ers backward for him; and that it was not his desire to live an useless life, and, by filling up a place, keep another out of it that might do God and his church more service." He would often with much joy and thankfulness mention, "that during his being a housekeeper, which was more than forty years, there had not been one buried out of his family, and that he was now like to be the first." He would also mention with thankfulness, "that, till he was threescore years of age, he had never spent five shillings in law, nor, upon himself, so much in wine and rejoiced much that he had so lived, as never to cause an hour's sorrow to his good father; and that he hoped that he should die without an enemy."

He in this retirement had the church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night some prayers read to him and a part of his family, out of "The Whole Duty of Man." As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals and his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he, expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour." To which his reply was, with some earnestness, “ A quarter of an hour! Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has not many hours to live?"

And though he did live many

hours after this, yet he lived not many days; for the day after (which was three days before his death) he was become so weak and weary either of motion or sitting, that he was content, or forced, to keep his bed. In which I desire he may rest, till I have given some short account of his behaviour there, and immediately before it.

The day before he took his bed (which was three days before his death) he, that he might receive a new assurance for the pardon of his sins past, and be strengthened in his way to the New Jerusalem, took the blessed sacrament of the body and blood of his and our blessed Jesus, from the hands of his chaplain, Mr. Pullin, accompanied with his wife, children, and a friend, in as awful, humble, and ardent a manner, as outward reverence could express. After the praise and thanksgiving for this blessing was ended, he spake to this purpose: "I have now, to the great joy of my soul, tasted of the all-saving sacrifice of my Saviour's death and passion; and with it received a spiritual assurance that my sins past are pardoned, and my God at peace with me; and that I shall never have a will or power to do any thing that may separate my soul from the love of my dear Saviour. Lord, confirm this belief in me; and make me still to remember that it was thou, O God, that tookest me out of my mother's womb, and hast been the powerful Protector of

me to this present moment of my life; thou hast neither forsaken me now I am become grey-headed, nor suffered me to forsake thee in the late days of temptation, and sacrifice my conscience for the preservation of my liberty or estate. It was not of myself but by grace that I have stood, when others have fallen under my trials; and these mercies I now remember with joy and thankfulness; and my hope and desire is, that I may die remembering this, and praising thee, my merciful God." The frequent repetition of the Psalms of David hath been noted to be a great part of the devotion of the primitive Christians; the Psalms having in them, not only prayers and holy instructions, but such commemorations of God's mercies, as may preserve, comfort, and confirm our dependence on the power, and providence, and mercy of our Creator. And this is mentioned in order to telling, that as the holy Psalmist said, that "his eyes should prevent both the dawning of the day and the night-watches, by meditating on God's word; so it was Dr. Sanderson's constant practice every morning to entertain his first waking thoughts with a repetition of those very psalms that the Church hath appointed to be constantly read in the daily morning-service; and having at night laid him in his bed, he as constantly closed his eyes with a repetition of those appointed for the service of the

evening; remembering and repeating the very psalms appointed for every day; and as the month had formerly ended and began again, so did this exercise of his devotion. And if the first-fruits of his waking thoughts were of the world, or what concerned it; he would arraign and condemn himself for it. Thus he began that work on earth which is now the employment of Dr. Hammond and him in heaven.

After his taking his bed, and about a day before his death, he desired his chaplain, Mr. Pullin, to give him absolution; and at his performing that office, he pulled off his cap, that Mr. Pullin might lay his hand upon his bare head. After this desire of his was satisfied, his body seemed to be at more ease, and his mind more cheerful; and he said often, "Lord, forsake me not now my strength faileth me, but continue thy mercy, and let my mouth be ever filled with thy praise." He continued the remaining night and day very patient, and thankful for any of the little offices that were performed for his ease and refreshment: and, during that time, did often say to himself the one hundred and third Psalm, a psalm that is composed of praise and consolations, fitted for a dying soul; and say also to himself very often these words, "My heart is fixed, O God! my heart is fixed where true joy is to be found." And now his thoughts seemed to be wholly of death, for

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which he was so prepared that that king of terrors could not surprise him " as a thief in the night"; for he had often said, "he was prepared, and longed for it." And as this desire seemed to come from heaven, so it left him not, till his soul ascended to that region of blessed spirits, whose employments are to join in concert with his, and sing praise and glory to that God, who hath brought him and them into that place, " into which sin and sorrow cannot enter."

Thus this pattern of meekness and primitive innocence changed this for a better life.—It is now too late to wish that mine may be like his ; for I am in the eighty-fifth year of my age; and God knows it hath not; but I most humbly beseech Almighty God that my death may: and I do as earnestly beg, that if any reader shall receive any satisfaction from this very plain, and as true relation, he will be so charitable as to say, Amen.

I. W.