His strength began to fail him more remarkably than ever at the entrance of the summer of the year 1703, and he seemed now convinced that his dissolution was at no great distance, and often spoke of it himself, but with great composure.

Mr. Locke's weakness continued to increase, and at length his legs began to swell, and for some weeks before his death he could not walk, but was carried about the house in an arm-chair. As he had been incapable for a considerable time of going to church, he thought proper to receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at home, and two of his friends communicating with him, as soon as the office was finished, he told the minister that "he was in perfect charity with all men, and in a sincere communion with the Church of Christ, by what name soever it might be distinguished."

Some papers being brought into his chamber, he inquired what they were, and caused them to be read to him; after which he said, "that his work here was almost at an end, and he thanked God for it." Soon after, somebody coming near his bed, he desired they would remember him in the evening prayers. They told him that, if he pleased, the family would come to prayers in his chamber, to which he agreed. They asked him, if he thought he was near death; he answered, "that perhaps he might die that night, but that he could not live above three or four days." There being, afterwards, nobody else in the chamber but Lady Masham, who sat by the bedside, "he exhorted her to look on this world only as a preparation for a better." He added, "that he had lived long enough, and that he thanked God he had enjoyed a happy life;, and that after all he looked upon this life to be nothing but vanity.”

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After supper the family came up into his chamber to prayers: between eleven and twelve o'clock he seemed to be a little better. Lady Masham would have sat up with him, but he would not permit her, saying, that perhaps he might sleep, and if he should find any alteration he would send for her. He did not rest that night, but resolved to try to rise the next day, which he did. He was carried into his study, and was seated in an easy chair, where he slept by fits some time. Afterwards he desired Lady Masham, who was reading to herself in the Psalms while they dressed him, to read aloud, which accordingly she did, and he seemed very attentive, till he was hindered by the nearer approaches of death, upon which he desired her to read no more, and expired a few minutes after".

REFLECTION.-Great wisdom is included in these few words, "Look on this world only as a preparation for a better." Our present state is one of probation, by which we mean, one in which God would prove, try, and amend us, and so make us fit for another and a better state. The divine precepts, warnings, and afflictions are the means commonly used for this end. If they produce their proper effect they will not only teach us, as they did this great Christian philosopher, "to look upon this life to be nothing but vanity, but also to look on this world only as a preparation for a better."

Life of John Locke, British Plutarch.

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JOHN RAY was an English divine, eminent for a piety which was combined with an excellent knowledge of natural history and philosophy. As his end approached, he thus expressed himself with regard to the Church of England. "I am a priest of the Church of England, ordained by Dr. Sanderson, then Bishop of Lincoln. That I did not follow the peculiar functions of my duty more, is now the greatest concern and trouble to me. do here profess, that as I have lived, so I desire, and by the grace of God resolve, to die, in the communion of the Catholic Church of Christ, and a true though unworthy son of the Church by law established in this kingdom. I do think, from the bottom of my heart, that its doctrine is pure, its worship decent, and agreeable to the word of God, and, in the most material points of both, conformable to the faith and practice of the godly churches of Christ in the primitive and purer ages. I am not led to this persuasion so

much from force of custom and education, as upon the clear evidence of truth and reason. And after a serious and impartial examination of the grounds thereof, I am fully persuaded that the scruples men raise against joining in communion with it, are unreasonable and groundless; and that the separation which is made may very justly be charged upon the dissenters themselves as the blameworthy authors of it"."

A SUITABLE PRAYER FROM THE LITURGY. "Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

5 Rev. Mr. Pyke.

6 Collect for the 13th Sunday after Trinity.

Dr. GEORGE BULL was raised up by the great Head of the Church to be not only one of its brightest ornaments, but also one of its most powerful advocates. He was the learned and pious Bishop of St. David's.

On the 27th of September, 1709, he was seized with a violent coughing and spitting of blood. He then perceived that his dissolution was near at hand, and accordingly declared, "that he was now sensible of his own decay, and that he was sure he could not live many days." His physicians seemed to incline to the same opinion after some short attendance, though they expressed themselves herein with some hesitation and reserve, which the good bishop perceiving, thus addressed himself to one of them: "Doctor, you need not be afraid to tell me freely what your opinion of me is: for I thank my good God, I am not afraid to die: it is