove  in  the  garden,  and  beyond  has 
 an  extenfive  view  of  the  foreft. 
 
 How  lately  was  yon  ruffet  grove 
 
 The  feat  of  harmony  and  love  ? 
 
 Kow  beauteous  all  the  fylvan  fcene  ? 
 
 The  flowers  how  gay,  the  trees  how  green  ? 
 
 But  now  it  no  fuch  charms  can  boaft, 
 
 Its  mufick  gone,  its  verdure  loft ; 
 
 The  changing  leaves  fall  faft  away, 
 
 And  all  its  pride  is  in  decay; 
 
 Where  blofloms  deckt  the  pointed  thorn 
 
 Now  hangs  the  wintry  drop  forlorn  ; 
 
 No  longer  from  the  fragrant  bufli 
 
 Odours  exhale,  nor  rofes  blufh. 
 
 Along  the  late  enamePd  mead 
 
 No  golden  cowflip  lifts  its  head, 
 
 Scarce  can  the  grafs  its  fpires  fufhin, 
 
 ChilPd  by  the  froft,  or  drench'd  with  rain. 
 
 Alas— juft  thus  with  life  it  fares. 
 
 Our  youth  like  fmiling  fpring  appears, 
 
 Allied  to  joy,  unbroke  with  cares; 
 
 But  fwiftly  fly  thofe  chearful  hours, 
 
 Like  falling  leaves,  or  fading  flowers; 
 
 We  quickly  hafcen  to  decline, 
 
 And  ev'ry  fprightly  joy  refign  : 
 
 Then  be  our  heart  prepar'd  to  leave 
 
 Thofe  joys,  nor  at  their  abfence  grieve  ; 
 
 Sublime? 
 
 1 
 
Dr.    I  S  A  A  C    W  A  T  T  S.  39* 
 
 Sublimer  plcafures  let  us  prove, 
 And  fix  our  thoughts  on  thofe  above, 
 By  the  bright  eye  of  facred  truth 
 Review  the  dangers  of  our  youth, 
 Think  how  by  turns  wild  paifions  rag'd, 
 By  calm  reflection  now  afluag'd, 
 And  blefs  the  gentle  ev'ning  hour, 
 When  reafon  beft  exerts  its  pow'r, 
 And  drives  thofe  tyrants  from  our  breaft, 
 Whofe  empire  they  too  long  pofTeft  : 
 Devotion  comes  with  grace  divine, 
 Around  them  heavenly  glories  fhine 
 While  ev'ry  gloom  their  rays  difpel, 
 And  banifh  the  deceits  of  hell ; 
 Ambition  now  no  more  afpires, 
 Contentment  mod'rates  our  denies, 
 From  envy  free  we  can  behold 
 Another's  honours,  or  his  gold, 
 Nor  jealoufy  our  reft  alarms, 
 No  longer  flaves  to  mortal  charms.' 
 With  prudence,  patience  comes  along, 
 Who  fmiles  beneath  oppreflive  wrong  : 
 If  then  fuch  peaceful  heav'nly  guefts 
 Age  introduces  to  our  breafts, 
 Can  we  his  foft  approaches  fear, 
 Or  heave  a  figh,  or  drop  a  tear 
 Becaufe  our  outward  forms  decay, 
 And  time  our  vigour  fteals  away  ? 
 Should  we  regret  our  fhort-lived  bloom, 
 Which,  could  it  laft  us  to  the  tomb, 
 Muft  quickly  there  to  duft  confume  ? 
 If  thus  life's  progrefs  we  furvey, 
 View  what  it  gives,  what  takes  away, 
 We  fhall  with  thankful  hearts  declare, 
 It  leaves  us  all  that's  worth  our  care. 
 
 C  c  4  I  am 
 
 I 
 
|P  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 I  am  importuned  by  a  very  valuable  old 
 woman,  who  is  declining  apace,  to  beg  your 
 prayers.  She  took  me  from  my  nurfe,  and,  if 
 I  have  any  good  in  me,  I  owe  it  to  her.  She 
 was  trufted  by  my  mother  with  the  care  both 
 of  my  filler  and  myfelf,  and  has  lived  with  me 
 ever  fince.  But  now,  though  pad  70,  fhe  can- 
 not meet  death  without  terror,  and  yet  I  be- 
 lieve I  may  venture  to  anfwer,  that  fhe  has  al- 
 ways lived  under  the  flrictefl  fenfe  of  religion, 
 but  lownefs  of  fpirit  joined  to  many  bodily  in- 
 firmities will  flicd  darknefs  on  the  moll  chear- 
 ful  minds,  and  hers  never  was  of  that  cad.  I 
 fear  fhe  has  very  few  months  (if  weeks)  to  come 
 on  earth,  and  a  notice  that  you  will  grant  her 
 requefl  would  make  her  I  believe  pafs  them 
 with  more  comfort. 
 
 I  am  forced  to  take  another  page  to  afllire 
 you  of  my  Lord's  compliments,  and  thofe  of 
 my  young  people  -,  the  two  latter  are  very  well. 
 I  have  no  other  view  in  fending  the  above 
 verfes,  but  to  prove  that  my  confidence  in  your 
 friendfhlp  has  received  no  alteration  from  the 
 length  of  time  which  has  patted  fince  I  had  an 
 opportunity  of  alluring  you  in  perfon  with  how 
 true  a  regard  I  am,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moil  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 J.ET^ 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  39* 
 
 LETTER     XXVII. 
 From  the  fame, 
 
 SIR,  Windfor-Foreft,  May  19,  1739. 
 
 I  would  fooner  have  exprefied  my  concern 
 for  your  illnefs  had  I  been  free  from  complaint 
 myfelf.  I  have  been  afflicted  for  fome  weeks 
 with  a  pain  in  my  jaws  and  face,  which  is  yet 
 very  little  better,  and  really  diflieartens  me 
 from  doing  any  thing.  My  Lord  and  Betty 
 are  in  town,  as  is  my  fon's  governor  on  account 
 of  a  violent  rheumatifm,  fo  that  he,  and  I,  and 
 a  young  gentleman  three  or  four  years  older 
 than  himfelf  live  here  in  perfect  folitude.  Our 
 amufement  within  doors  is  at  prefent  Rapiris 
 Eiftory  of  England  in  EngJifh,  which  they  abridge 
 as  they  go  along ;  I  work  or  draw  while  they 
 read  aloud,  and  we  do  not  feem  tired  of  our 
 way  of  life. 
 
 Your  good  prayers  for  poor  Rothery  have  met 
 with  unexpected  fuccefs.  She  is  fo  much  re- 
 covered that  I  begin  to  think  fhe  will  get  en- 
 tirely well,  and  if  fhe  does  I  think  nothing  of 
 that  kind  has  fince  I  can  remember  looked 
 more  like  a  miraculous  operation  of  the  healing 
 power  of  the  Almighty. 
 
 I  hope  the  fame  divine  mercy  will  long  pre- 
 ferve  you  a  blefling  to  the  age,  and  that  you 
 will  find  your  (Irength  return  with  the  warm 
 weather. 
 
 My 
 
394  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 My  fon  allures  you  of  his  kindeft  wifhes  and 
 fervices,  and  I  am  lure  the  other  branches  of 
 my  family  would  do  the  fame  if  they  were 
 here. 
 
 I  hoped  every  week  (of  late)  for  the  publica- 
 tion of  the  fermons  you  were  fo  good  as  to  fay 
 you  intended  me.  I  find  Mr.  Grove's  are  going 
 to  be  publifhed  by  fubfcription.  I  have  fent  to 
 town  to  defire  that  my  name  may  be  added  to 
 the  lift. 
 
 I  have  juft  had  the  oddeft  pamphlet  fent  me 
 which  I  ever  faw  in  my  life,  called  Amufemens 
 Pbilofophiques  fur  U  Language  des  Betes.  It  was 
 burnt  by  the  hands  of  the  common  executioner 
 at  PariSy  and  the  prieft  who  wrote  it  banifhed 
 till  he  made  a  formal  retraction  of  it,  and  yet 
 I  think  it  very  plain  by  the  flyle  that  the  man 
 was  either  in  jeft  or  crazed.  It  is  by  no  means 
 wanting  of  wit,  but  extremely  far  from  a  fyftem 
 of  probability.  I  will  now  only  recommend 
 myfelf  to  your  prayers,  and  fubfcribe  myfelf, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your  moil  obliged  and  faithful  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER     XXVIII. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  June  7,  1739. 
 
 You  will  have  great  reafon  to  think  me  very 
 ungrateful  for  your  kind  prefent  to  my  fon, 
 
 and 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    W  ATTS.  395 
 
 and  very  indifferent  in  regard  to  your  health, 
 till  I  have  told  you  what  has  fo  long  hindered 
 my  returning  you  thanks  for  the  one.,  and  af- 
 furing  you  of  my  concern  for  the  other.  I 
 have  been  fince  I  received  yours  afflicted  with 
 a  pain  in  my  head,  which  was  almofl  ready  to 
 deprive  me  of  my  eye-fight.  It  laffed  four  or 
 five  days,  and,  as  foon  as  it  was  over,  we  pre- 
 pared to  remove  hither,  where  we  have  only 
 been  three  days.  Thefe  have  been  the  impe- 
 diments which  have  kept  me  filent  at  a  time 
 when  I  had  the  ftrongeft  inclination  to  inquire 
 after  you,  and  allure  you  of  my  fincerefl  wiihcs 
 and  prayers  for  your  perfect  recovery. 
 
 I  have  the  pleafure  of  finding  my  garden  ex- 
 tremely improved  in  the  two  years  I  have  been 
 abfent  from  it.  Some  little  alterations  I  had 
 ordered  are  completed.  The  trees  which' I 
 left  fmall  ones  are  grown  to  form  an  agreeable 
 fhade,  and  I  have  reafon  to  blefs  God  for  the 
 pleafantnefs  of  the  place  which  is  allotted  me 
 to  pafs  many  of  my  retired  hours  in.  May  I 
 make  ufe  of  them  to  fit  me  for  my  laft,  and 
 that  I  may  do  fo  allow  me  to  beg  the  continu- 
 ation of  your  prayers ! 
 
 My  poor  old  woman  is  got  hither  contrary 
 to  her  own,  and  all  our  expectations.  She  has 
 the  deepen:  gratitude  for  your  goodnefs  to  her, 
 and  begs  you  v/ill  accept  her  thanks.  She  is 
 ftill  very  weak,  and  I  fancy  will  hardly  get 
 pyer  the  autumn.     My  Lord  and  Betty  defire  to 
 
 allure 
 
3<j6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 afllire  you  of  their  compliments.     I  am,  Sir, 
 with  the  trued  edeem, 
 
 Your  mod  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford. 
 
 LETTER     XXIX. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 S  I  R,  June  10,  1739. 
 
 Though  I  troubled  you  with  a  letter  fo 
 lately  I  cannot  difpenfe  with  my  impatience  to 
 thank  you  for  the  valuable  prefent  you  have 
 made  me  of  one  of  the  bed  books  1  ever  fawf. 
 I  received  it  only  on  Friday  night,  but,  as  the 
 goodnefs  of  Providence  has  allowed  me  many 
 hours  of  leifure  and  retirement,  I  have  had 
 time  enough  to  read  fo  much  of  it  as  gives  me 
 the  highed  veneration  for  its  author.  I  hope 
 God  will  grant  me  grace  not  only  to  read  it, 
 but  to  endeavour  after  the  piety  it  dictates, 
 which  is  delivered  in  fuch  a  manner  as  both  to 
 convince  the  reafon,  and  touch  the  heart.  I 
 have  forgot  whether  in  any  of  my  later  letters  I 
 ever  named  to  you  a  little  book  newly  tranf- 
 kted  from  the  Italian  by  the  fame  Mrs.  Carter, 
 who  has  a  copy  of  verfes  printed  in  the  begin- 
 ning of  Mrs.  Rowe's  Works  occafioncd  by  her 
 death.     The  book  fnc  has  now  tranflated  is  Sir 
 
 \  Very  probably  his  Difcourfeo  on  the  World  to  come, 
 -lated  by  him  in  his  Preface  3739. 
 
 Jjaai 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  397 
 
 Ifaac  Newton's  Boclrine  of  Light  and  Colours 
 made  eafy  for  the  Ladies,  My  daughter  and  I 
 have  both  read  it  with  great  pleafure,  and 
 flatter  ourfelves  that  we  at  lead  underftand 
 fome  parts  of  it.  She  joins  with  her  father 
 and  brother  in  their  aflurances  of  efteem  and 
 good  wifhes  toward  you,  and  I  hope  you  are 
 convinced  that  on  both  thofe  fubjects  you  may 
 equally  depend  upon  the  fincerity  of,  Sir, 
 Your  moft  obliged 
 
 And  faithfully  affectionate  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 LETTER     XXX. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  July  30,  1739. 
 
 I  would  much  fooner  have  written  to  you 
 to  thank  you  for  the  favour  of  your  laft  letter 
 had  I  enjoyed  more  leifure;  but  I  have  had 
 a  friend  with  me  this  laft  month  who  has  en- 
 grofled  a  good  many  of  thofe  hours  which  I 
 ufed  to  employ  in  writing  to  my  correfpond- 
 ents.  She  is  a  very  pious,  and  religious,  as 
 well  as  agreeable  woman,  and  has  feen  enough 
 of  the  world  in  her  younger  years  to  teach  her 
 to  value  its  enjoyments,  and  fear  its  vexations 
 no  more  than  they  deferve,  by  which  happy 
 knowledge  fhe  has  brought  her  mind  and  (pi- 
 nts to  the  moft  perfect  ftate  of  calmnefs  I  ever 
 faw,  and  her  converfation  feems  to  impart 
 the  blefling  to  all  who  partake  of  her  difcourfe. 
 
 By 
 
395  MEMOIRS     OP 
 
 By  this  you  will  judge  that  I  have  paifecl  my 
 time  very  much  to  my  fatisfadtion  while  fhe 
 was  with  me  -,  and,  though  I  have  not  written 
 to  you,  you  have  fhared  my  time  with  her, 
 for  almoft  all  the  hours  I  paffed  alone  I  have 
 employed  in  reading  your  works,  which  for 
 ever  reprefent  to  my  imagination  the  idea  of 
 a  ladder  or  flight  of  fleps,  fmce  every  volume 
 feems  to  rife  a  flep  nearer  the  language  of 
 heaven,  and  there  is  a  vifible  progreffion  to- 
 ward that  better  country  through  every  page  $ 
 fo  that,  though  all  breathe  piety  and  juft  rea- 
 fon,  the  laft  feems  to  crown  the  whole,  till 
 you  fhall  again  publilh  fomething  to  enlighten 
 a  dark  and  obftinate  age,  for  I  muft  believe 
 that  the  manner  in  which  you  treat  divine  fub- 
 jec~ts  is  more  likely  to  reform  and  work  upon  the 
 affections  of  your  readers  than  that  of  any  other 
 writer  now  living.  1  hope  God  will  in  mercy  to 
 many  thoufands,  myfelf  in  particular,  prolong 
 your  life  many  years.  I  own  this  does  not  feem  a 
 kind  wifh  to  you,  but  I  think  you  will  be  con- 
 tent to  bear  the  infirmities  of  flefh  fome  years 
 longer  to  be  an  inftrument  in  the  hands  of 
 God  toward  the  falvation  of  your  weak  and 
 diftreffed  brethren.  The  joys  of  heaven  can- 
 not fade  but  will  be  as  glorious  millions  of 
 ages  to  come  as  they  are  now,  and  what  a 
 moment  will  the  longeil  life  appear  when  it 
 comes  to  be  compared  with  eternity  ?  My 
 Lord  defires  to  affure  you  of  his  regards  and 
 
 bed 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  30-9 
 
 bed  wifties.     I  am,  Sir,  with  the   trued   ve- 
 neration, 
 
 Your  mod  faithfu  lhumble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 LETTER     XXXI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 SIR,  Marlborough,  Sept.  10,  1739. 
 
 I  am  extremely  glad  to  find  that  you  have 
 dill  a  referve  of  writings  which  the  world  may 
 at  fome  time  or  other  hope  to  fee,  for  without 
 the  lead  flattery  (a  vice  I  would  always  avoid 
 and  more  particularly  on  fo  important  an  oc- 
 cafion)  it  is  my  opinion  that  God  has  in  a 
 very  extraordinary  manner  blefTed  your  en- 
 deavours to  the  advancement  of  piety.  I  can- 
 not help  mentioning  one  indance  of  it  to  you, 
 which  has  fallen  within  my  own  knowledge, 
 of  a  perfon  who,  after  having  drunk  extremely 
 hard,  and  made  a  very  ill  hu/band  for  upwards 
 of  twenty  years,  has  within  this  year  and  half 
 entirely  changed  his  courfe  of  life,  and  is  now 
 as  fober  a  man,  and  as  good  an  hufband  as  13 
 pofiible,  and  he  himfelf  fays  that  his  reform- 
 ation has  been  entirely  owing  to  reading  your 
 three  volumes  of  fermons  which  were  printed 
 fome  years  fince. 
 
 I  mull  beg  you  to  direct  your  next  letter  to 
 me  at  St.  Leonard's  Hill,  for  we  remove  thi- 
 ther (if  it  pleafe  God)  the  day  after  to-mor- 
 5  row 
 
400  MEMOIRS     Or 
 
 row  for  about  two  months.  My  Lord  and  mj 
 [on  allure  you  of  their  "fincere  regards,  as  I  am 
 fure  Betty  would  do  was  fhe  with  me,  but  me 
 is  ilill  in  Yorkjhire.  I  will  not  add  any  more 
 at  prefent  than  to  defire  the  continuance  of 
 your  prayers,  and  afTure  you  that  I  am  with 
 a  real  veneration  and  friendfhip,  Sir, 
 Your  moft  affectionate 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 LETTER     XXXtl. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  London,  Nov.   28,   1739. 
 
 1  am  very  much  afliamed  when  I  confider 
 how  long  I  have  been  indebted  to  you  for  the 
 favour  of  a  letter,  but  fince  that  time  I  have 
 had  my  heart  full  of  care,  and  my  hands  full 
 of  bufinefs.  When  I  received  yours  my  Lord 
 was  laid  up  with  a  fevere  fit  of  the  gout, 
 which  did  not  permit  me  to  leave  JVindfor 
 For  eft  (whither  we  are  to  return  no  more) 
 till  the  thirteenth  of  this  month.  When  I  fir  ft 
 came  to  town  I  had  the  difagreeable  news  of 
 my  daughter's  being  ill  in  TorkJIoire,  but,  I 
 thank  God,  fhe  is  now  well  again,  and  I  ex- 
 pect her  in  town  next  week.  Befides  all  this  I 
 have  been  bufy  in  getting  fome  things  ready 
 to  go  down  into  Buckinghamjhire,  to  an  houfe 
 which  my  Lord  has  bought  there  of  my  Lord 
 Bathurjl,  and  where  we  are  to  go  to-morrow 
 
 morning 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  401 
 
 morning  to  pafs  there  three  or  four  days.  It 
 is  the  place  which  Mr.  Pope  in  one  of  his  let- 
 ters to  Mr.  Digby  calls  my  Lord  B  *  *  's  ex* 
 ttahjagant  bergcrie*.  The  little  paddock  in 
 which  it  (lands  perfectly  anfwers  that  title. 
 The  houfe  is  old,  but  very  convenient,  and 
 large  enough  5  and  what  makes  it  very  agree- 
 able to  me,  though  within  ten  miles,  it  looks 
 as  if  it  were  an  hundred  from  London.  The 
 life  of  God  in  the  foul  of  man  is  a  book  which 
 I  have  had  and  admired  above  thefe  twelve 
 years.  Nothing  can  breathe  a  truer  fpirit  of 
 piety.  My  Lord  and  fon  defire  to  allure  you 
 of  their  fervices,  and  befl  wifhes,  and  I  am3 
 with  a  very  fincere  regard,  Sir, 
 Your  moil  faithful 
 
 And  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford4 
 
 LETTER     XXXIII; 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 SIR,  Percy  Lodge,  Dec.  3,    1747,, 
 
 I  have  received  the  valuable  book  f  you 
 was   fo  good  as  to  fend  me,   and  though  I 
 have,  from  fome  necefiary  interruptions,  been 
 able  to  read   only  about   half  of  it,  1  am  fo 
 
 *  A  large  fneepfold. 
 D 
 
 D  d  mucl 
 
 f  Undoubtedly   the  Doftor's  Volume  of  Evangelical 
 Difcourfes, 
 
4r,2  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 much  pleafed  with  thofe  admirable  difcourfes 
 that  I  cannot  be  eafy  any  longer  to  defer  my 
 fincere  thanks  for  the  fatisfaction  I  have  already 
 received  from   them. 
 
 It  is  much  to  be  lamented  that  the  modern 
 preachers  in  our  church  indulge  themfelves 
 and  their  hearers  with  cold,  though  well  pen- 
 ned, effays  of  morality,  as  it  were  forget- 
 ting that  the  only  anchor  of  our  falvation 
 is  the  merits  of  Jefus  Chrift,  who  laid  down 
 his  life  to  redeem  us  from  the  flavery  of  fin 
 and  Satan.  *Tis  by  this  fafhionable  way  of 
 preaching  that  I  am  afraid  many  ferious  peo- 
 ple are  led  into  the  unhappy  miftake  of  trufl- 
 ing  to  their  own  righteoufnefs,  and  find  it  a 
 hard  leflbn  to  rank  themfelves  with  the  finners 
 of  this  world. 
 
 My  Lord  defires  to  allure  you  of  his  fincere 
 regards,  and  I  am  with  the  moll  cordial  eiteem 
 and  gratitude,  Sir, 
 
 Your  mofl  obliged 
 
 And  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 F.  Hartford, 
 
 Sir  Hugh  Smith/on  and  Lady  Betty  have  been 
 in  town  fome  time,  but  I  will  let  them  know 
 your  kind  remembrance  of  them. 
 
 LET- 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  403 
 
 LETTER     XXXIV. 
 
 From  the  late  Lord  Barrington  *. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  London,  Jan.  11,    1718. 
 
 I  cannot  difpenfe  with  myfelf  from  taking 
 the  firft  opportunity  I  have  of  acknowledging 
 your  great  favour  in  afilfting  me  fo  readily  to 
 offer  up  the  praife  due  to  almighty  God  for 
 his  iignal  mercies  vouchfafed  me  on  three  fe- 
 veral  occafions,  and  of  alluring  you  that  it  was 
 with  the  utmoil  concern  I  underftood  that  I 
 mud  not  flatter  myfelf  with  the  hopes  of  your 
 being  with  us  in  this  laft.  But  how  very  ob- 
 liging are  you,  who  would  give  yourfelf  the 
 trouble  to  let  me  know  that,  though  you 
 could  not  give  me  the  advantage  of  your  com- 
 pany at  Hatton-Garden,  yet  I  mould  not  want 
 your  affiitance  at  a  diftance,  where  you  would 
 addrefs  fuch  petitions  to  heaven  to  meet  ours 
 as  tend  to  render  me  one  of  the  beft  and  hap-* 
 pieft  men  alive.  This  they  will  influence  me 
 to  be  in  fome  meafure,  both  by  their  preva- 
 lency  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  by  inftruct- 
 ing  me  in  the  mod  agreeable  manner  what  I 
 mould  afpire  to.  Whilft  I  read  your  letter 
 I  found  my  blood  fired  with  the  greater!:  am- 
 bition to  be  what  you  wifh  me.  I  will  there- 
 fore  carefully   preferve  it,  where   it  mall  be 
 
 *    See  his  life  in  the  Biographia  Britannka. 
 
 D  d  1  leaft 
 
404  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 leaft  liable  to  accidents,  and  where  it  will  be 
 always  mod  in  my  view.  There,  as  I  mall 
 fee  what  I  ought  to  be,  by  keeping  it  always 
 before  me,  I  ihall  not  only  have  the  pleafure 
 of  obferving  the  mafterly  flrokes  of  the  cha- 
 racter you  with  me,  but  I  hope,  come  in  time 
 to  bear  fome  refembiance  to  it. 
 
 Whiift  you  were  pra>  ing  for  us,  we  did  not 
 forget  you ;  nor  Ihall  I  ceafe  to  befeech  al- 
 mighty God  to  make  you  a  bright  example 
 of  paffive  virtue  till  he  Ihall  fee  fit  to  reftore 
 you  to  that  eminent  degree  of  acceptablenefs 
 and  fervice  you  have  once  enjoyed.  I  am, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 Barrington. 
 
 My  wife  is  very  much  obliged  by  your  ci- 
 vility.    She  has  defired  a  copy  of  your  letter, 
 which  (he  fays  will  be  as  ufeful   to  her,  as  it 
 r   been    entertaining,    if  it  be  not  her  own 
 B  >th  our  humble  fervices   attend  the 
 amily  where  you   are.     I   am  forry  my 
 ,  cold  is  like  to  deprive  us  of  their  com- 
 ly  onJVednefday. 
 
 LETTER     XXXV. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Rev.    Sir,  Tofts,   Jan.  23,    1724, 
 
 I  returned   you   my  thanks   for  the  kind 
 prefent  of  your  Logic  foon  after  I  received  it. 
 
 I  can 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  40; 
 
 I  can  now  do  it  on  much  better  grounds,  for 
 fince  I  have  read  it  (which  from  the  fcene  of 
 forrow  and    bufinefs   I   have  lately  been  in  I 
 have  not  been  able  to  do  till  within  thefe  few 
 days)  I  do  not  barely  thank  you  for  the  civi- 
 lity of  your  prefent,  or  only  for  the  fatisfaction 
 I  have  received  on  reading  a  book  finely  writ- 
 ten on  a  noble   and  ufeful  fubject,  or  for  the 
 profit  I  have    reaped   by  it,  but  for  a  book, 
 by  which  I  expect  not  only  the  youth  of  Eng- 
 land, but  all,    who  are   not  too   lazy,  or   too 
 wife  to  learn,    will   be   taught  to   think   and 
 write  better  than  they  do,  and  thereby  become 
 better  fubjects,  better  neighbours,  better  rela- 
 tives, and  better  chrillians.     As  far  as  wrong 
 reafoning  helps  to  fpoil  each  of  thefe  (and  a 
 great   way  every  one,  who   will  reflect,  mufc 
 fee  it  goes  towards   it)  fo  far  will  putting  us 
 in  a  right  way  of  thinking  help   to   mend  us. 
 I  think  your  book  fo  good  an  help  to  us  this 
 way,  that  I  fhall  not  only  recommend  it  to 
 others,  but  ufe  it  as   the  beft  manual  of  its 
 kind  myfelf,    and   intend  as   fome  have  done 
 Erafmus,    or    a    piece   of  Cicero    for   another 
 purpofe  to  read   it  over  once  a  year,     I  am, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your  moll  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 Barrington, 
 
 P  d  3  LET^ 
 
4o6  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 LETTER     XXXVI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 Rev.  Sir,  Becket-Houfe,  Feb,  4,  1731. 
 
 At  lad  I  have  received  the  kind  prefent* 
 you  fo  long  fince  ordered  me.  I  have  read  it 
 over,  and  looked  over  fome  parts  of  it  again, 
 I  fhall  lay  it  in  my  nurfery,  hall,  and  parlour, 
 and  keep  it  in  my  ftudy.  1  think  it  a  book 
 that  will  be  very  iuitruclive  and  entertaining 
 to  people  of  all  ages  and  conditions.  You 
 know  I  am  very  much  for  the  whole  Bi- 
 ble's being  looked  through,  and  not  one  part 
 of  it  only;  or  even  the  New  Teftament  alone 
 in  prejudice  of  the  reft.  I  think  you  have 
 done  very  good  fervice  in  giving  us  the  Apo- 
 cryphal hiftory,  as  a  part  of  the  account  of 
 God's  tranfa£tions  with  his  people.  But,  after 
 faying  this  I  mud  own  to  you  I  could  have 
 wifhed  you  had  made  your  fections,  efpecially 
 at  the  beginning,  not  barely  as  hiftorical  ones, 
 but  with  a  view  to  the  different  difpenfations 
 of  God  to  mankind  (I  mean  in  that  part  of 
 the  book  before  the  law)  though  Hill  prefer  v- 
 ing  the  order  of  the  Bible.  The  breaks,  that 
 arife  from  that  confideration,  are  what  are 
 moil  likely  to  lead  us  into  the  true  knowledge 
 of  the  Bible.  Without  them  the  hiftory  of 
 the  Bible  will  be  little  more  than  the  amufe- 
 ment  of  other  hiftories.     I  am,  Sir, 
 
 Your  very  faithful  humble  Servant, 
 
 Barrington, 
 
 -.   Watts' s  View  of  the  whole  Scripture  Hijlory* 
 
Dr.     IS  A  AC    WATTS.  4C7 
 
 LETTER     XXXVII. 
 From  the  prefent  Lord  Barrington. 
 Rev.  Sir,  Becket-Houfe,   Feb.  22,    1734-5. 
 
 My  Lady  begs  you  to  accept  through  my 
 hands  her  beft  thanks  for  your  laft  kind  letter 
 to  her.  She  is  fully  ieniible  of  the  favour 
 you  do  her  both  by  the  handibme  manner  in 
 which  you  fpeak  of  her  deceafed  Lord,  and 
 the  excellent  motives  you  propofe  for  her  con- 
 folation. 
 
 Give  me  leave,  Sir,  to  return  you  my 
 thanks  for  your  kind  wifhes  on  my  account. 
 My  late  dear  father  was  often  commending  me 
 in  a  manner  far  above  what  I  any  ways  de- 
 fended, and  for  which  I  efteem  myfelf  entirely 
 indebted  to  his  paternal  fondnefs.  But,  if  I 
 was  to  have  chofen  to  whom  I  would  have 
 been  fo  commended,  it  mould  have  been  to 
 Dr.  Watts  at  Lady  Abvey's.  I  efteem  it  in- 
 cumbent on  me  to  come  up  as  far  as  I  am 
 able  to  his  account  of  me,  which  I  mall  en- 
 deavour to  do  by  the  clofeft  imitation  of  his 
 bright  example. 
 
 The  defire  you  exprefs  of  having  my  father's 
 head  among  your  collection  of  learned  men  is 
 worthy  of  a  perfon  who  had  fo  long  an  inti- 
 macy and  friendfhip  with  him.  I  am  fenfible 
 that  if  all  the  world  had  the  fame  regard,  and 
 fo  quick  a  remembrance  of  men  of  merit  as 
 yourfelf,  a  picture  would  be  entirely  fuper- 
 fluous.  Yet  if  you  think  that  from  the  in- 
 D  d  4  fpedion 
 
4o3  MEMOIRS    O  F 
 
 fpection  of  the  late  Lord  Barringions  picture 
 may  be  induced  to   follow  the  pattern  of  vir- 
 tue and  felf-denial  he  has  fet,  it  may  be  ealily 
 done.     I  am  in  a  very  particular  manner,  Sir> 
 Your  moil  humble   Servant, 
 
 J3ariungtcn*, 
 
 LETTER     XXXVIIJ. 
 jprcm  the  Honourable  Jonathan  Belcher,  Ffq.f 
 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir,  Ecllon,    Oct.  20,  1732. 
 
 In  Augufi  lafr  I  had  the  favour  of  yours  of 
 the  fourth  of  May,  with  your  lamentation  on 
 the  death  of  that  excellent  chriftiari  Mrs,  Sarah 
 Abney.  God  indeed  in  his  unerring  wifdom 
 orders  every  thing  at  the  bed  time,  yet,  to 
 ipeak  after  the  manner  of  men,  her  death  was 
 untimely  to  the  world,  and  uncommonly  fo 
 to  thofe  who  were  happy  in  her  relation  and 
 acquaintance.  She  feemed  to  be  feafoned 
 with  a  peculiar  modefty,  grace,  and  piety, 
 and  her  converfation  difcovered  a  good  know- 
 ledge of  the  world  and  things.  But,  dear 
 Doclor,  I  mull  not  excite  you,  or  any  of  her 
 furviving  friends  to  new  grief.  I  doubt  not 
 but  (lie  has  dropped  anchor  within  the  veil, 
 May  God  of  his  infinite  mercy  enable  us  to 
 follow  her  in  imitation  of  the  holyjefus! 
 
 [is  Lordfhip  was  otlv  eighteen  years  of  age  when  he 
 wrote  the  above  letter. 
 
 f  Governor  of  New  England,  or  the  province  of  Majja- 
 y  from  1730  to  174.0. 
 
 I  heartily 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  409 
 
 I  heartily  condole  with  you  and  his  bereaved 
 flock  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Calamy>  who  was  a 
 faithful  labourer  in  his  mailer's  vineyard,  and 
 I  doubt  not  is  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 
 
 I  know,  Sir,  the  itation  in  which  God  has 
 fet  me  is  furrounded  with  fnares  and  difficul- 
 ties, and  requires  great  care  and  thoughts 
 bow  then  your  knees  with  mine  to  the  fountain 
 of  grace  and  wifdom  that  I  may  fo  conduct  my 
 adminiftration  as  mof:  of  all  to  advance  the 
 honour  of  God  with  the  welfare  and  happi- 
 nefs  of  his  people,  then  {hall  I  at  laft  be  able 
 to  give  up  a  joyful  account  of  the  talents 
 committed  to  my  truft. 
 
 May  the  God  of  the  fpirits  of  all  flefh  re- 
 flore  your  health,  and  flrengthen  your  tender, 
 crazy  conftitution !  and  may  the  great  Head 
 of  the  Church  replenifh  you  continually  with 
 the  effufion  of  his  holy  fpirit  for  the  better 
 edification  of  the  body  of  the  church,  and  at 
 laft  receive  you  to  the  general  afTcmbly  and 
 church  of  the  Firft-born,  and  the  fpirits  of 
 juft  men  made  perfect  !  This  is,  and  fhall  be 
 the  hearty  prayer  of,  Sir, 
 
 Your  affectionate  Friend, 
 
 And  very  humble  Servant, 
 
 J.  Belcher, 
 
 LET- 
 
4io  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 LETTER     XXXIX. 
 From  the  fame. 
 Worthy  Sir,  Eofton,  Oft.  24,  173$. 
 
 In  June  laft  Mr.  Boyljlone  brought  me  your 
 obliging  letter  of  2d  of  May.  I  again  thank 
 you  for  your  prayers  and  good  wilhes  for  me 
 in  the  weight  of  the  government.  It  mall  be 
 my  ftudy  to  be  faithfu.  to  my  mailer,  and  with 
 a  tender  eye  to  keep  inviolate  all  the  liberties 
 of  my  dear  country,  and  Rich  a  practice  I 
 think  very  compatible.  I  was  forry  to  hear  of 
 the  death  of  the  late  ingenious,   and  religious 
 
 • •  I  looked  on  him  as  a  part  of  our 
 
 glory  and  defence  -,  but  what  fhall  we  fay,  the 
 refidue  of  the  fpirit  is  v/ith  God  ?  JJIrar  mall 
 not  fave  us,  neither  will  we  ride  on  horfes;  and 
 ceafe  ye  from  man  whole  breath  is  in  his  noftrils, 
 for  wherein  is  he  to  be  accounted  of.  God's 
 church  and  people  ihall  be  fafe  here  and  fafe 
 for  ever ;  while  their  faith  is  fixed  trufting  in 
 the  Lord,  they  fhall  be  as  Mount  Zion  which 
 cannot  be  removed  but  abideth  for  ever.  I 
 have  from  others  the  fame  account  you  give 
 me  of  the  declining  ftate  of  the  health  of  my 
 predeceiTor  Governor  Shutey  for  whom  I  have 
 a  great  efteem,  as  a  gentleman  of  great  virtue 
 and  integrity  :  his  days  have  filled  up  the  age 
 of  a  man,  whole  ftrength  is  not  the  ftrength  of 
 flones,  nor  his  flefh  of  brafs.  We  muft  all  cry 
 out  at  laft,  Corruption,  thou  art  my  father  !  O 
 3  worm5 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  41* 
 
 worm,  thou  art  my  fitter  and  mother  !  but. 
 happy,  thrice  happy  mail  they  be,  who,  when 
 this  corruptible  ihall  put  on  incorruption,  and 
 this  mortal  fhall  put  on  immortality,  Ihall  be 
 able  to  triumph  over  the  laft  enemy  of  mankind, 
 and  fay,  O  death  !  where  is  thy  fling?  O  grave  ! 
 where  is  thy  victory  ?  This  I  hope  will  be  the 
 portion  of  my  worthy  friend  Col.  Shute>  who, 
 I  doubt  not,  in  God's  belt  time,  will  come  to 
 his  grave  in  full  age,  like  as  a  mock  of  corn 
 cometh  in  his  feafon.     Faxit  Deus. 
 
 I  afk  leave  to  condole  the  Honourable  Lady 
 Abney  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Gunfton,  and  to 
 congratulate  her  on  the  mercy  of  God  in  her 
 own  recovery.  May  fhe  live  long  in  good 
 health  a  ftill  more  extenfive  bleffing  to  her  fa- 
 mily, and  this  unworthy  world  ! 
 
 I  thank  you,  Sir,  very  heartily  for  your 
 fhare  of  the  54  difcourfes  delivered  at  Mr. 
 Coward's  Lectures  -,  the  two  volumes  being  fent 
 me  by  my  excellent  friend  Dr.  Guyfe. 
 
 I  pray  God  to  pour  out  upon  you  and  upon 
 your  brethren  more  and  more  of  his  Holy 
 Spirit.  That  you  may  be  faithful  to  your  great 
 Lord  and  Matter,  even  unto  death,  and  then 
 receive  the  crown  of  life,  is  the  prayer  of, 
 My  dear  Friend, 
 Tour  rnoft  obliged  and  molt  humble  Servant^ 
 
 Jf  Belcher, 
 
 LET- 
 
412  MEMOIRSOF 
 
 LETTER     XL. 
 From  the  fame. 
 Dear  Sir,  December  10,    1737. 
 
 The  feventh  current  came  to  my  hand  your 
 favour  of  the  thirteenth  of  Oftober,  for  which 
 you  have  my  kindeft  thanks. 
 
 Mr.  Loving's  fermon  is  allowed  by  thofe 
 who  have  the  heft  {cnk  of  religion  to  be  full  of 
 excellent  advice  to  rulers  and  people  3  and  I 
 humbly  pray  that  by  the  influences  of  that  God, 
 who  has  honoured  him  to  be  an  overfeer  of  one 
 of  his  flocks,  we  may  for  the  future  live  and 
 act  more  to  his  glory  !  And  I  am  here  again 
 thankful  for  your  prayers  to  heaven  on  my  be- 
 half. 
 
 The  acceptance  of  my  picture  is  a  token  of 
 your  refpect,  and  fo  is  the  prefent  of  yours  to 
 me,  which  I  hope  to  receive  by  one  of  the 
 Spring-fhips,  with  Mr*  Edwards  of  Northampton's 
 narrative,  printed  by  your  felf  and  Dr.  Guyfe  at 
 London,  of  the  wonderful  things  wrought  by 
 the  Spirit  of  God  on  the  hearts  of  our  people 
 in  the  county  of  Hampfhire* 
 
 You  will,  Sir,  oblige  one  of  your  conftant 
 readers,  and  hearty  well-wifhers  to  let  me 
 have  any  thing  new  with  which  you  oblige  the 
 world. 
 
 It  is  very  kind  of  pious  Lady  Abney  to  allow 
 me  a  ihare  in  her  good  wifhes.  She  is  making 
 hafte  to  a  better  worlds  and  at  her  great  change 
 
 "  will 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  413 
 
 "  will  come  to  the  grave  in  full  age,  as  a  fliock 
 cc  of  corn  comes  in  its  feafon."  In  the  mean 
 time  I  wifh  her  length  of  days  with  health  and 
 comfort. 
 
 That  you  may  be  continued  a  burning  and 
 fhining  light  by  which  many  fouls  may  be 
 guided  to  the  regions  of  eternal  day,  and  there 
 be  witnefTes  to  that  crown  of  life,  which  you 
 fhall  receive  from  your  Lord  and  Matter  in 
 teilimony  of  your  fidelity,  is  and  fhall  be  the 
 prayer  of,  Rev.  Sir, 
 
 Your  obliged  Friend, 
 
 And  moil  obedient  Servant, 
 
 J.  Belcher, 
 
 LETTER    XLI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Bofton,  061.  20,  I739. 
 
 In  Auguft  laft  came  to  hand  your  kind  letter 
 of  the  6th  of  June  which  grieved  me  with  the 
 account  you  gave  me  of  a  paralytic  diforder 
 which  had  lately  vifited  you.  Our  times  are 
 in  God's  hands.  The  fands  run  low  in  your 
 glafs  and  mine.  O !  that  I  could  realize  it  as  I 
 ought,  then  I  mould  Hand  with  my  loins  girt 
 and  my  light  burning,  and  ready  to  depart  at 
 whatever  hour  the  Lord  fhall  come.  I  offer 
 up  my  fincere  praifes  to  the  God  of  all  grace 
 and  mercy  who  fbill  faves,  and  has  fo  much  re- 
 ftored  you.  May  your  life  and  health  be  pre- 
 cious 
 
4X4  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 cious  in  his  fight,  and  your  ufefulnefs  in  your 
 Matter's  fervice  be  extended  even  to  old  age! 
 
 Not  long  after  I  wrote  you  of  the  affairs  of 
 my  government  the  clouds  returned  after  the 
 rain,  and  things  are  not  fo  placid  and  eafy  as  I 
 could  wifh.  I  defire  to  be  patient  and  fub- 
 miflive  to  the  difpenfations  of  God's  wife  and 
 holy  providence.  It  is  eafy  with  him  to  fay, 
 cc  And  at  evening  time  it  mail  be  light."  I 
 thank  you  for  the  prefent  of  your  laft  book  -j-, 
 which  Dr.  Sewall  borrowed  before  I  could  get 
 through  it — the  others  were  delivered  as  you 
 defired.  Pleafe  to  make  my  beft  regards  ac- 
 ceptable to  the  worthy  Lady  Abney,  and  be- 
 lieve me,  Sir,  with  entire  efteem, 
 
 Your  Friend  and  mod  obedient  Servant, 
 
 J.  Belcher, 
 
 LETTER    XLII.- 
 From  Sir  Gilbert  Elliot,  Bart. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Epfom,  Nov.  8,  1727. 
 
 I  proposed  myfelf  the  pleafure  of  feeing 
 you  before  this,  but  feveral  unexpected  acci- 
 dents have  prevented  me,  and,  as  I  do  not 
 know  when  I  fhall  enjoy  fo  great  a  fatisfaclion, 
 I  take  this  opportunity  to  renew  my  old  re- 
 queft,  that  you  would  be  fo  good  and  charitable 
 as  to  oblige  the  world  with  a  fhort  catechifm 
 
 f  Not  unlikely  the  Doctor's  Difcourfes  on  the  Holinefs 
 of  Times,  Places,  and  People,  printed  1738. 
 
 in 
 
Dr.     IS  A  AC    WATTS.  41$ 
 
 in  a  plain,  eafy,  intelligible  way,  adapted  to 
 the  feveral  ages  and  capacities  of  children. 
 Give  me  leave  to  be  importunate  in  my  re- 
 queft  becaufl  it  would  be  of  great  life  to  a 
 fociety  that  I  have  fome  concern  in.  It  would 
 look  like  flattery  and  not  fincere  friendfhip 
 was  I  to  tell  you  what  a  general  and  deferved 
 applaufe  your  writings  meet  with.  Sure  this 
 is  a  great  encouragement ;  let  me  ufe  it  as  an 
 argument  to  undertake  fo  ufeful  and  beneficial 
 a  work  which  feems  to  be  referved  by  Provi- 
 dence for  your  happy  genius  and  extenfive  ca- 
 pacity. It  was  no  fmall  pleafure  to  hear  upon 
 the  road  by  Mr.  Tonge  of  your  health,  which 
 I  hope  and  wifh  you  may  ftill  long  enjoy  to  be 
 continued  as  a  further  blefiing  in  your  day  and 
 generation.  My  refpeclful  fervices  attend  Lady 
 Abney ;  I  hope  fhe  will  be  my  advocate  in  this 
 caufe,  and  ufe  her  intereft  with  you  in  my  fa- 
 vour. I  mould  be  extremely  glad  to  hear  of 
 your  welfare,  as  being  with  a  fincere  efteem, 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 
 Your  moil  affectionate  humble  Servant, 
 
 Gilb.  Elliott. 
 
 LET- 
 
4i<5  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 LETTER      XLIII. 
 From  Lady  Mary  Levett  *. 
 
 March  10,  1722.. 
 This    prefent:        y    with  grateful    acknow- 
 ledgments for  your  book  f  and  picture,  boih 
 are  worihy  of  a  better    j  lace   than   I   have  to 
 put   them   in.      1   did   not   receive    them   till 
 lafl  Monday.    So  far  as  I  have  looked  into  your 
 book  I  have  reafon  to  believe  that  the  method 
 together  with  the    fpirit   and  temper   is    bed 
 fuited  to  convince  of  error  and  eftablifh  in  the 
 mod  important   articles  of  Chriftianity,    and 
 hope  the  divine  bleffing  will  by  thefe  your  la- 
 bours  produce  thefe   happy  effects.      I   have 
 been  much  concerned   for    the  death  of  Sir 
 Thomas  Abney  at  a  juncture  when  his  zeal  as  a 
 magiftrate,  and  his  prayers  as  a  good  Chriftian 
 are  fo  much  wanted.      I   beg  my  fervice  to 
 Lady  Abney  ;  tell  her  I  fympathize  with  her,  for 
 though  Sir  Thomas  was  full  of  years,  and  na- 
 ture was  fpent,  yet  to  lofe  fuch  an  hufband, 
 parent,    and  mailer  mult  be  matter  of  deep 
 forrow  :  one  every  way  fo  fit  for  heaven  mult 
 be  a  diffufive  bleffing  to  our  earth.     But  how- 
 
 *  The  relift,  if  I  conjecture  right,  of  Sir  William  Levett, 
 Alderman  of  London. 
 
 f  His  Chriftian  Doclrine  of  the  Trinity,  as  appears  from 
 what  follows  in  her  letter,  printed  by  the  Do&or  1722. 
 
 ever 
 
Dr.    lo  A  AC    WATTS.  417 
 
 ever  her  Ladyfhip  is  not  unacquainted  with  her 
 duty,  or  an  experimental  benefit  by  a  due  fub- 
 miffion    to    the    darkeft   difpeniations.      She 
 knows  the   God  who  fends,    the  errand,   and 
 tendency  of  afflictions.     And  here  I  can't  but 
 fay  I  am  more  apt  to  pity  a  carnal  wretch  un- 
 der afflictions  than  a  pious  foul ;  the  one  is  fo 
 hardened  that  he  ufually  either  contemns  or 
 reproaches  God,    or  ftudies  indirect  methods 
 to  relieve  himfelf,  whilft  the  other  is  more  fe- 
 licitous to   have   trouble    fanctified   than    re- 
 moved.    Happy  is  my  Lady  in  fuch  a  difpofi- 
 tion,  and  in  having  you,   Sir,   to  mention  her 
 complaints  to,  and  afk  your  advice  and  prayers. 
 That  you  may  have  confirmed  health  of  body 
 &nd  growing  degrees  of  a  profperous  foul,  and 
 abundant  fuccefs  in  your  niiniflerial  labours  is 
 the  wifh  of,  Sir, 
 
 With  great  refpect,  your  Servant, 
 
 Mary  LsvETte 
 
 LETTER    XLIV. 
 From  Samuel  Holden*  Efq-9  * 
 
 SIR,  CarpenterVHall,  Dec.  28,  1733c 
 
 The  papers  ydu  communicated  contain  two 
 ftories  remarkably  fad  and  profane,,  though  I 
 
 fear 
 
 *  Dr.    Benjamin    Colman    of    Bojlo'n    in     New-England 
 preached  and  publifhed  a  funeral  fermon  for  this  Gentle- 
 man, in  which  are  contained  feveral  extracts  from  his  let- 
 ters to  the  Doftor,  which  mew  Mr.  Hclden  to  have  beeri 
 E  c  a  &** 
 
4i8  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 fear  there  are  but  two  many  inftances  of  the 
 like  nature. 
 
 Mr.  Chandler  told  me  one  which  happened 
 at  a  cofTee-houfe  where  he  was  prefent.  A 
 peribn  came  in  retching  and  ftraining  as 
 though  he  wanted  to  vomit.  He  was  afked 
 what  ailed  him.  He  replied,  he  had  been  the 
 day  before  at  the  facrament  to  qualify  himfelf, 
 and  that  he  fhould  never  be  eafy,  till  he  got  the 
 damned  bread  and  wine  off  his  flomach. 
 
 How  thofe  who  have  it  in  their  power  to  re- 
 move the  occafions  of  fuch  horrid  impieties 
 (and  yet  continue  them  for  fecular  ends)  can 
 anfwer  it  to  the  great  Judge  of  all,  muft  be  left 
 to  their  own  consciences,  if  they  have  any. 
 
 My  refpecls  wait  upon  yourfelf  and  the  good 
 family.     I  am,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  humble  and  affectionate  Servant, 
 
 Samuel  Holden* 
 
 LETTER    XLV. 
 
 From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Frederic  Michael  Ziegen* 
 hagen  *. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Kenfmgton,  Oct.  29,  1736. 
 
 Your  very  kind  letter  of  23d  inflant,  to- 
 gether with  three  books  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr. 
 
 John 
 
 a  man  of  confiderable  abilities,  and  eminent  piety.  He 
 was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Proteflant  Diflenters  in 
 London. 
 
 *  He  was  chaplain  to  his  Majefty  Georg.s  II.  Minifter  of 
 
 the  German  Chapel  at  St.  Jumes's  upwards  of  fifty- three 
 
 4  years, 
 
D*.    ISAAC    WATTS,  410 
 
 Jtihn  Jennings's  Difcourfes  concerning  evangelical 
 and  experimental  preaching  came  fafe  to  my 
 hands  O&.  26.  I  heartily  thank  you,  dear 
 Sir,  as  well  as  the  Rev.  Mr.  David  Jennings 
 for  fo  agreeable  a  prefent,  and  more  efpecialTy 
 for  the  care  and  pains  both  of  you  have  been 
 at  either  in  tranflating  or  revifing  and  publish- 
 ing the  late  ProfefTor  Frances  Epiftle  on  the 
 fame  fubjecl:.  I  fhall  not  fail  to  acquaint  the 
 fon  of  that  good  man,  the  prefent  ProfefTor 
 Franck)  with  your  particular  efleem  for  and 
 love  to  the  memory  of  his  father,  and  by  the 
 firft  opportunity  alfo  tranfmit,  according  to 
 your  direction,  two  copies  of  the  faid  Difcourfes 
 to  Hall.  In  the  mean  time  I  dare  allure  you 
 this  frefh  inftance  of  your  pious  defire  to  pro- 
 mote the  intereft  of  true  Chriftianity  will  cer- 
 tainly be  acknowledged  with  praife  to  the 
 Lord,  and  endear  your  name  to  very  many 
 who  wifh  well  to  the  caufe  of  Chrift  in  Germany. 
 May  the  Lord  be  pleafed  to  awaken  by  this 
 little  book  the  whole  order  of  men  who  pre- 
 tend to  be  miniflers  of  Chrift  and  the  gofpei, 
 and  neverthelefs  have  been  too  negligent,  if 
 not  afhamed  to  preach  Chrift  or  the  gofpei, 
 that  they  may  recover  themfelves  out  of  the 
 fnare  and  deceit,  they  mod  unhappily  are  fallen 
 into,  that  for  the  future  they  may  not  preach 
 themfelves,  but   Chrift  Jefus  the  Lord,  and 
 
 vears,  bore  an  excellent  charafler,  and  died  January  24th, 
 1576k 
 
 E  e  %  Specially 
 
420  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 efpecially  him  crucified,  who  alone  is  made 
 of  God  unto  us  wifdom,  and  righteoufhefs, 
 and  fanctification,  and  redemption. 
 
 As  to  your  kind  invitation  to  come  and  dine 
 with  you  on  a  Tuefday  in  AHermanbury  I  very 
 thankfully  accept  of  it,  but  muft  beg  leave  to 
 defer  it  a  time  longer,  till  the  arrival  of  three 
 miffionaries  for  the  proteflant  mifTion  in  the 
 Eaft-Indies  at  Tranquelar,    who  are   expected 
 from  Hall  the   middle  of  December  next,  and 
 will  certainly  be  very  glad  to  have  the  happi- 
 'nefs  to  get  acquainted  with  good  and   pious 
 men,  and  particularly  with  the  author  of  that 
 excellent  book  called  The  Redeemer  and  Sane- 
 'lifer,  and  I  do  not  queftion  that  your  good- 
 nefs  will  grant  them  a  friendly  accefs  and  con- 
 ;verfation.     My  moil  humble  fervice   to   my 
 *  Lady  Abney,  and  her  family.     I  remain  with 
 '  much  fincerity  and  efteem,  reverend  Sir, 
 Your  affectionate  Brother, 
 
 And  humble  Servant, 
 
 Fred.  Mich.  Ziegenhagen, 
 
 LETTER     XL  VI. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Dear  and  Rev.  Sir,        Kenfington,  Nov.  30,  1737. 
 
 Your  kind  letter  of  Nov.  2$+  with  the  little 
 
 book*    annexed  to    it   lays  me  under   a  new 
 
 *  Poffibly  the   Doctor's  Difcourfe  on  Humility,   pub- 
 lished 1737, 
 
 obligation, 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  421 
 
 'obligation,  and  I  fincerely  wifh  to  be  able  and 
 to  have  an   opportunity    to  acquit  the   fame. 
 I  think  I  forefaw  what  you  were  pleafed  to  ob- 
 ject againft  the  encomiums,  however  well  de- 
 fended  and  no  doubt  well    meant,    bellowed 
 upon  you  and  your  writings  by  Mr.  Korthold 
 and  the  Abbot  Steinmetz.     Perhaps  you  will  be 
 the  more  inclined  to  excufe  the  liberty  both 
 of  them  have  taken  in  acquainting  the  public 
 with  your  character,  when  I  beg  leave  to  tell 
 you,  that  probably  neither  of  them  was  aware 
 that  any  thing  publifhed  in  the  German  Ian- 
 guage  would    be    tranflated   into    Engli/hy    or 
 come  to  your  knowledge.     For  Mr.  Kortbold's 
 tranflation  of  Mr.  Benfonh  vindication  of  prayer 
 has  not   been  fent   over   as   yet,  although   it 
 came  out   for  aught  I  know  a  year  ago,  and 
 as  to  the  Abbot's  preface   the  tranflating  of  it 
 was  purely    a  motion   and  refolution    of  my 
 own  in  order  to    iliew  my  great  efteem  and 
 refpect  I  juftly  owe  you.     This  is  really  the 
 cafe,  I  believe,  why  thefe  Gentlemen  did  ex- 
 prefs  their  fentiments   concerning  Br.  Watts 
 and  his  writings  fo   full   and   freely,  and  no 
 doubt  they  would  be  forry   to  hear  they   had 
 given  the  leaft  offence  to   a  man  they  value 
 lb  much.     The  preventing  of  which   is   the 
 true  reafon  why  I  trouble  you  with  the  fore- 
 mentioned   circumftances.      I    agree   entirely 
 with  you   that  it    is  more  fafe   to    have    low 
 thoughts  of  ourfelves   and   our  abilities  than 
 great  ones.     Highmindednefs  and  more  efpe- 
 E  e  3  cially 
 
xiz  MEMOIRS     Of 
 
 daily  fpiritual  pride  is  the  nearefl  image  of 
 the  fallen  angels,  and  an  infallible  way  to 
 Jofe  all,  and  every  grain  of  grace,  the  favour 
 of  God,  and  the  glory,  that  is  promifed  to  the 
 faithful  Servants  of  God.  But  however  low 
 jpd  mean  we  have  reafon  to  think  of  ourfelves 
 this  makes  no  law  to  others  to  think  fo  too, 
 nor  can  their  liberality  in  fpeaking  to  our 
 praife,  confidered  in  itfelf,  be  blamed.  The 
 inflance  we  have  of  this,  Mat.  xi.  7 — 11^ 
 compared  with  John  i.  27,  is  clear. 
 
 The  prefent  of  your  Catechifms  is  really  very 
 agreeable  to  me^  and  I  thank  you  heartily  for 
 it. 
 
 Having  received  letters  this  day  fe'nnight 
 from  Ebcnczcr  in  the  new  colony  of  Georgia, 
 v/here  fome  of  the   Saltzburghers  *  driven  out 
 
 from 
 
 *  Who  thefe  Sahzburgbcrs  were,  what  were  the  fufFer- 
 ings  they  met  with,  and  the  companionate  regards  that 
 were  mown  them  may  be  learned  from  the  Continuation 
 of  Mr.  Rape's  Hiftory  of  England.  "  A  moil  dreadful 
 perfect! tion  of  the  Proteftatfy  at  this  time  (1732)  raged 
 in  the  biinopnc  of  SakzBurgh  in  contravention  of  the  treaty 
 which  the  bifhop  of  Saltzburgh  endeavoured 
 to  juitify  by  charging  his  Pranftant  fubjefts  with  fa&s  that 
 amounted  to  little  more  than  ignorance  and  intemperate 
 seal.  The  cruelties  and  hardihips  they  underwent  produced 
 a  letter  from  the  Protectant  Minijlers'm  the  diet  of Ratificn  to 
 the  Bmperor,  which  refuted  moll  of  the  fafts  alleged  by  the 
 Bijlup  to  juflify  his  cruelties,  and  very  plainly  proved 
 that  be  could  not  by  the  treaty  of  Wejlphalia  refufe  them 
 liberty  to  go  out  of  the  diocefe  as  they  mould  fee  occalion. 
 1  .ding  this  letter  the  Bijhof  continued  his  cruel  - 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  423 
 
 from  their    own    native  country   are  fettled, 
 and  finding  to  my  own  great  grief  and  forrow 
 
 .  that 
 
 ties  againft  his  Proteftartt  fubje&s  till  his  Britannic  majefty 
 (King  George  the  Second)  interefted  himfelf  fo  far  in  their 
 favour  with  the  Emperor  as  to  interpofe  his  authority  in  be- 
 half of  the  treaty  of  Weftphalia  :  this  is  the  more  extra- 
 ordinary as  the  family  of  Aujlria  had  always  been  remark- 
 able  for   cpprefTmg  the    Protcftants  in   Germany,  and  the 
 Bijhop  before  this  interpofition  had  made  ufe  of  the  Empe« 
 rcr's  forces    to  reduce  his  P  rot  eft  ant   fubje&s  to  the  mifer- 
 able  condition  before  mentioned. "     Oft.  Edit.  Vol.  VIII. 
 p.    123.     Again,  "  The  perfecution   againft  the  Proteft- 
 ants  in    Germany,  particularly  the  Saltzburgbers,  ftill  rag- 
 ing, it    was  thought  by    many  public-fpirited  gentlemen 
 in   England  that  it  would    be  good  policy  to  grant  thofe 
 unhappy  people  an    afylum  in    the  Britijh  dominions  in 
 America,  particularly  in  Georgia.     This  colony   was  then 
 in  its  infancy,  and  through  the  indefatigable  pains  of  Mr. 
 Oglethorp,     afterwards    Lieutenant-general,    wore   a   pro- 
 mifing  afpecl.     It  had  been    fettled  by  a  royal  charter  in 
 1732,  which  conftituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate  by 
 the  name   of  the  Truftees  for  eftablifhing  the   Colony  of 
 Georgia  in  America.     The  charter  had  likewife  impowered 
 them  to  erec~l  the  fame  into  an  independent  province,  and 
 the  truftees,  who  by  their  own  defire  were  retrained  from 
 taking    any   fee,    falary,  or  profit    whatfoever,    alfo  took 
 fubferiptions,  and  collected   fuch  monies   as  were  contri- 
 buted.    They  therefore  on  the  10th  of  May   (1733)   pe- 
 titioned   the    Houfe  of  Commons,  fetting  forth  that   many 
 Saltzburghers,  and  other  perfecuted  and  diftrcfled  Prsteft- 
 ants  would  be  glad  to  go  and  fettle  in  the  faid  province  of 
 Georgia,  where   they  may  find,  under   his    majefty's  pro- 
 tection, an  afylum   from  perfecution  and  arbitrary  power, 
 but  were  unable   at   their  own  charge  to  tranfport  them- 
 ielves  thither,  and  as   the  fettling  them   there  will  be   a 
 charity  highly  becoming  this  P  rot  eft  ant  kingdoma  the  em- 
 E  e  4>  ploying 
 
^H  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 that  their  prefent  cireumftances   are  very  dif- 
 usiTed      and    deplorable,    not    having   given 
 
 them, 
 
 g  them  in  railing  rough  materials  far  feveral  of  the 
 moil  ufeful  manufactures,  with  which  none  of  our  planta- 
 tions at  prefent  fupply  us,  will  be  of  great  fervice  to  the 
 trade  of  this  nation,  increafe  the  number  of  his  majefly's 
 fubjects,   and   give   further  employment  for  our   poor  at 
 home  :    and  that  the  petitioners,  notwithftancling  the   be- 
 nefactions  cf  many  well-difpoied  and  charitable  people. 
 find  tliemfclves  unable  to  fend  over  any  number  of  the  faid 
 diflrefibd   Prateftdnts  without  the   affiftance  of  parliament, 
 and    therefore    praying  the  Jioufe   to    take    the    premifes 
 into  confidcration,    and  grant    fuch  relief  therein  as  thfe 
 hcufe  mall  think  fit.     This  petition  was  judged  {o  reafon- 
 able  that  the  Parliament  granted  this  year  io,ooo/.   to  the 
 trullees  out  of  the  fale  of  lands  of  the  ifland  cf  St.  Cbriflo- 
 fher's   for  carrying    the   purpofes  of  it  into   execution." 
 Ibid.    p.  1.83. 
 
 I  have  now  before  me  a  pamphlet  printed  by  J.  Donvn~ 
 ing  in  Bartbolomew-clofe,  entitled  An  Account  of  the  Suffer- 
 ings of  the  perfecuted  Protefants  in  the  Archbijhopric  of 
 Saltzlurgk  with  their  reception  in  fe-veral  imperial  cities  in 
 Germany,  together  with  their  confejjlon  of  faith  taken  from 
 authentic  papers  ;  to  which  are  added  the  Archbijhop  's  decree 
 and  pap  port,  and  two  Letters  relating  thereto  from  the  evan- 
 gelic body  at  Ratifoon.  In  a  letter  in  the  above  pamphlet 
 dated  at  Auysburg  in  anfwer  to  an  Inquiry  what  is  the  real 
 caufe  of  the  expulfion  of  this  people  from  their  country, 
 jt  is  declared  that  no  other  caufe  can  be  alleged  but  their 
 confeffion  of  the  Proteftant  religion,  which  is  not  tolerated 
 in  the  territory  of  Saltzburgh  :  an  1  that  this  is  the  true 
 caufe  is  manifeil  not  only  from  the  many  kinds  of  fufter- 
 ings  thefe  poor  people  have  endured,  all  of  which  were 
 defigned  to  make  them  qu;t  the  Protefant  religion,  but 
 ilfo  from  the  public  acts  of  the  Imperial  Diet.  Next  fol- 
 lows an  inquiry  how  have  thefe  people  been  treated  ?     To 
 
 which 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  425 
 
 them,    when  the  letters  came  away,  the  land 
 which  was   promifed  them,    and  fuffering  in  . 
 
 every 
 
 which  it  is  anfwered  that  at  flrfb  all  pains  were  taken  to 
 diifuade  them  'from  the  ProteJia?it  religion  by  arguments 
 from  worldly  intereft,  and,  when  that  would  not  do, 
 their  books,  whieh  they  had  been  many  years  collecting, 
 were  feized  in  feveral  places,  and  it  is  reported  of  the 
 Dean  of  Werffen  that  he  burned  them.  After  they  were 
 thus  deprived  of  the  word  of  God  their  enemies  proceeded 
 to  more  violent  methods.  Many  were  apprehended,  par- 
 ticularly thofe  who  were  fufpe&ed  to  be  their  leaders,  and 
 fent  in  derifion  with  white  caps  which  hung  down  to  their 
 breafts  into  the  deepeft  dungeons  in  Saltz.burgby  and  others 
 have  been  fent  away  their  relations  not  knowing  whither.1 
 When  this  would  not  do  the  Papijis  threatened  them  with 
 beheading,  drowning,  the  gallies,  and  the  like.  At  laft, 
 when  it  was  found  that  they  could  not  be  brought  by  any 
 of  thefe  violent  means  to  love  their  lives  and  poffeflions  more 
 than  God  and  his  truth  they  were  on  a  fudden  ordered  to 
 leave  the  country.  The  order  was  immediately  executed 
 with  all  imaginable  rigour.  Some  were  taken  from  the 
 field,  others  were  dragged  naked  out  of  their  beds.  All 
 in  general  had  a  fudden  fummons  to  depart,  and  none  or 
 very  few  were  permitted  fo  much  as  to  fell  their  goods, 
 or  take  any  thing  necefTary  with  them.  Many  have  been 
 obliged  to  leave  their  wives  and  their  fubftance  behin4 
 them,  and  go  away  deprived  of  all  they  had  in  the  world. 
 This,  and  much  more  appears  by  the  complaints  that  have 
 Keen  laid  before  the  Evangelic  body  at  Ratijbon,  and  by  the 
 imperial  mandates  ilfued  thereupon ;  and  what  increafed 
 the  calamity  of  thefe  people  was  that  they  were  forced  to 
 begin  their  journey  jn  the  depth  of  winter,  when  the  cold 
 is  moll  {evcre  (Chriftmas  1732).  The  firlt  800  fpent  five 
 whole  weeks  in  their  journey,  and  that  in  the  molt  bitter 
 cold  and  ftormy  weather,  and  they  were  a  fortnight  in 
 lering  over  mountains  and  hills  not  knowing  whither 
 
 they 
 
420  MEMOIRS     Of 
 
 every  refpect  great  poverty,  and  hardiTiips,  I 
 am  reiblved  to  acquaint  all  my  friends  I  have 
 a  particular  confidence  in  with  the  diftreis 
 tills  chriftian  and  truly  good  people  are  in  at 
 this  time.  Their  pious  and  indefatigable  mi- 
 nifter  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bohzius  acquaints  the  Rev. 
 Mr.  Urlfpurgcr  at  Augsburg  and  myfelf,  that 
 any  old  rag  thrown  away  in  Europe  is  of  fer- 
 vice  to  them,  for  inftance,  old  fnoes,  {lock- 
 ings, fnirts,  or  any  thing  of  wearing  apparel 
 for  men  or  women,  grown  people  or  children. 
 Wherefore,  dear  Sir,  if  Baron  Gxie*s  fup- 
 pofition  that  you  have  fome  hundreds  of  friends 
 at  your  clifpofal  be  true,  perhaps  you  might 
 by  the  bleiling  of  God  be  an  happy  inflru- 
 ment  to  get  here  and  there  lbmething  of  old 
 clothes  for  them  to  cover  their  nakednefs. 
 Some  well-difpofed  perfons  in  Germany  have 
 hitherto  fent  them  through  my  hands  at  feveral 
 times  confiderable  benefactions,  and  more 
 efpecially  have  agreed  among  themfelves  to 
 contribute  a  certain  fum  of  money  for  the 
 .ng  of  linen  cloth,  and  by  the  laft  fhip, 
 which  failed  from  hence  the  6th  of  this  month 
 for  Georgia^    there   were    actually    fent    them 
 
 ih.zy  went.  Thefe  hardships  fatigued  and  emaciated  them 
 fo  much  that  they  were  almoir.  famiihed,  having  been  in 
 want  of  bread  for  three  days  together.  At  the  conclufion 
 of  the  above  pamphlet  there  is  an  account  of  the  particular 
 number  of  exiles  from  ten  diitricls  in  the  Archbifhopric 
 of  Sah'J>ur?:  amoiifitkkg  in  the  whole  to  20,678. 
 
 fifteen 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  427 
 
 fifteen  pieces  of  linen,  for  fhirts,  aprons,  caps, 
 &c.  I  mud  needs  own,  if  the  good  providence 
 of  God  had  not  raifed  them  fuch  kind  bene- 
 factors, I  am  afraid  there  would  have  been  very 
 few  of  them  yet  alive.  If  the  journal  fent  by 
 Mr.  Boltziiis  was  not  in  the  German  language  I 
 mould  not  fail  to  communicate  it  to  yon,  and 
 am  pretty  fure  that  the  reading  of  it  would  as 
 well  edify  as  raife  your  companion  to  them. 
 Your  goodnefs  lets  me  hope  you  will  kindly 
 pardon  the  length  of  this  letter,  and  the  free- 
 dom ufed  in  laying  before  you  the  mifery  and 
 calamity  of  the  poor  Saltzburgbers  at  Ebenezer. 
 May  the  Lord  give  us  grace  at  all  times  to  ful- 
 fil the  good  pleafure  of  his  will !  I  am  with  great 
 fincerity  and  efteem,  Rev.  Sir, 
 
 Your  affectionate  Brother, 
 And  humble  Servant, 
 
 Fred.  Mich.  Ziegenhagen. 
 
 LETTER    XL VII. 
 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Kenfington,  Dec.  9,  1737. 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 I  return  you  many  thanks  for  your  kind 
 letter  of  December  6,  which  came  not  to  my 
 hands  till  juft  now  at  fix  o'clock  at  night, 
 elfe  I  mould  not  have  failed  to  have  anfwered 
 it  fooner.  The  readinefs  you  mow  in  aflifting 
 the  poor  Saltzburgbers ,  yea  your  well  receiving 
 the  mentioning  them3  and  their  circumftances 
 
 in 
 
423  MEM.OTRS     OF 
 
 in  my  Lift  letter  give  me  great  fan's  faction. 
 What  you  are  pleafed  to  mention  of  an  appli- 
 cation made  to  you  in  behalf  of  the  Saltzburgh- 
 ers  three  years  ago  by  three  Minifters  of  the 
 Church  of  England,  viz.  in  the  name  of  the 
 Society,  is  all  fact,  and  I  myfelf  remember  the 
 thing  very  well,  but  I  never  heard  the  reafon 
 why  the  application  had  no  fuccefs ;  and  am  al- 
 moft  apt  to  queftion  whether  the  gentlemen 
 commiflioned  with  that  affair  made  their  re- 
 port to  the  Society  for  "promoting  Chriftian  know- 
 ledge, agreeable  to  what  I  find  in  your  letter. 
 AT.  B.  The  other  Society  called  The  Incorporated 
 Society  for  foreign  Tarts,  that  is  to  fay  for  the 
 JVeft  Indies,  have  done  nothing  for,  or  have  any 
 any  thing  to  do  with  the  Saltzburghers  m 
 Georgia. 
 
 But  to  come  to  the  main  point  upon  which 
 you  are  fo  good  as  to  defire  my  anfwer.  The 
 cafe  ftands  thus.  When  the  faid  Society  for 
 promoting  Chriftian  knowledge,  after  having  read 
 the  accounts  of  the  fufferings  of  the  Saltzburgh- 
 ers, which  were  fent  me  from  Germany,  and  by 
 me  communicated  to  them,  did  agree  to  have 
 the  fame  publifhed  in  Englijh,  in  order  to  raife 
 a  collection  for  the  benefit  of  the  perfecuted 
 Satlzburghers  in  general,  they  appointed  at  the 
 fame  time  fix  truftees  for  receiving  all  the 
 chanties  of  that  branch,  and  among  the  reft  I 
 myfelf  was  one  of  them,  as  you  will  find  in  the 
 firft  account  of  the  fufferings  of  the  Saltzburgh- 
 trs  publifhed  by  the  Society.     The  office  of  a 
 
 truftee 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  429 
 
 truftee  laid  me  under  an  obligation  to  report 
 to  the  Society  what  money  I  received  from 
 benefactors  here  in  England,  and  fo  I  did  re- 
 port it  except  the  money  that  was  put  into  my 
 hands  for  particular  ufes,  and  defired  to  be 
 fent  to  Germany  by  myfelf,  for  inftance,  the 
 money  for  the  Salzburgbers  67  /.  collected  by 
 the  Rev.  Mr.  Burroughs,  a  minifler  of  the  Bap- 
 tifi  perfuafion,  who  preached  two  fermons  upon 
 that  charity ;  alfo  the  money  that  was,  or  is 
 Hill  fent  me  from  Germany  for  thofe  Saltzburgb- 
 ers  who  are  gone  to  Georgia,  I  never  was  ob- 
 liged to  make  a  report  of  it  to  the  Society,  and 
 never  did. 
 
 The  reafon  of  this  difference  I  fuppofe  you 
 apprehend  very  eafily.  I  have  fent,  thank  God, 
 every  year  charitable  contributions  to  Ebenezer, 
 and  given  directions  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bolizius 
 how  it  is  to  be  applied.  Sometimes  the  bene- 
 factors fignify  exprefsly  to  me  for  what  ufe 
 they  defign  their  charity,  either  for  the  relief 
 of  the  fick,  or  old  people,  or  for  widows  and 
 orphans,  or  for  maintaining  fome  poor  chil- 
 dren, or  for  intruding  fome  negroes,  or  for 
 the  poorer!  among  them  to  buy  fhoes,  {lock- 
 ings, ihirts,  &c.  ;  but  fometimes  they  leave  it 
 to  the  difcretion  of  Mr.  Bolizius  to  apply  the 
 money  to  the  beft  advantage  of  the  Saltz* 
 burghers. 
 
 All  this  I  do  in  my  private  capacity  without 
 acquainting  the  Society  with  particulars  either 
 from  whence   the  money  comes  or  for  what 
 
 particular 
 
43<s  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 particular  u(e  it  is  defigned.  Neither  do  they 
 defire  it,  being  fenfible  that  the  miferable  con- 
 dition the  Saltzburghers  are  in  is  more  fully 
 known  to  me  than  to  themfelves.  As  to  my 
 former  office  of  truftee  I  think  it  is  quite  at  an 
 end,  not  having  here  in  England  in  more  than 
 two  years  time  received  the  lead  benefaction 
 for  the  Saltzburghers,  the  thing  being  now 
 dead. 
 
 Wherefore,  dear  Sir,  if  the  Lord  blefTes  your 
 good  intention  and  interceflion  in  behalf  of  the 
 Saltzburghers,  and  fends  them  by  your  means 
 fome  feafonable  help  it  will  be  an  additional 
 kindnefs  if  you  will  be  at  the  trouble  to  fpecify 
 in  what  manner  it  is  to  be  applied,  and  I  fhall 
 be  very  punctual  in  every  refpect  agreeable  to 
 your  order  and  direction,  and  fend  your  charity 
 by  the  fir  ft  fliip  to  Mr.  Boltzius  at  Ebenezer, 
 and  I  am  well  affnred  that  the  adminiftration  of 
 this  fervice  not  only  will  fupply  the  want  of  the 
 faints  (and  I  hope  many  of  them  really  are 
 fuch)  but  will  be  abundant  alfo  by  many 
 thankfgivings  to  God,  and  by  their  prayers  for 
 you,  good  Sir,  and  all  their  benefactors.  May 
 the  Lord  give  us  grace  to  do  whatever  is  pleaf- 
 ing  to  him  i  I  remain  with  fincere  efteem. 
 Rev.  Sir, 
 
 Your  mod  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 And  Brother  in  the  Lord, 
 
 Fred.  Mich.  Ziegenhagen, 
 
 L  E  T- 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  431 
 
 LETTER     XLVIII. 
 From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jofcph  Standen. 
 
 Dear.  Sir,  Newbury,  May  26,   1721. 
 
 I  have  more  thanks  to  offer  than  a  man  of 
 your  generous  ipirit  will  be  perfuaded  to  receive 
 for  all  the  favours  you  have  been  plcafed  to 
 confer  on  me,  than  whom  none  can  more  value 
 them,  though  few  can  lefs  deferve  them.  I 
 know  an  hearty  acknowledgment  and  continual 
 gratitude  (which  I  am  fure  I  cannot  be  without) 
 is  a  better  return  than  a  multitude  of  words.  I 
 am  very  particularly  obliged  to  you,  Sir,  for 
 your  laft  invaluable  prefent.  May  that  excel- 
 lent book  *  (through  the  Divine  blefTing)  an- 
 fwer  the  defign  of  the  author,  and  the  end 
 which  the  feveral  fubjecls  fo  naturally  lead  to  j 
 that  profane  and  unthinking  men  may  no  long- 
 er make  a  jeft  of  their  own  reafon,  while  they 
 banter  the  inward  teflimony  which  an  improved 
 Chriftian  has  for  the  truth  of  his  religion  3  that 
 mankind  may  more  value  thofe  noble  faculties 
 by  which  they  are  diftinguifhed  from  the  brutes, 
 and  that  fupernatural  grace  by  which  alone  at 
 laft  they  can  be  diftinguifhed  from  the  devils  j 
 that  they  may  feek  help  from  God  rather  than 
 creatures,  and  not  only  fpread  their  forrows 
 before  the  God  of  all  confolation,  but  their  fins 
 before  him,  who  can  abundantly  pardon ;  that 
 
 *  Undoubtedly  the  Do&or's  firft  volume  of  Sermons. 
 
 the 
 
432  MEMOIRS     OP 
 
 there  may  be  fewer  inftances  of  perfons  in 
 whom  man  may  think  he  fees  all  the  beauty  of 
 an  angel  without,  while  the  all-feeing  God 
 knows  there  is  the  hideous  deformity  of  a  devil 
 within,  and  that  the  world  may  be  brought  to 
 fo  juft  and  reafonable  a  tafte  and  judgment  as 
 not  to  think  that  the  former  makes  amends  for 
 the  latter ;  that  the  hidden  life  of  Chriflians 
 may  be  their  better  part,  and  that  they  may 
 more  place  their  felicity  in  nearnefs  to  the 
 great  author  of  it,  and  may  be  more  ambitious 
 of  rifing  by  the  heavenly  fcale  of  true,  than 
 the  earthly  one  of  imaginary  bleffednefs,  and  fo 
 may  every  day  grow  more  fit  for  a  folemn  ap- 
 pearance before  God  both  in  this  and  the  other 
 world ! 
 
 I  had  the  happinefs  to  fee  your  good  father 
 three  weeks  ago  at  Southampton ;  and  Mrs. 
 Watts,  your  mother,  was  then  fo  well  as  to  ap- 
 pear abroad.  I  hope  they  will  both  live  fome 
 years  the  longer  being  fupported  with  the  joy 
 of  having  fuch  a  fon.  I  faw  the  dear  Sarijfa  f 
 too,  v/hofe  temper  and  fpirit  I  anvfatisfled  you 
 are  pleafed  with. 
 
 Shall  we  never  fee  you  at  Newbury?  Nobody 
 (hardly  Sarijfa  herfelf,  had  fhe  been  in  my  cafe) 
 could  more  regret  your  pafTing  by  without 
 my  matching  a  look  or  two  at  you.  It  will  (I 
 confefs)  more  Ihow  my  refpecl  to  Mr.  Watts,  if 
 
 f  Undoubtedly  Sarah  the  Dctttrh  fitter. 
 
 IgO 
 
Dr.    IS  A  AC    WATTS,  433 
 
 t  go  to  Southampton  on  purpofe  to  meet  him  for 
 an  hour  or  two,  and  that  I  beg  you'll  permit 
 me  to  do  by  letting  me  have  timely  notice  of 
 your  being  there,  as  (if  I  miftake  not)  fome- 
 body  told  me  you  intended  this  fummer. 
 
 I  have  not  the  honour  to  know  Sir  'Thomas 
 and  his  family,  but  can't  forbear  congratulating 
 them  on  the  happinefs  of  your  company,  which 
 in  my  opinion  is  a  greater  honour  than  titles 
 and  coronets. 
 
 I  again  beg  a  line  from  you,  and  pray  give 
 me  fome  hopes  that  you'll  admit  me  to  an  in- 
 terview with  you  at  Southampton,  which  will  be  a 
 greater  fatisfadion  than  you  imagine  to,  dear 
 Sir, 
 
 Your  mcft  obliged  Friend, 
 
 And  moil  obedient  Servant, 
 
 J.  Standen  J. 
 
 LETTER     XLIX. 
 From  the  Rev.  Mr.  George  Thomfon  *.      ^k; 
 
 St.  Ginnys,  Jan.  17,  1736. 
 Poet,  Divine,  Saint,  the  delight,  the  guide, 
 the  wonder   of  the    virtuous  world;    permit, 
 
 X  Mr.  Standen  was  firft  minister  among  the  Proteftant 
 DifTenters  at  Newbury,  Berks,  and  afterwards  conformed  to 
 the  Church  of  England,  continuing  hisminiitry  at  the  fame 
 town  or  in  its  neighbourhood. 
 
 *  This  Gentleman  I  am  informed  is  ilill  living,  though 
 deprived  of  his  fight. 
 
 F  f  Rev. 
 
4:,.  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  a  ftranger  unknown,  and  likely  to  be 
 for  ever  unknown  to  defire  one  bleMing  from 
 you  in  a  private  way.  'Tis  this,  that  when 
 you  approach  the  Throne  of  Grace,  and  lift  up 
 holy  hands,  when  you  get  clofeft  to  the  Mercy- 
 feat,  and  wreflle  mightily  for  the  peace  of 
 Jerufalem,  you  would  breathe  one  petition  for 
 my  foul's  health.  In  return  I  promife  you  a 
 fhare  for  life  in  my  unworthy  prayers,  who  ho- 
 nour you  as  a  father  and  a  brother  (though 
 differently  ordered)  and  conclude  myfelf, 
 
 Your  affectionate  humble  Servant, 
 
 George  Thomson. 
 
 P.  S.  If  you  can  forgive  my  freedom,  and 
 find  a  few  minutes  leifure  to  afcertain  me  of 
 your  kind  defign  to  oblige,  to  make  me  happy 
 direct  to  George  Thomfon  Vicar  of  St.  Ginny's> 
 near  Camelford>  in  Cornwall. 
 
 LETTER     L. 
 
 From  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Hervey,  Author  of 
 the  Meditations  among  the  Tombs,  &c. 
 
 Weflon-Favell,  Dec.  10,  1747. 
 Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
 
 Pardon  me  if  I  take  leave  to  interrupt  your 
 important  (tudies  for  the  good  of  mankind,  or 
 fufpend  for  one  moment  your  delightful  com- 
 munion with  the  bleffed  God.  I  cannot  excufe 
 myfelf  without  expreffing  my  gratitude  for  the 
 prefent  by  your  order  lately  tranfrnitted  from 
 
 your 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  435 
 
 your  Bookfeller  *,  which  I  fhall  always  value 
 not  only  for  its  inftrucTive  contents,  but  in  a 
 very  peculiar  manner  for  the  fake  of  the  author 
 and  giver. 
 
 To  tell  you,  worthy  Doctor,  that  your  Works 
 have  long  been  my  delight  and  ftudy,  the  fa- 
 vourite pattern  by  which  I  would  form  my 
 conduct  and  model  my  ftyle,  would  be  only  to 
 echo  back  in  the  fainted  accents  what  founds 
 in  the  general  voice  of  the  nation.  Among 
 other  of  your  edifying  compofitions  I  have  rea- 
 fon  to  thank  you  for  your  Sacred  Songs,  which 
 I  have  introduced  into  the  fervice  of  my 
 church;  fo  that  in  the  folemnities  of  the  Sab- 
 bath, and  in  a  lecture  on  the  week-day  your 
 Mufe  lights  up  the  incenfe  of  our  praife,  and 
 furnifhes  our  devotions  with  harmony. 
 
 Our  excellent  friend  Br.  Doddridge  informs 
 me  of  the  infirm  condition  of  your  health,  for 
 which  reafon  I  humbly  befeech  the  Father  of 
 fpirits,  and  the  God  of  our  life  to  renew  your 
 ftrength  as  the  eagle's,  and  to  recruit  a  lamp 
 that  has  fhone  with  diftinguifhed  luftre  in  his 
 fanctuary  -}  or,  if  this  may  not  confifl  with 
 the  counfels  of  unerring  wifdom,  to  make  all 
 your  bed  in  your  languishing,  foftly  to  untie 
 the  cords  of  animal  exiftence,  and  enable  your 
 dillodging  foul  to  pafs  triumphantly  through 
 
 *  The  Do&or's  Difcourfes   On  the  Glory  of  Chrijl>  as 
 Go  J- Man. 
 
 F  f  2  the 
 
435  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 the  valley  of  death  leaning  on  your  beloved 
 
 Jefus,  and  rejoicing  in  the  greatnefs  of  his  fal- 
 
 vation. 
 
 You  have  a  multitude  of  names  to  bear  on 
 your  breaft,  and  mention  with  your  lips,  when 
 you  approach  the  Throne  of  grace  in  the  bene- 
 ficent exercife  of  intercefiion,  but  none  I  am 
 fure  has  more  need  of  fuch  an  intereh:  in  your 
 fupplications,  none  I  believe  can  more  highly 
 efteem  it,  or  more  earneftly  defire  it  than,  dear 
 Sir, 
 Your  obliged  and  affectionate  humble  Servant, 
 
 James  Hervey. 
 
 LETTER    LI. 
 From  Mr.  Ifaac  Greenwood,  New-England. 
 
 Harvard  College,  Sept.  12,  1728. 
 Rev.  Sir, 
 
 Yours  of  the  10th  of  May  laft  I  received 
 this  week  together  with  the  generous  prefent  of 
 the  fecond  edition  of  your  Aftronomy  and  Geogra- 
 phy ;  and  your  Prayer-book  for  the  afliflance  of 
 children.  It  is  an  undeferved  honour  you  do  me 
 in  your  correfpondence,  and  I  acknowledge 
 myfelf  under  the  flrongeft  obligations  of  grati- 
 tude and  all  pofTible  returns.  Thofe  I  have 
 fhown  your  Prayer-book  to  are  very  well 
 pleafed  with  the  defign,  and  performance;  and 
 fome  have  told  me  that,  were  it  not  that  we  are 
 fufpicious  of  novelties,  they  would  encourage 
 
 the 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C    WATTS.  437 
 
 the  reprinting  of  it  among  us.  Your  Ajlrcnomy 
 and  Geography  is  highly  worthy  the  efteem  our 
 ftudents  have  of  it,  and  if  there  are  enough  in 
 the  country  to  be  purchafed  I  propofe  this  fall 
 to  make  it  their  vade  mecum  in  thofe  ftudies. 
 
 Could  I  obtain  treatifes  on  all  the  mathema- 
 tical fciences  which  are  proper  for  the  education 
 of  divines  written  with  fuch  a  freedom  and  eafe 
 of  expreflion,  as  well  as  perfpicuity  of  thought, 
 it  would  exceedingly  facilitate  the  bufinefs  of 
 profefiing  the  Mathematics  *,  &c. 
 
 It  is  our  mofl  hearty  prayer  that  God  would 
 confirm  your  health  ftili  more  and  more,  and 
 give  you  an  opportunity  to  go  on  as  you  have 
 fo  excellently  done  in  your  Logic,  Geography , 
 and  Ajlrcnomy)  to  mew  us  what  (ludies  you  pur- 
 fued  and  in  what  method  in  order  to  arrive  at 
 that  perfection  we  admire  in  your  theological trails. 
 
 I  have  lent  you  inclofed  a  fmall  book  of  fer- 
 mons  which  were  preached  among  us  upon  the 
 death  of  his  late  Majefty,  and  the  accefiion  of 
 the  prefent  King  to  the  throne,  which,  being 
 very  much  admired  among  us,  I  have  thought 
 they  might  not  be  unacceptable  to  you.  I  am 
 with  the  utmoft  refpeel 
 
 Your  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 Isaac  Greenwood. 
 
 Pleafe  to  prefent  my  humble  fervice  to  the 
 Rev.  Mr.  Price,  your  colleague. 
 
 *  Probably  Mr.  Greenwood  was  the  Profeflbr  of  Mathe- 
 matics in  that  feminary  of  learning. 
 
 F  f  3  LET- 
 
4j|  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 LETTER     LIE 
 From  Mr.  John  Sergeant. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Stcckbridge,  Nov.  8,   174^ 
 
 By  the  favour  of  the  Rtv.  Br.  Colman  of 
 Bojlon  I  was  fome  months  ago  informed  that 
 by  your  kind  and  charitable  interpofition  a  col- 
 lection of  money  was  put  into  his  hands  to  for- 
 ward the  defign  of  a  more  effectual  method  of 
 educating  the  Indian  children,  which  inftance 
 of  your  beneficence,  though  late,  I  now  acknow- 
 ledge with  great  pleafure  and  thankfulnefs. 
 From  the  too  little  fuccefs  of  the  ordinary 
 means  of  inftruction  and  cultivation  the  necef- 
 fity  of  fome  fuch  method  appears  more  and 
 more  every  day.  The  mod  promifing  hopes 
 we  have  are  frequently  blafled,  and  national 
 ill  habits  flill  prevail  againfl  all  the  oppofition 
 we  can  make,  and  the  rifing  generation  too  ea- 
 fily  learns  to  tread  in  the  wrong  fteps  of  thofe 
 who  go  before  them.  All  their  feeming  re- 
 pentance and  refolutions  of  amendment  are  weak 
 and  ineffectual,  and  rarely  fufncient  to  with- 
 fland  the  force  of  national  cuftom  and  too  ge- 
 neral example.  Where  idlenefs  is  a  national 
 habit,  vice  in  every  fhape,  'tis  to  be  feared, 
 will  always  prevail  with  fatal  fuccefs.  The 
 grace  of  God  can  indeed  overcome  all  oppofi- 
 tion, and  without  his  blefiing  the  bed  means 
 will  prove  ineffectual  3  but  yet  the  means  are 
 
 to 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  439 
 
 to  be  ufed,  and  it  is  a  divine  obfervation, 
 <£  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  fhould  go, 
 "  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from 
 cc  it}"  and  in  univerfal  experience  it  is  found 
 that  open  and  fcandalous  wickednels  will  be 
 predominant  where  national  cuftoms  are  not 
 corrected  by  early  difcipline.  The  truth  is,  we 
 feem  to  labour  almoft  in  vain,  unlefs  we  can 
 have  the  entire  framing  of  their  young  ones  in 
 a  well-ordered  fchool,  where  induftry  and  a  re- 
 gular manner  of  life  may,  by  exercife  as  well  as 
 inftruction,  be  made  habitual.  Nor  is  it  eafy 
 for  thofe  who  converfe  only  with  the  politer 
 part  of  mankind  to  form  any  juft  notion  of 
 the  degeneracy  of  thofe  who  are  brought  up 
 in  the  wild  woods,  and  feem  to  learn  their 
 manners  from  the  beads  they  hunt  in  the 
 forefls. 
 
 As  the  defign  I  have  propofed  is  difinterefted 
 in  its  intention  I  hope  it  appears  fo  to  the  world, 
 and  that  in  due  time  that  gracious  Providence 
 which  provides  for  all  will  give  it  effect.  Your 
 kind  notice  of  it  and  encouragement  to  it  is  a 
 good  omen  of  fuccefs.  Your  former  benefi- 
 cence has  not  I  hope  been  without  fome  good 
 effect.  Your  Catechifms  are  taught  among  us, 
 and  have  learned  to  fpeak  Indian. 
 
 I  long  to  fee  this  propofed  method  of  educa- 
 tion put  into  execution.  Till  that  is  done  we 
 have  but  a  dull  profpecr,  of  fuccefs  in  all  we  ca^n 
 do  for  fo  wild  and  wandering  a  people.  It 
 would,  I  believe,  meet  with  fome  encourage - 
 "F  f  4  men? 
 
440  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 ment  in  thefe  parts,  if  the  wars  were  happily 
 ended.  In  the  prefent  fituation  of  affairs  it  is 
 not  thought  advifeable  to  expend  any  money  if 
 we  had  enough  to  lay  a  foundation.  If  matters 
 may  be  fo  prepared  now  that  we  may  be  ready 
 to  enter  upon  the  execution  of  this  defign,  as 
 foon  as  it  may  be  thought  convenient  and  fafe 
 to  do  it,  it  will  be  a  great  fatisfaction  to  me. 
 Indeed  we  feem  to  gain  ground  fo  (lowly  in  the 
 prefent  method  that  my  refolution  fometimes 
 almoft  fails  me,  for  the  expence  and  pains  of 
 their  converfion  feem  almoft  labour  loft.  So 
 ineffectual  their  repentance  and  refolutions  have 
 hitherto  appeared.  Of  fome  few  indeed,  I 
 thank  God,  I  hope  better  things.  Towards 
 them  all  it  is  my  heart's  defire  and  prayer  to 
 God  that  they  may  be  faved,  and  my  conftant 
 grief  that  there  are  no  more,  of  whom  I  can 
 hope  well  -,  and  if  the  method  propofed  for  their 
 better  education  (if  ever  it  be  put  into  execu- 
 tion) does  not  prove  more  effectual  we  muft  I 
 think  conclude  this  people  to  be  under  fome 
 ftrange  and  awful  curfe  of  heaven ;  but  till  we 
 have  tried  all  that  is  in  the  power  of  human 
 means  to  do,  we  ought  not  perhaps  to  defert 
 them  as  incorrigible.  If  it  mail  pleafe  the 
 great  Saviour  of  the  world  to  make  me  inftru- 
 mental  to  bring  them  into  the  fellowlhip  of  the 
 faints,  and  to  the  fulnefs  of  the  itature  of  per- 
 fect men  in  Chrift  I  mall  efteem  myfelf  both 
 honoured  and  happy. 
 
 As 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS.  441 
 
 As  your  piety  has  already  moved  you  to  do 
 fomething  for  us,  I  hope  in  the  midft  of  your 
 other  concerns  you  will  dill  remember  this  af- 
 fair, and,  as  you  have  opportunity,  recommend 
 it  to  the  notice  and  countenance  of  gentlemen 
 of  fortune  and  piety. 
 
 I  heartily  congratulate  you  or  the  world  ra- 
 ther upon  the  recovery  of  your  health  fo  as  not 
 to  be  only  able  to  preach,  but  to  prepare  and 
 put  things  to  the  prefs ;  which  I  hope  will  be 
 the  means,  by  the  blelfmg  of  God,  to  propa- 
 gate that  piety,  goodnefs,  and  candour,  which 
 appear  with  fo  amiable  a  lufire  in  your  writ- 
 ings i  from  which  (I  fpeak  it  with  thankfulnefs 
 to  God,  and  to  you  his  inftrument)  Imyfelf  and 
 many  others  have  reaped  fo  much  benefit. 
 "When  I  hear  of  any  thing  of  Dr.  Watts 's  com- 
 ing abroad  I  am  impatient  till  I  have  read  it : 
 nor  will  you,  I  hope,  account  it  a  flattery  that 
 I  fay  with  many  others  that  I  never  read  any 
 thing  of  yours,  without  being  made  wifer  and 
 I  hope  better.  That  candour  which  mines  in 
 your  writings  is  extremely  wanted  in  this  day, 
 at  lead  in  this  part  of  the  world  -,  and,  though 
 I  compliment  myfelf  in  faying  it,  'tis  what 
 gives  me  a  peculiar  relifh.  for  your  books  that, 
 with  the  ftrongeft  fentiments  of  piety  to  God, 
 there  is  always  joined  the  moil  extenfive  cha- 
 rity to  men,  and  an  happy  freedom  from  the 
 bigotry  of  party  opinions;  two  things  I  hardly 
 know  how  to  feparate  from  the  notion  of  a  truly 
 2  Chriftian 
 
442  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 Chriftian  temper.    I  earneftly  recommend  my- 
 felf  to  your  prayers,  and  am  with  great  refpect 
 Your  moil  obliged  humble  Servant, 
 
 John  Sergeant. 
 
 N.  B.  On  the  outfide  of  this  letter  of  Mr. 
 Sergeant  I  find  the  following  fhort  letter  to  Br. 
 Watts. 
 
 S  I  R, 
 Two  or  three  days  pad  I  wrote  to  you.    This 
 I  cover  from  Mr.  Sergeant,  and  it  breathes  his 
 pious  foul,  and  will  increafe  your  efteem  of 
 him,  as  it  does  mine. 
 
 Your  affectionate  Brother  and  Servant, 
 
 Benjamin  Colman, 
 
 LETTER     LIU. 
 From  Mr.  Eliflia  Williams  *. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  New-Haven,  May  24,   1736. 
 
 I  have  now  before  me  yours  of  May  13th, 
 1-735,  for  which,  as  well  as  the  two  volumes  of 
 
 fermons 
 
 *  This  gentleman  was  Rettor  of  Talc-College  at  ito-iv- 
 Haven  in  Connecticut  from  the  year  1726  to  the  year  1739, 
 when  he  refigned  his  office  on  account  of  his  fedentary  life, 
 attended  with  application  to  itudy,  and  the  work  of  in- 
 ftruftion,  bringing  upon  him  a  dreadful  pain  in  his  head, 
 and  threatening  him  with  the  lofs  of  his  fight,  if  not  even 
 of  his  life  itfclf.  But  when  he  was  difabled  for  ferving  his 
 country  in  one  capacity  he  did  it  in  another.  He  went 
 4.  chaplain 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    W  A  T  T  S.  443 
 
 lermons  fent  therewith  to  the  college,  my  grate- 
 ful acknowledgments  on  my  own  account,  as 
 well  as  in  behalf  of  the  College  Corporation, 
 you  might  juftly  have  expected  before  this 
 time  -,  yet,  when  I  have  informed  you  that  my 
 friend  at  Bojlon,  into  whofe  hands  your  packet 
 was  put  to  convey  it  to  me,  happened  to  fend 
 it  by  one  who  left  it  in  the  country  at  fome 
 diftance  from  Bofton>  where,  notwithstanding 
 all  the  care  I  could  poflibly  take,  it  lay  till  this 
 fpring,  and  then  was  carried  back  to  Bojlon  for 
 conveyance  hither,  and  but  two  days  ago  came 
 to  my  hands,  you  will  not,  Sir,  interpret  it  as 
 
 chaplain  to  a  regiment  fent  from  New  England  againft  Cape 
 Breton  in  the  year  1745,  wnen  tnat  important  place  fur- 
 rendered  to  the  Britijh  arms.  After  this,  when  an  expe- 
 dition was  concerted  againft  Canada,  and  a  regiment  of  a 
 thoufand  men  was  raifed  by  his  Majefty's  order  for  thepur- 
 pofe,  he  was  appointed  by  the  General  Aflembly  to  be  the 
 chief  Colonel,  which  office  he  accepted,  and  was  in  readi- 
 nefs  to  have  gone  upon  the  fervice,  when  orders  came  from 
 Great  Britain  for  difbanding  the  troops  defigned  for  the  ex- 
 pedition. He  came  to  England  to  folicit  the  payment  of 
 the  regiment  in  January  1749-50,  and  did  not  leave  it  till 
 Auguft  175 1 .  During  this  time  I  had  a  particular  and  inti- 
 mate acquaintance  with  him,  and  fo  had  that  excellent 
 man  Dr.  Doddridge,  who  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  gives  this 
 account  concerning  him.  "  I  look  upon  Colonel  Williams 
 *\  to  be  one  of  the  moll  valuable  men  upon  earth  :  he  has 
 "  joined  an  ardent  fenfe  of  religion,  folid  learning,  con- 
 "  fummate  prudence,  great  candour,  and  fweetnefs  of 
 f*  temper,  and  a  certain  noblenefs  of  foul  capable  of  con- 
 (f  triving  and  acting  the  greateft  things  without  feemingto 
 f\  be  confeious  of  having  done  them." 
 
 3  neglect 
 
444  MEMOIRSOF 
 
 a  neglect  of  duty  that  our  thanks  reach  you  no 
 fooner. 
 
 Though  I  have  had  fo  little  time  to  think 
 on  what  you  laid  before  me  in  yours  relating  to 
 thofe  Philofophieal  Inquiries,  yet  1  durft  not 
 omit  this  firft  opportunity  of  tranfmitting  this 
 to  Boftotiy  and  the  rather  expecting  it  may 
 reach  the  hands  of  Mr.  Hooker^  an  ingenious 
 and  hopeful  young  gentleman  educated  at  this 
 college,  now  failing  for  London,  who  intends 
 to  do  himfelf  the  honour  of  waiting  on  yourfelf, 
 if  God  fhall  give  him  leave,  and  fo  I  hope  this 
 may  fafely  reach  you  by  him.  Since  the  thefis 
 I  fent  you  was  not  unacceptable,  I  venture  to 
 offer  you  the  laft. 
 
 The  ftate  of  religion  in  the  nation  feems  very 
 lamentable  according  to  your  account  of  it, 
 and,  conlidering  the  light  and  means  they  have, 
 it  is  amazing,  and  a  very  ftrong  evidence  of 
 the  dreadful  depravation  of  human  nature,  and 
 fo  of  fome  of  thofe  truths  they  fo  earneftly  op- 
 pofe.  As  thofe  volumes  of  fermons  you  were 
 pleafed  to  fend  us  v/ere  doubtlefs  very  feafon- 
 able  where  they  were  preached,  wherein  feve- 
 ral  truths  were  fairly  cleared  which  had  been 
 fuffering  from  various  quarters,  fo  they  are  in- 
 deed feafonable  in  this  country,  and  1  cannot 
 fufrlciently  exprefs  my  thankfulnefs  to 'God  and 
 to  you  for  them  on  account  of  the  youth  who 
 are  here  educated. 
 
 I  am  obliged  in  thankfulnefs  to  God  to  own 
 that  your  fermons  have  done  great  fervice  to 
 
 our 
 
Dr.  ISAAC    WATTS.  445 
 
 our  youth,  as  I  hope  thofe  now  fent  will,  which 
 I  purpofe  fhall  be  read  in  the  College-hall  every 
 Sabbath  evening,  as  yours  and  fome  others  have 
 been,  that  they  may  be  made  the  more  exten- 
 fively  beneficial. 
 
 I  fometime  fince  informed  you  I  hoped  your 
 Catecbifms  for  youth  would  have  an  impreflion 
 in  this  country,  and  mould  when  accomplifhed 
 have  offered  one  to  your  acceptance  had  there 
 not  been  the  miftake  of  copying  after  the  firfl 
 edition  inflead  of  your  corrected  one,  which  I 
 trull  will  be  mended  when  it  receives  a  fecond 
 edition  which  I  wifh  for — and  my  father  (who 
 wrote  the  preface  to  it)  lately  telling  me  Mr. 
 S.  Mather  of  B  oft  on  had  acquainted  him  he  had 
 fent  you  one  of  them,  I  thought  it  not  amifs  to 
 inform  you  how  the  miflake  came.  The  mi- 
 nifters  in  that  county  of  Hampfhire  devolved  the 
 care  of  printing  it  on  one  of  their  number  who 
 told  me  he  had  your  corrected  edition,  I  having 
 feafonably  obferved  to  him  the  neceffity  of  put- 
 ting fuch  an  one  into  the  printer's  hands,  and 
 that  if  he  had  not  one  I  would  furnifh  him,  and 
 upon  his  telling  me  fo  I  took  no  further  care  of 
 the  matter  till  it  was  too  late  to  help  his  mif- 
 take. 
 
 Since  the  advancement  of  Chr^l's  kingdom 
 is  always  your  rejoicing  it  will  not  be  difagree- 
 able  to  you  if  I  fhould  acquaint  you  that  there 
 has  been  a  remarkable  revival  of  religion  in 
 feveral  parts  of  this  country,  in  ten  parishes  in 
 the  county  of  Hampjhire,   in  the  Majfachufets 
 
 province 
 
446  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 province  where  it  firft  began  a  little  more  than 
 a  year  fince,  and  in  near  ao  parifhes  of  this 
 colony.     It  has  not  been  equal   in  them  all, 
 though  in  all  the  Spirit  of  God  has  appeared 
 remarkably  poured  out  on  many  old  profeflbrs, 
 but  efpecially  on  the  fifing   generation.     In 
 feveral  towns  it  was  very  general,  and  a  ferious 
 thorough  concern  was  ftirred  up   in  them  to 
 make  a  bufinefs  of  religion  fo  as  to  fpeak  the 
 ipecial  hand  of  God  therein.     I  will  only  in- 
 ftance  in  one  town,  Hatfield.     There  appeared 
 a  great  concern  upon  the  minds  of  many  in  one 
 part  of  the  town  at  once.     Children  from  10 
 to  12  years  of  age  of  their  own  accord  (and 
 without  the  knowledge  of  elder  people)  aflem- 
 bled  to  read   and  pray  by  themfelves,  while 
 others  who  were  elder  did  the  like  (though  in 
 this  practice  the  children  were  firft).  The  other 
 part   of  the  town  obferved  this,    and  rather 
 wondered   what  had  happened  to  them  than 
 thought  of  any  fuch  thing  themfelves,  and  the 
 looter  among  them  ridiculed  it,   but  in  a  few 
 days  they  were  awakened  themfelves,  and  the 
 concern  became  fo  general  that  it  feemed  al- 
 moft  the  univerfal  cry  (among  the  unconverted) 
 -what  they  fhould  do  to  be  laved,  fo  that  they 
 applied  to  their  minifter  in  numbers  every  day 
 from  morning  till  night  with  their  difficulties 
 for  his  direction  and  help.     The  iflfue  has  been 
 that   many  are  happily  converted,   fome  chil- 
 dren under  ten  years  of  age,  many  of  whom 
 furprile  us  with  their  piety  and  understanding 
 
 in 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  44*- 
 
 in  religion.  There  is  an  univerfal  reformation 
 of  manners,  there  are  frequent  meetings  for 
 reading  and  praying  kept  up  in  feveral  parts 
 of  the  towns,  the  moil  engaged  attention  on 
 the  miniftry,  and  the  converfation  of  people 
 is  much  turned  from  worldly  concerns  to  thofe 
 of  a  religious  nature,  and  their  religion  feems 
 to  be  a  real  living  principle  within  them. 
 After  this  manner  has  the  work  been,  and  is 
 itill  going  on  in  fome  places.  This  mercy- 
 has  alfo  reached  fome  of  the  Indians,  efpecially 
 a  tribe  of  them,  to  whom  Mr,  Sergeant,  lately 
 a  tutor  at  this  college,  a  learned  pious  man, 
 has  gone,  and  entirely  devoted  himfelf  to  ferve 
 the  intereft  of  Chrift  among  them,  and  fincc 
 laft  Oftober  has  baptifed  fifty  infants  and 
 adults,  of  whom  he  fays  he  has  reafon  to  hope 
 they  will  live  worthy  the  profeffion  they 
 have  made,  that  they  feem  furprifed  at  the 
 change  they  feel  in  themfelves,  and  compare 
 their  former  ftate  of  heathenifm  to  a  dream, 
 and  their  chriftianity  to  their  being  awake ; 
 their  heathenifm  to  the  darknefs  of  the  night, 
 their  chriflianity  to  the  brightnefs  of  the  day  : 
 thefe  and  fuch  like  metaphors  they  ufed  to 
 exprefs  the  difference  between  their  former 
 and  prefent  ftate.  Would  to  God  this  blefs- 
 ing  might  be  extended  not  only  through  our 
 land  and  nation  but  the  whole  world! 
 
 We  have  jufl  received  the  unwelcome  news 
 that  the  parliament  has  rejected  the  application 
 of  the  Proteftant  Dijfenters  tQ  have   the  Cor- 
 poration 
 
44g  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 poraticn  and  Teft  Afts  repealed.  I  had  hoped 
 by  this  time  that  the  jult  notions  of  liberty 
 had  fo  far  prevailed  in  the  nation  as  to  have 
 delivered  as  good  fubjects  as  any  the  king  has 
 from  a  part  at  lead  of  that  perfecution  they 
 had  long  felt.  Are  the  adverfaries  of  truth 
 and  liberty  ftill  fo  ftrong  as  to  difcourage  any 
 further  attempt  1 
 
 Forgive  all  the  trouble  of  this  tedious  letter, 
 and  be  pleafed  to  accept  of  our  fincere  and 
 affectionate  regards,  and  of  the  humble  duty 
 of  our  tutors  and  Mr.  Hubbard,  and  allow  me 
 to  fubferibe  myfelf,  reverend  Sir, 
 Your  moll  obliged  and 
 
 Very  humble  Servant, 
 
 Elisha  Williams. 
 
 LETTER    LIV. 
 From   Z.  Boylfton,  M.  D. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Boflon,  N.  E.   Aug.  12,  1732. 
 
 The  repeated  and  undeferved  favours  you 
 have  done  me  have  laid  me  under  fuch  obli- 
 gations as  I  am  at  prefent  unable  to  difcharge: 
 and  my  long  filence  favours  fo  much  of  in- 
 gratitude that  had  I  not  a  long  indifpofition  of 
 body,  viz.  a  convulfive  afthma  which  has 
 torn  me  down  for  five  or  fix  years  paft,  to 
 have  pleaded  for  me,  I  mud  have  been  with- 
 out excufe. 
 
 I  thankfully  accept  the  prefent  of  your  ex- 
 traordinary performances,    viz.    fourteen    fer- 
 
 mons 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  449 
 
 mons  on  various  fubjects,  that  on  King 
 George's  death,  your  four  catechifms,  and  an 
 humble  attempt  to  revive  religion,  &c.  All 
 which,  and  indeed  every  piece  which  drops 
 from  your  golden  pen,  meet  a  joyful  accept- 
 ance in  general  from  thofe  who  fee  them  here 
 in  New  England  as  well  as  thofe  at  home. 
 May  your  fhining  gifts  and  graces  be  increaf- 
 ed,  your  very  valuable  ufeful  life  and  health 
 be  preferved,  and  your  pious  endeavours  be 
 more  and  more  fuccefsful  in  the  work  of  the 
 Lord  to  which  you  are  called! 
 
 Your  concern  to  find  out  the  donor  of  an 
 handful  of  cranberries  lent  you  fome  years  paft, 
 and  the  repeated  acknowledgment  of  fo  fmall 
 a  prefent  furprifes  me,  confidering  your  public 
 and  extraordinary  labour  in  fludying,  preach- 
 ing, writing,  converfing,  vifiting,  &V.  in  your 
 weak  ftate  of  health.  That  you  fhould  regard 
 fuch  a  trifle,  or  the  unworthy  giver  is  but 
 agreeable  to  your  uncommon  goodnefs  and 
 gratitude  to  all. 
 
 I  am  forry  I  cannot  at  prefent  inform  you  of 
 the  fuccefs  of  our  later  practice  of  inoculating 
 the  fmall-pox.  Although  our  phyficians  ge- 
 nerally came  into  it,  at  a  time  when  they 
 found  it  their  interefl  fo  to  do,  yet  they  have 
 declined  giving  the  public  an  account,  not- 
 withstanding they  fucceeded  well  therein. 
 However,  if  it  may  pleafe  God  to  reftore  my 
 health,  I  intend  to  collect  their  number  and 
 fuccefs,  with  my  own,  which  will  amount  to 
 G  g  hundreds, 
 
45o  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 hundreds,  and   give   them  the  public,  though 
 
 it  may  be  thought  too  late. 
 
 The  bearer,  Mr.  Jofeph  Baxter,  is  a  young 
 gentleman  of  fo  much  worth  as  will  in  my 
 opinion  recommend  him  to  all.  He  has  be- 
 haved fo  well  here  that  we  hope  he  may  at 
 leaft  meet  with  the  common  civilities  abroad. 
 He  was  defigned  for  the  pulpit,  and  preached 
 fome  years,  but,  the  organs  of  ipeech  in  him 
 proving  weak,  and  his  voice  low,  about  a  year 
 paft  he  altered  his  profeffion,  and  became  a 
 pupil  to  me,  and  has  been  induftrious  and  made 
 a  considerable  progrefs  in  the  practice  of  phyfic 
 and  forgery,  and  now  comes  to  London  to  in- 
 form himfelf  further  in  the  cure  of  difeafes  in 
 order  to  ferve  his  country  better  at  his  return. 
 I  am,  reverend  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  humble 
 
 And  moft  obliged  Servant, 
 
 Za.  Boylston. 
 
 LETTER     LV. 
 From  Mr.  Theophilus  Rowe  *. 
 
 Rev.  Sir,  Hampftead,  Sept.  22,   1739. 
 
 I  am  perfuaded  I  need  not  excufe  my  giving 
 you  an  account  of  a  good  undertaking  now  on 
 foot,  fince  the  relation  of  a  defign  to  promote 
 
 *  Mr.  Theophilus  Ro-zve,  the  editor  of  Mrs.  Rows  works, 
 and  the  writer  of  her  life.  He  was  brother  to  Mr.  Thomas 
 #*T„r,  Mrs,  Rowe's  hufband. 
 
 practical 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  451 
 
 praftical  religion  (if  you  have  not  already 
 heard  of  it)  muft  neceffarily  yield  very  fincere 
 pleafure  to  fo  pious  and  benevolent  a  mind  as 
 yours.  Mr.  Jillard  of  Taviftock,  Devon,  has 
 fet  up  a  kind  of  charity-fchool  in  that  placei 
 the  occafion  of  which  he  thus  reprefents. 
 
 xc  This  being  a  town  of  trade  here  has 
 Cf  been  and  is  a  multitude  of  poor.  Parents 
 <f  of  the  lad  age  were  many  of  them  negligent 
 <f  as  to  bringing  up  their  children  to  read. 
 fC  They  are  better  in  this.  However  fome  with- 
 Cf  out  difficulty  cannot,  and  others  will  not 
 fe  pay  for  their  fchooling.  I  have  fet  on 
 u  foot  a  defign  of  making  this  eafy  to  them, 
 "  engaging  them  to  fend  their  children  to 
 rc  fome  place  of  public  worihip  (in  which 
 cc  they  are  egregioufly  defective),  and  to 
 <f  make  it  more  extenfively  ufeful  I  have  pro- 
 "  pofed  to  fend  them  to  Mr.  Sander  cock's, 
 cc  daughter  to  learn.  Several  of  my  people 
 "  approve  of  the  thing,  I  wim  I  could  add 
 "  contribute  too;  herein  they  are  too  back- 
 "  ward.  Could  I  be  fo  happy  as  to  have  a 
 tc  little  encouragement,  with  the  profpecl  of 
 "  fome  Bibles  to  carry  on  the  defign,  I  hope 
 M  it  would  flimulate  fome  of  my  people.  A 
 "  fmall  company  of  children  I  have,  provid- 
 "  ing  theNeiv  London  Method  of  Teaching,  Jane- 
 il  wafs  Token  for  Children,  and  Dr.  Watts' s  Songs, 
 u  as  the  introduction  to  the  Bible,  and  pro- 
 €C  m:fing  each  of  them  a  Bible  when  they  are 
 "  able  to  read  it,  or  leave  the  fchool.  Could 
 G  g  2  «  I 
 
45z  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 f  I  do  more  I  hope  I  would ;  but  I  am  almoft 
 c  alone  in  this.  Br.  Watts' s  Songs  for  ChiU 
 c  drat  are  univerially  relifhed  both  among  the 
 c  people  of  the  church  and  meeting  j  and,  as 
 c  this  charity  is  not  confined,  if  any  gentle- 
 f  man  would  be  fo  good  as  to  fend  me  lbme 
 f  of  them  I  hope  he  would  never  repent  it, 
 f  and  God  would  reward  him.  I  would  only 
 c  add  this  is  a  very  populous,  but  a  very 
 c  wicked  town.  The  children  are  very  pro- 
 c  fane.  We  have  no  government ;  and  I 
 c  would  hope  the  fanclions  of  Chrift's  laws 
 f  might  have  an  influence  now  and  hereafter. 
 f  Whoever  laments  the  wickednefs  of  the  age 
 f  would  look  with  an  eye  of  peculiar  pity  and 
 f  compaffion  on  this  town." 
 
 In  a  letter  written  about  half  a  year  after 
 the  former  he  gives  this  further  account  of 
 his  progrefs  in  his  defign. 
 
 cc  I  blefs  the  glorious  name  of  God  I  have 
 Cf  now  a  fchool  of  twenty  children.  My 
 cc  afliftants  promile  me  only  for  one  year, 
 "  however  at  the  end  of  it  I  hope  to  have  it 
 c<  repeated.  Mod  of  the  parents  belong  to 
 fc  the  efLblifhed  church,  who  are  only  defired 
 cc  to  carry  their  children  to  public  worfhip, 
 <c  chufing  what  mode  they  pleafe.  They  are 
 cc  vcry  willing  I  mould  talk  to  the  children 
 "  on  the  common  principles  of  religion, 
 C(  and,  thanks  to  Almighty  God,  I  have  hope 
 cc  of  fome  good  fnccefs.  The  Lord's  day  is 
 Cf  not  fo  much   profaned  I  trull.     Religious' 
 
 cc  worfhip 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  453 
 
 cc  worfhip  is  more  frequented.  The  parents 
 cc  own  their  children  are  more  obedient  to 
 cc  them,  and  cautious  of  their  words.  I  have 
 cc  met  with  furprifing  ignorance  even  as  to  the 
 cc  flrft  principles  of  religion  ;  but  the  children 
 <c  are  willing  to  know  better,  and  readily  come 
 fC  to  my  houfe.  They  have  an  eye  over  one 
 cc  another,  and  the  miflrefs  I  apprehend  does 
 cc  her  part  very  faithfully.  I  have  great  dif- 
 cc  couragements  within  myfelf,  and  nothing 
 cc  but  a  divine  power  and  divine  motives  can 
 "  ftrengthen  my  refolutions.  Vice  bears  fuch 
 cf  an  head  here,  no  place  I  imagine  more 
 •*  corrupt.  The  poor  very  numerous  and 
 <c  wicked,  and  the  rich  far  from  being  ex- 
 cc  emplary  chriflians.  But  why  fhould  not 
 <c  thefe  things  prompt  me  on?  They  fhouli 
 (C  I  acknowledge,  and,  through  concurring 
 cc  afiiftance  from  heaven,  I  hope  they  will. 
 "  Parents  who  are  high-church  allow  me  the 
 cc  liberty  of  inftru&ing  their  children,  and  the 
 "  good  influence  may  be  conveyed  to  ages 
 t(  yet  unborn.  God  grant  it!  Had  I  an  an- 
 cc  nuity,  nothing  fhould  in  my  prefent  thoughts 
 cf  prevent  it.  But  God  is  all-fufficient.  This 
 "  caufe  feems  to  be  entirely  his,  and  I  would 
 "  notdefpair." 
 
 In  another  letter  written  about  two  months 
 ago  he  adds,  cc  Certain  remarkable  circum- 
 cc  fiances  convince  me  that  an  infinitely  wife 
 fc  and  good  Providence  brought  and  continues 
 "  me  here.  I  may  do  good  to  fome,  I 
 G  g  3  cc  believe 
 
454  MEMOIRS     OP 
 
 «  believe  I  fliafl.  I  pleafe  myfelf  that  my  fub- 
 cc  fcriptions  will  be  increafed  this  following 
 <c  year.  Bibles  and  feveral  of  Dr.  WaltSs 
 ♦f  pieces  have  been  fent,  which  have  I  hope 
 <c  been  ufeful.  Dr.  Watts's  Songs  are  uni« 
 cc  verfaliy  acceptable  :  all  the  church  people 
 cc  confent  to  their  children's  learning  them, 
 iC  and  his  fir  ft  fet  of  Catechifms.  We  have  a 
 V  multitude  of  poor  people  in  this  town,  being 
 cc  the  center  of  certain  low  trades,  and  I  have 
 cc  reafon  to  fear  many  families  have  fcarce  a 
 c<  Bible.  If  a  few  low-priced  Bibles  can  be 
 cf  procured  I  fhall  be  exceeding  thankful." 
 
 Thus  far  I  have  copied  Mr.  Jillard,  one 
 with  whom  I  am  unacquainted,  but  have  fuf- 
 ficient  grounds  to  believe  him  to  be  a  perfon  of 
 uncommon  worth  and  piety,  and  of  fo  benevo- 
 lent a  difpofition  that  it  occafioned  the  lofs  of 
 his  whole  fortune,  which  he  lent  to  fomeof  his 
 own  and  his  wife's  relations.  He  has  loft  in 
 my  late  dear  brother  a  friend  who  was  able 
 and  zealous  to  ferve  him,  and  I  know  not 
 whether  he  is  fo  happy  as  to  have  any  other 
 minifter  in  town  for  his  patron.  So  that  I  will 
 take  the  liberty  to  add  that  if  at  the  time  of 
 new  imprefilons  of  your  excellent  books  for 
 the  inft ruction  of  youth  you  referve  any  of 
 them,  and  arc  willing  to  oblige  him  with  the 
 prefent  of  a  few,  or  can  influence  any  of  your 
 numerous  friends  to  allow  Mr.  Jillard  a  fhare 
 in  their  charity,  or  afllft  him  in  his  defign* 
 1   think  it  would  be  an  action  worthy  of  your- 
 
 3  fdf, 
 
Dr.    IS  A  A  C     WATTS.  455 
 
 felf,  and  pleafing  to  God :  but  of  this  you  are  the 
 bed  judge.  It  may  be  fit  for  you  to  chufe  an 
 object  of  your  beneficence  whom  you  know  to 
 be  more,  or  at  lead  equally  deferving.  How- 
 ever it  feemed  to  be  my  duty  to  mention  a 
 cafe  I  thought  fo  worthy  of  regard. 
 
 Whether  the  blefling  be  deny'd  or  giv'n, 
 Thus  far  was  right  \  the  reft  is  left  to  heav'n. 
 
 POPE. 
 I  am,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moil  obedient 
 
 And  molt  humble  Servant, 
 
 The.  Rowe. 
 My   lifter   and  nephew  prefent   their   moft 
 humble  fervice.     Mine  with  due   thanks    at- 
 tends Br.  Colman. 
 
 I  forgot  to  fay  that,  though  Mr.  Jillard's 
 falary  from  his  people  is  not  fo  fmall  as  that 
 of  feveral  other  minifters  in  the  country,  yet 
 the  largenefs  of  his  family  may  make  him 
 equally  ftand  in  need  of  relief. 
 
 LETTER    LVI  *. 
 From  the  fame. 
 
 Rev.   Sir, 
 
 As  my  nephew,  who  according  to  your 
 permiflion  gave  Mr.  Jillard  an  account  of  your 
 
 *  This  letter  is  not  dated,  but  the  Do&or  has  put  upon 
 the  back  of  it  January  1 740.     • 
 
 G  g  4  fentiments 
 
456  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 fentiments  on  the  iubjeet  of  the  education  of 
 children,  received  yeflerday  an  anfwer  from 
 him,  I  thought  it  might  not  be  improper  to 
 fend  you  the  following  tranfeript  of  part  of  his 
 letter. 
 
 cc  lam  much  obliged  to  the  Doftor  for  what 
 £C  he  has  been  pleafed  to  fend  me,  and  his 
 tc  good  advice.  And  to  fay  all  the  truth  I 
 <c  began  with  a  fpelling-book,  viz.  the  Lon~ 
 <c  don  new  Method,  &c.  but,  confidering  my 
 cc  circumftances  and  family,  I  could  not  well 
 cc  go  on  with  the  purchafe.  Gladly  therefore 
 <c  I  took  thoie  treatifes  of  Dr.  Watts  which  were 
 tc  providentially  fent  me,  and  put  the  chil- 
 "  dren  upon  reading  them,  and  fo  learning 
 cc  them  in  the  place  of  the  Spelling-bock.  I 
 "  own  all  the  Doclor  faith,  but  what  mall  I 
 cf  do  who  am  concerned  with  people  who  are 
 <c  ignorant,  wicked,  and  bigotted  to  old 
 <c  cuftoms  ?  The  Bible  is  sfiven  to  the  fcho- 
 "  lars  when  they  leave  the  fchool,  and  before 
 <f  this  what  books  I  can  get  for  them,  fo  that 
 fc  a  Teflament  would  be  exceeding  welcome 
 ff  to  learn  to  read  by,  and  I  own  abundantly 
 fc  fumcient  for  falvation.  But  how  mail  I 
 cc  overcome  the  prejudices  of  education  as  to 
 fC  this  ?  Befides  the  Bible  is  not  only  read  at 
 <f  home,  but  carried  to  the  church  for  the 
 cc  texts  and  proofs.  What  need  you  will 
 cc  fay  for  fo  many  Bibles  ?  Why,  really,  I 
 Ci  ieem  obliged  to  fatisfy  my  friends,  in  what, 
 Cf  I  hope,  they  will  not   difapprove  of.     Love 
 
 «  to 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  457 
 
 cf  to  God  and  man  is  the  furtfi  of  religion  fo 
 cc  that  I  endeavour  to  know  the  poor  families 
 cc  of  the  town,  who  have  not  a  Bible  in  the 
 cc  houfe,  or  certain  children  who  appear  well 
 cc  dilpofed;  or  to  make  them  fo,  and  encou- 
 <c  rage  their  parents  to  continue  them  till  they 
 cc  can  read  I  promife  a  Bible  when  capable 
 Ci  of  it.  Alfo  apprentices  who  come  in  my 
 cc  way  I  examine,  and  to  encourage  their  pains 
 Cf  to  learn,  and  their  mailers  care  to  teach, 
 cc  I  make  the  like  promife.  And  having 
 <c  young  companies,  who  come  alternately 
 cc  every  week  to  my  houfe  I  endeavour  to 
 cc  make  my  difcourfes  from  the  fcripture  more 
 cc  acceptable  by  giving  now  and  then  a  Bible. 
 fc  Thefe  befides  the  children  at  fchool.  I  hope 
 cc  you  will  not  conftrne  this  as  vanity  (of 
 <c  which  'tis  my  grief  I  have  fo  much),  but  I 
 cc  had  never  mentioned  this  furely  without 
 "  fuch  a  reafon  for  it.  With  an  aking  heart 
 cc  I  look  over  this  town,  where  there  is  a  large 
 "  number  of  people  but  no  government ; 
 "  and,  as  they  carry  it  with  unexpected  and 
 "  undeferved  civility  to  me,  it  appears  an 
 <c  incumbent  duty  to  try  whether  I  may  not 
 f*  be  able,  through  the  divine  blefTing,  to  do 
 "  good.  The  work  is  much  upon  my  heart, 
 (i  and  I  would  adore  that  over-ruling  hand 
 cc  which  appears  fo  evident  in  certain  remark - 
 %c  able  circumftances,  and  encourages  my 
 "  hope  of  increafing  fuccefs.  Dr.  Watts 's 
 f<  divine  Songs  are  exceeding  acceptable  to  all. 
 
 "I 
 
 V 
 
4SS  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 "  I  have  begun  in  the  country  as  well  as 
 fC  town-fchools  with  them,  and  every  where 
 cc  they  take  both  with  parents  and  children, 
 "  I  would  attempt  further,  and  defign  that 
 <c  not  one  fchool  in  thefe  parts  but  what 
 <c  fhould  be  tried,  could  I  leave  a  few  in  it, 
 <c  Pleafe  to  prefent  my  mofl  humble  and  hearty 
 iC  fervice  to  ail  who  give  the  lead:  encourage- 
 <c  ment  to  my  weak,  but  I  truft  honed  en- 
 <c  favours  to  diffufe  the  practical  knowledge 
 "  of  the  only  living  and  true  God,  and  of 
 cc  his  Son  whom  he  hath  fent,  and  that  mod 
 <c  excellent  religion  Chrift  hath  taught  us. 
 tc  My  moil  humble  fervice  to  Dr.  JVatts>  and 
 <c  hearty  thanks  for  pad  favours,  the  prefent 
 €C  profpect,  and  his  good  advice." 
 
 I  doubt  not  but  your  gentle  difpofition  will 
 eafily  forgive  the  inaccuracy  of  language  in 
 what  I  have  here  copied  from  a  letter  written 
 in  carelefs  hade  to  a  young  friend  without  the 
 lead  thought  that  it  would  be  feen  by  a  gentle- 
 man of  your  great  reputation  for  learning  and 
 judgment.  The  drain  of  unaffected  piety 
 wrhich  appears  in  every  letter  Mr.  J  Ward  writes 
 to  his  friends  ought  I  think  to  charm  one  be- 
 yond all  the  wit  and  elegance  in  the  world, 
 and  that  eminent  benevolence,  which,  even 
 oppreiled  with  poverty  and  affliction,  could 
 exert  itfelf  in  forming  excellent  defigns  for  pro- 
 moting practical  Chridianity,  will  fufficiently 
 endear  him  to  all  who  have  that  intered  at 
 heart.      However  obfcure   and   unnoticed  he 
 
 may 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS,  459 
 
 may  be  in  the  prefent  world,  as  God  has  (1 
 truft)  chofen  him  to  be  an  inftrument  of  turn-- 
 in<*  many  to  righteoufoefs,  without  all  doubt 
 in  the  life  to  come  he  will,  with  a  diftinguifhed 
 luftre,  fhine  as  the  ftars  for  ever  and  ever. 
 
 I  could  not  write  to  you  without  exprefTing 
 my  juft  fenfe  of  your  goodnefs  in  interefting 
 yourfelf  with  fo  generous  a  zeal  in  favour  of 
 the  fubfcription  to  Mr.  Grove's  works.  Indeed 
 to  ferve  the  orphans  of  a  learned  and  good  man, 
 whom  you  honoured  with  your  friendfhip,  who 
 are  unhappily  left  to  ftruggle  with  the  necefli- 
 ties  of  a  narrow  fortune,  is  a  very  beneficent 
 action,  worthy  of  yourfelf. 
 
 Be  pleafed  to  accept  the  compliments  of  the 
 feafon  with  my  fincereft  wifhes  that  you  may 
 enjoy  a  long  and  vegete  old  age,  crowned  with 
 all  happinefs,  and  increafmg  opportunities  of 
 doing   good.     I  am,  Sir, 
 
 Your  moft  humble  and  obedient  Servant, 
 
 The,  Rowe. 
 
 My  fifter  and  nephew  prefent  their  beft  wifhes 
 and  moft  humble  fervice. 
 
 LET- 
 
^6o  MEMOIRS     OP 
 
 LETTER      LVII. 
 
 From  Mr.  Robert  Porter,  afterwards  a  Phyfician 
 in  London. 
 sir,  oa.  29, 1726. 
 
 When  I  took  my  leave  of  you  in  England  I 
 had  no  fmall  honour  done  me  in  being  defired 
 to  write  to  Mr.  Wails. 
 
 I  have  ken  but  very  little  of  Holland,  and 
 confequentiy  am  capable  of  giving  but  a  very 
 little  account  of  the  country,  and  indeed  there 
 are  not  a  great  number  of  things  obfervable  in 
 the  provinces.  I  was  much  pleafed  at  Delft 
 with  the  magnificent  tomb  of  William  Maurice 
 Prince  of  Grange,  which  really  is  no  common 
 monument  :  this  I  think  Mijfon  has  given  an 
 account  of.  What  they  have  erected  for  Van 
 Trompe  has  likewife  in  it  a  great  deal  of  pro- 
 priety to  the  fubjeel;  of  it.  I  cannot  help  taking 
 notice  here  of  the  abfurdity  of  Sir  Cloudefly 
 Shovel's  in  Weftminfter-.jbbey,  who  is  figured  in 
 an  eafy  carelefs  pofture  like  a  beau,  whereas 
 Trompe  on  the  contrary  lies  with  his  head  upon 
 a  cannon.  The  Stad-houfe  at  Delft  has  written 
 over  the  door, 
 
 Hire  domus  amat,  punif,  confervat,  honorat, 
 Nequitiem,  pacem,  fcelera,  jura,  probos  *. 
 
 *  This  houfe  hates  vice,  loves  peace,  fwift  vengeance  flings 
 Impartial. upon  malefactors  heads, 
 To  laws  infulted  timely  fuccour  brings, 
 And  glory  round  the  brows  cf  virtue  meds. 
 
 As 
 
Dr.    ISAAC     WATTS.  461 
 
 As  foon  as  you  enter  there  hangs  depending 
 from  the  ceiling  a  tub  without  a  bottom,  de- 
 creasing gradually  to  the  top  which  is  likewife 
 open.  This  is  put  over  perfons  who  have  com- 
 mitted crimes,  and  with  this  (their  heads  ap- 
 pearing out  above)  they  are  condemned  to 
 walk  along  the  ftrcets.  At  Haerlem  I  faw  the 
 books  which  the  citizens  fay  were  firft  printed, 
 and  according  to  them  (for  Mentz  is  a  rival  in 
 this  point)  Cofterus>  their  townfman,  firft  in- 
 vented this  art.  The  houfe  where  he  lived  is 
 now  little  better  than  a  petty  ftationer's.  The 
 college  of  phylicians  have  erected  a  flatue 
 (fuch  as  it  is)  to  his  memory  in  their  phyfic- 
 garden,  and  behind  upon  the  pedeflal  are  thefe 
 lines, 
 
 Cojlerus  clara  redimitus  tempora  lauro 
 
 Quifquis  ades,  quare  confpiciatur,  habe. 
 
 Hasc  propria  heroum  fuit  olim  gloria,  quorum 
 Vel  geflis  Celebris  vita  vel  arte  fuit. 
 
 Inveato  qui  gefta  fuo,  fervavit,  et  artes, 
 
 Quis  neget  hunc  tantum  bis  meruifTe  Deus  *  ? 
 
 *  See  Cojler  here  with  laurels  deck'd  : 
 Afk  you  the  caufe  of  fuch  refpecl  ? 
 If  thus  of  old  their  heads  were  crown'd, 
 For  bold  heroic  deeds  renown'd, 
 Or  theirs  who  with  fuperior  mind 
 Difclos'd  fome  art  to  blefs  mankind, 
 What  pow'r  divine  but  will  bellow 
 A  double  wreath  to  grace  his  brow, 
 Whofe  wond'rous  /kill  to  deeds  and  arts 
 Eternity  of  fame  imparts  ? 
 
 This 
 
462  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 This  good  precaution  the  States  of  Holland 
 have  that  every  night  a  watch  is  placed  upon 
 the  church  or  Stadboufe  that  he  may  thus  over- 
 look the  town,  and  difcover  any  fire  that  might 
 break  out,  and  as  a  proof  of  his  watching  he  is 
 obliged  to  found  a  trumpet  every  hour.  At 
 fome  diftance  from  Ley  den  is  a  very  neat  peft- 
 houie  kept  in  that  order  to  be  ready  at  an  hour 
 or  two's  warning,  ifanyfuch  calamity  mould 
 happen.  Dr.  Bcerhaave  has~a  very  diftinct  way 
 of  teaching,  but  has  not  an  equal  gaiety  in  his 
 drefs  with  an  Englifh  phyfician.  He  was  firft 
 defigned  for  the  miniftry,  and  has  a  brother  of 
 that  profeftion,  who  was  on  the  contrary  de- 
 fio-ned  for  phyfic;  this  gentleman  has  an  impe- 
 diment in  his  fpeech  and  the  people  don't 
 greatly  admire  him,  but  the  Doctor  conftantly, 
 when  his  brother  preaches  in  the  town,  goes 
 to  hear  him.  Thefe  trifling  remarks,  Sir,  can 
 give  you  but  fmall  entertainment.  I  wifh  I 
 could  have  the  honour  to  afford  you  more  in 
 the  remaining  part  of  this  letter. 
 
 I  wonder  amidft  all  the  fludies  which  em- 
 ploy our  thoughts  we  take  not  more  notice  of 
 thofe  miracles  which  prefent  themfelves  to  our 
 view  in  the  lower  rank  of  creation.  Were 
 thefe  attended  to  they  would  prodigioufly  en- 
 large our  minds,  and  give  us  far  more  ex- 
 alted ideas  of  the  Supreme  Being.  Perhaps  it 
 might  almoft  puzzle  Mr.  Derham  were  the 
 queftion  afked  whether  his  quadrant  or  micro- 
 fcope,  whether  a  flar  or  an  infect  has  given  him 
 
 greater 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  465 
 
 greater  furprife  or  fatisfadhon  ?  But  man  ftalks 
 heedlefs  and  thoughtlefs  along  amidft  a  world 
 of  beings  which  furround  him  on  every  fide, 
 and  becaufe  they  occur  frequently  to  his  fight 
 he  takes  no  regard  of  them.  If  I  might  be  al- 
 lowed, Sir,  the  preemption  of  prefenting  you 
 what  I  have  frequently  thought  on  this  fubject 
 I  would  fay  we  may  as  rationally  find  footfteps 
 of  Divinity  in  the  mofi  abject  reptile  upon  the 
 ground  as  in  the  fun  himfelf.  How  wonderful 
 mud  be  the  contrivance  in  the  legs  of  a  Scolo- 
 pendra  *  /  How  inexpreffibly  curious  mull  be 
 the  flruclure  of  thole  mufcles  which  move  its 
 unnumbered  joints  !  Or  to  carry  this  flill  far- 
 ther, how  amazingly  fmall  mull  the  nerves  be 
 which  convey  the  fpirits  to  actuate  thofe  muf- 
 cles in  fuch  a  regular  fucceffion !  And  I  queftion 
 not  but  the  limbs  of  every  infect  are  compofed 
 of  fuch  conftituent  parts  adapted  to  the  nature 
 of  the  creature,  as  anfwer  to  the  connexion  of 
 the  bones  in  the  human  body,  attended  with  all 
 the  fupplement  of  cartilages  or  epiphyfes.  All 
 animals  as  they  fall  below  each  other  in  the 
 icale  of  exiftence  have  their  organs  fuitably 
 prepared,  nor  is  there  more  wifdom,  no  nor 
 power  evidenced  in  the  formation  of  an  ele- 
 phant than  of  an  Ichneumon  -f. 
 
 *  An  infeft  of  a  very  flender  and  long  body,  very 
 fmooth,  and  of  a  yellovvifh  or  reddifh  colour,  furnilhed  with 
 a  vaft  number  of  legs,  and  having  a  clefted  tail. 
 
 f  A  particular  kind  of  fly  bred  in  the  bodies  cf  cater- 
 pillar?. 
 
 It 
 
464  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 It  may  not  be  unpleafing  to  reflect  a  little  on 
 the  perceptions  with  which  animals  feem  fur- 
 niihcd.  Arid  I  am  apt  to  think  a  pile  of  build- 
 ing to  lbme  may  appear  a  level  plain  -,  nor  can 
 I  yet  find  furlicient  reafon  for  the  contrary. 
 There  is  no  difference  in  their  velocity  in  af- 
 cending  a  brick-wall,  or  traverfing  the  flat 
 furface  of  the  ground,  and  they  will  mount  or 
 run  down  a  perpendicular  height  with  equal 
 fwiftnefs,  intrepidity,  and  unconcern. 
 
 As  to  the  degree  of  their  fenfe  of  pain  it 
 feems  plain  from  what  I  have  faid  concerning 
 the  formation  of  their  parts,  and  Shake/pear  fure 
 is  in  the  right  when  he  fays, 
 
 . The  beetle  that  we  tread  upon 
 
 In  corporal  fufferance  finds  a  pang  as  great 
 As  when  a  giant  dies. 
 
 However  I  think  it  barbarous  to  take  away 
 the  life  of  any  animal  (but  what  we  are  necef- 
 fitated  to)  and  that  from  an  orientation  of  the 
 fuperiority  of  human  power,  efpecially  confi- 
 dering  the  fhort  duration  of  time  they  enjoy 
 among  us  is  the  whole  of  their  life,  and  that 
 they  have  no  future  exiftence.  Mr.  Locke  I 
 remember  in  his  Treatife  of  education  advifes 
 parents  to  let  their  children  have  as  many  birds, 
 fquirrels,  &c.  as  they  will,  for  he  thinks  the 
 care  they  take  of  them  will  give  a  tincture  of 
 humanity  to  their  minds.  And  by  the  way 
 Leonardo  da  Vinci,  the  famous  Florentine  painter, 
 could  not  bear  to  fee  a  bird  even  confined  in  a 
 
 cage, 
 
Dr.     ISAAC    WATTS.  465 
 
 cage,  and,  as  he  walked  along  the  ftreets,  would 
 purchafe  them,  and  fet  them  at  liberty. 
 
 It  is  obfervable  that  the  Supreme  Being  has 
 given  them  foch  perceptions  as  are  fuited  to  the 
 functions  of  their  lives,  and  the  different  places 
 of  their  refidence.  A  bee  is  in  its  element 
 while  hovering  over  a  parterre,  and  a  charnel 
 houfe  is  the  paradife  of  a  toad.  To  fome  the 
 moft  loathfome  flench  is  a  perfume,  and  others 
 naufeate  the  moft  grateful  odour  -,  'tis  the  hap- 
 pinefs  of  thefe  to  lie  balking  in  the  noon-day 
 fun,  of  thofe  to  hug  themfelves  in  duff  and 
 obfcurity. 
 
 The  moft  trivial  thing  in  nature  may  enter- 
 tain a  fpeculative  mind  with  many  an  agreeable 
 meditation.  What  wonderful  art  appears  in  a 
 bird's  nefl  ?  How  contemptible  is  the  very 
 mention  of  it,  and  yet  what  great  fagacity  ap- 
 pears in  its  make  ?  Not  only  every  fpecies 
 compofes  them  of  different  materials,  and  in  a 
 peculiar  plan,  but  each  conftantly  prefents  the 
 fame  form,  and  invariably  keeps  to  one  model. 
 Mr.  Addifon  has  obferved  this  before  me,  but 
 there  are  two  other  confiderations  which  fall 
 under  this  head  that  gentleman  has  not  noticed. 
 One  is  the  flrength  and  firmnefs  with  which 
 thofe  little  buildings  (if  I  may  fo  call  them) 
 are  made.  A  piece  of  architecture  founded  on 
 a  rock  is  not  more  fecure  than  the  bafis  of  a 
 bird's  neft,  which  is  fo  intricately  interwoven 
 with  the  branches  of  a  tree.  An  oak  may  be 
 riven  with  lightning  or  torn  up  with  an  hurri- 
 H  h  cane 
 
466  MEMOIRS    OF 
 
 cane  before  the  ftorm  fhall  be  able  to  diflodgc 
 the  neft. 
 
 The  other  confcderation  is,  they,  whofe 
 young  can  bear  the  feverity  of  the  cold,  or 
 where  they  would  perifh  by  being  expofed  to 
 the  feverity  of  the  weather,  accordingly  provide 
 for  their  offspring.  A  crow  brings  up  its  little 
 family  upon  the  fummit  of  an  elm,  while  a 
 fparrow  nurfes  her  tender  progeny  within  the 
 clofe  recefs  of  an  houfe-ridge. 
 
 The  organs  of  fight  in  fome  can  endure  and 
 take  delight  in  the  effulgence  of  the  fun,  and 
 others  cannot  bear  the  light ;  therefore  a  lark 
 never  builds  in  a  barn,  nor  an  owl  in  a  corn- 
 field. 
 
 Is  it  not  remarkable,  that  among  all  infects 
 the  bee  and  the  pifmire  fliould  be  fo  regardful 
 of  futurity,  and  fhew  fuch  indefatigable  induf- 
 try  in  laying  up  their  winter's  provision  ?  And 
 if  the  entrance  of  an  hive  is  guarded  by  proper 
 centinels  to  prevent  a  foreigner's  admiffion  to 
 the  community,  could  we  difcover  the  paffage  to 
 the  fubterraneous  kingdom  of  ants,  poffibly  we 
 might  find  the  like  policy  ufed  by  them,  and 
 the  fame  outguards  polled  before  their  fepa- 
 rate  dates.  Thofe  animals,  whofe  life  is 
 determined  to  a  fhort  period,  difcover  none 
 of  this  care,  for  in  them  it  would  not  only  be 
 ufelefs  but  burdenfbme..  Or  as  Mr,  Cowley 
 expreffes  it, 
 
 Wifely 
 
Dr.    ISAAC    WATTS'.  467 
 
 Wifely  the  ant  againft  poor  winter  hoards 
 The  ftock,  which  fummer's  wealth  affords, 
 In  grafshoppers,  that  muft.  at  autumn  die, 
 How  vain  were  fuch  an  induftry  ? 
 
 The  Supreme  Being  has  exerted  an  infinite 
 benevolence   towards   every  individual  of  his 
 creatures,  and  has  made  the  lives  of  all  eafy 
 and  pleafant  to  themfelves.     In   thofe  which 
 amphibioufly   fearch   their  food   by  land  and 
 water,  how  muft  it  have  obftructed  their  flight, 
 if  that  element  had  adhered    to  the  feathers 
 of  water-fowl  ?    Where  the  neceflity  of  their 
 lives  confines  them  to  places  which  muft  other- 
 wife  have  been  deftructive  to  them  how  has 
 their  Maker  fufficiently  guarded  them  from 
 thofe  injuries  ?     cc  God,    fays  Boerhaave^   left 
 cc  fifties  fhould  be  affected  by  the  fait  water 
 cc  which  furrounds  them,   has  placed  innume- 
 cc  rable  glands  in  their  fkins  which  fecrete  an 
 "  oil."     He  has  left  no  creature  unguarded 
 from  and  expofed   to  the   inclemency  of  the 
 weather,  but  each  carries  with  itfelf  a  fufrlcient 
 fhelter  from   the   cold.     Nay  this,   in  thofe  of 
 the  fame  fpecies,  is  proportioned  according  to 
 the  difference  of  the  climate  they  inhabit.  The 
 fkin    of  hares    is    remarkably    thicker  in   the 
 northern  than  the  font  hern  parts  of  England. 
 
 I  think  this  moral,  Sir,  may  naturally  be 
 drawn  from  what  I  have  mentioned.  If  the 
 Supreme  Being  has  ftiown  fuch  extenfive  bene- 
 volence tov/ards  this  inferior  rank  of  his  crea- 
 tion, and  if  he  has  given  them  all  fatisfaction 
 H  h  1  and 
 
468  MEMOIRS     OF 
 
 and  pleafure  in  their  own  momentary  life,  what 
 unknown  and  fuperior  joy  mufl  he  have  re- 
 ierved  for  man,  whole  exiflence  is  not  confined 
 to  time  and  this  world,  but  whofe  duration  he 
 has  defigned  ihall  meafure  with  eternity  ?  And 
 on  the  contrary  how  dreadful  will  be  the  effects 
 of  his  vengeance  on  thofe  incorrigible  wretches 
 who  take  no  care  to  pleafe  him,  and  live,  as  it 
 were,  in  defiance  of  his  wrath,  when  they  fhall 
 have  an  angred  Omnipotence  by  which  to  be 
 punifhed,  and  an  everlafling  ftate  in  which  to 
 endure  thofe  punifhments  ?  Thefe  are  but  a  fmall 
 part  of  his  works,  but  the  thunder  of  his  power  who 
 can  underjiand! 
 
 Sir,  as  foon  as  I  was  fettled  here  I  wrote  to 
 my  mother  to  defire  Mr.  Price  at  the  clofe  of  the 
 then  next  fucceeding  facrament  to  offer  up  my 
 thanks  to  God  for  my  fafe  arrival  here,  but  I 
 find  ihe  had  anticipated  me  herein,  and,  before 
 that  letter  came,  had  already  fent  to  him  on 
 that  account.  You  will  pleafe,  Sir,  to  prefent 
 my  humble  fervice  to  him,  in  whofe,  and  in 
 your  own  prayers  I  beg  I  may  be  remembered, 
 and  hope  I  inall  ever  be  enabled  lb  to  behave 
 myfclf  that  through  me  no  fcandal  fhall  fall  on 
 the  profefiion  I  have  made,  or  on  the  religion 
 of  my  Saviour.  I  am,  Sir, 
 Your  molt  obliged 
 
 And  mod  humble  Servant, 
 
 R.  Porter, 
 
 Sir, 
 
Dr.     ISAAC     WATTS.  469 
 
 Sir,  you  will  believe  me  when  I  fay  I 
 mail  be  glad  to  receive  a  letter  from  Mr. 
 Watts.  If  you  can  ever  find  leifure  for  this, 
 I  hope  it  will  come  fafe  to  me  at  Mr.  John 
 Frafenburgh\  upon  the  Long  Bridge  in  Leyden, 
 Holland. 
 
 N.  B.  The  ingenious  gentleman  who  wrote 
 the  above  letter  was  a  member  of  the  Doftorys 
 church. 
 
 Hh3 
 
1   47*    J 
 
 APPENDIX- 
 
 No  I. 
 ^CATALOGUE  of  his  WRITINGS. 
 
 IN     DIVINITY. 
 
 I.  CERMONS  on  various  Subjects,  Divine 
 and  Moral,  with  a  Sacred  Hymn  fuited 
 to  each  Subject ;  defigned  for  the  Ufe  of  Chrif- 
 tian  Families,  as  well  as  for  the  Hours  of  de- 
 vout Retirement. 
 
 2.  A  Guide  to  Prayer,  or  a  free  and  rational 
 Account  of  the  Gift,  Grace,  and  Spirit  of 
 Prayer,  with  plain  Directions  how  every  Chris- 
 tian may  attain  them. 
 
 3.  The  Chriftian  Doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  or 
 Father,  Son,  and  Spirit  three  Perfons  and  one 
 God  afiferted  and  proved,  with  their  divine 
 Rights  and  Honours  vindicated  by  plain  Evi- 
 dence of  Scripture  without  the  Aid  or  Encum- 
 brance of  human  Schemes. 
 
 4.  Seven  Dififertations  relating  to  the  Chrif- 
 tian Doctrine  of  the  Trinity  in  two  Parts. 
 
 5.  Death  and  Heaven,  or  the  lad  Enemy 
 conquered,  and  feparate  Spirits  made  perfect, 
 
 H  h  4  attempted 
 
472  APPENDIX. 
 
 attempted  in  two  funeral  Difcourfes  in  Memory 
 of  Sir  John  Hartopp  Baronet,  and  his  Lady. 
 
 6.  A  Defence  againft  the  Temptations  to 
 Self-murder,  wherein  the  criminal  Nature  and 
 Guilt  of  it  are  difplayed ;  together  with  fome 
 Reflections  on  Excefs  in  ftrong  Liquors,  Duel- 
 ling, and  other  Practices  akin  to  this  heinous 
 Sin. 
 
 7.  A  Caveat  againft  Infidelity,  or  the  Danger 
 of  Apoflacy  from  the  Chriflian  Faith  -,  with  an 
 Anfwer  to  fome  Queries  concerning  the  Salva- 
 tion of  the  Heathens,  and  the  Hope  of  the 
 modern  Deifts  upon  Pretences  to  Sincerity. 
 
 8.  The  Strength  and  Weaknefs  of  Human 
 Reafon,  or  the  important  Quefcion  about  the 
 Sufficiency  of  Reafon  to  conduct  Mankind  to 
 Religion  and  future  Happinefs,  argued  be- 
 tween an  Inquiring  Deift  and  a  Chriflian  Di- 
 vine, and  the  Debate  compromifed  and  deter- 
 mined to  the  Satisfaction  of  both. 
 
 9.  An  humble  Attempt  towards  the  Revival 
 of  practical  Religion  among  Chriflians,  and 
 particularly  the  Proteftant  Diffenters,  by  a  feri- 
 ous  Addrefs  to  Miniflers  and  People,  in  fome 
 occafional  Difcourfes. 
 
 10.  Difcourfes  on  the  Love  of  God,  and  the 
 Ufc  and  Abufe  of  the  PafTions  in  Religion;  with 
 a  devout  Meditation  annexed  to  each  Dif- 
 courfe. 
 
 1 1 .  The  Redeemer  and  the  Sanctifier,  or  the 
 Sacrifice  of  Chrift,  and  the  Operations  of  the 
 Spirit  vindicated,  with  a  free  Debate   about 
 
 the 
 
APPENDIX.  473 
 
 the  Importance  of  thofe  Doctrines  reprefented 
 in  a  friendly  Converfation  between  Perfons  of 
 different  Sentiments. 
 
 12.  The  Holinefs  of  Times,  Places,  and 
 People  under  the  Jewj/b  and  Chrifiian  Difpen- 
 iations  confidered  and  compared  in  feveral 
 Difcourfes  on  the  Sabbath,  the  Temple, 
 Churches,  Meeting-houfes,  &c. 
 
 13.  A  Book  of  Catechifms,  complete,  con- 
 taining (1)  A  Difcourfe  of  Catechifms,  how  to 
 write  and  judge  of  them.  (2)  The  firft  Set  of 
 Catechifms  and  Prayers  for  young  Children  of 
 Four  or  Five  Years  of  Age.  (3)  The  fecond 
 Set  of  Catechifms  and  Prayers  for  Children  of 
 Eight  or  Nine  Years  of  Age.  (4)  The  Affem- 
 bly's  Catechifm  with  Notes  for  Children  of 
 Ten  or  Twelve  Years  of  Age.  (5)  A  Pre- 
 fervative  from  the  Sins  and  Follies  of  Child- 
 hood and  Youth,  written  by  Way  of  Queftion 
 and  Anfwer ;  to  which  is  added  a  large  Cata- 
 logue of  remarkable  Scripture  Names  collected 
 for  the  Ufe  of  Children. 
 
 14.  Prayers  compofed  for  the  Ufe  and  Imi- 
 tation of  Children  fuited  to  their  different  Ages, 
 and  their  various  Occafions,  together  with  In- 
 ductions to  Youth  in  the  Duty  of  Prayer, 
 drawn  up  by  way  of  Queftion  and  Anfwer,  and 
 a  ferious  Addrefs  to  them  on  that  Subject. 
 
 15.  A  fliort  View  of  the  whole  Scripture- 
 Hi  ftory,  with  a  Continuation  of  the  Jewifh 
 Affairs  from  the  End  of  the  Old  Teftament  to 
 the  Coming  of  Chrift,  illuftrated  with  various 
 
 Remarks 
 
47v  APPENDIX. 
 
 Remarks  on  the  Laws,  Government,  Sects, 
 Cuftoms,  and  Writings  of  the  Jews,  and 
 adorned  with  Figures. 
 
 1 6.  Humility  reprefented  in  the  Character 
 of  $f,  Paul,  the  chief  Springs  of  it  opened, 
 and  its  various  Advantages  difplayed,  together 
 with  fome  occafional  Views  of  the  contrary 
 Vice. 
 
 17.  Self-love  and  Virtue  reconciled  only  by 
 Religion,  or  an  EfTay  to  prove  that  the  only 
 effectual  Obligation  of  Mankind  to  practife 
 Virtue  depends  on  the  Exiilence  and  Will  of 
 God,  together  with  an  occafional  Proof  of  the 
 Neceffity  of  Revelation. 
 
 18.  The  World  to  come,  or  Difcourfes  on 
 the  Joys  and  Sorrows  of  departed  Souls  at 
 Death,  and  the  Glory  or  Terror  of  the  Refur- 
 rection,  to  which  is  prefixed  an  Effay  towards 
 the  Proof  of  a  feparate  State  of  Souls  after 
 Death. 
 
 10.  The  Ruin  and  Recovery  of  Mankind ; 
 or  an  Attempt  to  vindicate  the  Scriptural  Ac- 
 count  of  thefe    great  Events  upon  the   plain 
 Principles  of  Reafon  ;  with  an  An fwer  to  va- 
 rious Difficulties  relating  to  original  Sin,  the 
 univerfal  Depravation  of  Nature,  and  the  over- 
 fpreading  Curfe   of  Death ;  general  Offers  of 
 Grace  to  all  Men,  and  the  certain  Salvation  of 
 fome ;  the  Cafe  of  the  Heathen  Nations,  and 
 the  State  of  dying  Infants.    To  which  are  fub- 
 joined  Three  fhort  Effays,  namely,  the  Proof 
 3  °f 
 
APPENDIX.  r5 
 
 of  Man's  Fall  by  his  Mifery ;  the  Imputation 
 of  Sin  and  Righteoufnefs ;  and  the  Guilt  and 
 Defilement  of  Sin. 
 
 20.  The  Harmony  of  all  the  Religions  which 
 God  ever  prefcribed,  containing  a  brief  Survey 
 of  the  feveral  public  Difpenfations  of  God  to- 
 wards Man,  or  his  Appointment  of  different 
 Forms  of  Religion  in  fucceffive  Ages,  humbly 
 propofed  as  an  eafy  Clue  to  lead  us  through 
 many  Difficulties  of  the  Old  Teftament,  and 
 the  New,  and  particularly  to  explain  and  re- 
 concile the  feveral  Parts  of  St.  Paul's  Epiftles 
 on  thefe  Subjects  to  every  Capacity. 
 
 21.  Orthodoxy  and  Charity  united  in  feveral 
 reconciling  EfTay  s  on  the  Law  and  Gofpel, 
 Faith  and  Works,  namely,  EiTay  ifl,  The 
 Subftance  or  Matter  of  the  Gofpel.  EfTay  2d, 
 The  Form  of  the  Gofpel.  EfTay  3d,  The  Ufe 
 of  the  Law  under  the  Gofpel.  EfTay  4th,  Mif- 
 taken  Ways  of  coming  to  God  without  ChrifL 
 EfTay  5th,  A  plain  and  eafy  Account  of  Saving 
 Faith,  or  coming  to  God  by  Jefus  Chrift. 
 EfTay  6th,  A  Reconciling  Thought  on  various 
 Controverfies  about  Faith  and  Salvation. 
 EfTay  7th,  Againft  Uncharitablenefs.  EfTay 
 8th,  The  Difficulties  in  Scripture,  and  the  dif- 
 ferent Opinions  of  Chriftians.  EfTay  9th, 
 An  Apology  for  Chriftians  of  different  Senti- 
 ments. 
 
 21.  The  rational  Foundation  of  a  ChrHtian 
 Church,  and  the  Terms  of  Chriftian  Commu- 
 nion 3  to  which  are  added  Three  Difcourfes, 
 
 namely, 
 
476  APPENDIX. 
 
 namely,  A  Pattern  for  a  DifTenting  Preacher; 
 the  Office  of  Deacons  •,  and  Invitations  to 
 Church-fellowfhip. 
 
 22.  Ufeful  and  important  Queftions  con- 
 cerning Jefus  the  Son  freely  propoled  -,  with 
 an  humble  Attempt  to  anfwer  them  according 
 to  Scripture. 
 
 23.  The  glory  of  Chrift  as  God-Man  dif- 
 played  in  Three  Difcourfes.  Difcourfe  ift,  A 
 Survey  of  the  vifible  Appearances  of  Chrift  as 
 God  before  his  Incarnation,  with  fome  Obfer- 
 vations  on  the  Texts  of  the  Old  Teftament 
 applied  to  Chrift.  Difcourfe  2d,  An  Inquiry 
 into  the  extenfive  Powers  of  the  Human  Na- 
 ture of  Chrift  in  its  prefent  glorified  State, 
 with  feveral  Teftimonies  annexed.  Difcourfe 
 3d,  An  Argument  tracing  out  the  early  Exift- 
 ence  of  the  Human  Soul  of  Chrift,  even  before 
 the  Creation  of  the  World.  With  an  Appen- 
 dix containing  an  Abridgment  of  Doctor 
 Thomas  Goodwin's  Difcourfe  of  the  cc  Glories 
 "  and  Royalties  of  Chrift,"  in  his  Works  in 
 Folio,  Vol.  ii.  B.  3. 
 
 24.  Evangelical  Difcourfes  on  feveral  Sub- 
 jects ;  to  which  is  added  an  EfTay  on  the  Powers 
 and  Contefts  of  Flefh  and  Spirit. 
 
 25.  A  Sermon  preached  at  S  alters -hall  to  the 
 Societies  for  Reformation  of  Manners  in  the 
 Cities  of  London  and  Wefiminfter^  OElober  6, 
 1707. 
 
 26.  The  religious  Improvement  of  public 
 Events,  a  Sermon  preached  at  Bury-ftreet,  June 
 
 4  18, 
 
APPENDIX.  477 
 
 1 8,  1727,  onOccafion  of  the  Death  of  George  the 
 Firft,  and  the  peaceful  SuccefTion  of  George  the 
 Second. 
 
 27.  Several  Sermons  in  the  Bury- fir eet  Col- 
 lection of  Difcourfes  preached  by  feveral  Mi- 
 nifters.  Sermon  I.  The  Knowledge  of  God 
 by  the  Light  of  Nature,  together  with  the 
 Ufesofit,  and  its  Defects.  Sermon  II.  God's 
 Election  of  a  People  for  himfelf  among  Men, 
 and  giving  them  to  his  Son  in  the  Covenant 
 of  Redemption.  Sermon  III.  The  Excel- 
 lency and  Advantages  of  the  Chriftian  Difpen- 
 fation  with  the  Invitations  and  Promifes  of  the 
 Gofpel.  Sermon  IV.  The  Exaltation  of  Chrift 
 to  his  Kingdom,  and  his  fending  down  the 
 Holy  Spirit.  Sermon  V.  The  perpetual  Ob- 
 ligation of  the  moral  Lav/,  the  Evil  of  Sin, 
 and  its  Defert  of  Puniihment.  Sermon  VI. 
 The  Lord's  Day,  or  Chriftian  Sabbath.  Ser- 
 mon VII.  Chriftian  Baptifm.  Sermon  VIII. 
 Chriftian  Diligence  with  the  Blefiings  that  at- 
 tend it,  in  Oppofition  to  Sloth,  Security,  Back- 
 Hiding,  &c.  Sermon  IX.  Chriftian  Fellow- 
 fhip,  with  its  Duties  and  Advantages. 
 
 28.  Queftions  proper  for  Students  in  Di- 
 vinity, Candidates  of  the  Miniftry,  and  young 
 Chriftians,  to  be  propofed  to  them  by  them- 
 felves  or  others. 
 
 29.  A  fliort  EfTay  towards  the  Improvement 
 of  Pfalmody,  or  an  Inquiry  how  the  Pfalms  of 
 David  ought  to  be  tranflated  into  Chriftian 
 Songs,  and  how  lawful  and  necefTary  it  is  to 
 compofe  other  Hymns  according  to  the  clearer 
 
 Revelation 
 
478  A    P    P    E    N    D    I    X. 
 
 Revelation   of  the  Gofpel,  for  the  Ufe  of  the 
 Chriftian  Church. 
 
 IN     POETRY. 
 
 30.  Hor<c  Lyrics  ;  Poems  chiefly  of  the  Ly- 
 ric Kind,  in  three  Books.  Book  I.  Sacred  to 
 Devotion  and  Piety.  Book  II.  Sacred  to  Vir- 
 tue, Honour  and  Friendfhip.  Book  III.  Sa- 
 cred to  the  Memory  of  the  Dead. 
 
 31.  The  Pfalms  of  David  imitated  in    the 
 ;uageof  the  New  Teftament,  and  applied 
 
 to  the  Chriftian  State  and  Worfhip. 
 
 32.  Hymns  and  fpiritual  Songs,  in  three 
 Books.  The  firft  collected  from  the  Scrip- 
 tures. The  fecond  compofed  on  divine  Sub- 
 jects. The  third  prepared  for  the  Lord'sSupper. 
 
 2^.  Divine  Songs  attempted  in  eafy  Lan  • 
 guage   for  the  Ufe  of  Children. 
 
 ON    VARIOUS    SUBJECTS. 
 
 34.  Logic,  or  the  right  Ufe  of  Reafon  in 
 the  Inquiry  after  Truth,  with  a  Variety  of 
 Rules  to  guard  againft  Error  in  the  Affairs  of 
 Religion  and  human  Life  as  well  as  in  the 
 Sciences. 
 
 35.  The  Improvement  of  the  Mind,  or  a 
 Supplement  to  the  Art  of  Logic,  containing  a 
 Variety  of  Remarks  and  Rules  for  the  Attain- 
 ment and  Communication  of  ufeful  Know- 
 ledge in  Religion,  in  the  Sciences,  and  in 
 common  Life.  In  two  Parts.  The  firft  con- 
 taining Remarks  and  Rules  for  the  Attainment 
 of  ufeful  Knowledge  j  and  the  fecond  Remarks 
 
 and 
 
APPENDIX.  479 
 
 and    Rules     for    its    Communication  to   others. 
 N.  B.  The  two  Parts  are  in  two  Volumes. 
 
 36.  A  Difcourfe  on  the  Education  of  Chil- 
 dren and  Youth. 
 
 37.  The  Knowledge  of  the  Heavens  and 
 the  Earth  made  eafy,  or  the  firfl  Principles  of 
 Aftronomy  and  Geography  explained  by  the 
 Ufe  of  the  Globes  and  Maps ;  with  a  Solution 
 of  the  common  Problems  by  a  plain  Scale 
 and  Compares  as  well  as  by  the  Globe.  Writ- 
 ten for  the  Ufe  of  Learners. 
 
 38.  Philofophical  Effays  on  various  Sub- 
 jects, namely,  Space,  Subftance,  Body,  Spi- 
 rit, the  Operations  of  the  Soul  in  Union  with 
 the  Body,  innate  Ideas,  perpetual  Confciouf- 
 nefs,  Place  and  Motion  of  Spirits,  the  depart- 
 ing Soul,  the  Refurrection  of  the  Body,  the 
 Production  and  Operation  of  Plants  and  Ani- 
 mals, with  fome  Remarks  on  Mr.  Locke's  Ef- 
 fay  on  the  Human  Understanding.  To  which 
 is  fubjoined  a  brief  Scheme  of  Ontology,  or 
 the  Science  of  Being  in  general  with  its  Affec- 
 tions. 
 
 39.  The  Art  of  Reading  and  Writing  Eng» 
 lifh  j  or  the  chief  Principles  and  Rules  of  pro- 
 nouncing our  Mbther-Tongue,  with  a  Va- 
 riety of  Instructions  for  true  Spelling. 
 
 40.  The  Doctrine  of  the  Paflions  explained 
 and  improved ;  or  a  brief  and  comprehenfive 
 Scheme  of  the  natural  Affections  of  Mankind, 
 and  an  Account  of  their  Names,  Nature,  Ap- 
 pearances, Effects,  and  different  Ufes  in  hu- 
 man- 
 
48o  APPENDIX. 
 
 man  Life  ,  to  which  are  fubjoined  moral  and 
 divine  Rules  for  the  Regulation  or  Govern- 
 ment of  them. 
 
 41.  Reliquiae  Juveniles ;  Mifcellaneous 
 Thoughts  in  Profe  and  Verfe  on  natural,  mo- 
 ral and  divine  Subjects.  Written  chiefly  in 
 younger  Years. 
 
 42.  Remnants  of  Time  employed  in  Profe 
 and  Verfe,  or  fliort  EfTays  and  Compofures  on 
 various  Subjects. 
 
 43.  An  ErTay  on  the  Freedom  of  the  Will 
 in  God  and  in  Creatures,  and  on  various  Sub- 
 jects connected  therewith,  namely,  The  Ideas 
 of  Liberty  and  Neceflity  -y  the  Caufes  of  the 
 Determination  of  the  Will  3  -the  Ufe  of  the 
 Underftanding  to  direct,  not  determine  it  j 
 the  Liberty  of  God  as  a  Creator,  a  Governor, 
 and  a  Benefactor  ,  the  Doctrine  of  Fatality ; 
 the  Spring  of  moral  Good  and  Evil,  the  Dif- 
 ference between  moral  and  pofitive  Laws ; 
 the  Sin  and  Fall  of  Man,  and  the  free  Grace 
 of  God  -y  the  Rewardablenefs  of  Faith  in  the 
 Gofpel,  and  the  criminal  Nature  of  Infidelity. 
 
 44.  An  EfTay  on  Civil  Power  in  Things  fa- 
 cred,  or  an  Inquiry  after  an  eilablimed  Reli- 
 gion confident  with  the  juft  Liberties  of  Man- 
 kind, and  practicable  under  every  Form  of 
 civil  Government. 
 
 45.  An  EfTay  towards  the  Encouragement 
 of  Charity-fchools,  particularly  thofe  which 
 are  fupported  by  Trot  eft  ant  Diftenters  for  teach- 
 ing  the   Children  of  the  Poor    to   read   and 
 
 work, 
 
APPENDIX.  481 
 
 work,  together  with  fome  Apology  for  thofe 
 Schools  which  inftfuft  them  to  write  a  plain 
 Hand  and  fit  them  for  Service,  or  for  the 
 meaner  Trades  and  Labours  of  Life;  to  which 
 is  prefixed  an  Add  re  is  to  the  Supporters  of 
 thofe  Schools. 
 
 No.  II. 
 
 A  Collection  of  Poems,  lately  publifhed  under  the 
 Title  of  the  Doctor's  Pofthumous  Works, 
 jhown  to  have  been  already  publifhed,  or  to  have 
 been  falfely  afcribed  to  him. 
 
 THE  above  catalogue  contains  a  genuine 
 account,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to 
 colled  it,  of  Br,  Waftf\  works.  True  it  is  that 
 two  volumes  in  octavo  have  appeared  not  a  year 
 fince,  entitled,  The  Pofthumous  Works  of  the  late 
 Reverend  and  Learned  Isaac  Watts,  D.  D.  faid 
 to  be  compiled  from  papers  in  poffeffion  of  hi: 
 immediate  fucceftfors,  and  to  be  adjufted  and  publifloed 
 by  a  gentleman  of  the  univerfity  of  Cambridge* 
 and  it  may  be  expected  in  an  attempt  to  far* 
 nifh  a  complete 'lift  of  his  compofitions  that 
 fome  notice  fnould  be  taken  of -them. 
 
 To  the  fir  ft  volume  is  prefixed  an  account  of 
 his  life  and  character  -,  next  follow  in  great  abun- 
 dance what  are  called  hymns  and  fpiritual  fongs, 
 filling  up  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  pages, 
 and  above  fifty  more  are  employed  in  what  are 
 fly  led  Tranjlations,  that  is  Englifi  verfions  of  par- 
 ticular paffages  or  poems  of  Latin  and  Greek 
 writers,  and  with  thefe  the  volume  is  com- 
 I  i  pleted. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 pleted.  The  other  volume  is  made  up  of 
 letters  to  and  from  the  Dotlor,  and  five  fer- 
 mcns  afcribed  to  him.  In  juftice  to  him  I 
 feel  myfelf  conftrained  to  declare  to  the 
 world  that  the  poems  in  the  firft  volume  under 
 the  title  of  Hymns  and  Jpiritual  Songs  either 
 cannot  with  truth  be  faid  to  be  his  pojlhumous 
 works,  or  that  they  are  the  compofures  of  fome 
 other  perfon.  As  to  what  pieces  in  the  col- 
 lection cannot  be  truly  faid  to  be  the  Doflor's 
 pofthumous  works  they  are  the  firft  nine  in  the 
 volume,  which  may  be  met  with  in  general 
 to  much  greater  advantage  in  his  Hymns,  though, 
 it  is  granted  that  one  of  the  number  is  taken 
 word  for  word  from  them.  It  is  obfervable 
 alfo  that  part  of  two  of  his  Hymns^  one  entitled 
 Delight  in  God  (B.  ii.  Hymn  42.)  and  another 
 called  The  rich  Sinner  dying,  (B.  i.  Hymn  24.)  are 
 mo  ft  abfurdly  blended  together,  and  formed 
 into  one,  though  the  firft  is  evidently  in  common 
 and  the  fecond  in  -long  metre  *  and  the  fubjecls  of 
 them  are  the  reinotelt  diftance  from  each  other. 
 As  to  the  great  number  of  other  pieces, 
 more  than  fixty,  and  fome  very  long  ones, 
 printed  under  the  title  of  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
 Songs,  I  am  very  certain  they  never  were  com- 
 pofed  by  the  Doclor,  were  it  only  for  this  in- 
 ternal reafon  that  the  marks  of  his  fublime,  en- 
 raptured Mufe  are  not  to  be  found  in  them,  and 
 that  they  maniteftly  fall  far,  far  below  the  dig- 
 nity of  his  verfe.  Even  the  embers  of  old  age, 
 on  fuppofition  that  the  poems  were  written  by 
 
 5  him 
 
APPENDIX.  483 
 
 ■him  at  that  period  of  life,  would  furely  have 
 difcovered  ibmething  of  the  poetic  fire  he  once 
 pofTefTed,  but  where  is  there  fo  much  as  one 
 glimmering  fpark  of  it  to  be  difcovered?  or  at 
 leafl  where  is  there  a  fingle  piece  in  the  whole 
 NLifcellany  that  can,  in  point  of  poetical  merit, 
 fland  a  moment's  comparifon  with  thofe  which 
 are  unquefcionably  his  own  ?  I  can  truly  affirm 
 that  I  have  not  as  yet  met  with  fo  much  as 
 a  fingle  perfon  acquainted  with  Dr.  JVatis\ 
 writings  who  has  been  at  the  leafl  difficulty  in 
 determining  his  opinion  that  the  poems  attri- 
 buted to  him  in  the  late  publication  were  never 
 his  compofition,  but  that  they  muil  have  ori- 
 ginated from  fome  ether  perfon. 
 
 I  have  further  to  obferve  that*  it  may  be 
 about  three  or  four  years  before  his  deceafe* 
 perhaps  not  fo  much,  he  repeated  to  me  his 
 Epigram  upon  the  fight  of  an  Elegy  written  by  the 
 Countefs  of  Hartford  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Rowe> 
 as  one  of  the  lail,  if  not  the  very  lad,  if  my 
 memory  does  not  fail  me,  of  his  attempts  in 
 poetry,  and  accordingly  this  epigram  bears  a 
 date  given  under  his  own  hand  *  nearer  the 
 time  of  his  death  than  the  date  of  any  one  of 
 his  poems  befides.  Thefe  verfes  were  written 
 by  him  eleven  years  before  he  left  our  world. 
 What  then  becomes  of  the  pretenflon  of  the 
 '■  '  ■  1 
 
 *  See  his  Remnants  of  Time  employed  in  Profe  and  Verfe, 
 publifhed  after  his  Deceafe  by  Dr.  Jennings  and  Dr.  Dod- 
 dridge, to  whom  he  had  bequeathed  the  care  of  his  papers. 
 
 I  i  a  poems 
 
484  A    P    P    E    N    D    I    X. 
 
 poems  in  Br.  Watts *s  Pojlhumous  Works,  as  they 
 are  called,  to  authenticity,  which  are  laid  to 
 be  compofed  by  him  on  his  arrival  at  fixty-five 
 years  of  age>  two  years  beyond  the  above 
 date>  and  another  in  his  feventy-  firft  year,  that 
 is  about  fix  or  feven  years  after  he  wrote  the 
 epigram  in  honour  of  her  Ladyfhip  ? 
 
 It  may  be  further  worthy  of  notice  that  in 
 his  Mifcellaneous  Thoughts  in  Profc  and  Verfe, 
 publifhed  when  he  was  not  quite  fixty  years  of 
 age,  we  find  twelve  whole  pages  taken  up  in 
 what  he  ftyles  Epigrams,  Infcriptions,  and  Frag- 
 ments of  Poefy,  Now  is  it  probable  the  B  oft  or 
 would  thus  induftrioufly  collect  his  little  pieces 
 in  verfe,  fome  of  them  of  not  above  two  lines, 
 and  fupprefs  the  elegy  on  his  filler's  death  of 
 no  lefs  than  fixty,  which  is  given  in  the  late 
 publication  as  his  awn  compolure,  and  which, 
 if  it  were  his  production,  muft  have  lain  by 
 him,  when  he  printed  his  Mifcellanies,  above 
 forty  years  ?  Would  not  alfo  the  ode  on  the 
 return  of  King  William  confiding  of  fifty  lines, 
 which  we  find  in  thefe  Pojlhumous  Worksr  as 
 they  are  entitled,  afcribed  to  him,  have  been 
 long  ago  communicated  by  himfelf  to  the 
 world,  if  he  had  in  truth  been  the  author  of 
 
 it 
 
 *  ? 
 
 It 
 
 *  Was  this  ode  in  particular  compared  with  the  verfes  of 
 the  Doflor  in  honour  of  King  William  in  his  Hera  Lyric*  I 
 am  perfuadcd  there  would  appear  fuch  a  manifeft  difparity 
 
 between 
 
APPENDIX.  485 
 
 lt  may  be  further  remarked,  that  in  the  re- 
 cent publication  there  is  an  elegy,  as  we  have 
 juft  now  obferved,  though  for  another  reafon, 
 faid  to  be  written  by  the  Botlor  on  the  death  of 
 
 his 
 
 between  them  as  would  convince  every  intelligent  reader 
 that  the  author  of  the  nrflpoem,  and  more  efpecially  nearly 
 at  lead,  it  may  be  at  the  very  fame  period  of  life,  could 
 never  have  been  the  author  of  the  laft.  Specimens  of  the 
 two  poems  mall  be  given,  as  I  am  certain  they  will  form  a 
 mod  linking  contrail:.  In  the  Doftor's  verfes  in  honour  of 
 King  William  in  his  Lyric  Odes  we  meet  with  the  following 
 lines : 
 
 O  could  my  thoughts  but  grafp  the  vaft  defign, 
 And  words  with  infinite  ideas  join, 
 I'd  roufe  Apelles  from  his  iron  fleep, 
 And  bid  him  trace  the  warrior  o'er  the  deep. 
 Trace  him,  Apelles,  o'er  the  Belgian  plain,  j 
 
 Fierce  how  he  climbs  the  mountains  of  the  flain,  > 
 
 Scattering  juft  vengeance  through  the  red  campaign  :      J 
 Then  dafh  the  canvafs  with  a  flying  ftroke 
 Till  it  be  loft  in  clouds  of  fire  and  fmoke, 
 And  fay  'twas  thus  the  conqueror  through  the  fquadrons 
 
 broke : 
 Mark  him  again  emerging  from  the  cloud 
 Far  from  his  troops :  there  like  a  rock  he  flood, 
 His  country's  fingle  barrier  in  a  fea  of  blood. 
 Calmly  he  leaves  the  pleafures  of  a  throne, 
 And  his  Maria  weeping,  while  alone 
 He  wards  the  fate  of  nations,  and  provokes  his  ow 
 But  heav'n  fecures  its  champion  ;  o'er  the  field 
 Paint  hov'ring  angels  ;  though  they  fly  conceal'd 
 Each  intercepts  a  death,  and  wears  it  on  his  fhield. 
 
 In  the  Ode  on  the  Return  of  King  William  imitated  from 
 Horace,  B.  iv.  Od.  2.  which  this  »w  publication  afcribes 
 to  the  Do&or,  are  the  two  following  ftanzas. 
 
 li  3  As 
 
 J 
 
486  APPENDIX. 
 
 his  lifter  Elizabeth  Watts,  who  deceafed  Nov. 
 ii,  1691,  aged  two  years.  Now,  though  it  is 
 true  that  he  had  at  that  time  begun  to  compofe 
 in  poetry,  as  appears  from  the  Latin  Ode  ad- 
 dreffed  to  his  brother  Enoch  Watts  in  an  earlier 
 month  in  the  fame  year  (fee  page  the  64th  of 
 our  work),  and  that  therefore  there  can  be  no 
 objection  taken  from  the  date  againft  the  Doc- 
 tor's being  the  writer  of  the  elegy,  yet  his 
 young  Mufe,  if  fhe  had  chofen  fuch  a  very 
 tender  and  mournful  fubjecl,  would  undoubt- 
 
 As  you  have  feen  the  painful  bee,  that  roves 
 About  the  woods,  the  flow'ry  banks,  and  groves 
 To  gather  fragrant  thyme, 
 So  unambitious  I 
 With  much  laborious  induflry 
 Perhaps  may  hammer  out  a  grateful  rhyme  : 
 Eut  let  fome  greater  poet  fing 
 The  honours  of  a  Britijh  King 
 When  he  (hall  lead  the  captive  French  along 
 Through  WeJIminfter  attended  with  a  noble  throng. 
 
 The  bounteous  Gods  could  ne'er  bellow 
 A  greater  gift  on  men, 
 No,  though  the  golden  age  returns  again, 
 And  ilreams  of  milk  and  wine  in  ev'ry  channel  flow. 
 
 Sing  of  the  joyful  merry  day, 
 
 The  city-fport,  and  public  play 
 fl  t  ErjhpuPs  mighty  monarch's  fafe  return  ; 
 
 As  welcome  as  the  long'd-for  fun, 
 
 When  blufl'ring  florins  are  pall  and  gone  ; 
 Then  mall  my  humble  Mufe  attend  the  joyful  choir, 
 
 And  in  the  facred  chorus  join  : 
 IF  they  can  hear  fo  mean  a  thing  as  mine 
 f  11  tune  the  firings,  and  ftrike  the  warbling  lyre. 
 
 edly 
 
APPENDIX.  487 
 
 edly  have  clothed  her  verfe  with  the  deeped 
 gloom,  and  mod  iolemn  pomp  of  melancholy, 
 and  poured  out  the  mod  melodious  drains^  of 
 ibrrow,  fuch  as  we  nnd  in  the  elegies  compofed 
 not  many  years  after  on  the  deaths  of  Mr.  Gouge 
 and  Mr.  Gunfton,  whereas,  indead  of  any  fuch 
 powers  of  verfe,  and  driking  images  of  woe, 
 the  lines  creep  on  in  one  low,  heavy  uni- 
 formity, of  which  the  firft  danza  may  ferve  as 
 a  fpecimen. 
 
 And  has  fhe  left  us  too?  Dear  infant !  What 
 But  two  fhort  years,  and  fcarcely  that  ? 
 
 Could  nothing,  nothing  here  commend  thy  fiay  ? 
 
 Could  eager  paflion  brook  no  fmall  delay  ? 
 
 What  flames  of  longing  love  did  thus  extend 
 Thy  wings,  or  move  thy  hairy  feet? 
 
 A  mile  or  two  and  then  at  journey's  end  ! 
 
 Methinks  a  little  travel  in  the  way 
 Should  make  thy  home  more  pleafant,  and  thy  red  more 
 fweet. 
 
 The  above  confiderations  have  forced  my  con- 
 viction that  the  poems  called  Hymns  and  Spiritual 
 Songs  attributed  to  Br.  Watts  in  this  late  publi- 
 cation were  not  written  by  him,  except  the  fird 
 nine,  which  I  have  ihown  to  be  taken  from  his 
 Book  of  Hymns.  In  the  fame  light  and  for 
 the  like  reafon  I  confider  the  other  poetical 
 pieces  in  the  fame  volume  dyled  Tranjlations , 
 in  which  there  is  no  kind  of  intrinfic  defert 
 that  allows  me  to  imagine  that  he  could  be  the 
 author  of  them,  excq)t  the  verfes  to  the  Coun- 
 tefs  of  Sunderland)  which  were  unquedionably 
 I  i  4  his, 
 
4SS  A    P    P    E    N    D    I    X. 
 
 his  production,  but  which  are  mod  improperly 
 infcrted  under  the  article  of  Tranjlations  in  the 
 lame  Mifcdhny. 
 
 Should  it  be  inquired  if  the  poems 
 laid  to  be  the  Bettor's  Pojlhumous  Works 
 were  not  his  who  may  be  fuppofed  to  be 
 the  author  of  them  ?  My  anfwer  is  that  they 
 were  mod  probably  written  by  his  father, 
 a  man  of  eminent  piety  and  virtue,  (fee  the 
 marginal  note  in  our  fir  ft  chapter)  but  who 
 pofTeffed  no  confiderable  talents  as  a  poet, 
 and  who  never,  as  far  as  I  have  learned,  made 
 any  pretenfions  to  them,  but  innocently  amufed 
 himfelf  in  his  intervals  of  leifure  in  putting  his 
 thoughts  into  metre,  and  coupling  like  founds 
 together,  and  principally  upon  ferious  fubjects. 
 What  leads  me  into  this  apprehenfion  is  that, 
 when  I  was  at  Southampton  about  fifteen  years  fincc, 
 Mrs.  Jane  Rollejlon  *,  a  member  of  the  congre- 
 gation 
 
 *  The  fame  gentlewoman  furnifhed  me  at  the  fame  time 
 with  two  more  poetical  performances  which  (lie  faid  were  the 
 compofitions  of  old  Mr.  Watts.  The  three  copies  of  verfes 
 fhe  gave  me  as  his,  and  the  poem  inferted  in  Dr.  Watts's 
 Pcfihumous  Works,  as  they  are  flyled,  and  there  faid  to  be 
 written  by  his  father  when  he  was  fourfcore  years  old,  it 
 mould  rather,  as  appears  from  the  poem  itfelf,  be  fourfcore 
 and  five,  together  with  the  numerous  pieces  in  verfe  which 
 make  up  the  new  publication  are  all  mod  evidently  upon 
 the  fame  humble  level  ;  and  I  am  perfuaded  that,  if  my 
 Readers  had  the  perufal  of  them,  they  would  readily  be- 
 lieve that  they  had  one  and  the  fame  author.  However, 
 not  to  prefume  on  any  deference  to  my  opinion,  I  wouLd 
 
 defire 
 
APPENDIX.  489 
 
 gation  of  Protcftant  Dijfenters  there,  gave  me  a 
 copy  of  veries,  which  fhe  laid  were  made  by 
 Mr.  IVatts,  the  Doftor's  father,  and  that  ac- 
 cordingly 
 
 defire  the  verfes  of  Mr.  Watts  given  me  by  Mrs.  Rollejion  in 
 the  marginal  note  in  the  fecond  page  of  our  work,  but 
 which  the  late  -publication,  p.  169,  attributes  to  the  Doftor, 
 to  be  carefully  compared  with  the  poem  which  we  find 
 there  printed  and  afcribed  to  his  father  when  he  was  four- 
 fcore  years  old,  leaving  it  with  my  Readers  to  judge  for 
 themfelves  after  the  comparifon  whether  there  is  not  the 
 higheft  probability  that  the  author  of  one  of  thefe  compo- 
 fures  was  alfo  the  author  of  the  other.  The  poem,  which 
 this  new  publication  exprefsly  afcribes  to  old  Mr.  Watts, 
 runs  as  follows : 
 
 Worn  with  the  toils  of  fourfcore  years  and  five, 
 A  weary  pilgrim,  Lord,  to  thee  I  come 
 To  beg  fupporting  grace  till  I  arrive 
 At  heav'n,  thy  promis'd  reft,  my  wifh'd-for  home. 
 Here's  nothing  to  invite  my  longer  ftay 
 Among  thefe  darkfome  melancholy  cells. 
 When  mall  I  leave  this  tenement  of  clay? 
 Fain  would  I  be  where  my  Redeemer  dwells. 
 
 O !  had  I  but  fome  gen'rous  feraph's  wing 
 There's  nothing  mould  prevail  to  keep  me  here, 
 But  with  the  morning-lark  I'd  mount  and  fing 
 Till  I  had  left  earth's  gloomy  atmofphere. 
 
 My  foul  directly  rifing  upward  flill 
 Till  I  mould  reach  the  glorious  court  above, 
 Where  endlefs  pleafures  my  defires  mall  fill, 
 And  folac'd  be  with  my  dear  Jefus*  love. 
 
 Writh  fweet  refreshments  on  fuch  things  as  thefe 
 My  ferious  thoughts  have  often  been  employ'd, 
 But  how  much  more  will  happinefs  increafe, 
 Wrhen  more  than  can  be  thought  mall  be  enjoy'd  ? 
 
 I  have 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 singly  ftand  at  the  head  of  my  work  as  his 
 composition,  but  which  are  afcribed,  in  the 
 new  publication  I  have  fo  often  mentioned,  not 
 to  the  father  but  to  the  ion.  This'  apprehen- 
 fioa  is  confirmed  by  an  authentic  information 
 I  have  received  that  Dr.  Watts  was  pofTefTed  of 
 a.  volume  of  his  father's  poems  in  manufcript, 
 and  that  he  directed  this  collection  to  his  filler 
 Mrs.  Sarah  Brackjlone,  fignifying  that  fhe  might 
 like  to  read  them  as  they  were  written  by  their 
 father,  but  that  they  were  not  proper  to  be 
 publifhed. 
 
 Upon  the  whole,  as  I  have  already  ob- 
 ferved,  in  juftice  to  Br.  Watts' s  memory, 
 I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  laying  before  the 
 world  my  reafons.  for  believing  that  the  poems 
 that  make  up  the  firfl:  volume  of  his  Pofthumciis 
 Works ,  as  they  are  called,  are  not  his,  but 
 ibme  other  peribn's,  mod  probably  his  father's: 
 
 I  have  onjv  to  obferve  that  this  felf-fame  poem,  which  is 
 laid  to  be  written  by  Mr.  Ifaac  Watts  fniior  in  this  recent 
 ation,  p.  28,  is  in  the  fame  volume  reprinted  under 
 the  title  of  a  Birth- day  Thought  as  one  of  the  pofihumous 
 pieces  of  the  Doflor,  p.  167,  only  in  the  poem  printed  as 
 the  production  of  old' Mr.  Watts  the  firfl  line  runs, 
 
 Worn  with  the  toils  of  /cur/core  years  and  five, 
 
 ■;  to  which  Dr.  Waits  never  attained  by  many  years, 
 in  the  poem  as  attributed  to  the  DoSior  the  firfl  line  is, 
 
 Worn  with  the  toils  of  three/core  years  and  five, 
 
 10  that  both  father  and  fan  were,  according  to  this  publi- 
 lop.  the  coinpofcrs  of  the  famepoemc 
 
 and 
 
APPENDIX.  491 
 
 and  it  gives  me  no  fmall  pleafure  that  all  en- 
 deavours, on  the  fuppofition  that  they  were 
 the  Doftors,  to  depreciate  his  poetical  me- 
 rit, or  hold  him  up  to  ridicule  and  contempt 
 by  the  abufe  or  diftortion  of  any  particular 
 paffages  contained  in  any  of  them  will  hence- 
 forward abfolutely,  and  for  everceafe.  A  cloud 
 of  fmoke  may  for  a  moment  obfcure  the  luilre 
 of  a  diamond.  The  fmoke  vanifhes,  and  the 
 diamond  mines  in  its  former  glory. 
 
 FINIS, 
 
BOOKS 
 
 PubliJJjed  by  the  Editor  of  the  foregoing  Memoirs. 
 
 i.TUVENILIA,  Poems  on  various  Sub- 
 3    jects  of  Devotion  and  Virtue. 
 
 2.  The  Chriftian  Minifter,  in  three  poetic 
 Epiftles  to  Philander.  To  which  are  added,  i. 
 Poetical  Verfions  of  feveral  Parts  of  Scripture. 
 1.  Tranilations  of  Poems  from  Greek  and  La- 
 tin  Writers.  3.  Original  Pieces  chiefly  in  Verfe 
 on  various  Occafions. 
 
 3.  Hymns  adapted  to  divine  Worfhip,  in 
 two  Books.  Book  I.  Derived  from  felect  Paf- 
 fages  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Book  II.  Writ- 
 ten on  facred  Subjects,  and  particular  Occa- 
 fions :  gathered  in  part  from  various  Authors, 
 but  moftly  original. 
 
 4.  EfTays  in  Profe  and  Verfe,  partly  collected 
 and  partly  original,  for  the  Improvement  of 
 younger  Minds. 
 
 5.  The  Birth-place,  or  Thoughts  on  a  Vifit 
 made  to  it.  A  Poem  in  the  Manner  of  Dr. 
 Toung. 
 
 6.  An  Ode  to  the  Memory  of  his  Grace  the 
 Duke  of  Newcaftle. 
 
 7.  The  religious  Obfervance  of  the  Sabbath 
 practically  ilated  and  enforced. 
 
 8.  Sermons  on  various  Subjects,   with    an 
 
 1  Hymn 
 
Bocks  publi/hed  by  the 
 
 Hymn  adapted  to  each  Subject,  defigned  to  af- 
 fiftthe  Devotions  of  the  Family  and  Clofet. 
 
 9.  Rhetoric,  or  a  View  of  its  principal 
 Tropes  and  Figures  in  their  Origin  and  Powers, 
 with  a  Variety  of  Rules  to  efcape  Errors  and 
 Blemi flies,  and  attain  Propriety  and  Elegance 
 in  Compofition. 
 
 to.  Memoirs  of  eminently  pious  Women, 
 in  two  Volumes. 
 
 11.  Confefiion  of  Faith  at  his  (Gibbons's) 
 Ordination    at  Haberdafiers-hall,  London,  Oct. 
 
 27>  I743- 
 
 12.  The  Deliverance  and  Triumph  of  Great 
 Britain  in  a  Thankfgivrng  Sermon  for  the  Sue- 
 cefs  of  his  Majeftys  Arms  under  his  Royal 
 Highnefs  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  preached  at 
 Haberdajhers-hally  061.  1,  1746,  at  the  Con- 
 clufion  of  the  weekly  Exercife  of  Prayer. 
 
 13.  The  Profperity  of  the  Chriftian  Church 
 in  the  latter  Ages  of  a  Time  reprefented  and 
 improved  in  a  Sermon  preached  June  17,  1747* 
 at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bradbury's  Meeting-place  in 
 New- court,  near  Lincoln ys -inn-fields,  at  a  monthly 
 Exercife  of  Prayer. 
 
 14.  The  divine  Improvement  of  defolating 
 Judgments  reprefented  in  a  Sermon  preached 
 at  Haberdafioers-hall  March  27,  on  Occafion  of 
 the  dreadful  Fire  in  the  City  on  Mmch  25, 
 1748. 
 
 15.  The  Excellency  of  the  Gofpel  and  the 
 Happinefs  of  an  Intereft  in  it  reprefented  in 
 a  Serm«n  preached   at  Haberdajhers-hall,  Nov. 
 
 5>  i75« 
 
Editor  of  the  foregoing  Memoirs. 
 
 5,    175 1    to  the   charitable  Society   for  pro- 
 moting religious  Knowledge  among  the  Poor. 
 
 16.  A  Letter  from  a  Parlor  to  his  People 
 on  the  Commencement  of  the  Year  1752. 
 
 17.  Sympathy  with  our  fufrering  Brethren, 
 in  two  Difcourfes  preached  at  Haberdafters~haUy 
 Feb.  9  and  Feb.  16,  1755,  occafioned  by  the 
 cruel  Oppreffions  of  the  Prot  eft  ants  in  France ', 
 and  enlarged  with  a  recent  and  particular  Ac- 
 count of  the  State  of  the  Perfecution  in  that 
 Kingdom. 
 
 18.  A  Sermon  preached  at  Haberdafters-ball, 
 Nov.  30,  on  Occafion  of  the  tremendous  Earth- 
 quake at  Lifjcn  Nov.  1,   1755. 
 
 19.  Our  Duty  as  Patriots,  Proteftants,  and 
 Chriftians  in  a  Time  of  War  reprefented  and 
 enforced  in  a  Sermon  preached  at  tl afar  drifters- 
 hall  on  Occafion  of  the  public  Declaration  cf 
 War  againft  the  French  King  May  18,  17^6. 
 
 20.  A  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  his  Mrtjefty 
 King  George  the  Second  Ocl.  26 }   1760. 
 
 21.  Divine  Conduct  vindicated,  or  the 
 Operations  of  God  mown  to  be  the  Operations 
 of  Wifdom  in  the  Subftance  of  two  Difcourfes 
 preached  at  Haberdajhers -hall  March  29,  1761, 
 occafioned  by  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
 Daviesy  M.  A,  Prefident  of  the  College  of 
 Najfau-hall  in  New  Jerfey,  Feb.  4,  1761,  in 
 which  are  contained  fome  Memoirs  of  Mr. 
 Davies,  and  fome  Extracts  from   his  Letters. 
 
 22.  Dedication  of  ourfelves  to  God  anrued 
 from  the  divine  Mercies  in  a  Sermon  preached 
 
 at 
 
Books  publi/hed  by  the 
 
 at  St.  Thomas's  Jan,  2,  1764,  for  the  Benefit 
 of  the  Charity -fchool  in  Gravel- lane,  Soutbwark. 
 
 23.  The  divine  Glories  difplayed  in  Babes 
 and  Sucklings.  A  Sermon  preached  at  Ha- 
 berdafliers-hall,  June  io,  occafioned  by  the 
 Death  of  Nathaniel  Gibbons  (the  Editor's  Son) 
 who  departed  this  Life  May  28,  1764,  in  the 
 eleventh  Year  of  his  Age. 
 
 24.  The  Duty  of  ferving  one  another  in 
 Love  opened  and  enforced  in  a  Sermon 
 preached  at  Little-Baddow  in  Effex  at  the  Sepa- 
 ration of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Evan  Jones  to  the  Office 
 of  a  Pallor  in  that  Place,  Sept.  20,   1764. 
 
 25.  A  Charge  delivered  to  the  Rev.  William 
 King/bury,  M.  A.  at  his  Ordination  at  South- 
 ampton Oct.  iS,   1765. 
 
 26.  A  Charge  delivered  to  the  Rev.  Charles 
 Cafe,  M.  A.  at  his  Ordination  at  V/itham  in 
 Effex,  OZ.  15,   1767. 
 
 27.  The  State  of  the  World  in  general,  and 
 of  Great  Britain  in  particular  as  to  Religion,  and 
 the  Afpecls  of  Providence  ferioufly  and  im- 
 partially confidered  in  a  Sermon  preached  at 
 Haberdajhers-hall,   Oft.  21,   1770.  ■ 
 
 28.  The  Character  and  Bleflednefs  of  the 
 Righteous  reprefented  in  a  Sermon  preached . 
 at  HaberdaJJoers-hall  on  the  Death  of  William, 
 Cromwell,  Efq.  July  9,  1772.  To  which  are 
 added  the  Speech  delivered  at  his  Interment, 
 and  a  brief  Account  of  the  Cromwell  Family 
 from  about  the  Year  of  the  Lord  1000  to  the 
 prefent  Time,  in  which  are  inferted  Anecdotes 
 
 of 
 
Editor  of  the  foregoing  Memoirs. 
 
 of  the  memorable  Oliver  and  his  Sons  Richard 
 and  Henry  Cromwell. 
 
 29.  The  Blefifednefs  of  dying  in  the  Lord 
 confidered  in  a  Sermon  preached  at  the  Weigh- 
 boufe  in  Little  Eaftcheap  on  the  Death  of  the 
 Rev.  William  Langford,  D.  D.  who  departed 
 this  Life  April  23,  1775  in  the  feventy-firft 
 Year  of  his  Age,  with  Memoirs  of  his  Life 
 and  Character,  to  which  is  added  the  Speech  at 
 his  Interment. 
 
 30.  The  Remembrance  of  our  Creator  in 
 the  Days  of  our  Youth  opened  and  enforced  in 
 a  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  Mr.  'Thomas  Wilton, 
 who  departed  this  Life  Auguft  5,  1776,  in  the 
 thirty-firft  Year  of  his  Age,  to  which  is  added 
 the  Addrefs  at  the  Interment  by  Abraham 
 Booth. — N.  B.  A  new  Edition  of  this  Sermon 
 may  foon  be  expected. 
 
 31.  An  Account  of  a  mod  terrible  Fire 
 that  happened  at  Burwell  in  Cambridge/hire,  at 
 which  by  Computation  about  one  hundred  and 
 forty  Perfons  were  affembled  in  a  Barn  at  a 
 Puppet-fhow,  of  whom  no  lefs  than  eighty 
 perifhed,  or  received  fuch  Injury  by  the 
 Flames  as  to  expire  foon  after,  taken  in 
 part  from  the  Pariih-regifter  of  Baptifms  and 
 Burials  belonging  to  the  faid  Town,  and  more 
 largely  from  the  Relation  of  Mr.  Thomas  Howe, 
 who,  being  at  that  Time  about  fixteen  Years 
 of  Age,  was  prefent  in  the  Barn,  and  an  Eye- 
 witneis  of  the  dreadful  Calamity.  To  which 
 Account  are  fubjoined  fome  ferious  and  im- 
 
 K  k  portant 
 
Books  publijhed  by  the  Editor. 
 
 portant  Inquiries  relating  to  the  melancholy 
 Event,  and  fome  Obfervations  defigned  as  a 
 practical  Improvement  of  the  awful  Cataftrophe. 
 
 32.  Objections  againft  the  Application  to 
 the  Legiflature  for  Relief  of  Proteftant  Differ- 
 ing MemfterSy  and  Diffenting  'Tutors  and  School- 
 mafters  diipafllonately  .confidered  and  obviated; 
 •to  which  are  added  the  Sentiments  and  Ob- 
 fervations of  LaulantiuSy  a.  Chriftian  Writer  in 
 the  fourth  Century,  and  of  the  eminent  Dr. 
 John  Owen  in  the  laft  Century  upon  the  only 
 warrantable  Methods  of  treating  Diverfities 
 of  Opinion  in  Religion. 
 
 33.  The  hidden  Life  of  a  Chriftian  exem- 
 plified in  the  Diary,  Meditations,  and  Letters 
 of  a  young  Minifter,  publifhed  from  authentic 
 Manufcripts,  with  a  large  Preface  by  the  Edi- 
 tor. 
 
Speedily  will  be  puhlijhed 
 By  Dr.    Gibbons 
 
 A    VOLUME   of    HYMNS, 
 
 NEVER   BEFORE    PRINTED, 
 IN    TWO    BOOKS. 
 
 Book  I.  Derived  from  felect  PafTages  of  the 
 Holy  Scriptures;  and 
 
 Book  II.    Written   on  facred  Subjects,    and 
 particular  Occafions. 
 
 Price  Three  Shillings  bound. 
 
;.  w 
 
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