furnished, not only with medicine, but with a little money, which they administered with great prudence. They soon gained their confidence; read and prayed with them, and in all respects did just what a good clergyman does in other parishes.

At the end of a year we perceived that much ground had been gained among the poor; but the success was attended with no small persecution from the rich, though some of them grew more favourable. I now ventured to have a sermon read after school on a Sunday evening, inviting a few of the parents, and keeping the grown-up children; the sermons were of the most awakening sort, and soon produced a sensible effect. It was at first thought a very methodistical measure, and we got a few broken windows; but quiet perseverance, and the great prudence with which the zeal of our good mistresses was regulated, carried us through. Many reprobates were, by the blessing of God, awakened, and many swearers and sabbath-breakers reclaimed. The numbers both of young and old scholars increased, and the daily life and conversation of many seemed to keep pace with their religious profession on the Sunday.

SECTION VI.

STRIKING EXAMPLES OF PIETY AND DEVOTION.

LETTER CXIV.

DR. DONNE, shortly before his death, to a FRIEND.

Sept. 7.

I have often suspected myself to be overtaken with an over-earnest desire of the next life; and, though I know it is not merely a weariness of this, (because I had the same desire when I went with the tide, and enjoyed fairer hopes than I now do;) yet I doubt worldly troubles have increased it. It is now spring, and all the pleasures of it displease me: every other tree blossoms, and I wither; I grow older, and not better; my strength diminisheth, and my load grows heavier; and yet I would fain be or do something; but that I cannot tell what, is no wonder in this time of my sadness; for to choose is to do; but to be no part of any body, is as to be nothing; and so I am, and shall so judge myself, unless I could be so incorporated into a part of the world, as by business to con

tribute some sustentation to the whole. This I made account; I began early, (when I understood the study of our laws;) but was diverted by leaving that, and embracing the worst voluptuousness— an hydroptic, immoderate desire of human learning and languages: beautiful ornaments indeed to men of great fortunes, but mine was grown so low as to need an occupation; which I thought I entered well into, when I subjected myself to such a service as I thought might exercise my poor abilities: and there I stumbled, and fell too; and now I am become so little, or such a nothing, that I am not a subject good enough for one of my own letters.Sir, I fear my present discontent does not proceed from a good root, that I am so well content to be nothing—that is, dead. But, sir, though my fortune hath made me such, as that I am rather a sickness or disease of the world, than any part of it, and therefore neither love it, nor life; yet I would gladly live to become some such thing as you should not repent loving me. Sir, your own soul cannot be more zealous for your good, than I am; and God, who loves that zeal in me, will not suffer you to doubt it. You would pity me now, if you saw me write; for my pain hath drawn my head so much awry, and holds it so, that my eye cannot follow my pen. I therefore receive you into my prayers with my own weary soul, and commend myself to yours. I doubt not but next week will bring you good news, for I have either mending or dying on my side: but, if I do continue longer thus, I shall have

comfort in this, that my blessed Saviour, in exercising his justice upon my two worldly parts, my fortune and my body, reserves all his mercy for that which most needs it, my soul! which is, I doubt, too like a porter, that is very often near the gate, and yet goes not out. Sir, I profess to you truly, that my loathness to give over writing now seems to myself a sign that I shall write no more. Your poor friend, and God's poor patient, JOHN DONNE.

LETTER CXV.

ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON to a FRIEND. A soul ripe for

DEAR SIR,

heaven.

Dumblane, April 19th. I was strangely surprised to see the bearer here. What could occasion it I do not yet understand. At parting he earnestly desired a line to you, which without his desire my own affection would have carried me to, if I knew what to say, but what I trust you do:—and it is, that our joint business is to die daily to this world and self, that what little remains of our life we may live to Him that died. for us. For myself, to what purpose is it to tell you, what the bearer can, that I grow old and sickly; and though I have here great retirement, as great and possibly greater than I could readily find anywhere else, yet I am still panting after a

retreat from this place and all public charge, and next, to rest in the grave? It is the pressingest desire I have of any thing in this world; and if it might be, with you or near you. But our heavenly Father, (we quietly resigning all to Him,) both knows and will do what is best. Remember my kindest affection to your son and daughter, and to Mr. Siderfin, and pray for

Your poor weary brother,

R. L.

LETTER CXVI.

ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON to a FRIEND. Aspirations after perfect holiness.

SIR,

Oh! what a weariness is it to live amongst men, and find so few men; and amongst Christians, and find so few Christians! so much talk and so little action; religion turned almost to a tune and air of words; and amidst all our pretty discourses, pusillanimous and base, and so easily dragged into the mire, self and flesh, and pride and passion domineering, while we speak of being in Christ and clothed with Him, and believe it, because we speak it so often and so confidently. Well, I know you are not willing to be thus gulled; and having some glances of the beauty of holiness, aim no lower than perfection, which, in the end, we hope to at