THE LIFE and CHARACTER OF THE Reverend Benjamin Colman, D. D. Late Paftor of a Cburcb in BOSTON NEW-ENGLAND* Who Deceafed Auguft apth 1747. By EBENEZER T u R E L L, A. M. Paftor of Medford. Rev. ii. 19. I know thy SERVICE. Non Nolis nati fumut BOSTON, NEW-ENGLAND, Printed and Sold by ROGERS and FOWLE in Quccn-ftrcct, and by J. EDWARDS in Cornhill, MDCCXLIxT &3TDA.HAHD i f;j .(I < a^H-wiR! - M .A c a j a ;i u T ^ a s a H a a H ^ 1o i PREFACE. AS the Rev. Dr. COLMAN flood among the firft Ornaments and Benefactors to his Country, it feems but a becoming Gratitude to him y and Honour to ourfehes y to raife a Monument to his Memory. His polite and generous Pen was always ready to do the fame for others ; and feized every Opportunity to charm the Living, by the Virtues and Examples of the Dead : Though few Characters and A&ions would bear to be tranfmitted down to Pofterity with equal Advantage to his own. The following Sheets prefentus with his entertaining arid ufeful Hiftory, which will convey to the Reader fome Idea of the Man of God taken from our Head ; in which the Reverend Author has been at great Labour, under a tender State of Health, and the conftant Avocations of his Miniftry, to fearch into Letters, other Manufcripts, in order ,to compile and digeft what is here given to the Reader, Thofe who are acquainted with the Fa tigue and Difficulty attending Difquifiti- * A A 3 PREFACE. ons of this Kind, will read a Life princi pally compofed of fuch inconneded Mate rials with a reafonable Candor. And it cannot but be regretted, that the Do&or himfelf) either negledted the Records of a more regular Diary, or that he deftroyed fuch valuable Memorials. As he certainly did from a diffident Modefty, Numbers of his own Sermons, and in the Judgment of his former Colleague, the Rev. Mi. William Cooper , fome of his moft ufeful and fhin- ing Performances. , ^ It will not be wondered at, that no written Accounts will convey to Strangers an Idea of Dr. COL MAN, equal to what we had raifed of him, who have been hap py in his Converfation, and feen him in all the Decorum of Pulpit- Oratory. Nor can the illuftrious Senate at GLASGOW fully know how gracefully he wore, and how well he adorned their Honours. His Converfation was admirably poliflit and courtly, and all his Behaviour was that of the moft elegant Gentleman, and be nevolent Chriftian. ^ JfJvrA But he principally fhone in the Defk : Here his Air was compofed and grave, his Adion PREFACE. A&ion juft and delicate, and his Voice inimitably foft and tuneful, managed with the greateft Propriety, and exquifite Sweet- nefs of Modulation. His Di&ion was ani mated and lofty, but eafy and plain, like his Models, the infpired Clafficks : And the Arrangement of his Style, and the Turn of his Periods exactly adapted to the Elevations and Cadences of his own muii- cal Pronunciation, He had a fine Tafte for the fublimer Improvements of modern Philofophy. On thefe Themes how would he take Fire, and with uncommon Beau ties of Imagination, a Dignity of Senti ment, and an Ardor of Divine Eloquence tranfport an Audience, with a Devotion near to angelical ! Witnefs, among others, his fecond Difcourfe on the Incomprekenfi- blenefs of GOD. Though the fineft of his Productions have never been printed fome of which might have appeared upon this Occasion, if the Appendix to this Eflay had not been fuppreffed. If the Reverend Author of this Hiftory had not expreft his Disinclination to any Encomium from us, yet it had been im pertinent PREFACE. pertinent in itfelf^ and perhaps afluming in us to attempt one, as he is our elder Br other ) and has been long known to the World, and refpedted for his Learning and Piety, and his Praife is in the Churches for his Ufefulnefs, Courage and Fidelity. It may rather feem that we ourfelves need an Apology, for our Names appear ing in this Place, unlefs the Defire of our valuable Friend, the Relation we flood in to Dr. COLMAN, the Regards he was pleafed to fhew us in his Life-Time, and in his loft Will leaving to fome of us the Care of his Papers, be our Excufe. May the glowing Examples here exhi bited, infpire Survivors to an Imitation .: May the Mantle of the afcended Pro phet fall upon his Sons in the Miniftry, and particularly may our worthy Brother the Writer of the enfuing Narrative, high in his Father's AffedHon and Efteem, in herit a double Portion of his Spirit*! 3H Thefe are the Wifhes and Prayers of :JJT/ I*. M. *' I'M Ellis Gr* Samuel Cooper., THE CONTENTS. CHAP. I. DR. Co/man's Birth and Parentage Page i His Education under Mr. Ezekiel Cheevcr 2. Genius for Learning and Advances in it ibid Early Devotion and Piety ibid Behaviour at Harvard-College 3 Beginning to preach at Medford ibid An early Inftance of his catholick Spirit 4 His Delire to fee England, and imbarking for it ibid CHAP. II. A large Narration of his Voyage 5 Danger of being foundered 6 Meeting with a French Ship of War ibid Behaviour in the Fight ibid An Account of a young Rake on Board ibid Taken and flript 7 Madam Allairis Kindnefs to him 8 His Bible found and fent him ibid CHAP. III. Of what he met with in France 10 His Imprifonment 1 1 Kindly fuccoured and fupplied by Mr. Welch ibid Accofted by a young Prieft at Rennes 1 2 Set at Liberty, and embarking for Port/mouth 1 3 Again in Danger of being foundered ibid Charity to his x Fellow- Prisoners ill -requited 13, 14, 15 His Difcburfe X with a Quaker on New -England Affairs 14 In Danger of being robbed and murdered 16 CHAP. IV. His Reception at London by Mr. and Madam foes 17 His Brother's Kindnefs to him ibid Acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. John Quick 1 8 A dangerous Sicknefs, and Recovery from it ibid Invited by Mr. and Mad. Parkkurjl to take Lodgings at their Houfe ibid Attended the Miniftry of the Rev. Mr. Howe ibid Invited by him to go to Rotterdam, in Order to fettle in a Church there 1 9, 20 Waited on King William with Dr. Bates, &c. 20 Acquaintance with Dr. Daniel Williams and Dr. Edmund Calamy 2 1 An Account of aDifpute between Dr. Williams and Mr. Howe 21,22 The Manner of Dr. Annejleys Death .ibid The Rev. Mr. Bever/ey's Prophecy and Character 23 An Account of the Rev. Mr. Fleming ibid Vifits to the Univerfities of Oxford and Cambridge 23 and 26 Acquaintance The CONTENTS. Acquainted with Sir Henry djhurft, Baronet, Sec. 24 Verfes on his Daughter ibid A Robber taken, and Mr. Caiman's Speech to him 25, 26 Chofen by the Prefbyterian Board at London to go down to Cam bridge to preach, and went ibid Invited to preach for a Time at the great Town of Ipfavich in Suf folk, and went 27 His Chaftity afiaulted by three lewd Women ; \ ; J n - ibid Acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. Burkit of Dedham 28 Character of Mr. Gale 29 An Account of his Land Tortoift 30 Again in Danger of being robbed ibid Attended the SeiTioris atw? My Lord chief Juftice Holt's Speech ibid Chofen by the Prefbyterian Board to go down to Bath and preach there and went 3 r Some Remarks on private Baptifms 3 z An Account of a profane Wretch at Bath ibid A remarkable Story of an Apparition there 3 3 Another of the Rev. Mr. Cummins^ killing a Robber 35 Acquaintance with Philomela, Mrs. Elizabeth Singer Several entertaining Particulars of that Family 36, 37, 38 Character of Mrs. Elizabeth Singer 30 CHAP. V. ;^ 4J Invitations given him to return to New- England, by a Number of Gen tlemen and Divines 41, 42, 43 An Account of his Ordination Jit London ibid Character of the Perfons aflifting 4$ Imbarking for Bofton his Arrival and Settlement here - 46 Letters (ent to him before and foon after by the Rev. Meflirs.%rV^ f White, Chandler, Standeu, and Mr. Walter Singer, and Mrs. Eli zabeth Singer 47, 48, 49 CHAP. VI. Many eminent Services done by him after his Settlement. A general Account of his difcharging the Paftoral Office 50 Mr. William Cooper fettled with him and Circumftances ibid Mr. Samuel Cooper fettled with him and Circumftances 52 His ferving Harvard- College as an Overfeer and Fellow of the Corporation 5 3 Inflances of his Zeal for the Good of that Houfe ibid Character of Dr. Edward Wiggie/worth, Hollifian Profeffor of Di vinity 54, 55 His Election to the Preiidency over the College ibid Two Letters, wherein he excufes himfelf from that Honour and Truft 56,57 Services to, and Zeal for Tale College, and three Letters about it 59 to 63 Cares and Labours for the Indian* 64 Two The CONTENTS, Two Letters (in Latin) to Monf. Lewrgiat 65 to 69 His Concern for poor Places within our Governments, deftitute of the Gofpel 69, 70 A Projection for fetting up Charity- Schools in Bofon 70,71, 72 A Propofal for a Fund in the Churches 73 to 77 His Vifits to Schools, Prifons, &c. ibid Encouraging the Market in Boflon 78 Inoculation, &c. ibid Employ'd by the Great and General Courts in many Services Writes to Governors, Agents, &c. 79 His Conduft with Regard to intermedling with Civil and Secular Matters vindicated 80 Highly honoured and much employed by his Brethren in the Miniftry ibid Copies of feveral Addreffes draughted by their Defire 8 1 to 94 Some Inftances of his ardent Love to the Churches and Csre of them 94, 95 His catholick and pacifick Spirit Inftances of it 95, 96, 97 Sentiments on Councils and their Efficacy 97 to 108 On the third Way of Communion 109, 1 10 On the Right of chufing a Minifter 111,112, 113 CHAP. VII. Great Benefits arifing from his early Travels abroad, and Sagacity at Home, to the Country, Colleges, and Churches A particular Account of the Honourable Samuel Holders Benefacti ons 113 to 115 Of the Honoured Thomas Ho//tYs Bounties to 1 1 7 Of the Rev. Mr. IJaac Hot/is''* Charities to 1 2 1 His ufeful and pleafant Correfpondence with the Rev. Dr. White Kennett, Bifhop of Peterborough 121 to 141 Letter to the Lord-Bifliop of London 14*,, 143. To Dr. Hoadly Bifhop of Bangor 143, 144 To Rt. Hon. Earl of Egmont 144, 145, 146 To Sir Richard Ellis, Bart. 147, 148 His Acquaintance and Correfpondence with Henry Newman ,Efq; 146 With Mr. Shower, Drs.Harrh, Watts, Calamy, Evans, Hunt, Guife, Mr. Neal, &c. &c. &c Sir William JJhurJt, Lord Barrington Stutt t &c. Friendfliip with Rev. Mr. Standen 149, 1 50 Letter (in Latin) to the Rev. Samuel Urlfperger, and his Anfwer 152 to 157 His Diploma from the Univerfity of Glafgvw 1 5 7 Addrefs in Return 158 Letter to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Univerfity 160 To the Honourable and Reverend Society for propagating Chriltian Knowledge in Edinburgh 1 6 1 , 162 The Doftor's Publick-Spiritednefs, Fidelity, Liberality and Charity. 163, 164 His The CONTENTS. CHAP. VIII. His Manner of Studying, writing Sermons and Letters, Diligence, Application and Difpatch 165', 166 His Character as a Preacher 167 to 170 Encomiums on fome of his Writings by learned Men 171 to 173 His Manner of Praying 5 ot anW 174 Thoughts on Pfalmody 175 to 177 On reading the Scriptures in publick 178, 179 On ufing the LordV Prayer s:Jt y 180 Catechifing and Renewals of Covenant 181, 182 His Civil and Pafioral Vifits 182 Homiletical Virtues tolsn&aiv z:. 183^ 184 Twelve Letters of. Correlation sfmuo.ir 184 207 CHAP. IX. Of the Doftor's private Life ft 1% a^c 207 His Marriages f 3^ .ibid With Mrs. Jane Clark 1 Madam Sarah Clark > and Circumftances 208, 209 Madam Mary Frofi J An Account of the Dolor's Children .Q'J li v. foidj ^j f . 209 His Behaviour in the Relation of a Son ^yfo '\% jdgrJl anj a- 2I Jn the Relation of an Hufband ibid In the Relation of a Father o3 ^ni* ; iJ."iici:3 j i bi 4 Manner of educating his Children K -. j ^ ; ^ t . 211 Solemn Charges and Bleffings given to his Grandfon 213, 214 Love and Kindnefs to other Relatives 215 His Character as a Friend batoo^'jli srfi *^id As a Mafter tM .v/{^If > 216 Family Religion 217 Clofet Devotion, &c. ibid His Behaviour under Trials and AfHi&ions, particularly fore Be reavements 22O, 221, 222 Death of Mr. William Cooper ^223 CHAP. X. His conftant Mindfulnefs of Death, and Preparations for it 224 Laft Letter wrote to Dr. Awry 226 The Time and Manner of his Departure ^ ^ 22 8 A fhort Defcriptkm of his Perfon 230 Sir Richard Blackmoris Lines on his Orator Tylon applied 231 A Paragraph from Mr. Prefident Holyokis Oration ibid Compleat Catalogue of his Publications * Kxvtyd ei! 233 ::. : . ' " , U JjG^airt & . ' srfT A Lift of the Subfcribers. A. Books HON. John Alford, Efq; Six Rev. Mr. Nath. Appleton Rev. Mr. Hull Abbot Mr. Thomas Allen three Books Mr. Samuel Adams Mr. Benjamin Andrews Mrs. Rebecca Amory two Books B. RObert Brown, Efq; Rev. Mr. John Barnard Rev. Mr. Edward Barnard Rev. Mr. Jacob Bacon Rev. Mr. Simon Bradftreet Rev. Mr. Thomas Balch Rev. Mr. John Ballantine Rev. Mr. John Burt Mr. James Bowdoin three Books Mr. Thomas Bulfinch two Books Mr. Jofias Eyles, jun. two Books Mr. Edward Bromfield Mr. Thomas Boutineau Mr. Andrew Boardman Mr. William Bant Mrs. TVlary Bennett Mr. Daniel Boyer Mr. John Bridge Mr. Nicholas Boylfton Mr. Thomas Baxter Mr. Ebenezer Bacon '. *fcCI .lUi Mr. William Baker' rfsplol M Mr. Aaron Boardman C. JOhn Colman Efq; fix Books Jonas Clarke, Efq; two Books Roland Cotton, Efq; Thomas Clap, Efq; Mr. Peter Chardon .fix Books Rev. Mr. Peter Clarke Rev. Mr. Samuel Checkley Rev, Mr, John Cotton ) Rev. Mr. Ward Cotton Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooke Rev. Mr. Marfton Cabot Rev. Mr. John Cufhing Rev.Mr. SamuelCooper fourBooks Rev. Mr. Samuel Checkley, jun. Rev. Mr. John Chandler Mr. Richard Gary three Books Mr. William Cooper two Books Mr. Richard Cranch two Books Mr. Seth Coburn Mr. Jonathan Cufhing Mr. Ebenezer Coburn Mr, Samuel Curtis Mr. John Coburn Mr. William Chefebrough D. C01. William Downe, 3 Bookt Rev. Mr. Samuel Dexter Mr. Benjamin Dearborn fix Books Rev. Mr. Jofiah Dennis Mr. Jacob Davis fix Books Mr. John Dixwell fix Books Mrs. Hannah Davis two Books Mr. William Davis two Books Mr. William Downe, jun. Mr. Richard Draper Mr. Thomas Downe Mr. Jonathan Dorby 4 r -" E. REV. Mr. Daniel Emerfon Rev. Mr. - Jofeph- Emerfon Rev. Mr. Andrew Eliot Mr. Samuel Edwards Mr. Mofes Emerfon F. JOhn Fayerweather, Efq; four Book/ Charles FroiVE% fix Books Mr. Thon*a*Ffi*ker- tfeedfiddfe Mr. James FoM two Books Mr. Samuel Franklin, jun. Mr, Eleaztr Fi/hcr > Rev. SUBSCRIBERS. G. REV. Mr. Ellis Gray two Books Mr. Daniel Greenleaf fix Books Mr. John Gardner Mr. John Gore two Books Mr. Robert G&uld Mr. John Glen Mr. Thomas Gray Mr. John Gerrifli Mr. William Greenleaf Mr. Edward Glover Mrs. Hannah Glover Mr. Daniel Gookin Capt. Benjamin Goldthwait H. T Horn as Hancock, Efq* fix Books Rev. Mr. Edward Holyoke, Pre- fident of Harvard College Rev. Mr. Timothy Harrington Mr. Jofeph How .Mr. William Holden Mr, Phineas Holden J. R EV. Mr. Jedidiah Jewett Mr. Edward Jackfon three Books 'Mr. Jofeph Jackfon Mrs. Mary Johnfton K. MR. John Knight Mr. John KneelandaBooks ^onathan Kimball Mr. Jonathan Kimball, jun. Mr. John Kneeland, jun. Mr. Bartholomew Kneeland L. TTON. Benjamin Lynde,Efq; JL A Col. Benjamin Lincoln Rev. Mr. Ifrael Loring Rev. Mr. John Lowell two Books Mr. John Langdon two Books Mr. Jonathan Lewi.pi'l Mr. Jonathan Lowder M. MR, Edward Marion fixBooks Rev. Mr, John Moretead Rev. Mr. Thaddeus Maccarty Rev. Mr. Jonathan Mayhew Mr. Richard Manibn two Books Mr. Thomas Marfhail Mr. Daniel Marfh N. T> E V.Mr. Samuel Niles twoBooks XV Mr, TimothyNewell fixBooks Mr. Belcher Noyes O. \/rR. William Owen two Books iV1 Mr. Daniel Oliver two Books P. JOhn Phillips, Efq; fix Books Jeremiah Powell, Efq; Kevl Mr. Thomas Prince 1 jf' Mr. Jacnes Pitts fix Books Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Parkman fix Books Rev. Mr. Jonathan Parfons Mrs. Prudence Prentice fix Books Mr. William Phillips Mr. Edward Payne Mr. Samuel Parkman Mr. Jofeph Palmer Mr. William Pratt bifiv/f Mr. Benjamin Pickman TV/fR. Edmund Quincy, jun. two IV1 MO: Books Mr. Henry Quincy two Books R v r TAcob Royall, Efq; two Books J Ifaac Roydl, Efq; two Books Mr. David Rowland j ''! .livi.^ Mr. Jofeph Roby ailhW .-riMl Mr. Ebenezer Rice I ac^ ( S. DEV. Jofeph Sewall, D. D. w Rev. Mr. Thomas Smith Rev. Mr. Nathan Stone Rev. Mr. Jofeph Seccomb Rev. Mr. William Smith Rev. Mr. John Seccomb Major, Samuel Sewall Capt. Ebenezer Storer four Books Mr. SUBSCRIBERS. Mr. John Staniford fix Books ,/tfr. Thomas Savage fix Books Cape. Arthur Savage Mr. Samuel Phillips Savage 2 Books Mr. Haac Smith two Books Mr. Jofeph Sherbufne Mr. John Scollay Mr. Malachy Salter, jun. Mr. Edward Ladd Sanders Mr. William Skinner T. William Tyler, Efq; fixBooks Rev. Mr. WilliamTompfon Mr. John Tanner fix Books Mr. Thomas Tyler ^ r. John Tudor jr. Thomas Townfend Mr. Benjamin Toppan Mr. Royall Tyler two Books Mr. William Thomas Mr. Simon Tufts Mr. Samuel Torrey, jun. Mr. Cornelius Thayer V. 1? E V. Mr. James Varney fix ** Books Rev. Mr. William Vinal W. HON. Jacob Wendell, Efq; fix Books Major Ephraim Williams fixBooks Edward Wigglefworth, D. D. and Hollifian Profeflor of Harvard- College two Books Rev. Mr. William Williams Rev. Mr. William Welfted three Books Mr. William White fix Bocks Mr. Jonathan Whitney fix Books Meffirs. Willis and Fitch fix Books Mr. Jacob Wendell, jun. twoBooks Mr. Timothy White Mr. William Whitweli threeBooks Mr. William Winter two Books Mr. Thomas Wade Mr. John Mico Wendell Mr, John Williams .\*< /nsi,iIiiW-/iM.V3.': /*. c^i .- .;{'.;o>. T .'V : :.MJ nil -!' .^^4 . r; ; <>.->M * ni-JfIK7/ .M'.vo^ f / ; / ;.. i:R7/ AM.'iafl.,".. .^ .ttii il 9)?-.^Bia f HW.iM :^xfi / rwll\ I : r '' ;fJ * Sf ili / .aifTbM iiloc - ' ... ''' 3-r^. . ;; . zJiboEI ,iM .iioj, etanbT ' 13 .; . - xA -v*nft'.' l.THOf' ^ ' C INTRODUCTION. r ^ /r ^%^p3pS < ; /%^ r ;-^ '' $!$?, *i " $$ |Hjiy.' 3 IT is an Obfervation of one of the greateft Men, and fineft Writers of the laft Age, concerning Perfons eminent for Learning, Piety and Ufefulnefs deceafed, " 'that either mt a little^ or nothing at all ought to le faid Their fplendid Works and Services publickly known are thought C by fome ) abundantly fafficient to fupply the Want rf an Hiftory of their Lives, hence it has been faid, ^i-) fifi <"vtt f o( 03 Difla et Fafta Eorum funt Memorise Eorum ' fcripta loquuntur. D3HW Gj fTi' . -..- : : * :. *c- -* :;.; But I rather triinfe, That the truly Great and Good fhould have their Speeches and Adtions at large narrated and faithfully tranfmitted to Pofterity for their Excitation and Imitation. That fuch ought not to Be laid in the Grave with Silence and Difregard feems to have been the common Senfe of Mankind from the Beginning of Time Accordingly Heathens, Jews and Chriftians INTRODUCTION. Chrifttans have endeavoured by all the various Methods that Art could invent to perpetuate the Names and Memories of their refpe&ive Heros and Patrons^ and as far as poffible to confer a Kind of Immortality upon them. It mufl be confefled that few are qualified to draw a fuperiour Character , and do Juftice to "the Memories of fome excellent Perfons. It is an agreable Rule and Caution I have lately met with, fcil. " That as the Lives of good and great Men^ require Jkilful Pens \ fo the Writer Jhould be animated with a Portion of that Genius that formed the Character whofe Perfon he draws " f whieji agrees very well with the famous Saying of Livy on the Roman Orator," That to give CICERO his due Praifes demands a Ciceronian Eloquence. :i ^bfoilcL'Cji It will doubtlefs then be Matter of juft Wonder to many to find me engaging in a Work of this Nature fo every Way unequal to the Subjeft, and therefore very unfit to fet it in its proper Points of Light. But fince no one has appeared on the important Occafion to write and print ( not fo much as a Funeral Difcourfe pub- lifhed ) | neither my want of mental Powers, nor my prefent broken State of Health fhall difcourage me from making an humble Attempt to pay fome Honours to the Memory of fo great a Benefactor of his Country f Nel/en in his Life of Bifoop Bull. |j One fhort Eclogue has been printed fince I began the Narrative^ And a brief Character given in the publick Prints. and i N r R o D u cr i o N. and to Mankind, who might juftly lay Claim to that En comium in Pliny's Account of True Glory, He did what defenes to be written, and wrote -what deferves to be read. And I readily own I have one Advantage which 1 fhall endeavour to improve to the utmoft from the near and happy Relation I fo long flood in to God's' de- ceafed Servant, whereby I tame 'to know more fully his Dolirine, manner of Life, Purpofe, Faith, Long-buffering Charity, Patience fcfc-than mod others -My Aim and Ends ( I truft) are high and worthy, fell. " That the great God' may be glorified for his Gifts and Graces, Image and Perfections which fhone fb ilbftrioufly 1 itf h* Servant v and that all who read this amiable and ufeful Life may be fweetly confirmed ft to an Imita tion of it fo far as it lhall be found comformable to the Gofpel of .God our Saviour. I hope I have been preferred in a good Meafure from : Err*r which many Biographers and Eulogijl, infen- bly n,de into in Narratives of this kind, fcil. Making the,r Subjeft to excell in every Thing, by drawing a perfeft Ch a raaer( as of a good Magiftrate, Minifer &c. ) without Ihowing us the Man, fcil. thofe particu- lar excelling Qt^lities w hich diftinguifh him from - which is as if a Painter or Limner fhould draw Beauty for every agreable Perfon that fits for their INTRODUCTION. their Pifture ; not regarding their peculiar Lineaments, and more firiking Features. I have been at much Pains and Labour in Compiling and Methodizing the Narrative, all excepting fome Parts of the firft fhort Chapters being collated from vaft Numbers of fcattered Papers &c. The moft of that which is properly the Doflor's own ( particularly his Letters ) are taken from firft rough Draughts and printed off without any material Alteration, and therefore cannot be fuppofed to be fo correeT; as they arc in the Hands qf his correfponding Friends. j^ If the Work, imperfect as it is, be kindly accepted, and anfwers the high and noble Ends I- had in View, I fhall rejoice and think myfelf well rewarded E. T. . -iJ3! : mid .T .- 7 ;,,,,; ;^- THE LIFE and CHARACTER Of the Reverend Benjamin Colman, D. D. CHAP. T. The Subject of the Narrative, his Birth, Parentage, Genius for Learning, early Piety, catholic Spirit, Defire to fee England^ and embarking for it. DR, BENJAMIN COLMAN, was born Iti Bqfton New-England, O&ober 19^167^, of reputable Parents, being fecond Son of William and Elizabeth Colman, who came from London and fettled there not long before f. He was of a tender Conftitution from his Birth, and very backward in his Speech and Reading 'till he arrived f- William Colman was Son of Matthew and Grace Co/man of Sattcrly, near Beckles, in the County of Suffolk, and baptized there Auguft 3ift 1643. This is all I can find concerning his Family. But the Name Colman is happy and honoured in the Chriftian Britijb Church, from Time to Time Colman a Scotch Monk fucceeded Finan, in the Reign of O/Hvig King of the Northumbrians , and was at the Head of the Scotch Priefts and Monks in Oppofition to the Romifli Church Anno Dem. 66 1, and 664. Vid, fdt and Raft'*, B to * . ; fffe- .L ; I;F E;avd CHARACTER to the Age of Jive Tears ; when at once he grew for ward in both, and entred young and fmall into the Grammar School under the Tuition of the venerable and learned Mr. Ezekiel Cheever. His fprightly Genius and Advances in Learning were loon ( with PJcafure ) obferved by his Preceptor, infomuch that in his firft and fecond Years he was feveral Times called upon by him to reprove and fhame fome dull Boys of upper Forms when they grofly failed in their Catechifm, and fome low Exercifes. He was fired with a laudable Ambition of excelling at his Book, and a Fear of being out-done. By his Induftry at Home, he always kept foremoft, or equal to the bed of the Form at School ; and a great Advantage he had ( which at that Time gave him no little Pain ) in the Promptnefs, Diligence and Brightnefs of his intimate Companion Prout, who ufcd to fpend his Hours out of School "generally in Studies with him, the two or three lad Years of his Life ; and their Preceptor ufed openly to compare their Exercifes, and fometimes declare he knew not which were bed, and bid Colman take heed, for the firft Time he was out-done Prout fhould have his Place. But alas ! a violent Fever fciz- ed the lovely, mining, ambitious Boy, and fuddenly car ried him to an higher Form, to the great Grief as well as Hurt of Colman^ who was now left without a Rival, and fo without a Spur to daily Care and Labour. However, he followed his Studies fo well that he was qualified for an Admiffion into Harvar-d College in the Year 1688. His early Piety was equal to his Learning. His pious Mother (as he records it to her eternal Honour ) like Lemuel -s, travailed in Pain through his Infancy and Childhood for the New-Birth, and to her InftrucYions and Corrections added her Commands and Admonitions re- fpecling every Thing that was religious and holy , and in a particular Manner about the Duty of praying to God in fecret, and alfo caufed him and her other Chil dren to retire and pray together, and for one another on the Lord's -Days at Noon. While Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N. 3 While a School- Boy for a Courfe of Years he and feme of his Companions, by their own Propofal to each other, under the Encouragement of their Parents^ and with the Confent of their Preceptor ufed to fpend a Part of Satur days in the Afternoon, in Prayer together at the Houfe of Mr. Colman, which continued until their leaving the School and going to College ; Mather, Baker ^ Prout* Pool, Townfend were of this Number ; and for the mod part behaved decently and ferioufly in thefe early Exer- cifes of Piety and Devotion. After his Admiffion into College he grew in Piety and Learning, and in Favour with God and Man. He performed all his Exercifes to good Acceptance, many of them had the Applaufes of his learned Tutor, Mr, John Leverett. He was much animated to the Study of the liberal Sciences, and to make the utmoft Improvement in them from the mining Example of the excellent Pemberton who was a Year before him in Stand ing : To be next to him feems to bound his Ambition until he patted his Degrees * of Batchelor and Matter of Arts, which he did in the Years 1692 and 95, under the Prefidentfhip of the memorable Dr. Increafe Mather, f Mr. Colman had before this Time come into Church- Fellow/hip with the fecond Church of Chrift in Bofton, under the paftoral Care of Dr. Increafe and Cotton Mather. And being devoted to the Work of the evangelical Miniftry by his Parents, and inclining to it from his Childhood, diligently applied himfelf to the Study of Divinity, and began ( too foon as he was often pleafed to fay ) to preach in the Year 1693, firft privately and then publickly ; the Excufe for which was the Decline of * Sequor licet non tequis paffibus. f- When he pronounced the public Oration on taking his Matter's Degree, his thin and (lender Appearance, his foft and delicate Voice, and the red Spots in his Cheeks, caufed the Audience in general to conclude him bordering on a Confumption, and to be defigned but for a few Weeks of Life. his r 4 72* LIFE and CHARACTER his Father's worldly Eftate, after the Death of his Mo ther, whom God took from his Head about three Years after his Ad mi/lion into the College. He began his dated preaching at Medford ('then a fmall Village, now a fiourifhing Town) about four or five Miles from Rofton, for half a Year, to the general Accep tance of the People there, who would have fettled him had they been able ; and then returned to his Chamber in the College, to perfect his Studies till he took his fecond Degree ; and within three Weeks after he had commenced Matter of Arts, he embarked for London in the Heat of King William's War with the French King, having a ftrong Defire to fee England ', and make Im provement by what he could fee and learn there. Juft before his Voyage the reverend Minifters of the North-Church in Eojion fent him to Newport on Rhode- I/land, at the Church's Expence, to preach there a Sab bath, which was tiisjirft publick Appearance and Difplay of his catholic Temper, Modefty and Conftancy, which his tutors much praifcd him for on his Return. The Government there had given the Town-Houfe for the Mifllonaries from the Bay to preach in ; who had us'd it for that Purpofe fome Months before ; but a Mi- nifter of the Church of England happen'd to overtake Mr. Colman and Company on the Road, on Saturday in the Afternoon and went into Newport with them. On the Lord's- Day Morning Notice was brought to him that this Minifter had got the Governor's Leave to preach in the Town-Houfe the Forenoon, and that in the After noon he might take his Turn. Mr. Colman told the Gentlemen he would go and join with the Minifter, and prayed them all to accompany him, that they might dif- appoint the Quakers who officioufly and openly played this Gentleman ag'ainfl them, and give them an Example of Charity and Accord in worfhipping together, and of Unity in keeping the Sabbath : Which accordingly they did,and dined together at a Gentleman's Houfe, Col. S d. But when the Minifter faw Mr, Colman take out his Bible after Of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 5 after Dinner, he civilly told him that he fuppofed he had no Intention of preaching in the Afternoon^ for the Go vernor had given him the Ufe of the Town-Houfe for that Day. The Governor was immediately fent to and owned it, faying, That the Gentleman had told him he was the King's Minifter &c. Upon which Col. S d, Mr. B jy, Mr. C n &c. told Mr. Colman that he fliould preach for them at Mr. B y*s- Houfe, where they would throw open the Windows about which the People might gather to hear, which was confented to, provided it could be done without Noife or Confufion ; \vhich being intimated to the People, the whole Morning Audience in a Manner reforted to the private Houfe in the graved Manner imaginable, and heard him to their great Satisfaction. An early Inftance this of his Piety and Difcretion, Charity and Peaceablenefs, Refolution and Steadinefs : and fhows the Meanefs and Shame of a contrary Temper and Maragement.' CHAP. II. A Voyage to England^ Dangers and Hardflnips undergone in it, taken Prl- foner and carried into France. IT was after the Twentieth Day of July in the Year 1 695 that Mr. Colman imbarked for London (by the Will of God) on board the Ship Swan Capt. *Tbomas G*7for/ Commander For the whole three firftDays he was on Shipboard he endured the Extremity of Sea Sicknefs, and at times through the Voyage. On the fourth Day the Veflel fprang a Leek, and the Water was heard to pour in on the Star-board Tack, which alarmed the Sail ors, and made fome of them remark hisEvenefs and Calm- nefs when they expected he fhould have been much af frighted. When the Winds blew a Storm afterward/he governed 6 Me LIFE and CHARACTER governed his Fears by looking on the Captain, Mate, and Sailors to difcover what he favv in their Faces. When they came into the warm Seas, a Dolphin which they had marked with a Scar on his fhining Back, kept Company with the Ship for Ten or Twelve Days together, feeding on her Bottom. At the End of feven Weeks a Seeker made after them, and foon came up with them. She was a Privateer of 20 Guns and an 100 Men, a light and fleet Ship , The Swan was heavy laden, twelve Guns and 24 Men, Sailors and Pafiengers together. The Swan's Company bore their Broad-fides and Vollies of fmall Arms fix or feven Times that Afternoon, defending themfelves and annoying the Enemy ; but were taken the next Morning, having their Boltfprit fhot away, and the Maft, and Rigging fo torn and cut, that the Mafts fell all together an Hour after; by which means the Ship became a perfect Wreck, and the Company were much looked at by the French when they came into Port. The French had a great Number of Men killed, for they were fo full that if a fhot entered it muft do Execution. God gracioufly preferved Mr. Colman in the Fight, expofed all the while on theQuarter- Deck, where four out of feven were wounded, and one mortally. He was much praifed for his Courage when the Fight was over , but though he charged and difcharged like the reft, yet he declared he was fenfible of noCourage but of a great deal of Feariand when they had received two or threeBroadfides he wondered when hisCourage would come, as he had heard others talk. In fhort, he fought like a Philofopher and a Chriftian. He looked Death in the Face, and prayed all the while he charged and fired, while the Boat- fwain and others made a Frolick and Sport of it. There was a young Rake^ a Paifenger on board, that Jifped at Atheifm, and fpit at Religion every Day of the "Voyage, who was now in the Terrors of Death, when he faw Mr. Colman take a Mufket, he was alhamed to leave the Deck j but the firft Volley of fmall Arms laid him Of Dr. BENJAMINCOLMAN. 7 him flat on his Belly without being touched : when the great Guns roared he would have crept through the Boards to hide hirnfelf; he lay as one Dead, and let the Men tread on him or kick him as they pleafed. At laft he peeped up when the firing ceafed for a Minute, and afked where they were ? Mr. Colman told him they lay by to charge again ; and in a Moment he flew down into the Doctor's Room, and was feen no more till the Ship was taken. Yet this Spark when fafe in France was ridi culing Religion again, and fcorning the Minifters of it as much as ever. When the Ship ilruckthe French Boat came on Board,, and the Lieutenant took all the Crews Moneys and put them into the Boat. The Sea ran fo high that Mr. Col- man was in great Danger of falling befide the Boat, and when he was between the two Ships could fee neither, no not at Times the Mafts of either. This was a new Scene of Danger to him, but the Approach to the Priva teer feemed greateft of all. As he got up the Side he found his Hat and Wigg gone \ and as he looked over the Side there flood the young Atheift naked on the Deck. His turn came next ; but as they were haling off his Cloaths, he faw a compafiionate Man lifting up his Eyes and Hands to Heaven. He cried to him imme diately Miferere met Domine ! and he anfwered him, Are you a Minifter ?. And though he had often intreated the Company not to call him fo, he immediately owned him- felf to be one, and down he came to feize him for him- felf ; But his Shirt was off before he could get down ^ and he carried him to his Room, and took away Stock ings, Shoes and Breeches ; and told him, that if he left them upon him fome body elfe would prefently have them. At laft he obtained of him his under Pair of Stockings, by fhowing him eighteen Piftoles in the Rollers of the Breeches, but as foon as he came on the Deck a Fellow would have the Stockings. They then drefled himun in a few Rags of the Sai lors, which fo changed him that none of the Ship's Crew knew 8 ?be LIFE and CHARACTER knew him, but would turn from him till he fpake to them, and then looked at him with Aftonifhment. The Captain fpake Englifh well, to whom he addreffed for fome Cloathing, but he turned from him with Difdain ; and the Prieft afterwards told him that he hated him as much. Providence fuffered him to be fpoiled of all that he had -thought to fave in cafe he were -taken, but that which he never meant to fave was preferved for him. There was an ingenious French Gentlewoman on Board, Mad. Allaire, with four Children, going to her Hufband at London* Mr. Colman's chief Delight in the Voyage was her little Son of two Years old whom he made to love him for his Cakes and Sweetmeats. Madam Allaire feeing a piece of Gold in his Hand as the Privateers Boat was coming on Board, afked him to let her fave it for him, which (he did, and it brought him nineteen Pounds at Nants which made him rich j fo that what he had no thought of fav- ing was preferved for him, and all that he had projected to fave for himfelf was loft. He was put down into the Hold of the Ship among his ragged Companions, which was at firft grievous to him ; but he found afterward the fingular Care of Provi dence in it : for there he was warm, now his Cloaths were taken away ; and there he felt no more any Sicknefs, the Motion of the Ship being nothing fenfible there, to affect the Head or Stomach. He had been in the Hold but half a Day, when Ma dam Allaire came on Board. The Captain and Officers of the Ship treated her well. She foon enquired after Mr. Co/man, and hearing he was in the Hold, fhe entreated the Captain's Favour to him that he might be with them in the great Cabbin. When he refufed that, fhe afked leave for him to come up and fee them. This was granted. But when Madam firft faw him at the Door, fhe fhrieked out as if it had been a Ghoft, ran to him and wept upon his Neck : and he wept with her. Capt. Gilbert burft out MHO Tears, and fo did Capt, Andcrfon and his Lieutenant, Pafiengers, +'-'ef Dr. B E N J A M I N C L M A N, C) PaiTcngers. He was naked from his Ears to his Shoul ders, and Madam covered him with feme of her Chil- drens Linnen to keep him warm. He fat an Hour with them, eat and drank and returned comforted to his Hold. Prefently away came a Lieutenant to him, to afk him If Madam were not his Wife ? He told him, No / He faid he wondered he would deny it, when he faw the Captain treated her fo well , and they all knew that the Englim Minifters had Wives. He told him if Madam were his Wife he mould have no reafon but to be proud of her and own her. Why then, faid he, did (lie run to you fhrieking, and fall on your Neck ? He told him, be- caufe (he honoured and loved him as a Gentleman and a Minifter, and was frighted to fee him ^ufed fo bar- barouQy. When Mr. Grant the Mate of the Ship, firft faw him put down into the Hold with them, he turned to thofe that fat nigh him, and faid, We mall bury Mr. Colman in three Days Time : But the next Day Mr. Colman feeing that his Prefence and Company retrained the Sailors from a necefTary Chearfulnefsin their melancholy Condition -, bid them be innocently chearful and divert themfelves ; upoa which Mr, Grant (a very grave, prudent and pious Man, 50 Years old) anfwered with Joy ; What Mr. Colman do you call upon us to be cheerful ? What made us fad was to think you would die here of Sorrow : if we do but fee you cheerful we fhall all be merry. Among the Plunder Mr.Colman's Bible was found, and the Captain was fo civil as to fend it to him, with a ftri6b Prohibition of not fhowing it to any of his Men. This wasafingular Favour of God to him, the Ten Days he was with them, and all the Days of his Captivity. One of the wounded Men was dying in the Hold, and he had fcave alfo to pray with him. B CHAP. io fbe LIFE and CHARACTER C H A P. III. What he met with in France, his Suffer ings and Succours, embarking for Portfmoutby Danger of being loft, with other Remarbables occurring be fore he reached London. AT length they caft Anchor before Bell Ifle, and from thence went up the River, towards the City of Nants. In the Way they were put on Board a great Hulk^ but becaufeit was the King's Store-Ship were not permitted to lye fo much asunder the Quarter Deck ; it rained and they threw a Sail over them, and Mr. Colman flept comfortably till the Morning and took no cold. In the Morning they travelled to Nants. The Vineyards were very pleafant on the Banks of the River, and the Fruit delicious to him, efpecially after a tedious fick Voyage. But he could get little of them. Madam Allaire wrote to her Hufband's Mother at Ro- cbel, and to her great Surprize down came her Hufband himfelf in a very rich Drefs : He had loft all at London and fo went over to France^ conformed to the Romifh Church and fo enjoyed his Eftate. Madam underftood her Religion very well, and was a confirmed Proteftant, and had Popery in infinite Con tempt and Scorn. Her Grief was unutterable afterward, when fhe faw her Children in Danger of being Papift?, and her Infants baptized in the Romijh Way. The Prieft teafed her continually, and me fent Word to Mr. Colman by Mr. Middltcot, that fhe would be glad to be a Beggar in England^ if Mr. Allaire would have ftaid there. She never was eafy till fhe got out of "f France, into Holland, at the End of fifteen Years. The f May 12. 1734. This Gentlewoman paid a Vifit to BoJIon from St. Cbriftopbers and was received by Mr, Colman with a furprifmg Joy V-JAI tf Dr. BENJAMIN Cot M AW," 1 1 The firft Night in the Jayl was a very (Locking Scene to Mr. Caiman, but he took a Wifp of Straw like the Reft to lay under his Plead, and flept foundly on the Floor till Morning, when the Door was unlocked to let the Prifoners into the Yard. But God gave him and two or three others Favour in the Eyes of the Captain of the Prifon, and he allotted them a better Room by them- felves, one Corner of which they filled with Straw and flept there at Eafe. Now he cloathed himfelf from Head to Foot with about Three Pounds Ten Shillings. Plis Wigg coft him half a Crown, and the reft was in proportion. But it made him fo fine, after what he had worn, that when he came into the Yard thus arrayed, his Company did not know him again till he fpake, which made them very merry. While he was in Jayl he and his Company were vi- Cted by one Mr. Welcb^ whom God fent to comfort and cherifh them. Whether he were a Proteftant or no he would not difcover ; but when Mr. Colman faid to him, chat he had never before feen fuch Charity ; he anfwered k was one of the feven A6bs of Mercy to vifit and relieve after fo melancholy a parting 38 Years before. And after mutual Exprefiions of the moft fincere Joy ilie gave him a large and particular Account of her Sufferings in France, and Deliverance from them, af ter a wonderful Trial of Conftancy and Experience of Divine Support and Affiftance in Times of Need till fhe arrived fafely in Holland ; which Mr Colman penned down and left among his Papers. A moft entertaining Hiftory, but too long to be here inferted. He Concludes it with thefe Words, " Thus in old Age Mrs. Allaire and I have renewed the Acquain- " tancewe contra&ed in our Voyage, with only this Difference that " Time has wrinkled and made us unknown in Face to one another, " but improved our Souls, and made them more amiable and pleafant ** to each other. She is an excellent Chriftian, waiting for the Con- " folation of her Tranflation from a World of Evils and Trials, which *' the Grace of God has glorioufly carried her through to whofe free t( Grace be all the Glory. May we meet and live for ever in the *' Reft that belongs to the People of God above. This Gentlewoman maybe flill living, a Letter of Hers to Mr. Colman being found in his Study, dated London, May 1747. wrote with ijer own Hand in the French Tongue, ^Et. 8 1 . Prifoners* 12 We LIFE and CHARACTER Prifoners. He faid nothing about Religion, which a Papift fo compaffionate as he was, would in all Probability have done. From Day to Day at Noon in came a Joint of Meat drefled, and by that Time the Company had eat half their Meat he came with a Bottle of Wine hid under his Coat. He fent alfo a Blanket or two to cover them. And when at feven Days End they were going out of Town, he faluted the Provoft that went with them, afked him to drink, and treated the Company. So they took each of them a Penny Loaf from his Hand, and bid him farewel : pouring out their Prayers for the charitable Samaritan that had bound up their Wounds. Late at Night they came to an Houfe and Barn to lodge in, but the Barn was all Mire without a Wifp of Straw. Mr. Colman with two or three turned back to the Houfe, took up the Candle and went up Stairs, The good Woman fcreamed out, and up came the Provoft in great Wrath ; but being mowed an handful of Money the Woman made a low Courtefy and fo all was well. Mr. Colman travelled Ninety Miles on Foot in Four or Five Days and had the bed of the Inn wherever he came. At Rennes he was accofted by a young Prieft with a Crucifix in his Hands, and a few Rabble at his Heels,afk- ing him in Latin what he thought of the Crucifix. Mr. Colman fuddenly anfwered him, That it was not an Ob ject of religious Worfhip. He would prove (he faid) that it was,, fo the Rabble got about them. The Provoft told him he was a Minifter. O Diabok \ cry'd one of them. He bid the Prieft reprove him. He faid, no it was too true ; for ail Hereticks are out of the holy Church, and therefore belong to the Devil, and are going to the De vil, and are Devils. Mr. Colman told him he would not "have him fo far to undervalue himfelf as to hold Conver- lation with the Devil, and bid him farewel. The next Morning he came very humble and fawning, telling him that the Fathers had great Efteem of him, andCompa/Iioa to him, upon the Report he had made to them ; and would not have a Man of his Parts and Learning perifh through ef Dr. B E N j A M i N C o L M A N. 13 through Ignorance and Prejudice. Mr. Colman prayed him to give his Thanks to their Reverences. "When he came near the Walls of Dinan it was a for- rowful Spe&acle to fee that Part of them covered with Prifoners ; but when they entred the Town as many of them as had Money had Liberty to take up Lodgings, for three Pence a Night. Provifions were exceeding cheap, but the French had no Money to buy. The whole Country was poor that they pifTed through, and as for this Town it feemed perfectly to live upon them. Their Stay was long in it ; two Months at lead , the Caufe of which was the floating Prifons that King James had fet up which were two great Hulks, one at St.Malo^ the other at Dunkirk ; where he put the Prifoners that were taken by Ships bearing his Commifiion. This the Court of England refented, and would exchange no more Prifoners till thefe Floats were laid down. At lad the Paquets arrived at St. Mala, and there Mr. Colman and others embarked, near a Thoufand of them on board three Boats. He was put on Board the largeft, about 9oTuns,and had 400 Men on board. They fet Sail towards Evening, and fet their Courfe to fleer clear of a Ledge of Rocks a few Leagues off in their Way ; But be fore Midnight they were upon them, and in the midft of Breakers. A timorous Fellow upon the Deck fcreamed out, and alarmed the living Lading between Decks, and in the Hold. At once they aurofe, and the Matters with the Men, though they .called to them not to ftir for their Lives, left the VefTel upon fuch a Motion within mould not feel her Helm. But they had as good have fpoke to the Wind ; every one were for running to feethemfelves die in the Dark ; and Mr. Colman was left alone in the Cabbin, with a poor trembling Gentlewoman and her two Daughters from Barbados. He had eight Piftoles left of his Money when the Pa quets arrived. He kept two to carry him to London^ and the other fix God gave him an Heart to give among his poor Countrymen to redeem a few of them from remain ing fcp fbg LIFE and CHARACTER ing Prifoners for Debt. God wonderfully repaid him this his Charity to his Companions in Tribulation foon after his Arrival at London as you will hear. \ They landed at Porlfmoutb before the End of two Days, but what with Sicknefs and Cold hisThroat feemed to be clofed up : But a warm Supping and Bed, by the Blefling of God, made him well the next Morning. He had lent go/ to a young Spark from New-Tork. He told him of a rich Uncle he had half Way to London, and prayed him to lend him one of his Piftoles, to be re paid there. He hired Horfes prefently and they mounted, but he had alfo bought himfelf Bootlaflies, &c. So that before they reached his Uncles their Moneys were gone, and their Horfes had done their Stage. His Uncle was a wealthy Quaker and received them gravely. But noCredit would he give to this his Nephew, he knew him too well he faid. Mr. Colman told him what Credit he had given to him, and faved him from the Expences of Portfmoutb At Table the good Man talked over the fad Story of New-England* s y&kc\&\ng and hanging the Quakers. Mr. Colman informed him what a flrange Sort of People the Quakers were then, and what Provocations they gave our Fathers , how they difturbed our worfhipping Aflemblies, and fometimes appeared in an indecent and terrifying Manner to our timorous Mo thers : But after all he con^fTed to him it was wrong in us to return their Perfections of us in the Manner we did, and that the People of New- England all thought fo now. f Mr. f Vid. Dr. Cotton Mather's Account of them in his Hiftory of New- England^ Book VII Page 22, 23. &c. They oppofed the good Order both Civil and Sacred, ere&ed in the Colony. ^ They broached innumerable Herefies, and commit ted innumerable Diforders. The Warm Zeal of our Fathers here upon moved them to make many (harp Laws againft them hoping by the Terror of them to prevent the Mifchiefs threatned -And the Government unhappily proceeded to the Execution of feme of thefe laws in fcourging and then banifhing, and upon their Return hanging Three or Four of the chief Offenders. But all thefe Laws have been Difclaimed ef Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N." 15 Mr. Colman then prayed him to advife him how to get to London. He told him he would lend him Money to carry him thither. Lodge here to Night, faid he, and I will have an Horfe and Guide for Thee in the Morn ing. The good Family entreated him courteoufly in the Evening, and in the Morning his good Hod lent him Twenty Shillings : which he called fora Fortnight after and received, with moft hearty Acknowledgments. But his Kinfman never repayed a Farthing of the Moneys he borrowed. There was another young Gentleman, a Rake with a fober Face,from Barbados. He travelled with the Com pany from Nants to Dinan, and was lodged in the fame Chamber with Mr. Colman. For him he paid Fifty Shil lings in France, and in the End had like to have had his Throat cut for it. When this Spark came to London he found Sir a Barbados Knight , an old gaming Com panion of his, and won an handful or two of Guineas of him. The Moneys bought him two or three fine Suits, and Linnen agreeable. Which was no fooner in his Lodgings but he and his Clothes were out of them, and he fhipped off to Barbados again without paying a Penny. He bragged how generous he had been to good Mr. Colman and given him FivePounds for his Fifty Shillings. difclaimed, renounced and repealed 'for Threefcore Years pad, and therefore Mr. Colman could fay that the People of New- England were of another Spirit and Temper in his Day. At prefent the Quakers are not fo much as obliged by any Law of the Province to pay Rates for the Support of the Standing Miniflry in the Towns where they live. And it is found that they have decreafed, as our good Treatment of them, and Mildnefs towards them has increafed. What a Divine of our own Writes is now almoft univerfaliy confented to, Viz. A Man who is a good Neighbour, and a good Subjetf , has a Right unto his Life and the Comforts of it ; And it is not his being of "This or That Opinion in Religion, but his doing of fomething which Hireclly tends to the Hurt of Human Society by which this Right can be for feited. God grant the Monjler Perfection may never more appear in any Shape among us. A i6 tte LIFE and CHARACTER A Friend of Mr. Col-wan* s was faying in the Coffee Houfe he wondered at L for abufing him after this Manner, and a Sharper that flood by took up the Argument in L Favour ; faid he was well acquainted with him, and would fhew him his Lodgings. He faid he had Money to fpare, and he would pay him. Mr. Colman was fo overfeen as to go with the Man upon his Friend's Advice. Accordingly they took Boat and rowed up to Chelfea. He led him to an Ale-Houfe over againft the Knight's Lodgings. The Servants of the Houfe, and the Mailer of the Ale-Houfe told him that L was returned to Barbados above a Week before. By their looking on his Companion, they faw that he had known it. So Mr. Colman found himfelf kidnapt ; and \vhat remained was to get out of his Hands as well as he could. He dined him handfomely at the Ale Houfe, and was For returning by Water, but finding no Boat and the Sun haftning down they walked over the Fields to St. James's. On the Way Mr. Colman faw his cut-throat Companion on the Look out at every By place, and expected to be robbed, if not worfe. But he fhewed no Fear, and Hea ven (to which he cryed) protected him. Some-body or other always appeared on the Way. When they had patted by Whitehall it grew dark, and Mr. Colman found himfelf pufhed in an Inftant into a blind Ale-HouJe^ and his Companion caught him by the Hand and faid, we muft drink one Mug more at parting. Mr. Colman faw the Servitor's giggle, paying great Refpecl: to this his Gentleman as a Man of Figure, and ready to aflift him. So he put the bed Face he could on it, and while the Ale was drawing he told him that he was a Solicitor, that he knew where L y was and would have him next Morning, but he muft have Six Shillings for a Writ and Charges. Mr. Colman was glad to give him the Money had it been fix times as much to get rid of him , and they both laughed at parting for very dif ferent Reafons. Hitherto 9f Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N.' i j r Hitherto his Charity and CompafTion was but ill re quited by Men, but within a little time it was abundantly recompenfed by God, as you will fee in the next Chapter. CHAP. IV. The Reception he met with at London^ his Acquaintance with Divines and other Learned Men, Characters of divers of them, Preaching ^.t London^ Cambridge^ Ipfwich, Dedham, and at Bath, his Vifits to the two famous Universities Oxford and Cambridge^ the Honour and Pleafure he had in the Acquain tance and Friendfhip of Philomela^ Mrs. Elizabeth Singer^ &c. &c. HI S firft Night at London was very melancholy. He had loft all his Letters from New England, and in them his Dire&ions to his Friends : With Difficulty he found out the Houfe of a Reverend Minifter, but he could not be feen : It grew dark, and he prayed Madam to direct him to fome fober Houfe where he might lodge that Night. She did him the Favour, and it looked dar ker to him now than when the French turned him into the Hold. But in the Morning the pious Mr. Ives made him full Amends. A Man full of Grace, Humility Meeknefs and Charity. He took him into his Arms with the Tender- nefs of aFather, and Madam chofe him good Lodgings. His dear Brother Mr. John Colman, though but a young Man and beginning the World himfelf, yet like a Father to him gave him a Bill of Exchange upon Mr. D Ives 3S $$* LIFE **<* CHARACTER V Ives for Thirty Pounds Sterling ; and what was yet a fair greater Piece of Generofity, he gave him Credit with him without any Limit. He did not trefpafs on this his Good- nefs further then one Ten Pounds. This made Forty Pounds which he never afked him to repay. The Rev. Mr. Quick of London was the firft Minifter he was acquainted with. He loved the Stranger, and was a very affedlionate Gentleman : but extreamly fud- den and quick in his Temper. His Arms and Houfc were always open to him. It pleafed God (about this time,) to vifit Mr. Colman with a dangerous Fever, but Madam Ives had provided him with a good Nurfe. Dr. Moreton vifited him, and God healed him. Mr. Quick was often with him in his Sick- nefsand cheered him by faying to him, " That he was as near Heaven at London as at Eoflon. It pleafed God foon to recover him. Before he got abroad he was furprifed with an Invitation from Mr. and Madam Parkburft in Cheap- Side^ to accept of half a Year's Board at their Houfe. God made her a kind and loving Mother to him, and a generous Friend afterward to fome of his Friends from New-England, in their Straits. This happy Lodging at one of the mod known and frequented Bookfellers among the DifTenters, brought him foon into an Acquaintance with the City Minifters, which was a fingular Advantage and Pleafure. And fo it has been to his Country and theChurches thereof fince, as will be feen in the Sequel of this Narrative. The Family attended the Miniftry of the Reverend and learned Mr. How and Mr. Colman with them. This brought him to the Lord's-Table with him and into his Pulpit. Mr. How was pleafed to embrace him as foon as the Exercife was over, and told him that his Church had lately chofen the Reverend Mr. Spademan of Roterdam to be his Afliftant and SuccefTor in the Paftoral Care,' and he had accepted their Call. He afked Mr. Colman if he was inclined to fee Holland^ and &id his Church would bear his ip/ Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A w7 I jj- his Charges over ; and alfo back again if the People of Roterdam did not chufe him to be their Minifter, or if he did not like the Place. Mr. Colman anfwered him, he greatly deflred to fee Holland, and no Terms could be more agreeable than thefe he propofed: The Support then was an Hundred and Forty Pounds a Year, paid by the States, and he was to be Colleague with the Reverend Aged and Learned Mr. Jofeph Hill, by whom the Greek Lexicon was corrected and amended. He was much pleafed with this Offer of Providence, and fpake openly of it, by which means it came to Mr. Hill's Ears. For he was then in the City, and averfe to Mr. Spademan's coming over ; of which Mr. How faid nothing when he propofed the Matter. Mr. Hill had wrote a Book of the Dominion of England over the Nar row Seas, for which K. Charles the II. had given hi m an Hundred a Year for Life. It had been with-held, and he was now fuing for it. He came to Mr. Colman' s Lodg ings, and afked him if he was the young Man that was going to Roterdam ? And told him he did ill to act in Concert with Mr. How to get his Kinfman away from him who had now been his Affiftant for feventeen Years in the Work of the Miniftry. Mr. Colman afked him with much Surprife, if he were the Reverend Mr. Hill? And told him that Mr. How had never let him know that he was in the City, or that he was not confenting to Mr. Spademan's coming away. He told him it was the Hope of being under his Miniftry, Infpedtion and Wing that was one great Inducement to him to go to Roterdam : But fmce he had the Opportunity now of feeing him, and of afldng his Confent, he fhould not go without it. He changed his Face upon this and faid, " You fpeak like an ingenious and modeft Youth, and have already made good Mr. How's Words to me concerning you, and you deferve a better Settlement than Roterdam. 9 ' But he nei ther would nor could part with his Kinfman. Mr. Colman went to Mr. How and told him what had happened. He . feemed much furprifed at his fudden Promife 3 20 fbs LIFE and CHARACTER Promife, not to go without Mr. Hill's Confent. He told him there were enough ready to go : and fo Mr. Col- man found it ; for before the Week was out one went, without faying a Word of it to Mr. Hill. Hetoid him Mr. Spademan was refolved to return to London^ and that Mr. Hill had nothing to do to hinder it : If the People chofe, the States paid , and in fine, that he had hurt himfelf by not ufmg the Underftanding God had given him. At which Words Mr. Caiman's Head turned, and he let him know it, and told him " That he began to quef- tion his own Underftanding fince he was pleafed to tax his Conduct as he did." He left him in feme Amaze ment, and meeting Mr. Timotby Rogers told him the Story, and prayed him to fet him right if he had erred. He fmiled on him and faid, No ; However he quefti- oned whether many in ImCircumftances would have acted with like Horrfty and Simplicity. Mr. Caiman afked the Opinion of another Minifter or two, who praifed him for what he had done. But by this M^-ans he loft the Favour of Mr. How for two or three Months, who would fcarce look upon him as he bowed to him among the younger Minifters, Soon after the Minifters waited on the King at Ken* fington, and Dr. Bates made one of his fined Speeches to him, upon the Difcovery of the Affaffmation Plot. Ic happened the Coach Mr. Colman was in came firft to the Park-Gate which led to the Palace ', and there flood the Reverend Dr. Bates with his Chair that had carried -him over the Stones, through the City , fo he had the Ho nour to give him his Place in the Coach, and walk on Foot to the Palace. -The Courtiers clofed about the loved King William, and the Minifters about the Doctor, in a Circle -, and then the Doctor delivered his Speech with an Eafinefs and Gravity that were peculiar to him, and charming to all. My Lord Chamberlain led the Minifters down to a Treat in the Buttery, where they eat a Bit of the King's Bread and drank a Glais of his Wine. The ef Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 2 j The Reverend Mr. Daniel Williams (afterwards Dr. Williams) being out of the City, Mr, Colman was afked to preach for him, and by that means became known to the Reverend Mr. Calamy (afterwards Dr. Calamy} his Af- fiftant. Mr. Calamy fell into an endearing Love to Mr. Ct'lman, fo far as to tell him he hoped they fhould fpend their Lives in one Church. And foon after being in Dr. Pt ?y's Lodgings at Whitehall the Dodlor enquired after Mr. Calamy with great Refpeft, and run out in Praifes ot his Book concerning Vows j faying, that he had bought up thirty of them for the Libraries in the Plan tations, which were then forming. Mr. Colman let the Doctor know that he fhould inform Mr. Calamy of the Honour he did 'him, which he prcfently did. Mr. Williams was gone to Bath, to pafs a Month there for the Benefit of the Waters : And Mr. How who had much at Heart a Reconciliation between the leading Brethren of the two Boards, Prrjbyterian and Congregati onal, drew up a (bore Paper on the Head of J unification^ an got it Ggntrd by Dr. Zfo/jand others on one fide, and bv Mr. Meod> and Mr. Mather and others on the other fide. Mr. Calamy fent down an Account of this to Mr. Williams i with a Copy of Mr. How's Paper, and up he came full of Refentment, that the Opportunity of his Abfence fhould betaken for this, as if he were not for Peace, with Truth, as much as any of them. He drew up twenty Objections againft: Mr. How'* Pa per, and finding none but Mr. Colman in the Boukfcller's Shop, he ihowed him (young as he was) his Paper of Remonftrance ; and talked over the Objections for an Hour together. Mr. Colman thought the Reafons againft Mr. How's Procedure were juft, though his End was good, fell. Peace and Unity. But Difpleafure had found fa He Doc trine alfo on the Paper, and dangerous Phrafes, which fhowed, that too warm Zeal for Peace, led wife Gentle men into a Quarrel, and that the mod guarded Words could notefcape ObjecYions when once we are angry. Mr. 1 he was juft now dead. Well, Doftor, faid Mr. Colman upon it, Too well are our Saviour's Words verified, " Neither will they be per- fwaded though one come from the Dead" No Sir, replied the Doctor, " Thefe Things were never meant to con vert us : It is the good Word which you preach to us, snuft do that,, if it ever be done." This Story is fo remarkable and well attefied, as few (if any v in aJl its Circumftances ) are like unto it. And doubtlefs the good Providence of God orders fuch Things every now and then, as fuperadded Tefti- rnonies to revealed Religion, in the great Doctrine of the Soul's Immortality, a feparate State, and the Judgment to come. This was a Teftimony to all England, and more efpecially to the Nobility and Gentry through the Kingdom, who all heard of it, and little heeded it. No Doubt but the Fame of it went immediately to the King's Court.f If Mr. Glawvill) Arch Deacon of Bath in his Day, f This Sir FJtttivood SbeparJ was afterward Gentleman -Uiher of tke &lafk RtJ, and well known by a Poem in Prior to him. of 'Dr. BE N j A M IN COL M AN^ 3 7 fiad been living he would have triumph'd in this evident Teftimony to an invifible World at his own Door : For there is fcarce the like open inconteitible Account in his Sadducijmus Triumphatits. But none have been fo good and juft to the Publick as to publiili this to the World. While Mr. C0/#;0;rwasat &?/ he preached for Mr. Cummins of Shef ton-Mallet. He was a worthy Ml- nifter and a ftrong, ft'out Man. Within a few Years after he met with a Robber on the High-Way that bid'him deliver, with his Piftol in his Hand. Mr. Cummins told him he muft give him Leave to difmount, which he did, the Robber being on his lef$ Hand. In an Inftant'Mr. Cummins took the Wretch by the Foot, and canted him over his Horfe, and as he came to the Ground his heavy and ilrong Foot was upon him, and lighting upon his Bread, flruck the Breath out of his Body. Mr. Cummins was amazed to find him dead, and ready to repent of what he had done. Inilead of praifing him for his Cou rage, or excufing him from the Suddennefs with which a Man acls at fuch a Time, fo me were *eady to cenfufe him as a cruel Man, and that he had not the Pity whidh becomes a Minifler fora poor Soul, Mr. Cummins was . forced to pafs his Trial...) .;!>/; .1?'.-" & TJI! One of the fipfl Pleafures Mr. Colman had at Bath was his coming into an Acquaintance with' the mela, Mrs. Elizabeth Singer of dgford near Firome. She had a Volume of Poems then in Print, being about her twenty-fourth Year. Mr. Rogers had made her an high Complement, in a Book he dedicated to thd virtuous and good-humoured Ladies. Mr. Singer invited him to come and fee his Daughter, that me might thank him. Mr. Colman invited himfelf to go with him, having read her Poems. They found her comely in Body, lowly in Drefs, with a 'Soul : fair and bright as an Angel. .: t Mr. Singer led them out to fee Ms Daughter's Walk or Lodge near his Houfe, where me ufed to meditate and compole. It was a - retired and fhady Path ; a Rivufet on one Side, and tall fpreading Trees on the other. Mr, Rogers 3 6 n* LIFE and CHARACTER Rogers required Mr. Colman to make a Compliment or* the Place : Her Father join'd his Reqneft ; when they returned he fent her a Poem which began thus, So Paradife was brightned, fo 'twas bkft, When Innocence and Beauty it pojfeft. Such was it's more retired Path and Scat, for Eve and mujing Angels a Retreat. Sucb Eden'j Streams, and Banks, and lowering Groves- \ Such Eve her felf, and fuch her Mufe and Loves, Only there wants an Adam on the Green, Or elfe all Paradife might here be feen. Mr. Singer was highly pleas'd with Mr. Colman, and prayed him to enter intoaFriendihipandCorrefpondence with his Daughter, and that he would often come and fee them. : 02 Mr. Singer called himfelf Argos, having an hundred Eyes upon his Daughter, but he feemed to flint them all ^Ifi.Mr. Colmarfs favour. Both Father and Daughter treated him with utmoft Freedom and Affection. Before Company efpecially, Mrs. Singer behaved as though he had been her Brother. Mr. Colman loved her without the lead Intention of ever faying fo to her. She faw it, and it, pleafed her greatly. They wrote to one another often : Mr. Colman made Jong Vifits, fornetimes for Days together : And they were always unwilling to part. Once he vifited her at my Lady Weymout&s, who much efteemed and honoured her. So did Bifhop Kenn who then refided at that noble Houfe. Mr. Roberts of London was then with Mr. Colman. They carried a Note from her Father without which they could not have feen her. She let the Family fee how much me regarded h'm. The Bifhop gave him his Bleffing. And at.a Mile from the Seat they met Mr. Phillips of Frothe, a very aged gracious Minifler, and he bleit Mr. Roberts. Upon which he turned and faid to Mr. Colman, Now, Sir, I am even with you. Mr. of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 37 * Mr. Singer told Mr. Colman that Philomela?* Mother was every way her Superiour, in Knowledge, Wifdom and Grace. And that he had buried a younger Daughter, her equal in Knowledge, and Superior in Grace. Philo mela her felf told him it was very true. The Difcourfe of that Afternoon was upon this dead charming Sifter, the Father being gone out to his Work. She told him the following moft entertaining Story. " My Sifter, faid fhe, was a Year or two younger than I, and her Affection as well as Wit was quicker. I feemed however to my felf to think more thoroughly. She defired ever to be with me, and I wanted to be more by my felf. We often retired by Confent, each to her Chamber, to compofe and then to compare what we wrote. She always exceeded me in the Num ber of Lines, but mine I think were more correct. She exceeded me much in the Fondnefs of Love, but never in the Truth and Strength of it. She was jea lous of me that my Love was not equal to her's, and invented an hundred Ways to try me ; many of which I thought- childifh and weak, and therefore fometimes rather reproved then complyed with. This gave her Grief, and I fhould find her in Tears, which I could not put a flop to but by the tendered Words and Embraces. " We lived Years together as happy as Children could be in one another ; We lived religioufly together ; took Care of one another's Souls, and had ourconftant Hours for Retirement and Devotion. We were daily fpeak- ing to one another of the Things of God, his Being, Perfections, Works ; the Wonders of Creation and Pro vidence, the Myfteries of Redemption and Grace. My Father in his Widowhood took great Delight in us, cherifhed our Love to God and one another, but like good Jacob was fondeft of the youngeft, admiring all that fhe faid or did. And in her Death he was to be tried. " But it was I that was taken fick^ to a very dan gerous Degree. And when the Phyficians were giving me fbe LIFE and CHARACTER me over, my dear Sifter came to me drowned in Tears ; and earneftly killing me, befought me to tell her whether I was (through Grace) prepared to die ? Whether my Intereft in Chrifl and Title to Heaven were comfortable and clear to me ? For .flie was afraid I would die -, and flie could not part with me only to go to Chrift, which was far fthe better. " I looked earneftly upon her and faid, " Why Sifter, do you think me dangerous ? I muft confefs to you my Diftrefs would be great, on the Account of my Soul, if I thought my dying Hour were now coming on : For I have not that full Affurance of my Intereft in Chrift, which I have always begged of God I might have, be- Fore he would call me hence. > oj . " No fooner had me heard me fay this, but me fell as in an Agony on her Knees by my Bed, and in a manner inexpreflible for Fervour and Humility, fhe begged of God, " That if her Father muft have the Grief of burying one of his Children, it might be her : For through his free Grace, and to the Glory of it, ilie could humbly profefs before him her affured Hope of her Intereft in his everlafting Mercy through Jefus Chrift. Wherefore me could gladly and joyfully fur- render her felf to dye, if it might pleafe God to grant her Sifter a further Space wherein to make her Calling and Eledlion fure. ^ ,' " Having prayed thus in a Tranfport which was fur- prifing and aftonifhing to me, flie faffed me and left the Room, without giving me Time or Power to an- fwer her a Word. And, what is almoft incredible to relate, from that Minute I grew better and recovered, but flie took her Bed and died within a few Days. * " Conceive if you can Mr. Colman. how .1 was afto* niilied at this Event of Providence, and over-whelm'd .with Sorrow ; and my Father with me. Yet I reco- * She was about twenty Years old, as the Author of Mrs. Rowis Life reports, . I iij,;^ vered ie/ Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N." 39 vered Health : but the Load of Grief upon me con fined me to my Chamber for more than fix Weeks. My chief Work was to confidcr the Mind of God, in this his Mercy to me, that I might make it evident to my felf, that indeed in Love to my Soul he delivered me from the Pit of Corruption. ' I fet my felf to com fort my Father, what I could, and that was his Care for me. We durft not be inconfolable under a Bereavement fo circumftanced : Yet my mourning- is always returning with the Remembrance of a Love ftronger than Death and bright like the Seraphims, thofe Flames of Love aad Devotion. How exalted a Convention was this which Mr. Col- man had with Mrs. Singer. He told her upon it he was more In Love with the Dead than the Living : And that flic muft yield her Sifter the Viftory ; and confefs her Love to excell in Strength as well as Fervour. After many fuch happy Converfations the Day arrived when I* was obliged to pay a parting Vifit, being earneflJy invited to New England wd to a Settlement in Eofton, which he informed the Family of - when Mrs. Singer poured out a thoufand Wifhes for his Prof- penty ; his Serviceablenefs in the Church of Chrift on fcarth, and his Happinefs with her in that above for ever. Her Father added a thoufand Prayers and Blef- fings to her s with Tears and the moft tender Embraces. Mr Colman believed God called him to return Home to his dear Relations and loved Country - _ . His Character of Mrs. Singer in his Manufcripts fol lows, - She was an heavenly Maid of fublimeDe- flS!* ^ ^7 V aS , Wdl as In g en ^y and Wit. How /h lcftcd , fuch Stock of Knowledge and Li- terature, by reading and Convcrfation, without a learned Tutor* wa n fulBt lt her Wifdom and Difcretion tow-England. ' tCf Mr ' W**5I return to - out/none r 40 > U'.: ; CHAP. f The ingenious and learned Mr. Grove, Author of the fiift Part of Mrs. Rowe's Life (then Mrs. Singer ) takes fome Pains to inform the World, That Part of the above Story is entirely without Foundation in the following Words, (and then makes fome Reflection on it.) " There is a Story (fays he) which becaufe it has been con- '" fidently reported by fome, and credited by a great many others, I '' fhall for the Sake of the Reflection it will afford me, and the Op- f< portunity of afruring the World, after inquiring of the Perfons beft " able to inform me, that it is entirely without Foundation ; though " were it ever fo true, it could not be made an Argument againit ' Mrs. Rcf the fruit of her Hands, and let her own Works praife her in tie Gate. But I am forry for the Diffidence and Larnenefs with which the Story I had from her own Mouth is here told, and am perfwaded there is an Error in the Date, of the Sifter's Life. Churches^ Cf Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N." 43 Churches of New-England at that Time, and that they might lay afide the Relation of Experiences which were impofed in other Churches, in Order to the Admiflion of Perfons to the Lord's-Table. This Invitation was very acceptable and pleafmg to him, for his Heart was always very much in his native Country, and to the Churches of Chrift here, and the more acceptable it was by Reafon of the kind and en couraging Letters which accompanied it from his excel lent Friends the Honourable John Leverett, the Rev. Meffirs. William Brattle, Ebenezer Pemberton, and others. A few PafTages out of fome of thefe are prefented unto the Reader. Mr. Leverett writes-, " I (hall exceedingly rejoice at your Return to yout Country. We want Perfons of your Charafter. The Affair offered to your Confideration is of the greateft Moment. I pray Almighty God to be your Diredor in it. Your Return is heartily defired by all that I have, heard fpeak of it, but it can't be more agreeable to any Body than it is to, Sir, Your fincere Friend, -fcfc' Mr. Brattle writes, " This waits on you with my Defires and Hopes,' that your Circumftances will allow you to entertain and accept the Invitation. The good Refpect the Bofton Minifters have for you (as well as others) mould methinks encourage your cm> bracing the Motion now made to you. As for my own Part 1 mall account it a Smile from Heaven upon the good Defign of thefe Gentlemen, if you can fend them an Anfwer of Peace, and would hope that your fo doing will refult to your mutual Rejoicing. May God diredt you in the Matter. Your real Friend and Servant, &cl Mr. Pemberton writes, " With this you will receive a kind Invitation to return to your own Country, which you cannot but have a 44 fte LIFE and CHARACTER a great Tendernefs for, and your Affedlion will I truft, con drain you to comply, and hope it will not be to your Difadvantage. The Gentlemen who follicic your Return are moftly known to you Men of Repute and Figure, from whom you may expect generous Treatment ; and among them, I doubt not, but you may be peculiarly ferviceable to the Lord Jefus Chrift which is the higheft of your Ambition. I believe your Return will be pleaf- ing to all that know you, I am fure it will be inexprefii- bly fo to your unfeigned Friend and Servant, &c. The like ilrong Expreffions of Refpeft and Efteem are to be read in the Epiftles of divers others. When he took leave of his Brethren at Bath, he told them he knew not how to do it better than by fubfcrib- ing with them, to pay off the Debt of Fifty Pounds, \vhich they yet owed for their Meeting- Houfe ; t which he did and fo left them. When he came to London. (Auguft i. 1699) he found rnoft of the. City Miniflers, to whom he was beft known out of Town, viz. the Rev. Meflirs. H0w, Quick, Na thaniel Taylor, &c. &c. &c. He waited on the humble and heavenly Mr. Syhefter y and found him mounting his Horfe : He told him " he friould have been proud to have laid his Hand on him at his Ordination ;" which was a great deal for him to fay who never faid any Thing but from his Heart in his Life.^ His Letters from Bofton defired him to afk Ordination at London. He knew not then the Reafon of his Friends Defire, but it was agreeable enough to his Principles and Inclinations. Accordingly he immediately applied him- ielf to the Prefbytery there, and on the fourth Day of faid Month the Solemnity was attended, after a pubiick Lecture at the Meeting-Houfe of the Rev. Mr, Gbrifto- fber Taylor. He was ordained by Prayer with the Impofition of the Hands of the Rev. Meflirs. Richard Stretton^ John Spade - man, Robert Flewming, and Cbriftopher Taylor. -- Mr. Stretto ef Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.' ~4. *$tretton prayed, and Mr. Spademan made the Exhortation : And after the Solemnity was over, ail the Rev. Minifters then prefent came out of their Seats, and in a grave and hearty Manner gave him their Right Hands, f Mr. Stretton was an aged and eminent Paftor in the City, much reverenced and honoured for his Learning, Gravity, Piety and Wifdorn. Mr. Spademan was a very judicious and learned Man, and fo was Mr. Taylor -, Mr. Colman was going to fuc- ceed the one at Rotterdam (as before related) and was Suc- ceflor to the other at Bath. Mr. Fleming was Paftor of a Scotch Church in London, and had been or was afterward chofen Principal of one of the Colleges in Scotland. Mr. Quick was highly difpleafed that he was not fent For out of the Country, that he might have done him fome more publick Honours at the Ordination. Dr. Bates died a few Days before Mr. Cclman left Bath. The Day before he took Coach he received a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Jobn Shower informing him of the Deceafe of that glorious Man. Mr. Colman received ample Teftimonials of his good Converfation while in England from many other Rev. Minifters, viz. the Rev. Dr. Daniel Williams, John Quick, Matthew Sylvefter, John Shower , 'Timothy Rogers, Edmund Calamy, Thomas Cotton, Ifaac Mauditt, &c. &c. Mr. Parkhurft and Wife who had been fo good as to vrfit him at Bath, did moft heartily open their Doors to him again when he arrived at London. Mr. Samuel Holden the Son and only Child of Madam Parkhurft was then at Riga, fo that he never had the Pleafure of feeing his Face, but his Mother fpake fo much to him of Mr. Colman as gave him a lafting Intereft in *|* With us in New- England one does it in the Name not of thtjr Brethren in the Miniftry only, but of thofe particular Churches alfo, whom they reprefent, making a Speech on theOccalion. Our Ufage is at large related in Dr. Cotton Mather^ Ratio Difcifittt*,. Page 2 ',.33, &c. his STi^UFE and CHARACTER his good Opinion and generous Friendfhip, to the great Benefit of New England, as will be feen before our Nar rative is finifhed. His dear Brother Mr. John Colman of Bofton, Mer chant was one of the Committee of the Proprietors of the new built Church who invited his Return ; and kindly fent an Order upon Sir James Eaton for what Mo neys he wanted. Mr. Colman took up Twenty Pounds Sterl. and laid it out in Books. But when he came Home and the Gentlemen prefented him with fifty Pounds on his Arrival, his Brother would not be repaid a Farthing, but boarded \\imgratis, until he married. This he makes a grateful Record of, that his Pofterity may know his Obligations to his Brother. About the 2oth of Auguft 1699, he imbarked at Gravefend, and by the Favour of Heaven, after a Fort nights Delay in the Downes, and a long eight Weeks fick Voyage, he arrived at.Bq/lon the firft Day of November , where he was received by his Relations, Acquaintance, and the Brethren who fent for him, with a great deal of Love and Joy unfeigned, after an Abfence of four Years and three Months. The next Day the Undertakers prefented him with Fifty Pounds. Soon after they kept a Day of Thankf- giving in private to Almighty God, for his fafe Ar rival and the many Smiles of his gracious Providence on their Undertaking unto that Day. And he preached to them from i Chron. xxix. 13, 14 Verfes. Now there* fore, our God we thank thee, and praife thy glorious Name. But who am I and what is my People, that we Jhould be able to offer fo willingly after this Sort ? For all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. On Tuefday December the twelfth, At a private Meeting after folemn calling upon God, the Brethren declared their Confent and Agreement to walk in all the Ordinances qf our. LORD JESUS CHRIST. T , Ine Of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN.' 47 The twenty-Fourth being Lord's-Day they opened their New-built Houfe for publick Worfhip and. Mr. Colman preached to them from 2 Chron. vith Chapter 1 8 Verfe. But will God in very Deed dwell with Men upon Earth ? Behold, Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens can not contain thee ; bow much lefs this Houfe which I have Built ? * As he defignedly omits the Mention of the Differences and Troubles they had with any Neighbours (Minifters and others) about their Proceedings, and only records in the Church Book an Acknowlegment of their great Obligations to the Honourable William Stoughton Efq; Lieutenant Governor of the Province, the Rev. Mr. William Brattle of Cambridge, the Rev. Mr. Clark of Chelmsford and the Rev. Mr. John Danforth of Dor- chefter for their good and kind Endeavours for their peace able Settlement, it would be neither modeft nor juft in me to publifh the Hiftory of them Wednefday the gift of January, was feparated by the Undertakers forpublickly imploring the Prefence of God with them, his Pardon and Bleffing and accordingly fo- Jemnifed. The Rev. Mr. James Allen began the Morning Exercife with Prayer, and Mr. Colman preached. In the Afternoon the Rev. Mr. Willard began, Dr. In- creafe Mather preached and Mr. Cotton Mather con cluded. Mr. Colman received Letters from divers worthy Mi nifters and others before he imbarked, and foon after his Arrival, in all which are found Expreflions of their high Efteem and Honour for him, and of their great Unwillingnefs to part with him. 1 mall offer but a few of the many, that prefent themfelves. The Rev. and aged Mr. John Quick who conftantly wrote to him to his Death fays, ' No one in England loves you more or wifhes you better.' The Rev. Mr. Jeremiah White writes, " If I had ne ver fo much Time, I could not by Words tell you how * The jnoft pertinent and well chofen Subjeft. much 48 Me LIFE and CHARACTER much you are deemed and loved by me. GOD has referred your Manna for more fkilful and judicious Palates than thofe at Bath. The Rev. Henry Chandler writes, * We look upon your hafty Departure as a double Affliction. May you be (what you are very like to be) a Bleffing and Honour in Bofton. The Rev. Samuel Mather writes, " May your Encou ragement be great and your Succefs large. I doubt not yon have prepared your felf with a Sword as well as a Buckler, with a Spear as well as an Head- Piece, and are able to make your Way through all Difficulties. The Rev. Mr. Jofeph Standen writes, And muft we lofe you : With what Violence and Regret I let you go. I fhould be glad a thoufand Times could England have afforded you fo happy a Station. I wifli fome kind Pro vidence would bring you here again. Ah could I once fee you before I die, but 'tis an Happinefs too great to hope for in this World. O my God let me have it in the next. I fhall add no more to this Chapter, but a few fur- prifing PafTages of a Letter from the venerable Mr. Singer, the happy Father of Philomela, and a ihort Script or two of Her's. Mr. Walter Singer's Letter. June 15. 1709," " O why has Providence denied me fo great a Bleff ing as the Enjoyment of thy dear Relation and Society ! This often makes me, with a melancholly Sigh, wifli dgferd at Bofton, or Bofton here But infinite Wifdom and Goodnefs cannot err, or the Thought would make too deep an Impreffion. Methinks there is one Place vacant in my Affections, which No-body can fill befides you. But this Bleffing was too great for me, and God has referved it for thofe that more deferved it. I cannot but hope fometimes that Providence lias yet in Store fo much Happinefs for me, that 1 fhall yet fee you, If not I have miffed the great- eft cf Dr. BENJAMIN Co L M A N." 49 eft temporal Good my Mind was ever fet on ; and did rot my Age forbid my Removal hence ; and your hap py Circumftances forbid my Requeft, I fliould not be ea- fily perfwaded to forbear tiring you with Requefts, till I had prevailed with you to return hither with the dear Companion of your Joys. My dear Philomela improves daily in Knowledge and Piety, in the Love of God, and all that is good f lives above the Fears of Death, or rather under the flrong De- fires of it. Your real, paffionatc Friend, Walter Sinrer. Philomelas Letters. Your Senfe and Virtue has made a lafting Impreffion on my Heart, and when Death has extinguifhed the Flame of Life, my Friend/hip for you fhall commence a more exalted Ardor But till we meet in the Regions of 1m- mortality I hope I mall have your Prayers ; for I know they will bring down a thoufand weighty Bleffings on my Head.--Such prevailing Piety as your's cannot fail of Succefs above. Adieu ; 'tis but a little Interval, and we fhall converfe in the Walks of Paradife, and fing in the heavenly Bowers. T S . ir * Jub 12. 1709. I received your laft, and find I am dill happy in your Elteem, and the invaluable Blefiing of your Prayers - Tis a Privilege, I hope, I fhall never forfeit, nor fail to exprefs my higheft Gratitude for. But I muft corred my fejf : For it is not poffible for me to exprefs my Gratitude ; and I could not be more ac a Lois if I was making my Acknowledgments to my Guardian Angel^ his Care. Methinks my Sentiment? tor you have fomething in them too nice to be defcnbed in the DialecT: of Mortals, and the Language of Heaven would better become a Friendfhip fo noble. Adieu \ and may the Light of his Countenance whofe Benignity is better than Life, conduct you fafe to everlafting Joys. E. Singer. H C HA P. 50 We LIFE and CHARACTER * : CH A P. VL Many eminent Services done by him for the Churches, Colleges and Country ; fome of his Projections and EfTays to do good Thoughts on Church- Go vernment Honours done him. MR. Colman (thus fettled) was animated with a fin- cere and ardent Love to his Country ; and laid - himfelf out to the utmoft Stretch of his Power, as Op portunities offered, to ferve its bed InterefTs. His firft and greateft Care, and mod arduous Labours were beftowed on his own Church and Congregation. But as I fhall have Occafion hereafter to confider and write more particularly of fome of his Minifterial Quali fications and Excellencies, I fhall here only fay in general what all his Congregation have been Witnefles of, and God more, viz. "That he approved himfelf a wife, di ligent, zealous, faithful, tender and condefcending Mini- Her of JESUS CHRIST , in fludying, watching, vifiting, eounfelling, earneft Praying and Preaching, exhorting, charging and comforting them as a Father his Children : And this he did through a long and mining Courfe, ever* for Forty-feven Years ; for fo long it pleafed a gracious God to continue his precious Life and Uiefulnefs to them. About fifteen Years he miniftred to them without a fettled Affiftant or Colleague,-)- viz. to May 23. 1716* when Mr. William Cooper (who with great Peace and Union of Hearts was chofen by the Congregation, Aug. 1 6. 1715,) was moft happily join'd in the Paftoral Care, f- His People afforded him tranfient Help as he needed it ; and for two Years and an half, viz. from the Year 1701, they employed the Rev. Mr. Elipbalet Mams (who is now the aged, venerable Paftor of a Church in New-London) in a more flated Way. and of Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N." 51 and continued labouring with him in Word and Doflrine, as a Son with a Father, for Twenty -feven Years.* It pleafed God to remove him by Death on December the 1 3th. 1743. Of this excellent Perfon more will befaid in another Chapter of our Narrative. After Mr. William Cooper's Deceafe, viz. on December 3 1 ft. 1744, Mr. Samuel Cooper fecond Sen of the Deceaf- -ed, was with great Unanimity chofen Co-Paftor and Col league; at a Meeting of the Congregation, after Dr.Colma'n had made a moving, pathetick Speech to them, in which among other Things, he faid, " I thank God for the Op- " portunity of feeing you together ; with an happy " Profpedt of Unity and Comfort in the great and im- " portant Point that we are met upon. The Year of * c pur Mourning, under the holy bereaving Hand of " God upon us, is now finiflied. We have from one 66 Lord's-Day to another, as well as on our fetand folemn " Days of Humiliation and Prayer -J-, been fupplicating the * Auguft 2d, Mr. Colman preached a Sermon upon the Day of Prayer kept by his Congregation to implore the Divine Conduft and Blefling with them in their Election of another into the Paftoral Office among them, from Eph. iv. 8, 1 1 Verfes. Wherefore be faith, when he a fc ended up on high, he led Captivity captive, and gave Gifts unto Men, And he gave fame ApoJIlcs : And fame Prophets : And fome Evan- gelijls : And fome Pajlors and Teachers. Mr. Colman alfo preach'd at Mr. Coopers Ordination from 2d of Tim. iid Chap, ift Ver. Thou therefore my Son le Jlrong in the Grace that is in Chrijl Jefus. Both thefe Sermons are in Print, and to the latter of them is annexed Mr. Coopers Confeffion of Faith, and his Anfwers to feveral important Queftions propofed to him upon that Occafion. f On May 1 5th 1744, the Church and Congregation kept a Day of Fajling and Prayer, for renewed Humiliation and Direfiion in the Choice of another Minijler, in God's Time and Way, in the Place of Mr. Cooper, when Dr. Colman preached an excellent Sermon from Numb, xxvii. 15, 16. And Mofes fpake unto the Lord, faying Let the Lord, the God of the Spirits of all Flejh, fet a Man over the Congrega tion. Towards the Clofe of the Sermon are found fuch Pafiages as thefe. *' God forbid that I fliould ceafe to pray toGod for you ; that an- " other Cooper (I mean one like the Deceafed) not a Novice, but one l f able and apt to teach you ; be fet over you in the Lord ; a Man of 15*2 -72* LIFE and CHARACTER " the great Head of the Church to repair the Breach, m " his own Time and Way, and give us another Paftor " after his own Heart, gifted and fpirited like the dear " Deceafed , and I hope the gracious Saviour has fuch " an One in Store for you and your Children, your Fa- 4< milies and Houfholds. " Through the Patience of God I continue with you " to this Day, under the growing Infirmities of Age ; " nevmhelefs having obtained Help of God I have not " failed, in one Adminiftration or other, I think, to mi- " nifter every Lord's-Day ; and I thank God, to your " kind Acceptance. " And if I may now live to fee you united in your " Choice of another Paftor, as I once faw your Prede- " ceflbrs with not a few of your felves here prefent, I " (hall rejoice and give Thanks with you all : Yea, "might this be the Day, it will be a gladfome one to " Shew, Lord, which thon haft chofen / And lead " us in thy Truth and teach us ! in Paths of Righteouf- *' nefs for thy Name Sake ; in the Determinations of " this Morning. Amen. Accordingly Mr. Cooper was peaceably and happily fettled in his Father's Room t May 21. 1746,* on which Occafion " of Underftanding, Prudence and Wijdom ; a Man of Learning, Parts " and Powers, fuch as this Place fo much wants and calls for ; a Man " of Prayer and Power with God, a Man of God' (like Mofes, Elias ** or EUJlia) exhibiting before you (in his Life and Minifiry) much *' of the Image and Spirit of the holy God : A Man haliiually with " God, in fecrct and in fublick, who fhall be able truly to fay to you, " I love my Mc.fter, and my Work, and my People's Souls ! A Man " greatly for God in his Generation, laying out himfelf for the Sal- " vation of Souls ; and owned of God in fuch his Dejires, Aims and " Labours. t Vid. Pfalm xlv. 16. and Pfalm cii. 28 Verfe. Una avutfotton deficit Alter. * The Reafon why the Ordination of Father and Son was fo long deferred after the Choice made of them by the Congregation, was their own earneft Motion, pleading their Youth ; and that they might have more 'of Dr. B E N J A M I N C L M A N? "53 Occafion Dr. Colman preached and printed an excellent Sermon on Ifa. vith Chap, and 8th Ver. Alfo 1 heard the Voice of the Lord faying, Whom Jhall I fend ? And who will go for us? Thenfaidl, Here am I, fend me. In which among other Things, he uttered this Wifh, " May " his Days be more than his Father's were, in the Work " of the Miniftry, and as well filled up with Study and " Fidelity ; and crowned even with more Succefs, from " the Fulnefs that is in Chrift" To which I doubt not the whole Afiembly faid Amen. Dr. Colman faithfully ferved the College as an Overfeer to his Death , and as a Fellow of the Rev. Corporation for a great Number of Years, until by reafon of Age and bodily Infirmities he thought himfelf called to refign that important Office and Truft : This he did with many De clarations of his Readinefs further to fcrve, and promote the Profperity and Flourifhing of that loved and honour ed Society, to his utmoft Ability. (} While he had a Place in the Corporation he was much employed in draughting Letters -and Addrejfes about the Affairs of the Houfe, fuch efpecially as were fent Abroad to Perfons of DiftincYion and Benefactors, were rnoftly done by him, as appears by the Votes of the honoura ble and reverend Overfeers, and Corporation, and many rough Copies found in his Study.-f' His warm and well governed Zeal for the juft Rights and Privileges of the College fhewed it felf on various Occafions I will hint at one or two. When above twenty Years ago, fome reverend epifco- pal Gentlemen endeavoured to pufh themlelves into the more Time to ftudy and gain Experience. The Congregation alfo confented to another Requeft of theirs, " That they might preach but once in a Fortnight 'till their folemn Separation. || Upon his repeated Motions to refign I find a Vote of the Corpo ration dated February 5. 1727-8 earneftly defiring his Continuance in that Station. f Two Addrefles of his Draughting are found one to hisMajefty King GEORGE the Firft, 1723. Another to his Majefty King GEORGE the Second, 1727. Qverfigh c fbe LIFE^^CHARACTER Overfight and Government of it, he ftrenuoufly oppofed them, and wrote a judicious and nervous Anfwer to the Memorial prefented by them, which is found among his Papers.* There is alfo a large Bundle of Writings left, contain ing Addrefies, Letters and Arguments about the Regu lation of the Corporation (a Matter in Difpute about the Year 1721) wherein heearneftly pleads for what appeared to him the good of the Society at that Time, and in all Times to come. He took indefatigable Pains with the honoured and worthy Mr. Thomas Hollis^ and the Rev. Mr. Darnel Neal and others, concerned in forming Rules and Orders relating to the Settlement of the Hollifian ProfeiTor of Di vinity (to the obtaining which great Benefit to the Col lege he had been by God's Favour very Inflrumental ) And he had no fmall Succefs in finifhing that Matter to the Satisfaction of all concerned. But the Hiftory of his procuring Benefactions wilt be particularly related in another Chapter- wherefore I fhall conclude this Sec tion with Part of a Letter draughted by Mr. Colman> written to Mr. Hollism the Name of the Corporation, re commending one to him for his firft ProfefTor. " There is but one thing more, Sir, which I have now to add, but 'tis a very great one ; " The Nomination of a Perfon to you to be your firft Profefibr. There is lately returned to, and is now refiding in the College, a very accomplimed Perfon for the Office in our joint Opi nion and Judgment ; Mr. Edward Wigglefworth^ who in the Year 1710, patted his firft Degree with us, and has ever fince diligently applied himfelf to the learned Stu dies, and to the Study of Divinity more efpecially : He is a Perfon of known and exemplary Virtue, Piety, Li terature, Modefty, Meeknefs, and other Chriftian Orna- * In a Letter to a Friend 1747 he writes, " The rnoft remote Step to fap and undermine our College, I would carefully obferve, and inftantly and openly oppofe, and have made it the Bufmefs of my Life to do fo with Caution and Courage. ^ j ments : ef Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N." 55 His publick Exerciies in the Pulpit difcovers a folid Judgment, a clean Stile, a clear Method, a bright and ftrong Thought, and a Facility or Aptnefs to teach : And it now appears to us, as if Providence may have re- ferved him for fuch a Service as this now before us ^ which we apprehend may fute him in all Refpecls , ex cepting his low Opinion of himfelf : Yet neither is he wanting in Gravity, Wifdom, and a Spirit of Govern ment and Authority, which may benecefTary to command the Reverence of others to him in any Office he may be called to. We do therefore heartily and earneftly recommend him to your Favour, to be nominated by you your firft ProfefTor ; and the fooner you pleafe to name him the better, that he may be ready to enter on the Work as foon as we can be ready to inftall him ; or that being ap prized of his Nomination he may be preparing himfelf for his Entrance thereon. B. COLMAN." After the Deceafe of the Rev. and Hon. John Lever ett, PreJident^vvL. on November 18. 1724. The Rev. Corpo ration met and chofe Mr. Colman Succeflbr * to thaLgreat and excellent Man.* And on November 24th follow ing, the Hon. and Rev. the Overfeers of the College unanimoufly approved of, and confirmed the faid Elec tion , and on the 3Oth by their Committee invited him to accept of the Office : But the Great and General Court of the Province not willing (at that Time) to fettle an Ho nourable Stipend orSalary, until his Inclination to accept, and his Church's to part with him were known, he ex- cufed himfelf from accepting the Honour and Charge, though with repeated and earned Solicitations and Argu ments he was urged to it here and from Abroad. . The Anfwers he returned were in thefe Words As I find in a Paper entitled, " A Minute or Record of that troublefome Affair, my Election to the Prefidency over Harvard- College." * N. B. The Rev. Mr. Jofepb ScwattofBo&on, (now Dr.Spwa/J) was firft chofen and excufed himfelf.^ Augujl the i ith. 1724, To 56 tte L I F E and C H A R A C T E R " To the Hon. Samuel Sewall Efq-, and the other Hon? and Rev. Gentlemen the Committee of the Hon. and Rev. the Overfeers of Harvard-College. Gentlemen, When you did me the Honour to inform me in the Name of the Hon. and Rev. the Overfeers of Harvard- College, of their approving the Choice, made of me by the Rev. Corporation to be Prefident of faid College, I did then exprefs to you my grateful Acknowledgment of the Regards mown me by fo Hon. and Rev. a Body, and my humble Senfe of my own Unworthinefs thereof. Since which I have privately feen a Copy of the Vote of the Hon. Houfe of Reprefentatives of December 3. fent up for Concurrence, which Vote I am informed has been non- concurred by the Honourable his Majefty's Council, and hereupon fearing left on my Account there may be like to enfue any Difficulty to the honourable Government, or Detriment to the College for Want of an honourable Allowance or Salary to the Prefident , I do therefore willingly lay before the honourable and re verend Overfeers, or before the General Court if it be thought meet, my humble Apprehenfions relating unto what fo nearly concerns the College and my felf ; and as I judge, its juft Interefls and Welfare in all Times to come. I crave Leave therefore to fay, That I never fought or de fired, but modeftly fhunned the Election that has been made of me to be the Prefi dent of Harvard-College. That I hope I have always fliewn my felf very inclin able, to the utmofb of my Power, every Way I can, to ferve the College, and have had great Pleafure therein,, and I thank God fometimes no fmall Succefs. That I mu ft readily own, I am very much difinclined to leave my Church, or to Undertake an Office fo much a- bove me, as that of Prefident of the College. That I truly efteem it a Matter of great Importance to tie Eftabli/hment of the Churches in the Province, as well as to the College^ that ordinarily fome grave and learned Perfon Cf Dr. B E N J A M I N C L M A N? 57 Perfon, who has been a confiderable Time in the Pafto- ral Office, and is in fome eminent Degree, gifted for preaching and expounding the holy Scriptures to the Stu dents, be chofen Prefident of the College. That as I wifh the Prefident in all Times to come, may efpecially give himfelf unto thefe facred Studies and Exercifes, fo I would humbly fupplicate the General Court for any one who (hall do fo, to grant him a very fufficient and honourable Support. But for the honourable Court toinfift on their Vote of "knowing my Mind^ whether I am willing to accept of the Choice^ and to undertake the Office of Prefident^ to which I am chofen^ and alfo of knowing my Church's Mind, whe ther they can part from me before they will fx any Salary for me in faid Office^ mud determine me to give my Anfwer in the Negative to the honourable and reverend the Overfeers of Harvard College, which in that Cafe I now do. Finally, As it highly becomes me to acquiefce in the Pleafure and Wifdom of the honourable Court ; fo I hold my felf now called in Providence with new Ar dours to recommend the College to their wife and tender Care. I afk the Prayers of the honourable and reverend Board and am Bofton, Dec. loth. 1724." A Second Anfwer upon further Application.' " Gentlemen, '^ Befeeching the God of the Spirits of all Flefh to provide gracioufly for the College, and to fet a much worthier Perfon over it, and to make it in all Times to come more and more a Bleffing both to Church and State, I do hum bly think it my Duty to return my Anfwer to the ho nourable and reverend Overfeers of Harvard-College in the Negative, praying you in Time convenient to inform I them 5 ^ tt* L I F E and C H A R A C T E R them that I do not fee my way clear to accept of th$ Choice made of me to be the Prefident of faid College. I am Honoured and Reverend, your obliged humble Servant." Although Dr. Colman excufed himfelf from this high Honour andTruft, yet no onefhewed a greaterSolicitude, nor took more Pain.% to have the College well fupplyed, Plis moving Speech to the Old South Church in Bofton, September the 3Oth 1724. to part with their Reverend and Honoured Paftor, Dr. Jofeph Sewall for that Service, which lies before me, is a Dem on fl ration of it. With many other EfTays afterwards for its Good. Dr. Colman writes down at large his Opinion, What Prefident Harvard- College needed at that Day. His Words are, " A Man of God mould be fet at the Head of it, " of confpicuous Godlinefs, Faith, Love, Patience, " Meeknefs. An upright and faithful Man, in whom " all that are any ways related unto, and concerned for " the College, may put an entire Confidence. " One that will not only be a kind and tender Father ". to our Sons, as well as a careful Governour of them ; " but will alfo clefire to be found a fpiritual Father to " them, by the Will of God. The Propofaf'for a Fund. A Propofal humbly offered to the Confideration of the Minifters and Churches of Chrift, through this and the neighbouring Provinces, for the collecting and keeping a fmall Fund of Moneys in every ChurcH, to be difpofed of from Time to Time in fuch pious Ufes, and in fuch Pro portions, as the particular Churches to which ^belongs fhall fee meet. *>\ As we are directed and commanded by God^oSjr Sa viour to be ready unto every good Work> and to be rick * L ; 74 fbi LIFE and CHARACTER in good Works^\ according to the Ability which he has given us, and his Bleffing on us in our worldly Eftate ; fo we are particularly encouraged to be devifing liberal Things with this Promile, That by liberal Things we Hull (land.* This,Promife obviates and removes the Objeftion^ that may be ready to rife in the Minds of fome ac the firft Sight of the prefent Propofal, from our preient difficult Circumjlances. For as one Reafon of tbefe may be, that we have done and do no more in a free Expence from Year to Year as a People, for the Support of Religion among our felves > and the carrying it unto others in our Neighbourhood ; fo one of the morteft and moft direct Ways that a People can take to obtain of God the Return of their: Profperity, and their future Eftabli foment, may be to come into fome Methods of this Nature which we now propofe ; with a pure Aim at the Honour of God, and the Good of Souls. Let us prove a gracious and bountiful Providence, if it may not pour out a Bleffing^ and add no Sorrow with it : But what is of much greater Weight, and what we may more afiuredly expect, by this Means we may reap more abundantly in the fpiritual Bleffing^ The Spirit of God with his Word and Ordinances among us, and on our Offspring. It is I. That every particutoyiurch do furnifli themfelves with a greater or fmalfippft^, that may be a conftant and ready Fund for UjIpQf Piety and Charity^ as they may fee Occafion. II. That to thisjpl there may be in every Congre gation a C0//*#/'0gffiade on our Days of General Fafting f Tituf fij.0 ; i Tim. vi. 18. I Pet. iv. 1 1. * Ife. xxxii. 8. ProvgiivQ, io. Ifa. Iviii. 8, 9, 10. |( Mai. iii. 10. Prov. x. *2#i lia. xli*. 3, 4, Gal. vi. 8, 9, end Of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN. 75 *nd Thankfgiving, appointed by the Government over us from Year to Year. III. Thefe Stocks may alfo be from Time to Time increafed by private Communications ', as any Perfons on particular Occafions may find themfelves inclined. IV. This Evangelical Treafury may be lodged in the Hands of the Deacons of each of the Churches where it is gathered, or whomfoever the Church mail appoint to that Truft ; and a true and fair Accomft mall be kept by them, to be on all Occafions produced, of all that is brought in, or laid out. V. Nothing fliall be at any Time, or for any Occafion drawn out, without the Knowledge and Content of the Church to which it belongs. VI. It is propofed that the firft and main Intention of thefe Funds (hall be the Propagation of Religion in un- gofpelized Places ; and the difperfing Bibles, Catechifms, and other Inftruments of Piety among the Poor, as any particular Churches may fee Occafion. We have obferved with Thankfulnefs to God for it, that of late Years the Hearts of many good Men among us, have been much upon this great and good Work here propofed, Namely, the Miffion of the Gofpel into fuch Places as have been hitherto negligent or averfe to the Settlement of it among them, and alfo the giving Bibles, Catecbifms, and other good*3Books among the Ignorant* the Prejudiced and the Prdfdtoe, as well as unto poor and pious People. An Odour we eruft it is of a fweet Smell, a Sacrifice acceptable and well pie afing to God.-f A more compendious Way to do Good to Souls, and bring much Glory to God, can fcarce be thought of. The Wtfdom which is from above, full of Mercy and of good fruits^ we think, has fcarce projected a more com- prehenfive and effe&ual Piece of Charity and Beneficence than this is. What can we think of more likely f Phil. iv. 1 8. Heb. xiii. 16. || Jam. iii. 16. 76 fbe LIFE and CHARACTER to be owned, accepted, profpered and rewarded by God ? And as to the Method we propofe for the raifing thefe Funds, fcil by ColleRions in our Congregations every publick Faft and Thankfgiving Day ; what can be more agreeable to both thofe Solemnities ? It is very fit, if not indeed a Duty, that our Faftsboth private and publick, fhould be accompanied with pious Diftributions and Communications in Ways of Charity and Mercy. Such were the Prayers and Fads of the devout Cornelius ) who zlfozave much Alms to the People ,* and how well accepted of God and rewarded, none need to be told. And fuch is the publick Faft which God hath chofen : Is it not to deal thy Bread to the Hungry, and that thou bring the Poor that are caft out to thy Houfe ? When thou feeft the Naked that thou cover him, &c. Then jhall thy Light break forth as the Morning, and thine Health Jhall fpring forth fpe edily.-\ Now from God's Promifes, on Ac count of thefe privateExercifes of Bounty and Mercy to the Bodies of Men on our Days of folemn Fading and Prayer, we may well argue that an Alms on fuch Occafions de- figned for the Salvation of their immortal Souls, cannot but be a Sacrifice with which God is well-pleafed. Nor do we at all mean by propofing this Offering to the Souls of Men, to put by the other to their Bodies ; God forbid : But as we would hereby intimate to our People, how necefTary an Attendant of a religious Faft Alms to the Poor is, and what ought to be preached to them and obferved by them on fuch an Occafion ; fo we only propofe to them the adding a Mite to be caft into a Trea- fury of the Lord for the pious Ufes abovefaid. And then as to our Days of publick Thank/giving ; as we cannot but praife (and blefs God for) the excellent Ufage (which has obtained among us from the Days of our Fathers, and we pray God may never ceafe among us) of making Gifts to the Poor, and fending them Portions * Afls x. 2 30. f Ifa. Iviii. 6, 7, 8. from ef Dr. BENJAMINCOLMAN. 77 from our Fables : So we hope, that the adding thefe Con tributions for the Services of Piety above propofed, will be grievous to none, but may be a vaft Benefit to us both on temporal and fpiritual Accounts.f To be fure, on our fbankfgjwrig Days we fhould re member both the laudable Praftice of the pious Jews on their Days pf Gladnefs and Feajling ; a good Day and cf J ending Portions one to another ', and of Gifts to the Poor ,* and alfo the Law given to Ifrael by the Hand of Mofes, ?kat on their three yearly Fe aft s none of them Jhould appear before the Lord empty > but every one ( fays the Text ) Jhall give as he is able^ according to the Eleffing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. \\ We need add no more to juftify and prefs the Pro- fofal here made. We give our Judgment to the Churches for publick Collections to be made in our Affemblies for the Poor, or for other pious Ufes, as every Church and Congregation may think beft, on every Day of General Fafting,w nankfgiving obferved by us. We wifh that by mutual Confent it may universally come into Practice. We hope that what we here offer, will be ferioufly weighed, candidly conftrued, and be cordially entertained by the beloved Churches of Chrift and their Rev. Paftors, whom we falute in the Lord,and afk their Prayers for us." As he ever exprefTed high an Regard for the Town of Bofton the Place of his Nativity and Refidence, he ac cordingly fought its Welfare and Flourishing conti nually. He ufed his bed Endeavours that Peace with Truth and Holinefs might be and abide in the Churches ; and an happy Union fublift among the Paftors ; and in his Turn vifued the Schools, and encouraged the Youth in Piety and Learning both by Word and Writing..]- He f Phil. iv. 17. i Cor. x. 33. * Eilher ix. 19, 22. || Deut. xvi. 1 6, 17. Exod. xxiii. 15. .J. Some of his moving Speeches to the Scholars are found by us. He often gave them Hymns of his own competing to tranflate into Latin. The Prijon and the Alms Houfe he alfo frequently miniftred unto, by his Charities and Preaching. bore 7 f flu LIFE and CHARACTER bore an open Teftimony againft iuch Things in the "Weekly Prints as had a Tendency to mock Religion, and bring it into Contempt, particularly a vile Paper called the Courant. He alfo (hewed his Concern for what he efteemed the Temporal Intereft of the Inhabitants. There is an Efiay of his printed in the Year 1719, for the fetting up and eftablifhing a Market,fairly repre- fcnting the Conveniences and Advantages thereof. He greatly encouraged by private Converfation the receiving the Small-Pox by the fafe and eafy Way of In oculation ; and by a printed Compofure in the Year 1721 entitled, Some Obfervations on the new Method of receiving the Small Pox by ingrafting or inoculating^ which was well accepted by many, and did much Good both here and in Great Britain, where it had a fecond Tmprefllon.* He alfo wrote and publifhed a Letter in Vindication of his Friend Z. Boyljlon F. R. S. who was the firft and chief Surgeon that performed the Operation, and had fuf- fered much from the Tongues and Pens of fome good as well as many bad Men that oppofed the Practice. I come now to write largely of Dr. Coltnan's ferving the Publick, his Country, and the Churches. He was employed in his younger as well as later Times by the Great and General Court of the Province, and the fevera! diftincl Branches of it on divers weighty Af fairs. At their Defire he not only preached and printed once and again on grand Occafions U but alfo draughted Letters and Addrefles for them relating to publick Mat ters which were highly approved. Sometimes he has bee a * Dr, Jui-en the learned Secretary of the Royal Society, gives his Opinion of it in a Letter to H, Netuman, Efq; inthefe Words, " One may, I think, in that little Tra&, fee the Philofopher and Phyfician, gs well as the modeft and humble Divine. || Vi^. A Sermon entitled Imprecation againft the Enemies of God, Pfalm Ixviij, |, 1707, A Sermon on the UNION of the two King, doros, England and Scotland 1708, from Pfalm exxii, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Verfes. Eieftion ef Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 79 been engaged for them in fecret Services on the moft momentous Concerns, and fucceeded in them. We have no Minifter now left, that has that Intereft and Influence here or at Home which he feemed to have. I find by many Copies left that he wrote freely (but always with greateft Complaifance and Humility to our efc- cellent Governors, and Agents * for the Province ; and to the leading Members in both Houfes, of our Great and General Court, from Time to Time, which were gene rally well accepted, and fometimes did eminent Service. The Governors DUDLEY, SHUTE, BURNETT, BELCHER expreft the higheft Value for him, and his Excellency our prefent Governor will not be offended if I fay he has fhown him as great Regards. I own he has been blamed by fome (who have not turned out the bed Friends to their Country) for inter meddling at all with civil and fecular Matters. But muft a Ferfon who knows well the Intereft of his Coun try, and is capable of ferving it, and faving it too when finking, be filent only becaufe he is a Minifter ? Is he nothing elfe ? Is he not a Subject of his Prince, and a Member of the Commonwealth ? Mr. Colman was full in the Sentiments of the Rev. Drs. Increafe and Cotton Two Eieciion Sermons, in the Year 1718 from Neh. v. 19. And in the Year 1723 another from i Cbron xxviii. 8. 1719 The Blefiing of Zebulon and JJ/acbar, Deut. acxxiii. 18, 19 Verfes. A Faft Sermon preach'd in the Council Chamber 1736 from Zccb. yii. 8, 9. A Sermon entitled, The Lord (hall rejoice in hisWorks 1741 from Pfalm civ. 31. Alfo, Sermons onTkomas Ho/fis, Efq; and Hon. Samuel Holdcn, Efq; %vhich will be taken Notice of in the next Chapter. * He held a long and ufeful Correfpondence with Mr. Agent Dutnmer, Wilks, &c. And wrote many a Letter which he never fent fearing left he mould intermeddle too far in fome Affairs : So he has written on the Outfide of them. He exercifed a Jealoufy over him- felf, and was a great Matter of Prudence, if that be a true Definition of it, which fome have given, viz. Prudently eft dicendorum, faciendo- rumque, in Juo Loco et tempore Jcientia* 8o tt* LI F E and CHARACTER " his Paftors and PredeceiTors on this Head, f Viz. " That Opportunities to do good not only leg'ui- " mate the Application of our Capacities to do it, but " alfo oblige and require us to do it. That upon pub- lick and prefling Emergencies Minifters may apply their fuperior Talents to fome Things of fecular Im- " portance. The great Selden is quoted by them in " Vindication of fuch a Pradice 'Tis a foolifh Thing " (fays he,) to fay, A Minuter muft not meddle with fe- " cular Matters becaufe his own Profeffion will take up cc his whole Man. The Meaning is only, that he muft " attend his Calling. , I hope the Country will be fo juft, now he is Dead, as to own that by his unwearied Pains and EfTays of this Kind, we have been generally and greatly ferved. - His Fathers and Brethren in the facred Miniftry as they highly and juftly valued Him on Account of his many excellent Endowments, fo they particularly difcerned and diftinguifhed hisfhining Talent in draughting Letters and Addreffes by employing it on various Occafions.- - So long ago as in the Year 1715 there is found his Draught of an Addrefs to our Great and General Court about cal ling a Synod. - In the fame Year an Addrefs to his Majefty King GEORGE the Firft. - Two more in the Year 1716. - Another in the Year 1717. - Another in the Year 1727 - Another in the Year 1734. Another in the Year 1737.- - The Addrefs to the King in the Year 1716 was ac companied with Addreffes to divers Lords, Nobles, Gen tlemen, and fome eminent DifTenting Miniflersin London, viz. To my Lord Chancellor Cooper, Lord Chief Juftice King, Sir William dfhurft, John Earrington Shute Efq; The Rev. Meffirs. Calamy, Bradbury, Reynolds, Tong, &c. &c. To which Addreffes, feveral kind and gracious An- fwers were returned , and a ufeful Correfpondence en tered into by him with fome of thefe great Men. f Dr. Increaje Mather* Life, wrote by his Son Dr. Cotton Mather. The .ff, e -t*i r~ t "' ft of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N.' 8 I / . The Addrefs fent in the Year 1737 was alfo attended with like Applications to Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Divines pleading Favours to the Province. The Right Honourable Sir Robert Wai-pole, His Grace the Duke of Newcaftle, the Right Honourable the Earl of Harrington, the Honourable Samuel Holden Efq; the Rev. Meffirs. Harris, Watts^ Neal and Guife, were written unto. A few of thefe Draughts are here inferred, viz. " To His Excellency Jofepb Dudley, Efq; Captain General and Governour in Chief. And to the Great and General Court or Affembly of His Majefty's Province of the MaJfackufetts-Bay ; begun and held at Bofion upon Wednefday the 25th of May, 1715. The Minifters of the Gofpel and Paftors of the Chur- " ches in this Province,- convened in Boffon on the 25th and 26th Days of this Inftant May, having taken into their ferious Coniideration the State of Religion among us, and of the Churches under their Paftoral Care and Watch, are humbly of Opinion that it is a Thing highly expedient-and neceffary, fpeedily to convene a General Synod, to confider what Remedies may be applied un to thefe Evils and Diflempers, whereby our Churches and the Power of Godlinefs, among us, may feem En- feebled and Endangered. It is a Thing well known that our pious Fathers and venerable Predeceflbrs held their Synodical Meetings, in laying the Foundation of their Churches, in the happy Fruits whereof we rejoice to this Day : And we cannoc but apprehend it to have been a great OmifTion and faulty Negledb among us of the prefent Generation, the Blame whereof we the Minifters of Religion muft very much take upon ourfelves, that we have for fo long a Time been without one fuch AfTembly of Chanty by their Paftors and Delegates in a General Synod: Though it has been the acknowledged Principle as well as Prac tice of thefe Churches from the beginning, and might ver be their Beauty, Strength and Safety. That we may therefore, however late, anfwer our Ob- M ligations f te tt* LIFE ^CHARACTER ligations to God and to thefe dear Churches of our Lord Jefus Chrid, over which the Holy Ghoft has made us Overfeers , and in the mod effectual manner we can now propofe to do our Part to promote a godly Reformation, and the Revival of true Piety through the Land , and be ing defirous to enjoy the fulled Opportunity of bearing our Tedimony to the Faith and Order of the Gofpel ; knowing that we owe, and are accountable to God and to the World how we difcharge the fame Padoral Care and Duty in thefe Refpecb to the People of our own Generation, which our Fathers did in their Day to a Generation of far lefs abounding Diforders, Irreligion and Immorality ; And finally, edeeming ourfelves called of God hereunto, and relying humbly on the fame Pre- fence of the Divine Spirit to be with us which was with them : We do therefore in the Name of the Miniders lately here convened, and as they have directed us to do, Jay before your Excellency and the General Aflembly their Humble Defire and Petition, that if in your Wifdora you fhall think fit, you would pleafe to give your Coun tenance and Aflidance in all the proper and needful Ways to the fpeedy meeting of fuch a Synod, and to fa- vour it with that paternal Protection which our Churches have enjoyed upon fuch Occafions in former Times from their pious Rulers. We pray God to fill you with heavenly Wifdom, and grant you at all Times his gracious Guidance and Lead ing, and are among, the mod Dutiful and Obedient of your People, Bofton, May 27. 1715.'* 3 ^A " To the King's moft Excellent Majefty.' The Humble Memorial of his Majefty*s Loyal and Duti ful Subjects, the Paftors of the Churches of Chrift in New-England, humbly Sheweth, That having had the Honour lately to approach the Throne with our moft humble and dutiful Congratula tion Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N. $3 tlon of your Majefty's happy AccefTion thereto, to implore your Majefty's gracious Protection of us in our Religious Liberties ; We do now in all Humility beg leave to re- prefent to your facred Majefly the Conftitution of our Churches, their Rile, Growth and prefent State. We are in Denomination, and fo in Principle and Practice, Difcipline and Worfhip, Congregational and Prelbyterian , of one Body with the Proteftant Diffen- cers from the Church of England as by Law eftablifhed in Great-Britain, commonly known by the Name of United Brethren ; and like them we have fignalized our Zeal for and Adherence to the Proteftant Succefiion in your mod ferene and illuftrious Houfe. Our Fathers were fome of the Old Puritans, fo called from their purer Church State, and Way of Worfhip and Manner of godly Difcipline, which in their Appre- henfion they fought and pradtifed.- They were People of exemplary Devotion towards God, Loyalty to their Prince, and of confpicuous Sobri ety, Virtue and true Goodnefs in the Sight of all Men. Uneafy as they were made at Home, under the Im- pofition of fome Things which they efteemed fmful to comply with , the Spirit and Providence of God directed them to feek and find fome quiet Seat for themfelves and their Pofterity in the Defarts of America. Religion was their Motive and their Support in the forrovvful Leave they took of their pleafant Native Coun try, they parted with high ExprefiSons of Affection and Efteem to the Church of England. They chearfully planted and fubdued a raft Wildernefs at their own Expence, and not without many Hardfhips and Hazards. They obtained Royal Charters to encourage their Un dertakings, and to remain the everlafting Teftimonials of their Allegiance to the Britim Crown, as well as Bond* thereto. They were animated with a Profpect of enlarging the Empire of Grtat-Britaiv, in Regions not known to for mer Ages. But $4 tte LIFE and CHARACTER But to their immortal Honour it mud be ever remem* bred and recorded, that Religion was their firft and chief Care, and in order to that Learning. In this they have been fingular and eminent among the Plantations, and we their Poiterity reap the Honour and happy Fruits thereof. At this Day through the BlefTmg of Heaven on us, we are become a great People, fpreading upwards of three hundred Miles along the Sea-Coafts, and from thirty to fifty Miles up into the inland Parts of the Country to the Number of Towns, and many more Wor- Ihipping Congregations and Churches. At the Tame Time we have but one Tingle Congrega* tion among us of the Worfhip of the Church of England - 9 who are treated by us with all that chriftian Refpect, and brotherly Efteem and Regard they can reafonably expect and tkfire. ;n* BcTides inferiour Schools of Literature by Law en joined in every Town, forReading, Writing or Grammar, we have two Colleges for Academical Learning, where the Languages and literal Arts and Sciences are taught ; and whereby our many Churches, have been hitherto more than fupplied with Pallors, and the higheft Chairs of Ho nour have been laudably filled, to the Service of the Prince and the good of the Country. In thele Academies for Liberal Education, nothing but Learning and good Morals are required to qualify any Perfon for the Privileges there to be attained, but they are equally diipenfed unto Perfonsof all Perfwafions. The Principles of Loyalty, as well as Religion in all other Inftances of it, are inftilled in our Colleges into our Youth, as well as taught in our Pulpits , where we never omit to pray alfofor the King in Supream, and for Governors as fent by Him. Nor have we been without many Endeavours, laborious and expenfive for theConverfion of the Natives to Chrif- tianity. The Bible has been tranQated into theirLanguage and cwice printed ; befides other good Books of Piety Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N." 85 and Religion. There are at this Day above thirty Wor- ihipping Congregations of the Indians among us : who are partly taught by Englifh Minifters that have learned their Language, but more (latedly by Indian Preachers of their own. Some Schools alfo there are among them for the teaching of their Children to Read and Write. To add no more, our Churches are famous for their Zeal for the true Proteftant Religion, according to the Doctrinal Articles and Homilies of the Church of England ; and have been excelled by none in the Joy of feeing thefe Divine Truths fecured to us (as we truftj in your Majefty's Poffeffion of the Thrones of your Anceflors. Moreover, we ought gratefully to acknowledge to God and the King, That we have been diftinguifhed among the Plantati ons by divers Acts of the Royal Favour and Grace to us , particularly in the Royal Charter granted to us by the late glorious Princes of immortal Memory, King WILLIAM and Queen MARY : In diverfe of which ci vil Rights and Privileges therein granted, the Vertue and Morals of our People are greatly confulted and guarded; as alfo in many fubfequent Laws which have received the Royal Sanction ; and by which we enjoy many valuable religious Liberties as well as civil ; Namely, The Settlement and Support of Schools in our Towns, and of Orthodox Minifters in our Churches , the Peo ple's Right of electing their own Minifters, the ftrict SancYifkation of. the Sabbath, and the planting Religion in fuch Places, where People profanely defpife to feek it for themfelves. Our Prayer therefore is unto the King's mod excellent Majefty, That this our Country and thefe Churches may ever find Grace and Favour in your Royal Eyes, and in the Sight Of his Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales^ and of all your illuftrious Race ; whom God continue on the Throne of your Majefty down to the lateft Pofterity. That we may have both our religious Rights and Pri vileges* gS fb* LIFE and CHARACTER yileges, as well as civil now enjoyed by us, continued and fccured to us and to our Pofterity. That his Majefty would gracioufly pleafe to believe concerning us, that he has no where any Subjects more true and faithful, dutiful and loyal, and who will more defire to deferve his Royal Favour than his New-EngliJb Churches. That it would pleafe his Majefty of his meer Grace, and as his Princely Wifdom and Paternal Tendernefs to us mall ever direct him, to vouchfafe to confider the Conftitution of our Churches in the Commiflions from the Throne : And that from Time to Time we may have Men of Virtue and Juftice, fet over us in chief Command ; and who may be of a Spirit of Moderation, and friendly to our Churches. And in an efpecial Manner, we pray that our Colleges which God has made the fingular Honour and Blefiing of our Country, may ever have your Royal Favour and Protedion." JFiffMJ 1 .*'i$r.-MU;:w m . ;' " To my Lord Chancellor Cooper. May it pleafe your Lordfhip, The Fame of your Lordlhip's Juftice and Humanity has long fince reached thefe diftant Dominions of his Majefty in America. The Wifdom and Moderation of that glorious Miniftry, and of thofe noble Patriots, a- mong whom your Lordfhip hath fhone fo bright in the happy Part of the former Reign, as well as fince his Majefty's Acceffion to the Throne, has rendered your Names illuftrious to us, as they are like to be tranfmitted down to Pofterity, and make fome of the brighteft Pages in Hiftory. No Wonder therefore that we are ambiti ous to be known to your Lordfhip, and to commend our dear Country to your good Opinion and Patronage upon all Occaiions. We are fome of the Minifters and Paftors of the Churches in New-England, and as in Duty bound to God and tf Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.' 87 and our People, we are careful to preferve as far as in us lies our Liberties and Privileges civil and religious, which by the Royal Charter to us granted, and many fubfe- quent Laws we do enjoy. Wherefore we preftime to in- clofe to your Lordfhip a true and faithful Account of the State of our Country, befeeching your Lordfhip to be- ftow a generous Thought, and exprefs a kind Concern for a loyal and dutiful Province, whenever it fhall appear to you in your great Wifdom and Juftice to need your Regards. To deferve fo great a Favour of your Lordfhip, we can only plead, that like our United Brethren the Dif- ienters in Great-Britain, we have fteadily exprefTed a mofl dutiful Zeal and Affeclion to the Proteflant SuccefTion, and to thofe wife and faithful Councils which your Lord fhip and the prefent Miniftry purfue, with fo much Glory to the King, themfelves, and their Country. If Duty, Loyalty and Affeciion can ever merit the Sovereign's Favour to a poor People, and the Regards of his Mini- flers, truly we are bold to fay, that New-England is not unworthy of that Intereft in your Lordfhip's noble Heart which we afk for. We pray God to have your Lordfhip always in his gracious Keeping, and to prolong your Life to his own Glory, and to the Honour and Safety of the Kingdom, and of all the Britijh Dominions. And as we fhall never ceafe to pray for the Life of the King, fo neither to be Your Lordfhips, Moft humble, on May 25; Moft obliged, 1716, and obedient Servants, Benjamin Wadfworth, Increase Mather, Ebenezer Pemberton, Cotton Mather, Benjamin Colman, John Leverett, Peter Yhacher, William Brattle, Jofeph Sevan* Nebemiab Walter. To *8 the LIFE and CHARACTER " To Sir William Sir, The noble and generous Affe&ion with which you have always honoured New- England, is not to be enough acknowledged by the bed Words that we can chufe, and we trufl that a grateful Senfe of them will always remain with us. This emboldens us to afk your continued Favours at all Times, as the Interefts of our Country do call for your Help. Thofe Interefts are well known unto your Honour, and particularly our Charter that invaluable Privilege of the Province, whereby the Morals of our People, as well as all our Eafe and Quietnefs are funder God) bed fecured to us. We cannot but acknowledge the kind Afiiftances which your Honour afforded unto Mr. Dummer our Agent, when our Charter was in Danger the laft Year ; and we pray God to reward it both in temporal and fpiritual Bleffings, not only to yourfclf, but alfo to your flourifh- ing Houfe. We do therefore prefume to inclofe to yourfelf, as we do alfo by this Opportunity to fome other Perfons of Honour, a true and faithful Account of the State of our Country, which if it may further engage your Friend- ihip to us, we fhall hold our felves greatly obliged. May you long live the Ornament and Delight of the City, and a Blefiing to the Kingdom. Your Honour's 2'imi Mofl obliged, Mod humble V* ^and obedient Servants, : #** Benjamin Wadfwortb, Increafe Mather, vl ' Ebenezer Pemberton, Cotton Mather ', Differences, healing Divifions, and quenching Fires kindling and flaming among Parties, Paftors and Brethren. For the Maintenance and Refto- ration of Peace with Truth and Holinefs, he wrote and ftnt vaft Numbers of Letters to New-York and the Jer- Jles y to Connecticut^ Rhode-Ifland, Pi feat aqua, and to many Churches and Paftors in the Maffachufetts Bay, all truly Apoftolick, pleading for and breathing forth Love and Charity. A Collection of them fhould be here publifh- ed to render his Character illuftrious if it could be done without expofing oppofite Characters ; and reviving the Memory of fuch Strifes and Animofuies which had better be buried and forgotten, and are therefore omitted. Notwithftanding his tender Conftitution and often In firmities., he went abroad to Councils or Synods^ to fet Things in Order in the Churches : And in his latterDays (in fome RefpectsJ the Care of all the Churches came upon him as you will fee anon. And as he early ihewed a catholick and pacifick Spirit (as has been already noted) itincreafed in him as he grew in Years and Experience. He ever expreft an utter Dif- like of that narrow Spirit of Bigotry, which he faw pre vailing in two many of the greateft and beft Men of all Sects and Perfwafions in pad Ages and the prefent. He was for extending his Charity and holding Communion with all that held the Foundation. He loved and hon oured good Men of every Denomination how much fo- cver they differed from him in fome pecujrar Sentiments, Circumstantials and Modalities. His Moderation and Readinefs to facrifice every Thing but Truth and Duty for Peace, was manifefted by many f Cant. vi. 4. Inftances r 9 6 7&L1FE ^CHARACTER , both m his younger and later Times. Indeed he had fuch an Averfion to Difputing and Jangling that he declined engaging in Controverfy as much as poffible. I have often heard that when a Seventh Day Baptift Preacher (a noify Creature) came from a neighbouring Colony to difpute with him about the Sabbath , after Dr. Colman had heard all his Objections patiently, and anfwer- cd them mildly, and the Blade would go on fiercely dif- pnting he told him he had no more to fay to him, but if he was minded further to indulge his difputacious Hu mour, he would direct him to a Perfon in Town that would be a Match for him, which he accordingly did, and fo difmifled him. Here it may be remarked, " That Dr. Colwan's No tions of Church-Government and Difcipline were larger than many of his Brethren's \ neither had he any Opi nion of an exaded Uniformity in religious Adminiftra- tions.f And while he entertained (and on all Occafions ex- preft) the higheft Efteem and Veneration for the primi tive Fathers of New- England and their Writings, he would pleafantly fay, " That the Bible was his Plat- * form. 99 * No particular Conftitution hitherto publifh- cd (by whatever Authority or Pretence) appeared to him to be Jure Divino. The bed were in his Eye either de ficient or redundant. j| In one of his late Letters to a Reverend Affociation, he fays, " I have always openly ie owned my felf fomething of a Prejbyterian under our " Congregational Form, and my People freely allowed " me my Latitude, and fometimes pleafantly told me f See the Preface to his Sermon at the Rev. Mr. William Cooper's Ordination. * By this he did not mean to condemn Platforms of Church -Difci pline or to ftrain that excellent Saying too far, Scriptura eft Adequate Agendorum Regula. (! He could join with him, who wrote thus on a Blank Leaf of his Bible, Units Apex Verliy Rations Valentior omni 9 ? Decrttis, Conciliifqut prior % " that I of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.' 97 " that they thought me the mod cautious of any t Paftor ct in the Town or Land, not to break, in upon the " Rights of the Brethren." A few of his Sentiments concerning Councils or Synods and other Ecclefiaftical Affairs and Tranfa&ions are here offered to the publick View, not with the kaft Defign to reflect on our excellent. Conftitution (which yet I hum bly apprehend may in many Particulars be mended) nor to manifeft the Publimer's Concurrence, who does not a- dopt every Article or Paragraph in them, but to fliow the Author, and his diftinguifhing Lineaments ,f. On Councils and their Efficacy* The Efficacy of bur Councils depends much on their having a due Conftitution ; if we complain of the Want of their Efficacy, we had beft fearch into their Conftitu- tion, if that be weak and defective, how fhould Govern ment be built upon it ? Councils, or fomewhat equivalent to that Name, are neceffary to the Prefervation of Peace, Order, and Purity in the Churches. Experience mows us, that the Cor ruptions of Men will be breaking out, and that it is a Thing of. great Difficulty to heal the Wounds given to particular Churches by them. We have found alfo both the Confufion and Impoffibility of every particular Con gregation's governing all Things within it felf, indepen dently on other Churches. So that there muft be fome- thing of the Nature of a Council of Churches for pri vate Chriftians, or particular Churches to refer themfelves to for Advice, or Appeal unto for their Judgment. It was foon feen in the Church, that fuch Cafes and Occafions were and would be, and we read in the xvth of dfts^ That the Apoftles and Elders came together to confider of the Matter referred to them, and difputed and determined it. This is a fufficient Warrant for the f As I propofed in the Introdudion. * Wrote in his younger "Times. O Thing 9$ the LIFE and CHARACTER Thing, that there fhould be Councils convened upon Difficulties arifing in Churches ; but I cannot find any particular Direction here given, or defigned to be here given by the Holy Ghofr,juft how Councils fhould be conftituted for ever after in all the Churches, and no other- wife. For I do not exactly fee how this was : Yet the Thing it felf is- of Apoftolical Practice ; and as it is con- fonanc to our Reafon, fo furely it fhould be looked upon as Scripture- Warrant and Direction to us in like Cafes. '' And now I fhall write my poor Thoughts about the due Conftittuion of Councils, that they may have the de- lired Efficacy ; and I freely confefs I do not fee what much fhort of the Practice of the French and Scatcb Churches will be fufficient, nor what beyond them is necefTary. 1. I think there fhould in every particular Church be formed and fixed, a Confiftory, as the French Churches had, or a Kirk Seffion as the Churches of Scotland, to have the Government of it in all Things. This is to confift of the Paftor, the perpetual Prefident, ex Officio^ and therefore not cenfurable here, and with him a felect Number of Elders, Men of the greateft Piety, Gravity, "Wifdom, and Authority in the Congregation. We find ibmething equivalent to this necefiary in our popular Form of Government, commonly having a kind of Church within a Church, leading Men whom we pri vately confult, before we offer any Thing to a publick Debate and Vote. Which mows it to be our common Senfe, that the whole Government would be better there. 2. Out of thefe Seflions or Confiftories I think Coun cils fhould be always gathered. The Reafon is, Becaufe that the Government of par ticular Churches is lodged here, which fuppofes them to be the moft accomplished to advife or judge in any Ec- clefiaftical Cafe* 3. The Paftors are ex Officio of thefe Councils, and of the Seniors only one fhould be delegated from the Con- fiftory to accompany the Paftor : And if the Elders of the Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A H. $ J the feveral Confiftories fliould not attend, though their Neglect is cenfurable, yet then the Mi aiders alone may warrantably proceed without them. The Reafons why I am for only one Elder to be de puted with a Paflor to the Council, are, (1) Or elie theMiniftry there have not an equal Vote, though Government is confeffedly firft lodged in them, and they may be modeftly fuppofed to be their Superiors in Knowledge and Grace. (2) A Multitude of MefTengers may be ufed as Crea tures by a defigning leading Perfon. (3) One rich and large Church may elfe fend a Majo rity to all the reft, if the Number of Meflengers be not limited. (4) It was exprefly the very firft Canon of the French Churches, refpecting their fixed Councils, or Colloquies, " That Minifters mould be accompanied each of thera with an Elder from every Church. The Scotch alfo re quire only the Attendance of one ruling Elder from each Congregation at their Prefbyteries.* 4. Thefe Councils I would have to be known, ftated, and fixed in the Nature of the French Colloquies and * I heartily wifh this Prefbyterian Article, f. e. fo far as it refpe&s the fending of but one Meffenger to Councils, with the Reafons under it, might be duly confidered and weighed by my Rev. Brethren, and the honoured Churches througkthe Land. Is it not high Time that our Congregational Scheme was mended in this Point : And that the Liberty given in the Letters Miffive, and taken by the Churches call ed to aflift in Ecclefiaftical Councils mould be fomewhat bounded ? I have obferved for more than Twenty Years (and who has not I) the Confufione and Mifchiefs arifmg from our prefent Practice : Some Churches fend One, others Five, others Ten or more, to the fame Council, and the Vote of every Member is of equal Weight. All I move for with any Zeal is " That there be fome Regula tion of this Matter Let all be limited to the fame Number If the Brethren are jealous of their Paftors, why may not two Brethren be thought enough to lend with one Paftor ? It cannot be taken amifs by any for the Paftors to agree at their annual Convention to propofc Something on this Head to their Churches. I humbly move it may be done. Claffev ioo ?b* LIFEs^CHARACTER Gaffes, or the Scotcb Prefbyteries , nor matters it which Name be given to them : Confiding of Ten or Twelve neighbouring Churches, to meet fo many Times a Year at a certain Place, where they may be applied to if Need be : Or on extraordinary Occafions may be called toge ther at a- Week's Warning by the Moderator ; which Call all the Members fhall be obliged to obey and attend. The Reafons why they mould be (landing and fixed are, (1) That all the Churches may know whither to repair for Advice or Judgment, and who are their Judges if they tranfgrefs. (2) It may redeem much Time, and ftifje many a Fire which would not break out, if it did not lie fo Jong a glowing. (3) It will give all Minifters and Churches an equal Honour, and not qndue Preheminence to any. (4.) It will prevenf the Confufion and Diibrder of Par ty-making and Prejudices, againft one Church, and for another. 5. Thefe (landing Councils, Gaffes or Prefbyteries fhould be divided by Authority of a provincial Synod ; and then ( if it might be ) confirmed by the Civil Au thority. The Reafons are, (1) Councils will aft with the more Freedom, Boldneis and Authority, and command the more Reverence and Regard among the People. (2) The bare Agreement of Churches among thern- felves is an uncertain and weak Bottom to go on, and more eafily broken in upon by him that lifts. (3) The Countenance of Civil Authority honours the Miniftry and Difcipline of the Church to the World, and is ( humanely fpeaking ) greatly for the Security of both. 6. The feveral Confiftories fhall be accountable to their refpective Gaffes or Council, and Minifters thern- felves are cenfurable here y and Proceffes againft them to begin here. Cafes which the Confiftory cannot end, or /.Q ' ' if Dr. BENJAMIN QO'L M A *." 101 t "which fall not under their Decifion, fhali be -brought' hi ther by Way of Reference, Appeal, or Complaint : And if the Claffes pleafe they may fend for and examine the Regifter of every Confiftory. 7. But it (hall not be left to the Choice of any Church, Confiftory or aggrieved Party to have a particular fpecial Council of Churches of their own picking here and there ; but every Gaffes or Prefbytery (hall have the In- fpedion and judging of all and every particular Church within their own DiftricT: : And it mall be diforderly to leave one of thofe Churches uncall'd, or to call in another of a neighbouring Prefbytery. The Reafons are, (1) The Honour of the particular Prefbyteries forbid k, for they arq not to affume one over another. (2) The Hpnour of particular Churches forbid it alfo, it being a Difrtfpect to fkip over neighbour Churches, and fend to another afar off, as if this only had Wifdom and Integrity to judge in their Cafe. 8. Thefe Councils or Prefbyteries are accountable to a Provincial Synod, whither Appeals from them, and Re ferences by them, are to be made : But by no means from one Prefbytery to another,or to have Councils upon Coun cils Unlefs inftead of a Provincial Synod there be ra ther fixed a Superiour Council or Councils in every Pro vince which may confift of twoPrefbyteries or more united .into one. ,,;!: The Reafons of this are many, (1) To keep Councils themfelves in Fear, and awe them to Faithfulnefs. (2) To correct their Errors, or to vindicate and confirm their Decifions. . (3) That a Man may have the Liberty of Appeal and a Pofiibility of being righted when his good Name and Enjoyment of fpiritual Privileges lie at Stake, as well a in lighter fecnlar Matters. (4) That Differences may not be endlefs, but there be fome Judgraent by which every one fhall be* determined and fubmit unto. ' Thus tor * Ll-FlJ ^CHARACTER think : GiXTridIs fhould be conftituted if we defire to fee them have their Efficacy in fupporting,preferving and well ordering the Intereflsof the Churches in the Country. (1) I think that (landing Councils are not only war rantable, but are alfo the bed and wifeft Conftitution. (2) Their Power fhould be binding, faving only Ap peals to be from them to Synods, or Superiour Councils. (3) The Matters to be handled in them are whatever concerns the Peace, Order and Purity of the Churches with in their Diftrict, which their own Confiftories cannot come at effectual Meafures about : as directing in doubtful Cafes, healing Differences, rebuking, correcting and purging out Errors and Scandals, &c. (4) I think there fhould be no iuch thing as calling of Councils, fave only the Moderators doing fo upon extra ordinary Occafions : for I would fuppofe them always in Being ; and they are to be applied to as need is by parti cular Churches or Perfons. (5) As for the Right of Voting in Councils, I incline to think that every Member has a Suffrage ; nor do I fee through .the Opinion of fome, that Perfons fhould be prefent to advife that are not however allowed to Vote. ( 6) Excepting fuch an extraordinary Cafe fhould happen as I hope never to fee, I think fome fenior Paftor fhould ever prefide : And a Clerk or Scribe fhould be chofen and fixed as much as a Moderator. (7) In judging of Cafes and cenfuring Perfons there muft appear great Integrity, Impartiality, Tendernefs, Goodnefs, Gentlenefs and a particular Regard had to the facred Office entreating a Minifter as a Father : If there be Appearance of Craft, Prejudices, Cruelty or Difrefpeft it will hinder the good Effect of our Councils. - The Efficacy of our Councils will alfo much depend on the Candor and mutual Refpects of the Members to each other in their Debates and Carriages. A Deference and Honour to be paid by all to the Chair ; An equal Regard given by the Moderator to erery Member : The Freedom of fpeaking being pre- ferved cf Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN. 103 ferved to each , that Offence be not taken at Difference of Thought ; and as on the one Hand the Moderator to be fubmitted to refped fully, when he goes to convince of Error in Opinion, or Indecency of Speech and Be haviour ; fo the blamed Action or Words or Opinion, ne ver to be heard out of thofe Walls to his Prejudice, either as bold or erroneous in him. (8) The keepingErrors andFaults fecret,nnlefsDnty and Neceflity forbid it, may be a means to give our Councils Efficacy, and conflrain Men's Honour and Reverence for them, when they fee we aim not to expofe Faults, but to recover from them and fo bury them. N. B. The two laft Rules more proper and neceffary in Confiflories than Councils or Synods. Some of the Doftoi's Thoughts on the Third Way of Communion, dated July 23. 1733. CO Although our Fathers in the Synod of pro- pofed it, yet they did not fee caufe afterwards to prac tice upon it, not for want of Occafion and Opportunity, or from Inconfideration of the Matter, and Unfaithfulnefs to the Churches but in point of Prudence. They were as wife and faithful as we are now, but they threw it by as not fo proper a Method, or at lead fearing the Event of it, and it may be fcrupling it from the Nature of the Thing. By fo long a Difufe, even from the Begin ning, like a Law or Rule made and never put in Practice, it is grown Obfolete and become as a Thing dead and buried, and not to be revived and put in force at the Will of a private Perfon, nor on a particular Occafion here and there : for as much as we are fure in this Cafe the Parties concerned will cry out of it as an Hardfhip and Singularity, a Novelty and Impofition, as the Rev. Mr. G ; of W did in the Day when he was furprifed with the Rev. Mr. W Vifitation, and almoft all the Minifters and Churches round about him joined in the Surprize and Refentment which he fliowed on that Oc cafion, (2; Our 104 We LIFE- and CHARACTER Our Fathers fled from the Vifitation of private Perfons, Arch-deacons and Bifhops, and their authorita tive Inquifitions , and though I will not compare the Enquiry propos'd in the third Way of Communion, with *hefe Epifcopal Vifitations, which were imperious, trivial and cruel in that Day to an intollerable Degree: yet neither will I confent to be fubject as a Paftor, and my Church with me, to the Vifitation of every Neighbour Paftor and his Church, when they mall pleafe to come and make Inquifition how Things (land among us , upon the Complaint or at the Defire of fome uneafy, or ag grieved Perfomor Perfons belonging to us : For I think it too much Authority for any private Neighbour Mt- nifier and Church to afiume to themfelves , And thougfi we are bid all of us to be fubjecl one to another in a pri vate Capacity, and all things are lawful for me, yet all things are not expedient, and I will not be brought un der the Power of any, in fuch a manner and to fuch a Degree: feil, * That it (ball be accounted a Fault, and juft -Matter of Complaint to other Churches, that the Vifitation of one has not been fubmitted to , fo that other Churches upon the hearing thereof (hall then join with the firft Victors and come and challenge our SubmiiTion, and if refufed withdraw Communion from us, which ?s a very grievous Sentence, but a Brutum Fulmen if a Curfe caufelefs. No private Paftor, in this State of Infirmity, wherein all Men are of like Paffions, is fit to be trufted with this Power of Vifuarion and Inquifition, and much lefs all and every Paftor through the Land , and if one is, all and every one muft be fov - No fingle Perfon is another's Peer to enquire and judge concerning his Con duct -, But the Right of Men (and the Claim of Englifo- men efpecially) is to be judged by their Peer's, and by a fufficient Number of them ; and thefe difinterefted and unprejudiced ; againft others he has a Right to make Exception in all Cafes whatfoever. We Minifters know our own and the Infirmities of others : ; Of Dt\ B H N J A M I N C O L IvI A N. I 05 others : How apt a Paftor fometimes is to be prepofTaT- ed by the Applications of a Brother to him, with a long formal Story of his Grievances : We know too of one another, how apt we may be to be partial in our Opinion of one Man and another, our Efteem of one Man and not of another - y our Affection and Disaffection : This alone renders the Vifitation of this or that Paftor, unfit in the Cafe of fuch or fuch an one ; and fo it does of his Delegates with him, who perhaps are of his own Nomi nation, and very much under his Influence. And he a- gain upon his not being hearkned to, has the Nomination of other Churches to return with him, and to be fure he will pick out fuch Paftors as will be like to be of his Mind, and act: with or under him. But let me have a free and chofen Jury, a competent Number of unexcep tionable Perfons, to make Enquiry and pafs Judgment in my Cafe , but let me not have any Vifitor or Inquifitor fee over me, who is no more or better than my felf ; and lead of all let me have every Neighbour made that In quifitor to come upon me when he will, and call me to Account. This may poffibly, be even a greater Hard- Ihip, and more intolerable Yoke of Bondage, than that which our Fathers fled from. (3) Is it expedient at this Day to go into this Method ? Perhaps the Principles of many of the Paftors through the Land are in Favour of a more Clafiical and Prefby- terial Order in our Churches : To be fure the Epifcopal Gentlemen will be like to make Advantages of our going into this Method. (i) Would it be prudent to fet Paftor upon Paftor, as we lie mixed through the Land, of a different Opinion on this Head ? Will one be like to fubmit to the Vifi tation of another ? Will you withdraw Communion with all that will not ? What fay you ? Will it not run us prefently into a kind of civil War ? Will it not produce Jealonfies, and Envyings, and Strifes, and every evil Work ? Can you bear down, and turn out thofe that will oppofe this Method ? Or is their Character from Place P to 106 tte L I F E and C H A R A C T E R to Place, from County to County, fuch as fhall deferve it ? Can the Paftors of thefe Churches, upon any rational Profpecl, remain united Brethren under this Conduct ? (2) What Advantage then fhall we give to the Epif- copal Gentlemen by our Divifions on this Head ? Men will be ready to prefer the Power of Vifitation in a fin- gle eminent Bifhop or Arch-Deacon, to that of every pri vate Paftor that fhall pleafe to fet up himfelf ? And our own Paftors may be tempted and driven to fubmit to the Vifitation of two or three, rather than that of every one. And if one and another has a Mind to go over to the Church, or find themfelves forced to take Refuge there, they will do it with far the more Grace, and plaufible Shew of flying from an Impofition or Inquifition, lefs to lerable (they will fay) than that of Epifcopacy. At the fame Time the Proteftant Churches through the World, both the Epifcopal, Prefbyterian, and Independent, will look upon the odd Reprefentation and Face that will be given of the Matter, as a new and ftrange Sort of Crea ture, in the other Extream of Difcipline ; " Every Paf* tor vetted with the Right and Power of vifiting the o- ther ! They may gaze at this Phenomenon, but will ne ver wander after it. They that go off from us will catch at it as a Pretence for doing fo, and No-body but our- felves will fee into the Reafon of this new Method, nor fay a Word in Juflification of it. (4.) That which gives me a particular Offence and fcandalizes me againft it* is the Pretence ' That this is the only Way wherein to admonifh a faulty Paftor or Church, or to withdraw fromCommunion with them. So that if there be a Council of Ten Churches, that have met in the fecond Way of Communion (as it is called,) and having heard the Cafe, and find Things very much amifs, and that the Paftor and the Majority of a Church are very injurious to the Aggrieved, yet this large Coun cil may not prefume, and have no Call or Right to dif- penfe a Word of Admonition to them, or to certify to them, that if the Offence given be not removed, they mult of Dr. B N j A M i N C o L M A N. r 07 muft lay it before their refpe&ive Churches, and be in the Advice to them to withdraw Communion from them. Yet at the fame Time, a fmgle Church in the third Way of Communion, taking with them one or two, or a few more mall have Authority to admonifh and withdraw Communion. Now what Reafon can there be for a Council of three or four Churches in one Way to have that Power which is denied to a Council of ten Churches in the other ? If it be faid, this is our Conflitution by Platform, it only fhows the Imperfection and Unreafonablenefs of the Platform, in denying to the Council in the fecond Way, the Rights that belong to them as Chriftian Men, Paftors and Meflengers met together to hear, judge, advife, ad monifh as there may be Occafion. As a private Chrifti an I may lawfully reprove and admonifh my Brother ; but ten Churches met together in Council, may not do the like to an offending Church. Why, who can fay ? How come we to lofe the Rights of Men and Chriftians by coming together into a Council ? Is not the Judg ment, Admonition, and Advice, the more reverend and weighty, by its coming from many, than from one or a few ? If the bare human Conftitution mufl debar one Council and authorize another, where both have equal Right in the Nature of Things, I defire to be free from fuch impofing and abridging Canons of Men. I would never go to Council, with my Tongue and Hands tied, no more than with my Eyes and Ears flopped. 4J3 .t^sjjq (?*fh fnofelPifi : $%>!q '{ f>; -;<'> DpiTffM'w^rtj That Dr. Colman retained like Sentiments on thefe Heads the following Extract from a Letter, wrote to one of his Brethren, Nov. 17. 1735, mews, " Rev. Sir, In fhort, the Confociation ofCburches^s the /ery Soul and Life of the Congregational Scheme, necefury to the very Effe as well as Bene of it ; without which we muft be Independent, and with which all the Good of Prejbyteriamfm is attainable. But io8- tte LIFE and CHARACTER But the confociated Churches of every Neighbourhood muft have their dated Meetings, the Paftor with a Dele gate from each Church, and whatever Cafe may occur in faid Churches, comes naturally and by Confent firft un der the Cognizance and Counfel of this AfTembly, whe ther it be by Way of Enquiry or by /Ipplications made to them. Our prefent Way of going an Enquiry, or fending for Counfel whither we lift, picking and chufing, with open Partiality and manifeft Selfifhnefs, here and there, in Contempt of Neighbours, who bed know and fhould moft care for us, is manifeftly not of GOD and Order, nor for Righteoufnefs and Peace, or efficacious Influence. So neither is the Paftor's going like a common Bro ther, without Character, or ex Officio , when the Scrip ture every where gives him a didinguifhing Character ( he preached a Sermon *f on the Occafion at the publick Lecture in JBofton^ April i. 173.1. before the Great and General. Cou.rt^ wherein he celebrates Mr. Hollis as a mofl gene rous and noble Patron of Learning and Religion in the Churches of New-England. This Sermon was alfo print ed by Defire and Order of the General AfTembly and de dicated to them. " He was ('fays he) one of thofe righ teous Men who fhould be had in everlafting Remem brance. Like Araunnab he gave as a Prince.' Of his, wn rneer Motion he poured in upon us, and upon other Places alfo, from Time to Time, as a living Spring whofe "Waters fail not. - That which is fwgular in the Piety. Benefits of Mr. Hollis unto thefe Churches was, that -f- From John xi. 1 1. - Our friend Lazarus Jleepetb. he. Of Dr. B N J A M IN C L M A N! he. was not ftridly of our Way ; nor in Judgment with us in Point of Infant-Baptifm ; yet his Heart and Hand- was the fame to us> as if iw bad been one in Opinion and Pra<5lice with him. And in this let him fland a teaching Pattern and Example to us. of a noble, chriftian and catholick apoftolick Spirit of Love," &c. " It was fome Account he received from us of the free and catholick Air we breathe at our Cambridge, where Proteftants of every Denomination may have their Chil dren educated, and graduated in our College, if they be have with Sobriety and Virtue \ that took his generous Heart and fixed it on us, and enlarged it to us. And" this (hall be with me among his diftinguiming. Praifes, while we rife up and blefs his Memory ; ;'. e. blefs God in Remembrance of all the un-deferved Favours done us by him.* Soon after the Death of this pious and charitable Gen tleman, Dr. Colman received Letters from Another at London,, a near Relation of Mr. Hollis's, and a joyful \Vitneis of their long and happy Correfpondence, with a Bill of Exchange for 340 . New-England Currency to diftribute among the Poor in our Churches. This fame Gentleman offered the Settlement of Twenty Pounds Sterling per Annum, fora. Fourth Mijfionary among the Indians on our Borders. , When he firfit wrote to. Dr. Colman, he defired to have his Name fecreted : And I doubt not ( by the Temper and Spirit difcovered in his many Letters that now lie be fore me) he would be glad to do. all his Charities accord ing to our Lord's Direction (Mat. vi. 1,2, 3.) in the rnoft fecret Manner. But this was impracticable as to fbme of thofe Exhibitions and Ufes propofed by him. f * I have feveral good Reafons for publiihing thefe Paflages, as well as the former Ones concerning Mr, Holdtn ; and one of them is, That I am well fatisfied, that if Dr. Colman had wrote his own Life, he would have digreffed in this Mariner, and faid much more. f Therefore his Name is now known to us Ifaac Hollis Nephew to Mr. Thomas Hollis A Reverend Minifter of the PeHwafion. US 'The LIFE and CHARACTER April 6. 1736, He wrote again, and added another Bounty, and a great One for the Support of focne Indian Children at Houfatonnoc^ Food, Cloathing and Lodging, the entire Charge of which he would defray ; and ac cordingly gave Order to draw immediately for Two Hundred Pounds our Money for a Beginning. In No vember the fame Year he fent 56 . Sterling more, to be applied to the Ufe aforefaid, which was accordingly fent to the Rev. Mr. John Sergeant Minifter of the Gofpel at Stockbridge, to whom the Education of the Children was committed And from Year to Year ever fince he has fupported them * there. It is fet down on a loofe Paper, dated Feb. 1 745,6, Six Hundred and thirty-four Pounds has been already fent and applied to faid Ufe. But I forbear enlarging on this Head, left I fhould offer Violence to the Modefty of this good and riling Benefactor to Mankind. Dr. Colman's Heart was as much fet on the civilizing and gofpelizing tbefe our Heathen Neighbours (as the o- thers mentioned Chap. 6th) and he embraced every Oc- cafion and happy Incident for this Purpofe There is one Inftance of his Care and Zeal for them, which the World has been already made acquainted withal, viz. The Pub lication of a Letter wrote to him from a worthy Gentle man, in Anfwer to one of his in our Weekly Journal of Feb. 7. 1 744, which is worthy of a Place here. A warm Provocation to good Works ! . " Reverend and dear Sir, You did me the Favour fome Weeks ago, (from which Time I have not been able to write 'till now) to fend me the Rev. Mr. Sergeant's Scheme -f (with your Letter an nexed to irjfor promoting Chriftian Knowledge among the Indians at Houffatonnoc, by civilizing, and bringing them to a good Opinion of Induftry and Frugality, &c. which * I think the Number of Children is Twelve. ..t Vid, Mr. Sergeant's Scheme, and the Letter annexed, referred to. Cf Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N. 1 19 ; I very much approve of, and the more fo, becanfe it ap pears to me, as if he had truly no private, or peufonal Intereft in View -, but only the Honour of his great Matter, and the beft Welfare of the poor Heathen, whom the FATHER gave him, for his Inheritance, and therefore I heartily wifh it Succefs, and hope the Difficulties in railing Money to carry on fuch an Affair, may be fur- mounted. I have been expedling every Day fince you fent it to me, to hear of fome Subfcriptions going forward on that Account, but hear nothing of any fuch Thing at prefent. I would therefore humbly propofe that a Sheet of Paper, or two, may be ftitched up at the End of one, or more of thofe printed Letters, and a generous Subfcription began, by a few well difpofed Gentlemen of Bqfton, and handed about from one to another, to try what may be done that Way *, and there every Subfcriber at one View may fee the honefl Defign, and judge of its Necefiity, and acl: accordingly. I cannot help thinking the generous BenefaRions of the Rev. Mr. Hollis^ and his juft Obfervation of the Inadtivi- ty of a People of fuch Name for Religion as we in New- England^ in fuch an Affair, will put many to the Blufh, and perhaps fpur them on to a bountiful Liberality in this Scheme. I am no ways qualified for a Leader my felf, but would willingly follow a few Gentlemen, who would be more likely to give it a Reputation and Currency, with my Subfcription of Pounds, and would ufe my fmall Ability to promote it, but it muft be fome how or other fet a-going, which when once well done, may be eafily* kept alive and in Motion : I have a great deal of Faith that fornething of this Nature may be attended with Sue- cefs, if put into fuch Hands, as mall be fpirited for it, and will not be weary in Well doing ; but ftir up them- felves and others, with a well tempered Zeal, mixed with Prudence, fo as to give no Offence to any that do- not think exadly as they do - y .and by fuch a Behaviour, fome who 12,0 ttt LIFE and CHARACTER who may not be-fo well inclined at one Time, may be very well difpofed at another, to an handfom Subi'cription. But this Method notwithftanding, I hope it will not be thought amifs to have a Brief from Authority (if Need be) procured, and promoted in every Church in this Pro vince, to collect what well difpofed People would be ready to give to encourage an Affair of this Importance ; and if before the Collection, thofe two Letters mould Jbe read, I am humbly of Opinion, it would not be im- ipertinent If we really believe, the admirable Charms you men tion at the Clofe of your Letter, have any Reality in them, as I am apt to think they have, viz. " That a right liberal Heart and Hand, no Tongue can fully fpeak it ! or enough celebrate it ! Unfpeakable is the Good done to the World by it ! Unfpeakable is the Glory re dounding to the Name of CHRIST from it ! And alfo the Good to ourfelves in it, and from it, is unfpeakable, both through the Life that now is, and in that which is to come ! Only the Day of CHRIST can reveal the Glo ries and Joys awaiting it through a blefled Eternity." I fay, if thefe wonderful Truths are duly thought of, this pious Scheme of Mr. Sergeant's, will not, cannot fall to the Ground for Want of Money to carry it on, and fup- port it from Time to Time : I pray God to ftrengthcn our Faith in them. I entreat an Intereft in your Prayers, and do aflfure you I am with great Efteern and Refpect, Dear Sir, Your very much obliged, humble Servant, N. 5. " I think it my Duty to make the moft publick Excufe, for the Freedom I have taken with my honoura ble 'Friend, in publishing -his Letter, excellent as it is in it felf, without his Leave \ and alfo to inform him and the Publick, that a Book will lie ready at my .Houfe> and at the Shops of Major Henchman, Capt, John Phillips, and Mr. Twi Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N. 121 Jofeph Edwards, with Blank Leaves annexed, for taking in Subfcriptions, or if it be defired, by Perfons in other Towns, any where through the Province, that like Books be fent to them for the fame End, they {hall be fent. Bevj. Colman. Part of a Letter from the Rev. Mr. Sergeant to Dr. Colman. " Rev, Sir, Your Care and Pains under the Decays and Feeblenefs of Age, to promote the Defign of my Letter, I accept with all Thankfulnefs. Yefterday, we of the Englijh Families, with tf^^{Tift. ance of two Strangers happening to be here, collectecf by Subfcription One Hundred and Fifteen Pounds Ten Shillings toward our propofed School. I then gave the Indians fome Account of what was doing for them, and they appeared very thankful : And this Morning fent a MefTenger to me to know where the Houfe was to be erected, with the Offer of their Aflift- ance in clearing a Spot of Land for forwarding the Defign. May He that is the Staff and Stay of the Aged, be flill your Support &c. Stockbridge, Nov. 25. 1743." Many more Letters and fome of a great Length, were written by him to the Rev. Mr. Hollis, and to Mr. Ser geant, and others, to promote this benevolent and chrifti- an Defign, and I would hope that this Record may great ly ferve it by the Will of God. He held a long and mofl agreable Correfpondence with the Rev. and learned Dr. White Kennett, Bifhop of Peterborough, which was begun and ended with an intire View to the Services of Truth and Religion ; and his Letters were fometimes carried to the Lord Bijhop of London who difcourfed with Dr. Kennett upon them ( as he informed him ) to the fruftrating fome Attempts of the High-Church Mijflionaries here R A 122 ?be LIFE and CHARACTER A Copy of his firft Letter to the Rev. Dr. White Ken- nett, Dean of Peterborough, afterward Lord Bijhop^ whkh introduced him into 'a happy, pleafantand profitable Cor> refpondence with him to the Day of his Death. " Rev. Sir,. Bofton November 1712. I am altogether a Stranger to you, and mud needs be unknown^ for my Name is much too little to have been heard of by Perfons of your Dignity in the EftablMhed Church : But meeting with your excellent Sermon preached be fore the Honourable and moft Reverend Society for the propagating of the Gofpel in Foreign Parts, on Friday, Febr. 15. 1711,12. I cannot forbear afking your Leave to f jjtibyou my Thoughts upon an admirable PafTage I fincrtherein, p. 22. " Neither our own People in thofe Parts, nor their ffl ' Part of another Letter dated July 28. 1716, is printed in the Life of Bifhop Kennett, of which the Compiler fays, it is Pity it fliould be buried with him. And as he has given it a Place in the Bifhop's Life for an Entertainment to his Readers, it is here alfo inferted To which I ftiall take the Liberty to add fome Paffages out of others that are now before me. iU CY;J - U stji? .<.! We have no great Profpect, I confefs, of fuch Hap- pinefs in our Old England, where the Spirit of Diflfention and Fadtion, nay, of the utmqft Infatuation, has raged horribly, and is not yet cad out. I think I faw long fince, that the Beginnings of this Sorrow were the Seeds of Po pery fcattered in the Minds of common People,with ftrange Induftry and Art, to fmooth the Way for a Popi/b Pre tender. Noife and Norifenfe were very prevailing, and at laft the Word given out was, / had rather be a Pa* ptft than a Prejbyterian ; and under this delirious Cant, the poor Souls were prepared to cry out, The Church, the Church, as loud as if they had been in the Streets of Rome y and to idolize a feditious, not to fay ignorant Doctor ; as much as if he had been a Pope of this other World. The People in this Ferment were difpofed to read and admire the daily Pamphlets, thrown about to reconcile them more and more to Popery, under Pretences of di vine and hereditary Rights, uninterrupted Succejfion, inde pendant State of the Church, the Expediency and even Neceffity of private Confeffion, the immediate Effects of facerdotal Absolution, the Invalidity of Baptifm out of Epifcopal Communion, a Prieft, an Altar, a real Sacrifice in the LordVSupper, a middle State of Souls, no Harm, at leaft, in Prayers for the Dead, and many other Devifes,, approaching as near to Rome as prefent Shame and Safety- would admit. All thefe Conceits you well know, fprung as Tares of the Enemy, long after our blefTed Reformation, and I think never appeared 'till a little before the. Beginning of the Civil Wars, under the Influence of a Court that had too much of the Popifh Queen in it, and were now re vived to ferve no other Purpofe but that of the Interest of a Popifh Impoflor. Only there was fome Difference in the Times , for before thofe Civil Wars, none ran into thofe Notions but fome of the warmer a^d ambitious Clergy ; whereas now the common People and the very Women had their Heads full of them. Under thefe Deiufions. a Multitude have been giver? no 132 n* LIFE*^CHARACTER up to believe the Idol zt. Avignon to be fomething, and worthy to be fet up ; given #/>, alas ! to any Lies, and' to the Practice of many Popifli Superftitions. Some would not go to their Seats in the Church 'till they had kneeled and prayed at the Rails of the Communion-Table ; they would not be content to receive the Sacrament there kneeling, but with Proftration and (Inking of the Breaft, and kifiing of the Ground, as if there were an Hoft to be adored ; they began to think the Common-Prayer without a Sermon ( at lead Afternoon ) to be the bed way of lerving God ; and Churches without Organs had the thinner Congregations , bidding of Prayer, was thought better than praying to God, and even Pictures about the Altar began to be the Books of the Vulgar ; the Meeting- Houfes of Proteftant Diflenters were thought to be more defiled Places than Popifh Chappels : In fhort, the Herd of People were running towards Rome without any Forefight, or Power of looking backward. To this Madnefs. of the People was the Rebellion owing i now one is quelled, the other will abate ; and our greateft Deliverance under King George, will be that cf our being delivered from our f elves ^ , and being reftored not only to .our Religion and Liberties but. to our -- My Relpecls and beft Services to you and your Bre thren, and efpecially to the worthy Prefident of Harvard 1 - College - Let us join our Prayers for the King's fafe Return and long Life, and for the Progrefs of Chriftia- nity, and an Increafe of the Proteftant Religion. -TI wo., I', dear Sir, your affeaionate Friend, u r. Kefinttt ' -mc 2w *flj vhfj -.- , ,. ub Marcb ^ I 7 l6 > 1 ?' ij'rr.s b^s v3i"cnf;'/f ai) lo, a-i^'i ii/<>i L After, having wrote largely of the Fooleries ( as he ftiles them ) of the High-Church - He adds " And you have Senfe enough to let me tell you as a. very (Charitable Friend that there is fomewhat of a like wrong Spirit. cf Dr. BENJAMIN Go LM-A-N? Spirit among our Diffenting Brethren or the Body of them. The good old Tendernefs of Conference is vifibly abated, the ftridt Regard to Sobriety and Temperance is very- much altered , the keeping up Family Prayers and Fear of God in Children and Servants is wearing offapace, Bi bles are lefs read, and Sabbaths lefs obferved,&c. In fhort, they are very foon gone off from the good old Puritans who had certainly a more fober Deportment, and a more feribus Senfe of Religion and Devoutnefs in them. And this Degeneracy at a Time when they have been in gpeateft Danger and ought to have been moft upon their Guard of Piety and Prudence. For whereas the good eld Puritans were all along popular and well-belov'd upon the juft Reputation of being a fober godly Party, (who fpoke better and lived better than moft of their Neigh bours : It fo happens on the contrary ( God knoweth how) that our Diffenters of late have hfad the common Cry againft them : the Laws could hardly protect them, the Government almoft afraid to defend them, and if the Bi- fhops and Clergy whom they call the Low-Church, would have fell into that Stream of Prejudice againft them they had been driven ( as the Wind and Tide have long fat) into a State of Perfecution and the utmoft Defertion , wherein the Body of the Clergy and People would have thought they had done God good Service. And yet the Diffenters ( perhaps to a Man,) have had one of the greateft Merits, that of being true to^ their Coun try, and to the Ballance of Europe, always well affected to the Proteftant Succefiion, and very faithful Subjects of King George, and firm Adherents to his Royal Family : An Advantage that one would think might before this Time have been improved to their Security and Honour : And fo undoubtedly it would have been if they had fol lowed the Steps of the good old' Puritans, and had onee more the Efteem of a peaceable and religious People ; if they had been really ready to join with the moderate Biftiops and Clergy, and had complained only of Innova tions unknown to the firftHcforraers, requiring only fome few tte LIFE and CHARACTER few Conceffions to be made to them, fhewing themfelves truly tender of the Peace and Unity of the Church and State, and always more zealous for a good Life and good Worlds than for any other Matter of Contention. Such a Spirit of God in a dill Voice will at fome Provi dential Time or other heal all our Breaches, and fruftrate the Hopes of the Common Enemy. You fee how freely and heartily I fet down my own prefent Thoughts and Wifhes, and I have that Opinion of your Underftanding and good Confcience that I cannot but think we could talk over thefe Matters without any ilLRefentments and at leaft with good Will and Charity, But I cannot anfwer for the different Impreffions upon other Minds, indifpofed with Prejudice and Paf- I thought to add fomewhat of our prefent State of Af fairs, but I referve this to another Letter. I pray God prefer ve us and amend us all, for the Con tinuance of his good Providence to us, and am Dear Sir, your very affectionate $?f!im3d;}i! Friend and Brother, Oft ; W. K. P. S. I thank you for your very right good Sermon. I fend you the laft of my publick Exercifes." srjf rn'nsf r i I>H' *,'-. jj/yff j There is another very long Letter dated June 5th 1 7 1 8. relating to Controverfies on Foot in Church and State at that Day, which begins and ends with fuch friendly Paf- fages as thefe, . " I gladly take this Opportunity of expref- fing my hearty Thanks for your laft, and my Willingnels to keep up^ a Correfpondence with one whom I know fo well by his own Writings and by others good Report, that I fhould be glad if Providence would allow us a nearer Converfation. You fee I am going out of my Depth, by writing in a familiar Way to a private Friend, fecure that neither of us. mean any Harm, Pray we God to preferve our Peace and of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN. and Profperity, and dear Sir, your Health and Happi ntfs. I am your affe&ionate Friend and Brother, #,.-*<>* W * K " After he was promoted to the See of Peterborough f h was the fame good and kind Friend and Correfpondent.* In a Letter dated Feb. 2yth 1722,3. He writes, " I have often accufed my felf of Negligence (which I beg you would not think a Difrefpectj in not writing to you. It is not for any Change of Station, and much lefs for any Alteration of chriftian charitable Sen timents, but out of pure Hurry of Life, and neceflary Ap plication to Men, and Things and Books. 1 thank you for your very good Sermon || on Occafion of the Jewijh Convert to Chriftianity. I wifh you would repub- blifh it with fome Declaration of Motives and Reafons given by thePerfon himfelf : and a Catalogue of fuch eminent Converts from Judaifm to our Reformed Reli gion, as have been publickly baptized. Here many of them publifh very found Teftimonies of their real Con- verfion and Sincerity in our Faith and Worfhip. I think I could furnifh you with near an Hundred Inftances out of my poor Collections if you will make the feafonable Ufe and Application of them. I was fent to this Moment by my good Neighbour Chamberlain to write a Line to you, and have put up a little Parcel for your Amufement, and defire you to Efteem me, and to pray for me as your very affectionate Friend and Brother, White Peterborough" f He was confecrated Bijbop of Peterborough, November 9. 1718. he fucceeded Dr. Cumberland, and died December 19th 1728. * They wrote their Sentiments to one another on all Points Civil and Ecclefiaftical with all Freedom, and fent their Publications from Time to Time. J A Difcourfe had in the College Hall at Cambridge, March 27, 1722. before the Baptifm ,of R. Judab Monis The prefent In- ftru&or of the Students in the Hebrew Language there. Mr. Colman fent him afterward Mr. Monu's three Difcourfes entitled, the Truth, tbe Truth, and nothing but the Trufb* Thus . - 136 tte LIFE and CHARACTER Thus writes this excellent Bifhop who for his Mode ration and good Works was very ill treated by the Jaco bite Party in the Nation of whom the Writer of his Life fays, Pag. 193. " He was a Man of great Probity, Courage, and Refolution in the Difcharge of his Duty. He lived (efpecially fince the Revolution) in Times of great Trial and Discrimination , and in all of them, he approved his fteady, inflexible and fearlefs Temper. The Frowns of great Men in Power, could no more awe him, than popular Clamours could make his Stedfaft- nefs." I mall clofe the Account of this happy Correfpondence with a long and fine Letter of Mr. Colman's to the good Br/hop dated December i;th 1725, " Sir, Mr. Dummerm his laft informs me that your Lordlhtp is pleas'd to exprefs your felf forry that I have declined the Prefidentfhip of our College, to which the Fellows chofe me the laft Year ; But while I am obliged to your Lordfhip's Goodnefs toward me in that Concern, I have to plead my long Difufe of Academical Studies and Exercifes, and alfo that I am not well in the Opinion of our Houfe of Representatives of late Years, on whom the Prefident depends for his Subfiftance , and they could not have pinched me without the Chair's fuffering with me, whidh I could by no means confent itfhould do for rny Sake. As for the catholick Spirit, which makes your Lord- Ihip wifh to fee me in that honourable Station, I hope I may have fome Pretence to it, and I acknowledge it a very good Gift and Ornament to a Perfon otherwife qualified .: But then (my Lord) it is the very Spirit of our College and has been fo thefe forty Years pad, and if I have ever (hone in your Lordfhip's Eyes on that Ac count, here I learnt it thirty Years fince, and when I Vifited the famous Univerfities and private Academies in England, I was proud of ray own humble Education ef Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N. 137 frere in our Cambridge, becaufe of the Catholick Air I had there breached in. And fuch it has continued till of late a Parcel of High-flyers have poifoned and ftag- nated it, by leading us into a Courfe of angry Contro- verfy which has alarmed and narrowed us, who before received the Writings and Gentlemen of the Church of England with the mod open Reverence and Affedlion.. And (My Lord) I am afraid that now the Paper- War here is a little over between fome Gentlemen of the Church and others on our Part, the Alienation is like to increafe by the Meafures lately taken by Dr. C and others, whp upon a Memorial of our Minifters to our General Court the laft May for the convening of a Sy nod, which we alfo moved for more than ten Years pad, put in a counter Memorial and havefince made fome Re- prefentation on this Head, (we know not what) to the prefent excellent Bifhop of London ; who (as our Agent in a publick Letter has informed our Court,) laid before the Lords Juflices a Copy of our Memorial confented to by our Lieutenant Governour, at whofe Conduct herein (he fays; their Excellencies are very much difpleafed. It is thought, he tells us, that our Clergy mould not meet in fo publick authoritative a Manner without the King's Confent as Head of the Church ; and that it would be a bad Precedent for our DifTenting Brethren at Home to afk the fame Privilege ; which if granted, would be a fort of vying with the Eftabliihed Church. It has alfo been infmuated that this Synod would have come to fome Refolutions to the Prejudice of the Church of England. ^ Upon the reading of this Letter from Mr. Jgent, our General Court immediately difmifTed our Memorial : But if your Lordfliip will give me Leave I would humbly plead our Innocence and Right in making the aforefaid Memorial to our General Court, and afking their Coun tenance in the convening of a Synod of our Churches. And I have feen fomuch of the excellent Candour and Equity of the LordBiJhop of 'London in a private Letter to T one 138 ne LIFE and CHARACTER one of the Clergy here the laft Year, as well as known a great while the like excellent Spirit and Temper of your Lordjhip, that I think I would not defire to (land be fore better Judges. And firft, let me plead before your Lordjhip in behalf of the Churches of New -England their Ufage in Times pad, from the Beginning of the Country to meet oo cafionally in Synods, under the Countenance of our civil Rulers, for the preferving and promoting of Godlinefs, Peace and good Order in them. This Right and Liberty our Fathers have dearly purchafed for us, and the Government then feem to have thought fo, when it gave them a Patent fo ample for all religious Liberties and Priviledges to them and their Pofterity upon their fettling and fubduing this wafte and howling Wil- dernefs, and making fo great and good an Addition to the Englifh Dominions. And although the oppreflive Powers in the End of King Charles, and the firft of King James the Second, had no Confideration hereof, but vaca ted our firft Charter, yet we have to plead in the Second Place, That by our prefent Charter, granted by King Wil liam and Queen Mary, our Churches are here the Legal Eflablijhment, and our Minifters both in refpefl of their Induction and Maintenance are the King's Minifters, as much as even the Church of England Minifters are in any of the other Provinces - 9 who did not fettle as we did on the declared Principles of Non-conformity, and without the lead Charge or Expence to the Crown as we have done. But when I fay that our Churches and Minifters here are eftablifhed by the King's Laws, I would pray your Lordjhip not to underftand me in Oppofition to the Church of England, for fo they are not -, but if any Town will chufea Gentleman of the Church of England for their Paftor or Rector they are at their Liberty, and he is their Minifter by the Laws of our Province, as much as any Congregational Minifter among us is fo. , So far is our Eftablifhment from excluding others from the common Rights of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN. Rights of Men and Chriftians, and I hope ever will remain fo. And then thirdly, our Churches here being founded and formed on the Congregational Scheme, our Synods whether greater or lefs do not pretend to Authority or JurifdicYion, but only to counfel and advife the Churches, who are at Liberty after all to judge for themfelves, al though it is to be hoped they will always pay a rever ential Regard to the deliberate and folemn Advices of a venerable AfTembly of their Paftors and Elders. Your Lord/hip will from hence eafily judge how far fuch a Synod can be in any fort vying with the Church of England, or a bad Precedent toother Diflenters from it. For as to our Brethren in Ireland, they meet in Synods when they pleafe by the Aft of Toleration, and our Bre thren in the Provinces of New-Tor k and New-Jerfies have their dated annual Synods, Nobody forbidding them or taking Umbrage at their fo doing. But we in the Province of the Maffachufetts, really the Churches efta- blimed by Law, and having been ufed to afk the Coun tenance of our Rulers in our Meetings in a Provincial Synod, we now obferved the fame Rule and kept to our old Practice ; expecting no more from them than the Pub- lick's bearing the Charge of the Convention, and if the Refults of the Synod were approved by the Government, that they would recommend the fame to the reverent Re gards of our Churches. This (my Lord] is the Foot that the Churches of New- England have hitherto ftood on, increafed and flourifhed on ; leading quiet and peaceable Lives in all Godlinefs and Honefty, maintaining an exemplary Loyalty to the King, and Brotherly Love to their Neighbours ; except ing fome Errors of a perfecuting Spirit toward the Baptift and Quakers for fometime in their Beginning, which we have heartily repented of. And whereas it is infinuated that this Synod would have come to fome Refolutions to the Prejudice of the Church of England -, it is only Surmife, and without any Grounds, 140 The L 1 F E and CHARACTER Grounds, fave what the Objedors may apprehend from the Principles of Non conformity which we openly profefs, and from the late Difputes which they have raifed among us about Epifcopacy. The utmoft that the Synod was like to have done,about Church-Order andGo- vernment was their confirming or rather amending fome Things in our Platform of Church-Difcipline the Refults of former Synods, which would have done nothing more againft the Church of England than ftands profefled al ready among us, nor have fet us at any more Diftance from her. And if your Lordjhip will pleafe to read the Me morial itfelf, a Copy whereof I inclofe to you, you will fee that the Reafon and Caufe of our defiring a Synod at this Time was to enquire into the Caufes of the -prefent growing Corruption of Manners among us, and the Means of the Reformation of thefe ; the fame noble and pious Caufe wherein your Lord/hip has borne fo good and great a Part for many Years paft. , This is not the Caufe of a Sector Party, but too many in every Sed among us have an Averfion to it, and no wonder if it be every-where fpoken againft. Or if our reforming Synod could not efcape theSufpicion of fome, that fomething ungrateful to Epifcopacy or Liturgies might be done there, yet I muft ferioufly profefs to your Lord/hip that in all the Debates among the Minifters, whether this Year or in Years paft* upon this Head of calling a Synod, I remember not a "Word that has dropt among us to give Occafion for fuch a Sufpicion. Or if it be that our Churches are now envied the Reputation of holding Synods as in Times paft by Gentlemen lately come among us, and who have been treated by us with all due Refpeds, they are neither courteous nor juft; for it ought in Righteoufnefs and. Honour to content them that they receive all kind and brotherly Treatment from us, and enjoy their own Opi- rionand Perfwafion with the greateft Freedom; and they ought not to ufe Means to grieve and trouble us among whom they are come to fojourn, and where they find a Country filled with Churches, wherein Knowledge, De votion Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N? 141 votion and Piety flouriih at lead equally as in their own Communions. My Lord, It may be I am too free and pathetical in this my Addrefs to you , And I would not take too much Liberty in the Caufe of Liberty. I know Sir, you can forgive my Zeal in this tender and generous Point. And if your Lordjhip think with me that this plain Argument and Reprefentation will not offend My Lord of London^ or may do us any Service with his Lord/hip, I would then intreat the Favour of him to read what I have here wrote, and let it have its juft Weight in his noble and righteous Heart. It is enough, My Lord, to grieve us to the Heart, confci- ous as we are of the utmoft Zeal and Loyalty to King George, that we fhould feem to the Lords Juftices to have trefpaffed upon hisjuftPrerogative : We had noThoughts of offending the King's Majefty, nor the Governours of the Church, which like the King's Throne is efta- bliflied by Moderation. 1 fliall trouble'your Lordjhip no further than by afking your Blefling and leave to fub- fcribe my felf, &c/ On the Account of apprehended Abufes and Mifap- plications of the Moneys of the Honourable and Rever end Society for Propagating the Gofpel in foreign Parts, Dr. Colman (in his old Age) wrote once and again to my Lord of London by the Defire of the Reverend AfTo- ciation of the County of Hampjhire, who made their hum ble Reprefentation to his Lordfhip and the faid Society, to which Anfwers were returned. Dr. Colman's firfl Letter follows. 1 " f f * c ReverendifTimo Dom. D. Samueli Urlfperger, in Mi- nifterio Evangelico Senior^ et Paftori Ecclefiae St. Anne, Augjburg^ Literatifllmo et Fidelifiimo. ^r - r> j i Vir vere Reverende ! Eximius nofter Guberr^ator Summus, D. D. Belcher., qul poftremo Anno Literis Veftris piis maxime gaudebat, mifit eas Mihi, Seniori Paftori in Urbe hac frequentiflima, et Suo Juffu Honorem habeo tibi Salutem dicere. Heu ! quali Gaudio et Dolore fimul afficior, dum Verba Pater- na Paftoris vere Evangelici perlego, et Difperfionem Gre- gis diledliflimi contemplor ! Sint Animis veftris Confola- tiones fummae Divini PARACLETI, dum Pafliones Chrifti abundant. Vobis conceditur Supplicatio Beati Fault pro feipfo in Epiftola ad Philippenfes, " Utcognofcam Com- *' municationem Pafllonum ejus, dum configurer ejus " mortis." Ita perveniunt Martyrum Exercitus ad Re- furredlionem mortuorum. Amicus Vefter et Filius amabilis Dom. de Beck, inter nos Nomen reliquit vere magnum pro Prudentia, fincera Pietate, et Zelo erga Deum, Fratrefq; et Seflbres, etEmi- * After 70 His Letters begins, My dear dear Friend -My dear and conftant Friend,--. grantes,' ef Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A NT." 153 grantes. Liters Prasfedlus noftri accedere Tibi non po- tuerunt Manu magis accepta. Eodem Tempo re Volup- tatem nobis maximam fecit, Notatio Nominis Tin, et Meriti praefignis. Interim, Tu, Domine, merito cxifli- mas Civitatem noftram et Provinciam admodum feliccm fub Regimine Viri Literis et Religione, Humanitate et Probitate, Candore et Benignitate prance llentis. Videris ioqui de Refidentia Excellent fuse in his noflris Regi- onibus, Diplomate Regio fed Notum tibi facio, Domine, non fine aliqua Superbia, quod Natale Solum illc poflidet, et inter nos liberaliter inftructus fuit, et educatus, Charifiimam habemus, Cantabrigia noftra, et amcenam Academiam, Nomine Collegii Harvardini gaudentem, quam fecit hucufque Deus almam Matrem et fsecundam non modo Paftorum fidelium et docYiflimorum, fed etiam Gubernatorum et Judicum Literatorum , inter quos mine numeramus dignifTimum Belcher, qui nobis et peregrinis idem eft Pater et Amicus , infervire Chrifto et fuis^ in Vita publica et privata, Cupiditate inflammatus. O uti- nam tales eflent Imperatores omnes per totum Terrarum Orbem, ut placidam et quietam Vitam degerent ubiquc omnes, omni cum Pietate et Honeftate ; unoquoque e Vite fua, et e Ficu fua comedente ! Tune nullus, ne unus <]uidem, emigrant e felici Germania videretur in extremis Terras quasrens Perfugium. Si vero fit in noftra Potefta- te inter has Colonias aliqnid contribuere, quo emigrantes veftri charifflmi Solamen accipiant, confide, Domine, Be- nevolentias MagiftratCis et Sacerdotii noftri ; quibus Prae- cepta ilia Evangelica (Gratia Chriftij funt conjunctiflima is Fraterna Charitas maneat ! " Hofpitii ne fids imme- * ft mores ! per hoc enim quidam acceperunt Ap>gelos. l? u Memores eftote Vinclorum, tanquam una vindi, et eo- tc rum qui affliguntur, tanquam ipfi quoque fitis in Cor- " pore." Hoc Chrifto debemus,et plura in Infinitum,qui dixit, " Peregrinus fui,et accepiftis me ; nudus,et veftivi- u ftis me ; infirmus, et vifitaftis : Quatenus enim feciftis " uni de his Fratribus meis minimis, mihi feciftis." Corde vere paterno, paterna Commiferatione et Amore t W Emigrantes Y 5 4 &e LIFE and CHARACTER ILmigr antes veftros dicis Filios tuos, et tibi dixit Pater Cceleftis, ." Relinque Pupillos tuos, Ego vivificabo, et " viduse tuas in me fperabunt." Ego quoque, qua- draginta Annis elapfis, Captivus fui in Gallia, et Promif- fum fuum fanftum praeftavit Deus in carcere. Vere dicis, Domine, vere dicis, Dominus Deus eft Hie, Dominus Deus eft ilk Et Temper idem eft in omnibus Locis, Deus Omnipotens, Fidelibus fuis qui ei confidunt. Vehementer optamus perlegere magnalia ilia Dei, quorum Volumina fcribere pofiis Tranfcriptum nnius eorum Thefaurus effet ^ftimatione noftra. Nuperrime Deus apcruit Corda Tribus Indorum [ Houfatonoc ] in Finitimis noftris, accipere Evangelium, et per idem Tempus infpi- ravit Egregium quendam adolefcentem D. Johannem Sar gent, Literis etPietate infignem, fe totum devovere fum- mo cum Gaudio ad inferviendas Animas Barbarorum ifto- rum, a quibus jam acceptus eft ficut Angelus DeL la Prasfentia Gubernatoris et Senatorum, prsefentibus quoq; Indis et Anglorum Congregatione, Die Dominico confe- cratus fuit, Augufl\ 31 1735. Jamdudum quadraginta baptizavit, Peccata confitentes et deferentes. Ignari illi et rudes Mutationem in feipfis admirantur, potifTimum quoad Cupidinem Potiis et Ebrietatis, quae fuit dilectifii- ma illorum Deftruflio. ct Vere, Opus eft Dei> et mira- bile in Oculis no(his> Benedidlus fit Amabilis D. de Reck, in Tranfportatio^ ne fecunda, et Saltzburgienjes tuos chariffimos confervet Deus fupcr altura Mare ad Portum ufque Defideratum, et fedem Stabilem et Quietam. Tecum, Domine, fem- per refideat Spiritus Sandtus , Gratiis fuis et Donis pretio- ciffimis, per totam Vitam privatam et publicam, " ad " abfolvendum curfum tuum cum Gaudio, et Minifterh- *' um quod accepifti a Domino Jefn, ad teftiRcandum " Evangelium Gratis Dei ! " Nee unquam oblivifcaris, in Precibus veftris ardentifllrnis, Ecclefiarum Nov-dngfo- rivn, Excellentise fuaf, noftri Gubernatoris, Paftor.um.de- .^humilium, inter qnos fpeciatim numerabis, P>, D. Reverenure vcftrne addidlilTimum Fratrern in MHmtfcnd CIiriO : 5 Benjamin of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.' 155 ^ Reverendifllmo Domino D.Benjamin Colman^ Servo Jefu Chrifti apud Boftonienfes dexterrimo, et S. The ologian Dodlori meritifiimo Salutem ex Cruce Jefu plurimam dicit Samuel Ulfperger. Ave, Vir Reverendiffime in centre Mifericordiae di- vinae, perfuafumq; habe, Literas tuas d. 22 Martii Anno elapfo ad me exaratas mihi fuifle quam jucundifiimas. Veneror enim Excel lentiffimum Dn. B etcher , cujus Nod- tiam ampliorem mihi dedifti ; Veneror tuam, quam mihi demonftrafti Amicitiam , Lastor eximiis Gratias divinse Operibus, quse inter vos et vicinos Indos Houffatonnoc in maximam Jefu Chrifti Gloriam ftatuta hucufq-, funt, et lastifilmam futurorum maximorum Eventuum Spem faci- unt. Nee minori Jastitia perftifus fui, dum legebam, quan- to defiderio feraris, ipfemet feratur amplifilmus Magiftra- tus, ferantur etiam Sacerdotes veftri digniflimi ad com- moda Salijburgenfium Fratrum promovenda, Eben Ezera- nofq-, illos multa ope adjuvandos. Servet vobis Deus Animum iftum benevolentifllmum inEcclefiamChrifti vo bis concreditam, in finitimos Paganos ad Fidem Chrifti adducendos, inq; Exules Salijburgenfes^ et in me, illorurn quafi Patrem, ut quos ob Evangelium Chrifti in Corde meo geftare foleo quotidie. Remuneretur vobis largiffi- ma Benedi6tione in coeleftibus ea omnia, quas ex Amore Jefu Chrifti,inq-, dulciflimi ejus NominisGloriam fufcepiftig hadlenus, et poft hac quoq*, conaturi eftis. Floreat fub Regimine perilluftris Domini Bekberi veftri Res publica crefcat tuo Minifterio Ecclefia, vireat amceniflima Aca- demia veftra, ut ex Collegio Harvardino pofthac quoq; prodeant Viri omni Charifmatum fpendore corufcantes atq*, ad omne Opus bonum turn in Politia, turn in Eccle fia atq-, Schola efficiendum inftrudliffimi. Pergat Deus, Ope fua Reverendo D.Sargent adfiftere,ut Indorum Apo- ftolus fadlus totam Nationern iftam Chrifto lucrifaciat. Vere enim magnum eft, quod de illis fcribebas, quadra- ginta eorum jam baptifatos efTe, non tantum confitentes peccata fua, fed etiam deferentes. Hoc illi modo non minus ad Salutis a Chrifto partas Fruitionem, quam Ag- nitionem 156 fbe LIFE and CHARACTER nitionem perdncuntur. Faveat Deus huic Inftituto falu- berrimo ! Forfan etiam aliquando Eben Ezerana Ecclefia focias Manns in convertendis Indis ad Fidem Salvificam prasbere poterit, dummodo ilia externis prius Vitae Subfi- diis fufficienter inftructa fuerit. Vere enim jam lucent tanquam Stellulae in Tenebris Indornm, non tantum Doc- trinae Puritate, quam Difciplina^ et Vitse Integritate, *m- de eft ut bene illis cupiam,illofq; adeo hac quoq; vice tibi de meliori propter Chriftum, cujus Nomen digne proh> tentnr commendem. Quas de Magnalibus Dei inter nos fcire defideras, eorum aliquot peculiar! Scriptione, hifce Literis annexa, confignavi. Pergite Viri optimi, precibus veftris adjuvare Ecclefia m Chrifti Bohemicam, certe non contemnendis Aufibus ex Papatu enitentem. Magnos adhuc fperamas Regni Chrifti Succeffus, turn inter hos, eorumq-, Fratres Carintbios, Moravos, Stirios^ imo et in. ^///^^^//wyallibusSuperftites ; quemadmodum et ma- jori quam fuperioribus Seculis nifu atq; Frudlu Chriftusju- dseorum Genti cum viva Voce annunciatur per duosTheo- logix ftudiofos, qui Judasorum Converfioni totos fefe de- derunt, omnesq-,Regiones peregrare ftudent, turn Scriptis huic operi infervientibusquas Typis publicata funt, atq; in Judaeorum Manus tradunt,cuiOperae clariflimus Calknber- gius, Hallenfium Profeflbr egregiae ftudet, et jam pluri- mos Libros Novi Teftamenti in Judasorum Idioma Ger- manicum converfos divulgavit ; ex quo Tempore non pauci Judasorum excitati funt de Adventu Chrifti jam facto magis ferio quam an tea cogitare, et alii revera Chri ftum anirplexi funt. Ecclefia Patria Wurtembergica^ " hb- bis v/icina variis antea Procellis fatis jactata, et propediem tanturn non extinguenda, mirabili Dei Auxilio faucibus Papasis, quse illi inhiabant, prserepta, et peffima quasvis Concilia inopinata prorfus Principis Morte fufflaminata funt. Digna profedlo Res, quae ad extremes Mundi Fi nes in Gloriam Dei perfonet ; qui et hanc gregis fui Par- tern porro dcfendat et fervare velit ufq; ad Confumrna- tionem Seculi ! Perge, fi placet, Nova Regni Chrifti in ter vcs llorentis nobis pcrfcribere \ pcrgam et ego recen- fere of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN; fere quasnam incrementa Res chriftiana inter nos capiat. Pergemus invicem afflidam Jefu Chrifti Ecclefiam eju dem Tutelae Regimini et Solatio, Amplification! et Con- fervationi Precibus comrriendare ardentiffimis. Servet vos, fervet nos, tandemq; falvet gratiofiffime in aeter- num ut Meriti pro nobis praeftiti. In hoc vale Vir Re- verendiflime, valeat, perilluftris Dominus Belcher , vale- ant quoq; Reverendus Dominus Sargent, omnefq; Jefum incorrupte inter vos amantes. Id quod precor Reverendiffimi Nominis Tui Aug. Vindelicorum d 10. Studiofifiimus 'd Apr. 1737. Samuel Urlfperger.'^ . *! c-iJ And here it may be as proper as any where in this Narrative to record the Favour done Mr. Colman by the ancient and learned Univerfity of Glafgow, in conferring on him the higheft Academical Honours the Degree of Doctor in Divinity, and fending him a Diploma figned and .fealed according to the Cuftoms of that illuftrious Senate, which was delivered to him by his Excellency Governour Belcher, Nov. i. 1731. It is here inferted For the Sake of fome among our felves. " Senatus Academic Glafgovienfis Cbriftiano Lettori Salutem. >. Viri admodum Reverendi Benjamini Colman apud Nov Deus ne deferas me ! ut libenter progrediar omni ftudio perfequi pia Pro- pofita a Scotia jam nobis mandata j longius extendereNo- tlciam 160 V%e LIFE and CHARACTER titiam et verum Cultum Unici Dei, et Domini noftri Sal- vatoris, Ethnicis Orientalibus finitimis, Adjuvate nos Precibus veftris, Reverendi Fracres ; Pa ul Luminum et Mifericordise ; et libenter folvetis nullus dubito : quod Inflatu Spiritus San<5ti,Animofius et Eventu profpero miniftrare poffimus, ad Incrementum Regni Jefu Chrifti in his nnperrime fedibus Tenebrarum. Deus O. M. diu confervet et benedicat felici veftrse Univerfitati, et dileclifiimis Ecclefiis Scotia - 3 et Temper adfit Miniftris fuis fidelibus, et Mifllonariis in omni Terra, ufq-, ad Extremitates Orbis. Valete Viri Dodiflimi et Reverendiflimi. Sum Vef- trum Obfervantifllmus et Addicliffimus, Benjamin Colman.'\ .:"/.':i. ; " To the very Reverend and Honourable the Vice-' Chancellor and Principal of the Univerfity of Glafgow. The Inclofed waits upon your illuftrious Senate, to acknowledge the the unmerited Honour they have done me, in the Diploma lately received from them. As Pro vidence has fat me here in the Place of the late Rev. and learned Dr. Cotton Mather, the fenior Paftor of this City ', fo you have been pleafed to grace me with like Favours, which you firft honoured him with. It will be mine and my Brother Sewalfs Ambition, to tread in the Steps of fo worthy a PredeceiTor, and by our Services to the In- tereft of Religion and Learning, to render our felves worthy of the Regards you have fhown us. Nor will it be a fmall Service, I judge, to the Churches of this flourifhing City and Province, if your renowned Univerfity pleafe from Age to Age to felect and dignify an eminent Paftor or two with your higheft academical Honours ; That in Character and Style they may appear equal to the affuming Gentlemen of the Epifcopal Pro- Feffion who are growing on us, while in Labours and Humility as well as Learning I truft they will not be content to be meerly Equal. As of Dr. BENJAMIN Co L M A N, i-Gt fc :.,,.. ;. As our very trading Town is like through all Times to keep a conftant Correfpondence with Glafgow in the Way of Commerce, fo if it be agreeable to any of your learned Body to honour us with the like, in Re Literaria et Sacro-Sanfla^ we (hall efteem it a great Favour. If I fail, Sir, in the Direftion or Style proper to the Principal of your illuftrious Academy, I fliall be obliged by your candid Correction. Pleafe to let the Hon. and Rev. Society at Edinburgh know our Senfe of the fuper-added Obligation they have laid us under, by aiking thefe Honours for us, to be their diligent and faithful Servants, in promoting the Mifllpns committed to us, for the propagating chriftian Knowledge in our Borders: Although we fliould not at all have needed any fuch Incitement to fo good a Service. The Love of Chriftand Souls (I hope ) conftraineth us hereto. I have heretofore by the Hand of my Rev. correfpend- ing Friend and Brother, Mr. Woodrow of Eaftwood, afked a Place for fome of my poor Writings in your Library ; Wherein I own I have prefumed to do my felf too much Honour ; But fmce it has pleafed the Univerfity to inrol me now among her Sons, I mall not repent of it, but only afk the Prayers and Bleffing of your Rev. Body, and your Leave always to fubfcribe my felf among, Sir, your moft obliged, grateful Eojlon, Nov. 5. 1731. and obedient Servants, Benjamin Cclman. I take Leave to cover a Copy of fome of my lafl Writings to each of. the learned Gentlemen, who have honoured me with their Names to the Diploma." " To the Honourable and Reverend Society for the Propagating chriftian Knowledge, at Edinburgh. Honourable and Reverend, Your Letter dated April 29, which accompanied yonr Commiflion to his Excellency our Governor, conftkiiting a Number of worthy Gentlemen here your Commif- Tioners and correfponding Members, to aflift in your truly X pious i6z ne LIFE ^CHARACTER pious and noble Defign ( by the Will of God ) to pro pagate Religion among the Salvages bordering on the Provinces of New-England^^ me under a particular Ob ligation to make this feparate Anfwer and grateful Ac knowledgment of the Honour which the illudrious So ciety have been pleafed to do me in their naming me to the rnoft Reverend and Learned Senate of the Academy at Glafgow, who have fent me their Diploma, creating me Doctor of Divinity 4" How unworthy foever I mud hold my felf of this Style and Character, yet am I the more obliged to purfue with all my Power the truly pious and chriftian Intention of the honourable Society ; to which they mould have found me equally inclined and ready without the Motive of fo diftinguifhing a Refpect. The Recommendation of fo excellent a Perfon as our prefent Governour Bdcher, who merits the Chair over us by his Humanity, Politenefs and Literature, but much more by his Virtue, Integrity and Piety, adds not a little to the Honour done us. I have been many Years pad Miniftring to the Natives here, by Commifiion from the honourable Indian Corpo ration at London ; And ftill fhall gladly go on in old Age to minifter by the Will of God under this new Commif* (ion to us from Scotland ; Whofe Church-Order, Worfhip and Difcipline is glorious in our Eyes -, for the more ex- tenfive Propagation of Religion in our Eaftern or Weftern Borders, among the Aborigines^ Strangers or Enemies to our Faith and Worfhip. Our chofen Secretary and Treafurer, Anthony Stoddard^ Efq, will inform the Hon, and Rev. Society of ourfirft' Meeting, the Reading of your Commifiion to us, and that fome of us are appointed to look out for finable Perfons to ferve in the three chofen Stations for the pro- f Some Letters are found in the Do&or's Study which fhow that lefore this Motion was made he was upon the Lift for the next Pre ferment Dr. Calamy and others in London thought him aftually doelorated and Congratulate him upon it. pofed Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C L M A N. 1 63 pofed MifTion, to whom I refer. Help us, mod Rev. Brethren, with your Prayers, while you excite us by your Favours. And may the fpecial Prefence of God ever attend your Counfeis, and his BlefTing all your Endea vours ; as well as all his Minifters and Miffionaries at Home and Abroad. I am, Reverend and Honourable, your obliged obedient Bojion, Nov. 6. 1731%$ humble Servant, Benjamin Colman" t;:o"b*rich &nie ",?&' ehl Jufcg'jQfb t>rl H^U^l For a Clofe of this Chapter I fhall hint ar, and remark upon Dr. Caiman's Character for Publick-Spiritednefs, Fidelity, Liberality and Charity. .'By the foregoing Pages it appears that the Dottor had a large and generous Soul, and made his Life as fignificant to the World, and to his own Nation and Country in par ticular as he poflibly could. He might perhaps with as much Juftice as any one have taken thefe Words of the Apoftle for his Motto, Rorn, xiv. 7. None of us livetbto bimfelf. In every Stage of Life there are fome notable Diflo- veries of his acting agreeable to it He could fay with the Stoicks, A generous Attion is a Reward to it felf. Thro* all his coftly and painful (to him pleafant and delightful) Correfpondence with Mr. Holden and Mefiirs. Hollis's &c. &c. &c. he never afked any Thing for himfelf. And when he was offered and prefled to accept of a Set of valuable Books by Mr. Thomas Hollis, he refufed taking them on any other Condition than their going to the Col lege at his Death, where he ordered them by his Will. Therefore in the Dedication of his Twenty Sacramental Sermons he could fay, " I had no private Interefl in View. Nor have I ever had any private or oblique Re- fpefl to my felf in the long Courfe of Letters that have palTed between us for more than feven Years pad. I appeal to you. Sir, if I have not acted toward you and LIFE and CHARACTER and ^my Country a fincere, open and difmterefted * artg ;:::> uo / ' He was fingularly Faithful the numerous Trufts repofed in him. Although there was a lirge Liberty fometimes given him to difpofe of many Hundred Pounds in Books and Monies (as he faw Caufe) yet he endeavour- cd with the exafteft Care and moil diligent Study to find cut the Mind of the Donor from his general Directions : And ever kept and fent a particular Account of every Farthing diftributed (to what Ufe, &c.J to his Employers He was anxioufiy fearful, lead any Monies in his keepincr Ihould at his Death be thought his own, and therefor? not only told his Friends from Time to Time what he had, but alfo wrote upon it, and gave fpecial Orders about it in his Will. I fhaH add no more here As the Dottor devifed li beral Things, and warmly and prudently provoked others to Love and good Works ; fo according to his Ability and fometimes beyond it he freely gave of his own pro per Goods.f When Subfcriptions for pious and chari* table Ufes were fet on Foot among us, his Name is ge nerally ieen among the firft Subfcribers. The Poor re paired to him as their Father with a filial Confidence in their Wfants. He was alfo fingularly liberal and gene rous in rewarding fuch as he employed .in any Affairs whatfoever. :;B )C&\K.: .rsi a*u$WA .?.l!fbM bns K&W& .- * " ' '' j t Early Inftances of his Charity and Generofity in fome of the M Chapters of th ls Narranve. Ii53n Af o:ii ni -/x- 1 j m iltftotil feMhq- fei l^jlf'l^^jfst '^Kbofi **& *$51 trt/pifdcr 10 sTBvhq irw 'biaf t^o 1 r/s d v . C H A P, Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C L M A N. jg - CHAP. VIII. t^ I His Manner of Studying- Writing Ser mons and Letters His Diligence, Ap plication and Difpatch T Charader of fome of his Writings His Manner of Preaching, Praying Thoughts on Pfalmody -Reading the Scriptures, Ufmg the Lord's Prayef Catechifmg Vifiting Letters of Con r ' ' Mt **. ^^ 'tiim ls m-. A FTER having obferved and given fo many Inftances * * of the Doctor's catholick Chanty, difinterefted Ge- nerofity, and inviolable Fidelity in the many important Trufts repofed in him (in the preceeding Chapters) I come ^ W ].^. deiin ^ ate 1 f ?? le other Parts of his Character, which alfo diftinguifhed him ; aTid for> which 'he was iuftly ad mired, as an extraordinary Perfon among us. Reading, and clofe Application of Mind to Study was early, and ever his Delight He read much, and digeft- ed well the various Authors he pcrufed ; and often col- leded from them what was curious and ufeful, as appears by many Sheets left, and numerous Quotations in Ms Sermons.* In his younger Times he was a Night- Student, by which has Health was greatly impaired, and heexperienc- i of that Saying in Erafmm, < Noffurn* L& bcfthor a a nf 0< Li S rar ^ not lar e > but wifely colleaed of the ft Authors ancient and modern.- He retained confiderable of his * m 6 J fihim t0 have read *** ^ fomc of the moft beautiful Lines wtrationes 1 66 SGte LIFE ** ; reprove the Minds and affect the Hearts of his Hearers, and appc**Lt/> Jbe in his proper Element there. His exact and exquifite Judgment as well as his lively Fancy and Imagination were employed in every Difcourfe. The choiceft * One of his Twenty Sacramental Sermons in Print. f And yet he faw Caufe to deftroy many of his Sermons. On one and another of them he has wrote The firft three or five Sermons on this Text, are burnt. || Thefe elaborate Sermons are wrote in a fine Character fairer than Print ; but fo ({mall that only young Eyes can read them The Doftor would fornetimes mow them to Candidates for the Mini- ftry, and warn them to write their Notes in a larger Hand. 4. His excellent Sermon preached at a Faft before the Choice of Mr. William Cooper is one of them. ** Scil. His Difcourfes on the Parable of the Ten Virgins On the Incqmprehenfiblenefs of God With many fingle Sermons. Matter i68 tte LIFE and CHARACTER Matter prefented in elegant Language and flowing Eloquence. His Wifdom and Ingenuity was feen in the Choice and Variety of the Subjects handled by him : He gave every Truth and Duty in the wide Circle of Divinity its proper Place and Inculcation. He was particularly no ted and commended for a nice and careful Obfervation of the Face of divine Providence, towards the World in general, and towards our Nation and Land, and for im proving every Merciful, Afflictive and judicial Difpen- fation, for the Benefit of his Hearers in his publick Dif- courfes as well as private Convcrfation The fpecial Cafes and Circumftances of his own Flock and Friends were in a very fingular Manner regarded as appears by many Sermons in print and Manufcripts left by him.|| But above all JESUS CHRIST and the Covenant of Salvation through him was his grand and favourite Sub- jeft, and moft ufual Topick, as appears from his Notes and his repeated Declarations to the World. " He preached Jefus Chrift in his Perfon, Natures, Offices, Benefits ; Cbrijl in his eternal Godhead^ in the Covenant of Redemption and Grarp -, in the Promifes, Prophecies and Tviv or nim In his Birth, Life, DodWncs, Laws, Miracles, Sufferings and Death 5 In his Refurre&ion, Afcentbn to, and Scffion at the Right Hand of God, his Interceffion and fecond coming to judge the World ; In Ihort the Covenant of Salvation through him r And every Doctrine and Law of natural Religion with a direct Reference unto him as revealed and enjoined by him, as performed only by his Grace, and acceptable only for his Sake, who is the End of the Law for Rigbteoufnefs, and as inforced upon us by his Promifes and Threatnings; that be in all may be glorified, and the Grace of God through him. -So it is noted in the . jj About Twenty-four Funeral Sermons were publifhed by him- He never preached Politicks but when he faw his Country in Danger and Diftrefs as is faid of his Friend Bp, Kewet. :-.M Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N^ I 6$ Life of Mr. Philip Henry, " that whenever he preached " of moral Duties, he would always bring Chrift into his " Sermon, his Life as the Pattern of the Duty, his Love " as the grand Motive to it, his Merits as the great A- " tenement for our Defects in it." This primitive and apoftolic Preaching was the Manner of Dr. Colman's preaching the Gofpel of the Grace of God. Accordingly he has declared once and again,-f " This " has been the Favourite Subject in the Cqurle of my " Studies for the Pulpit, I have ever determined to know " Jefus Chrift and him crucified." " My Speech and " Preaching among you has been an Exhibition of the " Glories of redeeming Grace and Mercy, from the Be- " ginning of the Bible to the End thereof.* And I doubt not but he was often favoured with moft ravifhing Views of his Saviour's Glory, while he was compofing and preaching on thefe Heads. The Doctor had a moft beautiful Way of introducing large Paragraphs of Scripture to enrich his Difcourfes ; and was fingularly famous for the frequent appofite Ufe he made of the hiftorical Parts of the Bible whereby -he furprifingly embellifhed them, and threw new Light on almoft every Subject he handled. He often made Ufe of Scripture, not for Proof and Illuftration only, but for the Sake of the infpired Language, p And as the Matter of his Sermons were weighty, and the Language and Stile grand and polite , fo the Manner f* See his Sermon, entitled, 7 'he Grace given us in the treathed GofpeL- * See the Dedication to his Twenty Sacramental Sermons Alfo his Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Samuel Cooper, Sec. &c. He [ought to find acceptable Words, or Words of Delight, as the Margin reads it, Eccl. 12. 10. || See the Preface to his Parable of the Ten Virgins printed in London, 1707. : There is one Liberty fo natural to me, that I never *\ fteer clear of it, which is the alluding to PaJ/ages and Expreffions of " Scripture, the which an unwary Reader may miftake me to intend * for Proof or direft Explication, and fo think them impertinent, as Sf then indeed they would be. y of i 7 o Tie LIFE and CHARACTER of his Delivery, added Beauty and Force to them, which was grave yet lively, with a Voice fweet and harmonious, and an A6lion fingularly delightful and inimitable. His Countenance taught, and his Face (hone as with a divine Rayon it like Mofes reflecting on the AfTembly, and con- ilraining Attention, Reverence and AffecTion. The elo quent Orator^ is a juft Stroke in his Character. He evi dently and eminently anfwered that Part of the Defcrip- tion of the Prophet Ezekiel, And / rative] from fome very good Judges Tbefe have been all along juftly admired and valued by Perfons of Tafte for the Vein of fine Senfe, Language and that Serioufnefs of Spirit that runs through them. They are moftly occa- fional, and printed at the Defire of the Hearers. On fome of his early Works a Reverend and learned Perfon in England writes to him, " Sir, I am forry fo many of your Works are caft away upon France. I wifh however they were tranflated into their Language, and difperfed among the People. Such a Vein.ofJSenfe and Piety, fuch a fmooth and yet ftrong Torrent of divine Eloquence muft certainly(by God's Af- fiftance) carry all before it, and find a Way into the mod So it is faid of the Soothfayers of old that they delivered their Speeches, Non Vultus, non color nnus t non compile manfere Com<&, Sed Peftus Ankelum, et rabie Cor da tument C5V . I find his worthy Colleague in a Sermon preached the Sabbath after his Funeral, taking a proper Notice of his agreablc Manner of Preaching in thefe Words, "How folidand elegant, how judicious and perfwafive, how fcriptural and pungent were hip Sermons? andyet how diftant hisManner from the boifterous and violent He never delivered a Sermon but we faw how perfectly he underftood the Decorum of the Pulpit ; and the Gravity and Sweetnefs at once exprcfled in his Countenance, the Mufick of his Voice, the Propriety of his Accent, and the Decency of his Gefture mowed him one of the moft graceful Speakers of the Age." He was indeed our New-England Chryfoftom on many Accounts. The following Lines of Dr. Watts in his Elegy on the Rev. Mr. Thomas Gouge are alfo borrowed to make up fo-r the Defecls in our Defcription. " While from hjs Tongue A Stream of Harmony ran foft along, And every Ear drank in the flowing Good : Softly it ran its Silver Way, # 'Till warm Devotion raisM the Current ftrong,' Then fervid Zeal on the fweet Deluge rode, Life, Love and Glory, Grace and Joy, Divinely roll'd promifcuous on the Torrent Flood And bore our raptur'd Senfe, and Thoaghts and Souls to GocL hardned fhe L I F E and C H A R A C T E R hardned Souls. 1 am not afraid to fay, that I think the Sermons of America may be a Pattern for the politeft, the mod nervous, and affectionate Preachers of Europe." t The Reverend and venerable Solomon Stoddard of our Northampton, upon reading the Difcourfes on the Parable writes thus to the Author, " If fuch Books will not work on the Conferences of Men I know not what will, the Hopes of your living to do Service when I am Dead is a Comfort to me. 1709." Dr. Watts and other eminent Minifters in England upon receiving and reading his Trea- tiies and Sermons in their Letters often obferve with Plea- lure " the Variety of ufeful and beautiful Thoughts, juft Sentiments and fine Addrefs in them. I find by a Letter from an eminent Perfon I mall only offer the Reader two more which are printed, fell. The great and learned Mr. Pemberton in his Preface to the Doctor's Sermons on the Incomprebevftblenefs of God, publifhed in the Year 1715 fays, " in thefe Difcourfes we have the fublime Subject of God's Incomprehenfiblenefs treated with a becoming Modefty and Reverence, with an agreable Life, Judgment and Perfpicuity. The Character of the Reverend Author and his Performance are too bright to receive any Luftre from my Recom mendation. However, I muft be allowed to rejoice in, and to blefs the great Head of the Church for, thofe uncommon Gifts his Servant is endowed with ; which appear obf^rvably f The Doffor had then only printed about feven Sermons befidcs his large Volume on the Parable of the leu Virgin* in $f Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAtf^ I 7*3 in thefe Difcourfes. And fure I am it is not Partiality to a Friend, but Juftice to the Merit of the Performance, which compels me to believe, that every impartial, judi cious Reader will efteem thefe Meditations, every Way fitted to entertain, and improve the Underftanding of the mod Intelligent , and to quicken the Devotion of the moft devout Chriftian." The other is from divers eminent Minifters of London, in their Preface to his Twenty Sacramental Sermons. " Thefe Difcourfes are excellently futed to the Tafte " of ferious Chriftians, and to the fpecial Purpofes they " were defigned to ferve. The Reader will find fome " of the moil fpiritual and evangelical Subjects, treated " with a Vein of good Senfe, and true Piety ; facred " Truth agreeably reprefented, animated with a truly " Chriftian Spirit, and every where, made fubfervientto " practical Godlinefs, the great Defign of the Gofpel- " Revelation. " The worthy Author needs not any Commendation " from others, to whom a long Courfe of eminent Ser- " vices to Church and State, in his own Country, and lc the higheft Honours and Refpects paid him there, are " the trueft Praife. We think our Reverend Brother cc has been fo remarkably circumftanced as to be in dif- " ferent Parts of his Life, the youngeft and eldeft Paftor cc in the Town of Bofton ; and by his own Labours and " his Intereft in others, has perhaps been an Inftrument " in the Hand of God of as great Service to Religion and " Learning, to the Church, and the College, as any Man " of his Time. His Wifdom and Moderation, his Zeal " and Integrity, in his whole Conduct, fo amiable and " illuflrious in a degenerate Age, muft needs render him " dear to all the flncere Friends of both. " We recommend this Volume of his Sermons, as copious and pathetick On new and grand Oc- cafions when he hadTime, and took Pains to meditate and prepare himfelf, his Ideas and Expreflions were fublime He foared on high and led thofe that joined (with Hearts melted and filled with Devotion,) even to the Seat and Throne of God,zs far as Example, and the Power of Words could do it. Sometimes we have known him on the mod fudden Calls, occafioned by extraordinary Provi dences, fo animated and elevated with the Spirit of De votion, as to exceed himfelf and his mod (ludied Addref- fes. And although in his ordinary Courfe he confined himfelf to a form of Words as little as mod of his Bre thren, yet he ever had an high Value for Helps \\ to De votion, which he ever flrongly recommended to younger Minifters, as well as private Chriftians ; and his Spirit was moved with a juft Difdain and Indignation upon hearing them fo much preached againd and vilified by fome warm Itinerants in the late Times. As he looked on the whole Canon of Scripture, and particularly the Pfalms the bed Common Prayer Book for the Church of God, fo for the mod part he kept to in- ipired Language in his Devotions. In fhort, he prayed with the Spirit and with the Under/landing alfo, and with the greated Fervour and Earnednefs of his own Spirit what Life what Ardour did he difcover ? how lavifh of his Strength and animal Spirits ? more efpecially in his Prayers at the Adminidration of the Sacraments of the New Tedament, he did fpend and was fpent even to Faintnefs. * II ' Particularly Mr. Matthew Henrys Method for Prayer and Dr. Ijaac Watts' 's Guide to Prayer. * To ufe fome of the Words of his dear Colleague in the fore- cited Manufcript Sermon, " How often have we heard him when ** it feeemed to us as if his A&ive Spirit would have pierced through " his 0/ Z>. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N," As Tinging of Pfalms is a Part of the publick Worfhip which the Doftor highly delighted in, and was greatly concerned to have performed to Edification, it may not feem improper to give our Readers the Refultof his Thot's about the Introduction of fome other Verfion of the Pfalms and felect Portions of Scripture in the Room of that which has been fo long in Ufe among us , and which he laid before his People fometime in the Year 1738. He apprehended this heavenly Exercife might be carried on with more Underftanding and Spirit, and with better Me lody of Voice and Heart by making an Alteration and Change of our Verfion (though he was far from defpifing it and fpeaking reproachfully of it as fome have) pro vided it could be done with Peace, and a general Agree ment. He wrote thus, 1. My Opinion is, That in the Book of Pfalms^ and in feveral other Parts of holy Scripture^ there is full Provi- fion made for the Collection of a Body of Pfalwody, for the Ufe of the Churches through all Ages in the publick and private Worfhip of God. . $&) 2. That more eipecially and eminently the Book of Pfalms, though not fwgly and alone, nor yet equally in every Part of it, is prepared and given by the Holy Ghott, as this Fund of Devotion for the Ufe of the Church. 3. That therefore a Colleftion ought to be made with the bed Care and Judgment, of fuch Parts of the Book of Pfalms^ with other Portions of the Old and New- Teftament, for the Ufe of particular Churches and Con gregations. . cj i 4. That in the Verfions made in one Language and another through the Chriftian World there ought not to ' his trembling Body, which was fcarce able to fuftain the Vehem- " ence with which he fpake and the warm Engagement of his de- " vout Soul. We were fometimes ready to think, that with " the Gofpel of Chrift, he would have imparted to us his own Soul, *' and adually have expired himfclf, while he was preaching to us the t! Word of Life: 9 1 76 ft* LIFE and CHARACTER be affe&ed a keeping to the Letter of the original Lan guages ; but the true Senfe, Scope, Spirit and Life of the Portions chofen, ought to be given in the proper poetick Stile and Diftion of the Language and Age wherein the Verfion is made : the Gravity and Majtfty of the facred Subjeff and Exercife being duly attended to and preferved. 5. That the beft Collections of this Nature, that our Age and Nation have feen, or I think are like to fee, may be eafily made from Dr. Watts his Imitation of the Pfalms cf David, in-the Language of the New -Teftament, and from his Book of Hymns. His Poetry is grave and fo- Jemn, full of Light and Heat, and the Evangelical Turn he gives in many Places is wonderfully adapted, in my Opinion, for the Service of Souls. I cannot but think it to be the Intention of the Spirit in leaving us thefe in- fpired Pfalms, that we mould make fome fuch Ufe of them, and accordingly it is the Practice of the Chriftian Church univerfal ( a very few Inftances excepted) to fe- lect a Portion here or there from Time to Time. 6. That therefore it be recommended to the Church and Congregation that fuch a Collection be made and laid before them when prepared for their Approbation and Acceptance, and thereupon to be printed, and the Congregation being therewith fupplied, thenceforth ufed in the publick Worfhip of God among us. 7. That particular Care be taken not to make the Collection tco large, or the Book too bulky and dear for the poorer Families or Perfons, and that out of the publick Stock a competent Number of Books be provided for the Supply of fuch as are not able to furnifh them- felves. 8. That with refped unto fucb Pfalms as Dr. Wat ft Jias adapted only to a 'Tune which our Congregation can not fag, either we refolve upon learning and bringing into Ufe among us faid Tune, or that a new Metre of fuch Pfalms^ or part of them, be attempted as near as we can turn them to his Stile and Manner. 9. That where he has omitted whole Pfalms, like Pn> < Vifions of Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N." 177 vifion be made, for I judge it bed for us to have the whole Book of Pfalms in its Order as we now have it. Inclofed in the above Propofal (which was not com plied with) the Doftor has fet down on a Paper a Num ber of feledt Hymns from Dr. Watts^ which if added to our Pfalm Book might poflibly anfvver his pious Defign and be much for Edification, viz. Hymn i 3 laft Verfes 2 Ver. 1,4,5,7 7 5 firft Verfes 10 the whole of it 12 - -14 - 16 17 1 8 19 Ver. 1,2,3,4 28 45 Ver. i, 2, 7, 8 * 4, i 561, 2, 3, 4 57 584, 5, 6 62 63 6 4 - 66 V. 6, 7, 8 67- 68 *? ' v ; : a-* """ 71 *T? i 73 74 75- 76 77 78- IOI - 1 06 113 116 121 Book 3d Lord-Supper. Hymn i 3 and 7 23,6 6 1,4 H I, 2, 3,7 14 i, 2, 3, 5 17 1,2, 3, 8 232,3,4 24 25 26 Common Metre 42 Long Metre It is recorded in the 42 Page of our Narrative that the 'Gentlemen who invited Dr. Coltnan's Return to New- England propofed to him in their Letters " That the Z Holy -- 17 " the Light we have, and approve our felves to God, ei\ f He was then reading in Courfc the Prophecy of the Prophet Zetbari ah . thcr f > ef Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N. 1 8 i " ther in ufing or not ufmg it,and wait for theDay when " God will mend theMatter , which I hope he will do in 46 his own due Time." He was conftant (in his Turn) in catechiftng the Chil dren of his Congregation, and fpeaking to them concern ing their Souls from their early Days, putting them in Mind of their Baptifm, and the holy Bonds they are un der thereby to be the Lord's, and in this Way to bring them on to an early Recognition of thefe Bonds, if it might pleafe God toimprefs their tender Hearts betimes. At thefe Exercifes he ufed his fingular Gift of infinn- ating and inculcating the Truths and Duties of Chrifti- anity by putting Queftions and laying hold on the Chil dren's AniWers, and giving fuch Advices and Warnings as he thought needful. As foon as they were grown up to Years of Difcretion, he urged upon them the publick Renewal of their Bap- tifmal Covenant When any of them entred into the Marriage-State, he failed not to vifit and counfel them on this Head ; and it has been thought by fome that he exceeded in his Compulfions to fill the Houfe and Table of the Lord. It mud be owned, the Doctor was for a freer Admif- fion to the Lord's-Supper than fome of his Brethren, but far, very far from approving general Admiffions^ or even of thinking that all that is necefTary thereunto, is a Com* petency of Knowledge, and Orderlinefs of Converfation; I find fome of his Thoughts on this Head, in a private Letter to a Friend, " Ithink more is necefiary both in Foro Ecclefitf et Confeientite \ before Man there mould be a credible ProfefTion of Repentance and Faith, with ferious Purpofes a nd Promifes by the Grace of God of New- Obedience : To all which the Perfon fhould have the Anfwer of a good Confcience, his Heart not con demning him So in the Beginning of the Gofpel they came confefling their Sins, forrowing for them, and pro- mifing to forfake them I very much queftion whether there would be nigh fo much Holinefs in our Churches, were 182 fbe LIFE^JCHARACTER were our AdmiiTions to be general as there now is. The Table of the Lord fliould, and does indeed lie open to all, the People are earneftly invited to it, as well as ex horted to prepare for it, no Inquifition is or fhould be fet up over their Confciences, though they are admonim- ed to look to their Sincerity before God, and the bed Signs of that are laid before them, for their Affiftance ; only the Scandalous are reftrained from coming : Others are encouraged, if they can but profefs in private to their Paftors a fcrious Thoughtfulnefs and Concern for their Souls, and a better Life, and a Refolution by the Grace of God for a Life of Obedience to God in fecret and in publick. As to publick Relations in the Churches of Ex periences, it is an human Invention." Yet I would ob- ferve, the Doftor was a great Friend to Confefiions of Faith, and the Publication of them too on fpecial Occa- fions, but then he would always have Men at Liberty to draught their own, and not be obliged to fubfcribe the "Words of others. The Doftor as became a vigilant Overfeer made fre quent Vifits to the feveral Families of his Charge, not only common and civil to cultivate Friendfhip and Good Will, but proper Paftoral Ones to enquire into and know their State and Circumftances in Order to treat them a- greably, wifely and faithfully, and that he might the bet ter adapt his publick Exercifes, and give to every one their Portion in due Seafon. He made Confcience of vifiting the Pooras well as the Rich (efpecially in their Afflictions) inftru&ing, advifing, admonifhing and comforting as he fawOccafion : And this he did Night and Day as long as his Strength lafted, and oftentimes to the no fmall Hazard of his Health and Life. And when he gave Vifits to any of his Congregation or received Vifits from them (or other his Friends) he ge nerally and generoufly beftowed Books of Piety on them, cither his own Sermons, or the Publications of others. When he was called to minifter to the Souls of the Poor at &1 of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN.' 183 at their own Dwelling?, he ordinarily enquired of their bodily Wants, which were foon fupplyed either by him- felf, or charitable Friends to whom he inftantly applyed on their Behalf. His Prayers over Tick and dying Ones, were not only very affectionate and fervent, butalfo mod inftruclive and edifying By a Train of excellent Thoughts he led them into the Knowledge of Sin and Duty, of God and Chrift, and from Earth to Heaven.-f When he could not conveniently vifu his People or other his Friends in diftant Places, he fent his Thoughts to them in Writing, futed to the various Pro vidences he heard they were under A few * of the Co pies which are found, and which exhibit the bright Image of his Mind, the Reader fhall be entertained withal after I have jtift added a Word or two (for a Clofe to this Chapter) on his gentlemanly Carriage and Behaviour, and other Homiktical Virtues which adorned him, and were fo confpicuous to all he converfed with. -He was a good Mafter of Addrefs, and carried all the Politenefs of a Court about him. And as he treated Mankind of va rious Degrees and Ranks with a Civility, Courtefy, Affa bility, Complaifance and Candor fcarce to be equalled. So all but the Bafe and Mean fhowed him an high De gree of Refpect and Reverence, Love and Affection. Particularly Men of Figure and Parts of our own Nation and Foreigners, whom he failed not to vifit upon their coming among us, greatly valued and admired him. It has been faid (perhaps not without fome feeming Grounds for it)that he fometimes went too far in comple- mental Strains both in Word and Writing but if he did, I am perfwaded fuch Flights took their Rife rather from f Some of the Members (I might fay Minifters) of the Church of "England have declared themfelves more raifed and edified by them than by all the devout and pious Forms of their own Church. * Alas, that fo few are found ; for he feldom kept Copies of his familiar Letters. A large and valuable Collection of them might be obtained if fought for, equally entertaining with thofe that follow. an LIFE and CHARACTER an Exuberance or Excrefcence (if the Phrafe be allowa ble) of the before-mentioned homiletical Virtues, and a too high Complacency in the appearing Excellencies of others, than from faulty Infmcerity and defigned Flattery in the Time of it. As he took a fmcere Pleafure in the Gifts of others, and had a natural Pronenefs to think fa vourably of all Men, and conftrued every Thing in the mod candid Senfe, it is not much to be wondered at if he fometimes exceeded in his ExprefTions. And it is to be lamented that fome havefwollen with Pride, and made an ill Ufe of the Doctor's high Efteem and good Opi nion of them. Letters of Confolation. " To Madam S of N L ." Madam, With what Pain I take my Pen in Hand, in Obedience to Mrs. C Defire, to inform you fif you have not already heard) of the bitter Cup which God has given her to drink in Mr. C Death ; you will eafily be lieve from that unfeigned Pleafure with which 1 lately wrote to you on her Recovery. So it pleafes the holy and wife God to mix his Difpen- fations to us, and call us to fing of Mercy and Judgment, It has put the Town into Mourning, and the general Sor row (hows 'how greatly and univerfally Mr. C-^-r -was cfteemed in it. But your Part is very great in the Bereavement, to whom he was a wife and good Son, and high in your Efteem and Love. Dear Mrs. C is one of the great- eft and moft gracious Mourners you ever faw. It remem bers me of pad Sorrows, and where and of whom flic learned ; under the great Favour of Providence to her, and the Teachings of God's Holy Spirit. And you will be able now, I truft to comfort her, with thofe Comforts with which you have your felf been com forted of God. And may thofe Comforts now and al way abide - */ Z>. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N, I 8/J abide with you, and ever abound and increafe in you ; with which God has relieved your Soul in Times of Trouble. The divine Comforter will never depart from you, I am perfwaded., but lead you on in the Path of Life to the Fulnefs of Joys above. May you enjoy his peculiar Prefence with you under the prefent Providence. But I remember where you are, in whofe Arms, and under whofe Minidry, and how little you can need my poor Sympathy. His Honour will be able to minifter more than all the World befides, to your Support , and the more for his own great Part in your Affliction. May you long live together the Heirs of the Grace of Life, under the Favours and Changes of Providence. So prays, Madam, Your mod obedient, and humble Servant, lo/lon, Aug. 28. 1721. B. C ." " To Madam G- on the Death of her Hufband. Madam, Since I have not the Opportunity of feeing you in your great Sorrows, I take Leave this Way to exprefs my deep Sympathy with you in them. It mud needs be a very extraordinary Didrefs you have been under, and (till are, in the Death of an Hufband, who was one of the lovelieft and bed of Men ; and the uncommon Circum dances you have been under in his Sicknefs, and dill are in fince his Deceafe ; denied the Prefence and Affidance of your Friends and Conveniences of your own Houfe, looks very defolate to us, and doubt- lefs feels fo to you. But I trud you have the gracious Prefence of a good God with you, who is all-fufficient and abundantly able to fnpport and comfort you. If you feek to him, and trud in him, though you are defolate you fhall not be forfaken. I am not alone, faid our Saviour, when he bare our Sorrows and carried our Griefs, for the Father is with me. If God be with you, and you keep with him, humbling your Soul before him, and crying to him for A a Grace i86 The LIFE and CHARACTER Grace to help you in this Time of Need ; you will not need the poor Help your Friends might minifter to you, may he take you near to himfelf, into a happy Com munion with him, in this dark Hour, and give you Light in the comforting Senfe of his Peace and pardoning Mercy, and your Intereft in his Love through Chrift. The Town is put into Mourning with you. No Man was more universally efteemed and loved than Mr. G was, and very defervedly , and no one has died among us more lamented. If it might eafe you to have many fhare with you in your Bereavement, your Burden would be lightned. The Will of God is done ; and we are taught to fay and pray, Father in Heaven, thy Will be done. God made him all that he was to you and his Friends ; and what he gave he has taken away ; and we muft fall down and worfhip him, and blefs his Name. It is rare to find a Man fo knowing and humble, wife and modeft, meek and good, grave and pleafant, upright and faithful, pious and devout : 'But let us think of all thofe Things that were lovely in him, every Virtue and every Praife, and defire to live fuch ourfelves, the few Days that remain unto us here on Earth, and to follow him to a better Life. No Wonder he died in Peace and Calm, who ever lived in it, from the ruling Principles, not of Philofophy only, but of pure Religion. His filent, even, fteady Walk with God, is much to be emulated and imitated. 1 only wifh your Soul may be formed more and more, by what you have feen of his, and fo your Manner of Life -, and that the like Peace of God, which ruled and kept his Heart, may keep your's through Jefus Chrift. Let your Grief too be now moderated and governed by the Rules of Chriftianity, as you may think he would mourn, were he in your Cafe ; and may his Death quic ken you fo in living to God, and getting ready for your own , that you may have an happy Meeting again, and an endlefs Life of Love and Joy, in the Pre- fenc Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N.' I 87 fence of Chrift, and in the Glory of his Holi- nefs. I am, Madam, Your affectionate Friend and Servant, B. C. " . " To Madam H - upon the Death of C - W - Madam, Permit me, under fo fingular an Exercife of the divine Providence, to exprefs my deep Sympathy in your Af fliction, and to endeavour with a friendly Freedom and Tendernefs, your Comfort and Direction. I know how much Prudence and Conftancy, Wifdom and Grace you need under fo uncommon a Trial. Your Soul is too great and juft I know, to count it any Indecency to be feen to mourn ; you owe this Honour to the Dead, this Juftice to your felf. - Yet I know too, how much more retired and hidden, your Grief will be, than if it had been delayed by Providence, until after the Confum- matiort of your Efpoufals Let me therefore advife you, of the Danger of Grief when too much fupprefied, and of the Advantage you have of a Mother and Sifter with you, to whom you may freely give Vent to yourThoughts, and who are able and ready to mourn with, and comfort y OUt But above all; let your Care be to bear and improve aright the very melancholly Difpenfation of Providence. Do not fuffer any rifing or hard Thought of the bleflcd God, nor any Diftruft of his Care and Tendernefs for you. You muft not only adore God as righteous and holy ; but alfo believe him mod wife and good in all his Deal - ings : .And if you fear and love him, chufe him and his holy Ways, and defire to commend your felf to his Fa vour and Grace, you may be fure that he is gracious and faithful, tender and kind to you in all that he allots for you O that you could now leave and commit your felf to his Care, believing that he cares for you, with a full Acquiefcence and Reft of Soul in his holy Will ; and while you refign to his Sovereignty, renew your Truft alfo in his Mercy, confecrate your felf to his Service and Glory, i$S ?be LIFE and CHARACTER GIory,and leave it to hisWifdom andFaithfulnefs tochufe your Inheritance for you your State and Condition of Life. O feck for your Soul, an Efpoufal to Chrift, as a chafte Virgin ; fubmit to his Propofals of Grace, his Tender of himfelf to you in an everlafting Covenant : Seek the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, for your Com fort and Support, the Spirit of Prayer and Communion with God therein, will make up abundantly for any world ly Lofs ; God knows how to turn thefe into our beft Gains ; our Afflictions fandtified are in the End among our choiceft Mercies. God grant you therefore this 3VL-rcy, to be Matter of everlafting Praife and Thankf- giving from you in -the Conclufion. So prays your afTured Friend, and humble Servant, B. C. To Urania On the Death of her firft and only Child. WHY mourns my beauteous Friend, bereft ? Her Saviour and her Heav'n are left : Her lovely Babe is there at Reft, In Jefus* Arms embrac'd and bleft. Would you, Urania, wifh it down From yon bright Throne, and mining Crown? To your cold Arms, and empty Breaft, Could Heaven indulge you the Requeft j Your Bofom's neither warm nor fair, Compar'd with Abrabawfs : leave it there. He, the fam'd Father of the Juft, Beheld himfelf but Earth and Duft, Before the Will of God moft High, And bid his Darling Ifaac die. When Heav'n requir'd in Sacrifice The dear Defire of his Eyes ; And more to prove his Love commands The Offering from the Father's Hands j Sec cf Dr. BENJAMIN C o L M A N. See how th' illuftrious Parent yields, And feeks Moriab's mournful Fields. He bound his lovely only Child For Death , his Soul ferene and mild : He reach'd his Hand, and grafp'd the Knife, To give up the devoted Life. Lefs Heaven demands of thee, my Friend ; And lefs thy Faith (hall recommend. All it requires, is to refign, To Heaven's own Aft, and make it thine By Silence under Difcipline. The leaft we to our Maker owe ! The leaft, Urania, you did vow ! The leaft that was your Saviour's Claim, When o'er your Babe his glorious Name Was cali'd in awful Baptifm ! Then You gave it back to Heaven again. You freely own'd that happy Hour, Heaven's Right, Propriety and Power, The Loan at Pleafure to refume, And call the pretty Stranger Home. A Witnefs likewife at its Birth I flood, that Hour of Joy and Mirth : I faw your thankful Praifes rife, And flow from pleas'd, uplifted Eyes : With rais'd Devotion, one Accord, We gave the Infant to its Lord. And think, Urania, 'ere that Day, While the fair Fruit in fecret lay, Unfeen, yet lov'd within the Womb, (Which alfo might have been its Tomb) How oft, before it bleft your Sight, In fecret Prayers with great Delight, You did recognize Heaven's Right. Now ftand to thefe bleft Afts, my Friend : Stand firmly by them to the End : Now you are try'd, repeat the Aft 5 Too juft, too glorious to retraft. Think, i 9 o The L I F E and CHARACTER Think, dear Urania, how for thee, God gave his only Son to be, An Offering on the curfed Tree. Think, how the Son of God on Earth ; (The fpotlefs Virgins blefled Birth) Our lovely Babes took up, and bleft ; And them high Heirs of Heaven confeft ! Think, how the Blefs'd of Women flood, While impious Hands, to th' curfed Wood Nail'd down her only Son and God ! Learn hence, Urania, to be dumb ! Learn thou the Praife that may become Thy lighter Grief ; which Heaven does pleafe To take fuch wondrous Ways to eafe. Adore the God, who from thee takes, No more than what he gives and makes : And means in tendereft Love, the Rod To ferve to thy eternal Good. Another to Urania, &c. ATTEND, ye mournful Parents, while I fing, a Mother in Ifrael ; The fam'd, the gracious Sbunamite, "Whofe beauteous Story would invite A Saint to yield her only one, Almoft without a Tear or Groan. A wondrous Son fhe did embrace, Heaven's fignal Work, and fpecial Grace ; Nor long embrac'd, but on her Knees Arrefted by a fierce Difeafe, Scarce could he cry, My Head, My Head ! ~\ E'er the dear Parent faw him dead : )> She laid him breathlefs on the Bed. Deep was her Anguifh, yet her Peace She heldj and went to God for Eafe. No Signs of Grief diftort her Face, Nor cloud its wonted Beams of Grace. jfcd?]; No Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A N. % No Moans, no Shrieks, no piercing Cries ; No wringed Hands, or flowing Eyes Didreded the Houfe in that Surprize. She hades her to the Man of God, Hades to the Place of his Abode : Mildly denies the Caufe to tell To her dear Spoufe -, all would be well She truds : So did her Faith excel. Eli/ha, with a tender Fear, Saw his illudrious Friend draw near : 'Twas not one of the Holy-Days Sacred to publick Prayer and Praife ; Why then the Shitnamite from Home ? On what great Errand was flie come ? Her Speed befpoke fome weighty Care, Which generous Friendfhip long'd to fhare. It druck him, fomething had befell The Hufband, Child, All was not well Go, run Gehazi, faid the Seer, Enquire, with Earnednefs fincere ; " Say, generous Hod, if all be well ? " Alts well -, my Lord ! me faid, and fell At her great Interceflbr's Feet : There vents her Grief in Accents fweet, Mild in her Anguifh, in her Plaints difcreet. Such dear Urania, you to me ! O might I be but fuch to thee ! Mind, gracious Friend, the Word fhe faid, All well, and yet the Child was dead. What God ordains is w//and bed. Well 'tis with ours, when gone to Red. It's well with us, who day behind, If more from Earth and Senfe rehVd, W' are patient, pray'rful, meek, refign'd. On receiving a Letter from a Perfon of DiftincYion, wherein a Mourning-Book was inclofed, the DoRor writes on the Backfide of it thefe Words, Received The LIFE^JCHARACTER Received late in the Evening, put my Sermon in Or der for the^Sabbath in the Morning ; and before Noon returned the Anfwer following, to his E - y. Sir, Will your E - y prolong your Grief forever ? And at the End of Years call us flill to mourn on with you ? And can you think any one but your J - n will keep Pace and Length with you ? How much do you honour fome of us to think we can and will ? How kind and righteous the Suppofal of this facred con (lane Friendlhip and Duty in us. - - generous Thought awakes my youthful Fire, Cold as I am, and fliff, I take my Lyre ; My Fingers tremble on the founding Strings, Tremors my Voice returns ; and gravely fings. So faithful Abram mourn'd his beauteous Dead, Tender and princely all the Tears he fhed ; AfHifted Princes at his Levee meet, The Saint and Confort in his Sorrows greet, ^ And bow together at his reverend Feet. Courtly the Mourning, nor have Princes known, B h r a generous Grief more like thy own. Like Faith with godly Reverence did we fee, Thou Son of weeping Abraham rule in thee, And like thy Son did princely Jofeph prove, The Truth and Ardors of a filial Love, When Ifrael ceas'd his Bleffing, welcom'd Death, Stretch'd his cold Feet, and joyful gav : e his Breath ; Down on the doling Lips, the Hero fell, And bid his Tears and burning KifTes tell, A Love and Grief too big for Words to fpcak And vent a burfting Heart, which elfe would break. Happy the Patriarchs in their princely Son, The Youth by Grace eternal Glories won, A" fovereign Providence fat him near the Throne. But there's a heavenly Throne within the Sky, Jacob and Jofeph triumph there on high, Eternal reign ! The Crown of Piety ! of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN. 19.5 B h r, we pray, thou and thy Sons may meet Where the moft Pious, finds the higheft Seat, , We call it Gram's Bofom ; at his Knees, All Ifrael's Seed, the Ihining Patriarch fees. Accept Sir, with all the Candour of your proved Love, this feeble Effort of an aged Friend, firm from my Youth I loved you ; joyed to fee your rifing Honours ! may they lading be, be everlafting ! Such thy growing Joys to everlafting ! When all Tears mall ceafe, and Death mall be no more. Yours, &c. " To His E y W S . Moft honoured, excellent and dear Sir, The Tears of the Town are flowing with thofe of your E y and your Houfe, under your prefent Be reavement ; and fo would thofe of the whole Land had they the Opportunity of knowing fo much of the Beau ties of the Deceafed, and of your Houfe as fome of us who live nearer to your Door, and theirs, have. In particular, I am fo near a Neighbour to your lovely Dead, now lying by the Wall that ftrikes my Eye , and have been at Times fo much an Admirer of the Beauties of her Mind, Form and Manner , that I muft be very in- fenfible indeed, and my profefTed, dutiful Affedtion to your E y on the Account of your tender, faithful paternal Care of us all, might juftly be called in Quef- tion ; if I did not mare your Grief -, and bear you upon my Heart, as becomes my Character, to the God of all Grace and Mercy, that his fovereign Hand may be reli- giouQy fubmitted to by your E y and your Houfe, and fanctified by you in the Sight of all his People. O may the divine Supports, and all the Confolations of God be given in abundantly to Madam, your happy Confort , happy in your E y as you in her, and happy in her lovely Offspring ; whom, God adorn and fpare long to us, with every confpicuous Virtue and B b Praif e 194 W>* LIFE and CHARACTER Praife, whereof fhe has given them fo teaching an Ex- ample , and not to them only, but to the Town : That while your daily Cares of the Publick threaten to wear you out before your Time (I fpeak it without Flattery, for the Court and Town cannot but fee it) their Times may be for ever, in a mining Succeffion of virtuous and pious Families. But the grand Leffbn, Sir, that we have to learn from fuch Breaches upon our Families, is to live mindful of the Day of our own Dying, and giving up our Account, that it may be with a Joy beyond that of the Day of our Birth, a blefled Birth Day into a glorious Immorta lity. And O that the Dignity which the God of Hea ven hath allotted you may be but an happy Prefage to you, and a Means of a fuperior Degree of Glory and Blefiednefs to your felf and yours, in the coming eternal World. May your Lot then be among the Righteous, who fhall mine as the Brightnefs of the Firmament, and as the Stars for ever and ever. O may the Sable and the Purple concur in the Production of this glorious E- vent to you. I prefume to cover to you another Copy on the Death of Mr. Holden^ which you once read with Pleafure, and let your Eye and Heart fix, Sir, on that excellent Line of his on the Death of his Daughter, " I have now one lefs Attachment to Earth, one more Argument for Heaven. If your Lady alfo will caft her Eye on the Silence of Aaron^ and the wife Word of David, " I Jhall go to my Child" I venture to cover it to her Daughter. So, in- treating your kind Interpretation of my dutiful Zeal for y 0ur E y's Comfort, and the ftrengthning your Hands in God, I remain, Sir, your mod dutiful, and obedient, humble Servant, B. C." Feb. 1 8. 1745- To of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 195 " To Thomas Burnet, Efq; in London. Sir, It having pleafed God to fpare me to be the eldeft Minifter in Boflon, I think it but a decent Thing in me, however unknown to yon, and unworthy of the Honour I prefume to do my felf ; to condole with you on the Death of your dear Brother, our late excellent Governor. Your moil reverend Father was the Man whom I have honoured and reverenced from my Youth above any one of our own Times, whomfoever. It was therefore a great Pleafure to me, when I heard his Son was appointed by the King to be our Governor. The Fame of his Learn ing and Moderation raifed our Expectations very high. But the unhappy Controverfy about the Twenty -third Inftrudion deprived us of the Happinefs we had promif- ed our felves in him. 1 heartily wifh that the next Governor may not infift on his InftrucYions, to the Length that Governor Burnet did. It hurt his generous Soul to live in fuch a Wrangle and Oppofition, and his great Heart felt what it would not own. O might he have condefcended a little to have made himfelf and us eafy in a Point or two ! What might he not have had from us, and we found in him ! He thought he could have bowed or broken us with his Refolution, but found it not ta be done. The fame Men that once ran the Rifque of our Charter (to me invaluable) were ready as we fee, to run it again. What the Court will do with us, the next Sef- fion of the Parliament, 1 know not. Might I hope to prevail with the late Governour's Friends, I would fup- plicate them not to appear againft our Charter. I have no Right, Sir, to afk this Favour from you, neither know I your Intereft or Refentments, yet I cannot forbear lay ing before you my Prayers and Fears. It may look vain in me, it may be, to fay, how much I honoured and loved yonr Brother, and wifhed the bed of BlefTings on his Children ; I wifh the fame to all the Pofterity of the admirable Man, your Father. The few that know me, know i 9 6 ne LIFE and CHARACTER -know it. The inclofed Account of your Brother's Death, done at the Requeft of Mr. Secretary, will teftify it. You will fuffer me therefore to condole with you, and fubfcribe my felf, Sir, your very humble, and obedient Servant, Sept. 25. 1729. B. C." Boflon, Sept. 8. 1729. The Town was exceedingly furprized this Morning, with the fad News of the Death of his Excellency our Governor, WILLIAM BURNETT, Efq; He had beerv very ill all the Week paft, but on Friday the Symptoms grew threatning ; after which he very lit tle recovered any Ufe of his Understanding. He expired about eleven of the Clock, the Lord's- Day Night , a teaching and monitory Inftance to us of the Vanity of human Life and Greatnefs. For it is but a few Months fince he was received here with all poffible Demonftrations of publick Joy ; in the Meridian of Life, and in his full Strength ; and now we are fuddenly called to attend him with publick and folemn Mourning to his Grave. He was the eldeft Son of the late right reverend and learned GILBERT BURNETT, Lord Bifhop of Sarum ; among the Divines, States Men, and Patriots of the laft Age, a moft mining Character. In Body, he was very much the Imags of his noble Father, and in Soul, he was Heir of his Learning, Juftice and Moderation. He was born at the Hague in Holland, in March pre- ceeding the Revolution 1688, and named William, after the illultrious PRINCE OF ORANGE, who condefcended to ftand his God Father. The great Part which his Father had in the Accefilon of that PRINCE to the Britijh throne, and afterward in the Sncceffion of the illuftrious Houfe of Hanover, was rewarded to this worthy Son by King GEORGE the Firft, who named him Governor of New Tor k and Jerfies ; and of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN? 197 and by his prefent MAJESTY, who appointed him over the Provinces of the MaJJacbufetts-Bay and New Hamp- jhire. It was pleafant to fee a Gentleman in the Chair over us, who was allowed by all to be chief for Knowledge and Learning, for bright and quick Parts, for Difcerning and Judgment, for true Eloquence, both in fpeaki-ng and writing, with the greateft Facility ; fora noble Genero- fity and Largenefs of Heart, for hating Covetoufnefs and difdaining a Bribe, for Temperance, and for Humanity, Conrtefy and Affability. At the fame Time his invincible Conftancy and Re- folution, in what he judged due to the KING'S Inftruc- tion and his own Honour, furmounted all Regards to his own private [ntereft and Gain. He has left three Children, two Sons and a Daughter ; For whom we can wifti nothing better, than that they may all inherit the Powers of their Father, the Virtues of their Grandfather, and the high Favour of a gracious GOD and King. His Library, which was his chief Delight and Pride, is one of the nobleft and richeft Collections that America has feen. We are very happy in the Prefence of the Honourable WILLIAM DUMMER, Efq; our Lieut.- Governor ; to re- fume the Chair which he fo lately refigned to Governor BURNETT , in whofe wife and juft Adminiftration we have been already happy, and from whom we are fure of all the Good that is within the Compafs of his Power." *JQ J j', ^ A Letter to a pious and Ingenious Gentlewoman under Affliction. Madam G of C f " Madam, I was vifiting my good Neighbour, Mrs. A ~ in her Mourning, when your friendly, mod chriftian f This Letter was printed after the Death of the Gentlewoman the Year 1736. and 198 STitf LIFE and CHARACTER and confolatory Letter to her was juft come to Hand, and fo I became a Sharer in the Confutation in my Mourning, which is not yet put off, and in the Pieafure wliich every one rnuft have that reads what you write. There is no School, I fee like that of JffliRion for the brightning as well as fanclifying our Powers, and it is the Way of Heaven to fublimate Souls by patting them of ten through the Fire. Leaving therefore the happy Buildings for Science and Religion on the Left of your humbler Roof, give me leave to come to you for true Learning and Inftruclion. You have been taught of God in a courfe of long fiery Trial, which yet has been but his fatherly Chaftife- ment, and under the kind Conftraint of his Love and Grace have willingly learnt of him how to endure and improve Afflidions. And why has God taught you, but that you fhould teach others ? or why has he com forted you in all your Tribulations, but that you may comfort them that are in Trouble, by the Comfort where- with you are comforted of God ? You certainly do well not to negledl the Gift you have received by the 1 land of God laid on you , which no other laying on of Hands could give. Are we not bound, if God has made us fpiritually rich, to diftribute of his Treafures to the Sou Is of our dear Friends, and his Children in their Ne- cefiities ? Freely you have received, and you freely give. So God has enriched you to all Bountifulnds, and given you an Heart "ami i land, in a lingular arrd eminent Way to difperic abroad -, and your Righ- teoufnefs endureth for ever. God multiply your Seed fown, and encreafr thefe Fruits of your Righteoufnefs, which are abundant alfo by many Thankfgivings to God , and by their Prayers for you who love and honour you for the exceeding Grace of God in you. " After ye were illuminated, fays the dpottle to the Hebrews* ye endured a great Fight of Afflictions. O VVJKIC a Mercy is it to have firit a Principle of heavenly Grace and Wifdom rooted in our Hearts, before we arc of Dr. BENJAMIN COL MAN.' 199 are exercifed with fore Afflictions, and of long Conti nuance / How is fuch a Soul honoured of God and cal led forth like another Job or Paul, in their Weaknefs and in the Infirmity of their Flefh to difplay the Power of the Grace of God, before the Eyes of admiring An gels and Saints, and to the Confufion of the Enemy and Avenger ! " Haft thou confidered my Servant Job that there is none like him in all the Earth ? Go fmite his Body as thou wilt, and fee if it be not thus. And why was the thorn ftuck deep into St. Paul's Flefh, but for the fame Rcafon ? And therefore it was not removed at his Prayer, but he received that Anfwer from the Lord " My Grace is fufHcient for you for my Strength is made perfect in Weaknefs. Well might he glory in his Infirmities, when the Power of Chrift thus refted on him, and that it might do fo more and more , For when we are Weak then are we Strong, and even Women out of Weaknefs are made ftronger than Men, when God pleafcs. *' If ye endure Chaining, God dealeth with you as with Sons. See Madam, the clear Evidence of your Adoption in Chrift, in your Conformity to Him, the Captain of your Salvation, made perfect through Suffer ings , God helps you to endure his Chaftnings with a flial Spirit : And it is a certain Proof of a Father's Heart in God toward you, that he has given you the Heart of a Child towards him. So God dealt with his cwn Son, and fo with what Child he pleafes, and moil delights in. He helps them to endure with Faith and Love which is in Chrift Jefus -, fuch as was in him when he prayed, " Father not as I will, but as thou wilt : And fuch as he required of us when we pray, " Father, thy Will be done. Our Duty and Felicity are put together in three fhort Words, " Rejoicing in Hope, patient in Tri bulation, continuing inftant in Prayer. This Frame and Exercife of Soul, is the Earned of the heavenly Inheri tance. As Jefus having gone through his Life of Sor rows, and thofe of his Death approaching, life up his Eyes 200 ?be LIFE and CHARACTER Eyes to Heaven, and faid, " Father, the Hour is come, Glorify tby Son, that thy Son aifo may glorify tbee. I am perfwaded, Madam, that as God has glorified his Grace in you, in the paft Hours of your great Pains, fo he will again, and more and more help you to glorify him, unto the fntjhing your Courfe with Joy. " He is able to make all Grace to abound to you, and to give you to&dlfitfficicncy in all Things ; even to ftrengthen you with Might, by his Spirit, in your inward Man, unto all Patience and Long faff er ing with Joyfulnefs. O what a Promife is that ! which who can take the Height or Length of ! but he is faithful who has faid it, and able to perform it in you. You have found him both able and ready, when you have been preffed out of Meafure, above Strength. You do well to communicate to your dear afflicted Friends, your own blefled Experiences, for their Direction and Confolation. You have more Un- derflanding than all your Teachers ; for none teacheth like God, and there is no Learning like that by Experi ment : And may your Confolations abound with your Sufferings, while you are afflicted for the Confolation and Salvation of others ! My dear Spoufe is often fpeaking of you, and always with the higheft Efteem Pray for us, who have lately had the Sorrow of burying a dear Child, that bore fome Image and faint Ray of that mining Grace, and thofe fu- perior Gifts which irradiate Tou, and fcatterall your Dark- neffes. May Grace, Mercy and Peace be multiplied to you, and to him who is your other own Soul, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jefiis Chrift. I am, Madam, Your very humble Servant, Bofton, Aug. 2. 1735. B. C." Another Letter to Madam G of C . ". Madam, Your charming Letter of the 6th Inftant, full of Grace Of Dr. B E N J A M I N C O L M A tf. 201 Grace and Gratitude, gave me fuch Delight, and I per- fwade my felf will give the pious Mr. H n as much, that I have ventured without your Leave to fend him the Original, taking a Copy for my felf. What Return could be made him Jike this Firft-fruit of his Bounty to us ? and give me Jeave to add, from what End of the Earth could he have had the like ? or where can either his Piety or good Senfe more have found its Match ? He is paid in his own Coin, Sterling. You have paid for me as well as for your felf, and if your fuperior holy Lines rival me in his Heart, and give you the higheft Seat in his Efteem and Love, as they well may, I mall heartily rejoice in your Conqueft. You merit from the Lovers of Ch rift and Holinefs (though from him to yon all is free and undeferved Grace) the flow of their Affections and Benignity. I am forry you feem fo (truck with Wonder at the late, too late, Teftimonies of a great Efteem and Regard, on the account of your Worth and Wants. It is be- caufe I am fo late in my particular Knowledge of them, though a general Knowledge I might have before. You know it was your Letter to my good Neighbour, on the Death of her Brother, that gave me my firft and full Intelligence, It is your own Humility, and for mer low thoughts of me, that muft account for your pre- fent Surprize. This Humility let us cherifh in one another, and ceafe our Compliments, however well meant. Forgive therefore and guard againft what I have already written, as I forgive thofe in your laft, and if we can anyway minifter to one another's Confolation, let it fuffice. The Blujh which naturally belongs to your Sex, muft now belong to me, a Scholar and Minifter, fifteen Years Older than you are, and yet not able to out- teach or out- write you ! But I have not been kept in School like you, and under the Rod, and Truant like have loft many a Day. -You- -have more Understanding than your Teachers, for God's Commandments are ever with you. Unlefs bis Law had bsen your Delight you had perijhed in C c your 202 tte LIFE^JCHARACTER your Afflittion. This is your Comfort under them that bis Wordis qiiickningto you. You remember it Night and Day, therefore you have Hope. And may you always abound more and more in ail Joy and Peace in Believing, through the Power of the Holy Ghoft. Out of Weaknefs may you be made ftronger and ftronger through the Power of Faith, as the Holy Women have been who belonged to the noble Army of Martyrs. It is indeed more Eleffed to give than to receive, but not than to receive as you do, through Grace. The Blefiednefs lies in the Manner of giving and receiving, not in the Thing. There are who receive in a more holy fpiritual Manner than the Giver gives, and then the Blefiednefs belongs to the Receiver. Mr. H n and you are one, I hope in the true Blefiednefs, give and re ceive with the fame Spirit of Grace, which is calculated and given for a like amiable Exercife in a very different outward Condition. I fpeak to encourage and animate you to go on in your Part of the holy Exercife. When he receives your's to me he will be animated too, to abound more and more. I have given to Mr. H n the Reafonsof my fend ing you over Sea. He will fee one Reafon in your own Inclinations to have wrote to him. .1 have faved you from the Blame of Forwardnefs which you fay re- ftrained you, and I hope mall have difpleafed neither of you. I have parted with the Pleafure of what I va lued under your own Hand. I have let him know the Days of your Youth, your honourable Defcent, and your later Afflictions. I have told him that I mean alfo to honour my Country, and the Daughters of my Peo ple to him, but at the fame Time that he muft not think thefe Nightingale Notes are common in our Woods. I have begged his Pardon for tranfcribing to you a Part of his gracious Letter, and pleaded it to be for your Confolation and Edification ; and that it became me thus to make him minifter more to your Soul than his Cha nty could to the Needs of the Body.* '-I have prayed of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 203 TJ f, j prayed him to forgive your Anti-Prayer, in wifhing his Life prolonged 'till he be dim with dge : And I have dared to join with you in it, with a little Correction, from the ufeful Old Age of Mofes, whofe Eyes were not dim, nor was he kept a Day too long out of Heaven. But as you fay of your felf, I tranfgrefs the Limits of a Letter. I muft intreat you not to anfwer me, left I write as long again, and be hindred in my Sermons and other Letters. God give you Refpite from Pain if he fee it beft, and ftrengthen you with all Might unto all Patience if Pains return. " The God of all Grace, who has called you to his Eternal Glory by Jefus Chrift, after you have fuffered a while, make you perfect ; ftabliih, ftrengthen, fettle you ! To him be Glory for ever. We all again falute Mr. G And I am, Madam, Your affectionate Friend and Servant, " To Mr. P F Sir, The Refpefb ihown me by your deceafed Uncle was altogether unexpe&ed and furprizing to me, when your Meffengersone and another came to me to put me into Mourning. I cannot but wifh he had let me know in his Sicknefs, that any Vifits or Miniftrations of mine to him would have been acceptable. My Grati tude waits on you, Sir, his Heir, and on the Ladies your Sifters to whom he has left fo great an Earthly Inheri tance, 1 wifh from my Heart I might have named too niy good Friend but I leave that to your own kind and generous Heart. I am forry, Sir, I am fo much a Stranger to you, fince I am fo much obliged. But you will confider the Character I fuftain, which has obtained the Refpedt fhown me, and allow me to lead you off this Evening, from a tranfitory dying World, the Riches and Fafhion whereof is paffing away 204 W* LIFE and CHARACTER away, as yon fee in the Funeral and Mourning before you, to the Reft and Work of the holy Sabbath^ which leads us every Lord's-Day to the Sepulchre of the rifen Saviour, to the Means and Defire of a happy Refurrec- tion among the Jufl at his fecond Coming. I pray God, Sir, that the great Eftate you are come into, may be fo far from hindring you in your Way to Heaven, as our Lord has warned us to fear, that on the contrary, it may greatly help you on in your Way thi ther, as he has told us how to make a Friend to our Souls of our earthly Riches, that when we alfo fail (as we certainly muft within a very little Time, like our Friend before us) we may be received into everlafting Habitations, and be recompenfed at the Refurredion of the Juft. I am fure, Sir, I am my felf this Week a moft teaching Inftance of the Vanity and Vexation of Spirit from a fmall Profpect of worldly Inheritance to my only Child^ and it brings Home to me the Wifdom and Goodnefs of our Saviour's Words, " Lay not up for your felves '-, ...*' And now I fhall attempt fome Hints of the Doftor's Character in the feveral Relations of a Son, an Hujband, a Father, a Friend, a Mafter, &c. in all which he exhibit ed a Pattern worthy Imitation. . His filial Piety, AfFedlion and Duty was eminent and known to all his Acquaintance. As he obeyed the Law of his Mother, whom God took from his Head (as has been before noted) about three Years after his Admifiion into the College ; fo he ever paid all Refpect and Re verence to his honoured Father, whofe Life was continued down to the Year 1712. After the Decline of his Fa ther's worldly Eftate, he cheerfully afforded him all need ed Afllftance, and did every Thing that lay in his Power, to render his Age eafy and agreeable. He expreft this his. filial Duty not only in kind Words, and tranfient good Deeds, but willingly bound himfelf, with his kind Brother in written Obligations for his comfortable Sup port ; praying a gracious God to prolong his Life in the Increafe of his Graces and Confolations to him. Thus he. was the very Reverfe of thofe Scribes and Pbarifees, whom our Lord taxes and faults for faying, // is Cor ban .-f T ; & 3^fd In the Relation of an Hujband, he was moft complai- fant, tender and affectionate. Confider him as a Father, he was wife and indulgent. wH __ __ __ _ ___ ____ f Mark 7. 11. Corbanis a Syriac Word, and fignifies a Gift gi ven to God. Expofitors obferve, " That although the Pbarifees did not deny it in plain Terms " that Children ought to relieve their Pa- " rents, yet they made a vile Exception from it, which if Children " pleafed, might render it void. A good round Gift to the Temple anfwered all filial Obligations for ever Hence covetous and gracelefs Children oftimes denied their aged and reduced Parents the Aifift- ances they needed. Vid. Burkit in Loc. . i if' Dr. BENJAMIN Co LMA*; 211 I dare not lay, he did not exceed fometimes in Point of Fondnefs and Solicitude for his Children. Their Wel fare and Happinefs lay on his Mind continually : But then his firft and chief Study and Care was to form them to Virtue, and train them up in the Love and Fear of the great God : For this he prayed, wreftled, and ago nized, and ufed all futable Means that a glorious Chrift might take an early Pofiefiion of them. From meer Infants, he endeavoured to train them tip in the Way they Jhould go : (j. And for this End he was daily relating to them (as they could bear it) in the mod familiar and artful Manner, the entertaining Hiftoriesand Stories in the Old and New 'Teftaments, together with the Doftrines and Precepts of our holy Religion, and he foon faw the good Effedt of fuch his Effays in the laudable Proficiency they made in Knowledge and Wifdom. As his Daughters grew in Years and Underftanding, he would fome Times write and fend Letters to them from his Study of the Things of God, and of the com mon Bufinefles of Life, of Learning, Wit, &c. in Profs or Ferfe, to thefe he expedled Anfwers, and by them he foon difcovered their Genius and Difpofition.* And || Prov. 22. 6. Expolitors have given us various Tranflations and Senfes of this Text, more particularly of this Phrafe, In the Way be Should go. If it be literally tranflated, it is, Upon the Mouth of his Way. In the Mouth, i. e. in the Beginning of his Way, as foon as the Child is capable of Inftruftion. Some underftand it of the Ge nius and Inclination of the Child t which ought to be confulted by thofe who have the Care of its Education. Vatalulus paraphrafeth the Ex- preffion, in the double and doultful Part of his Ways. Mercer, Accord ing to the Meafure of his Way, afluring us that the fame Word in the Original, fignifies both a Mouth and a Meafure. And he makes this to be Solomon's Meaning ; that a Child muft be inflrucled according to the Meafure of his Capacity. Vid. Dr. William Hopkins** Sermon on the Text. Dr. Co/man paid a due Regard to all thefe Tranflations and Senfes put upon the Words. * In a Pojlfcript to the Memoirs of his Daughter Turetfs Life, he humbly informs thVWorld of his Care of-^r Education. He firft talked into her all he could, in the moft free and indearing Manner, and 212 ne LIFE and CHARACTER And he lived (as he thought) to perceive the Grace of God in them both in his eldeft Daughter early and evi dently and in his youngefl many Months^ if not Years, before fhe died. And " although (as he remarks upon the Succefs and Fruit of thefe happy Methods) it cannot be pretended, that the like Endeavours will always be at tended with the like Succefs, yet it may be fuppofed they would very often, if Parents, with an humble Reliance on the BlefTing of God, and Prayers for it, would go into them." I find among other Particulars recorded by him, con cerning his youngefl Daughter Abigail^ the following,?;/*;. * c She gave her felf to Reading from her Childhood, and foon to Writing. She wanted not a Tafte for what was excellent in Books, more efpecially of a Poetical Turn or Relifti, which foon appeared to be her favourite Turn. This run her too foon and too far into the reading No vels, &c. for which God in his righteous Providence af- .ter wards punifhed her by fuffering her to leave her Fa ther's Houfe, to the Grief of her Friends and the Sur- prife of the Town. But a gracious God was pleafed fome Years after, to fet this her Mifconduft in fuch a glaring Light, as threw her at the Foot of fovereign Grace and Mercy, for Hu miliation and deep Repentance, Renovation and Forgive- n/afe * J WiOv And long before her Death fhe was apparently alter ed and changed by the Spirit of God, and increafed in Grace, manifefting great Humility and Refignednefs to ^__ _ . , and then fupplied her with the beft Books of every Kind, futed to her Years and Inclinations, without making them a Tafk. and Burthen. His next Care was to teach her to read his Hand, and then by writing to her, in a Manner becoming him, and proper for her, he infmuated himfelf more and more into her Affeclions, and increafed her Rever ence of him, and Defire of his Efteem. The Way to merit and ob tain that, he let her fee was by a prudent, humble, virtuous and reli gious Ccwidudl, upon the Principles of Chriftianity, and the Fear of God, and a Defire to pleafe her heavenly Father. the cf Dr. BEN j AMI N COLM AN. 213 the Will of God. Her Death had all the Calm and Peace in it one would defire. I was prefent, and prayed with her while dying, and well remember when her Father fpake to her (a few Mo ments before me breathed out her Soul) of the holy An gels being the Convoy of happy Spirits She made an Effort to utter fome Lines of one of Dr./F 99 His dear Grand-fon John Dennie ( fpes fola ) he daily inftrufted, charged and prayed over in like Manner, and committed to the Care of God's kind Providence and to the keeping of his fpecial Grace. To of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN? 215 To others, his Relations by Confanguinity and Affinity he was fingularly affectionate and kind ; ready to lay himfelf out on all Occafions for promoting their fpiritual and temporal Interefts, oftentimes he (Iraitned himfelf in ferving fuch of them as were reduced to a State of In digence ; and next to the Confolations of God's Spirit and Grace he was their greateft Pleafure, Support and Comfort both in his Youth and Age. He was alfo zfincere and ufeful Friend to aH fuch as he profeffed any Friend/hip to ; and extended his Benevolence and Beneficence to their Friends. The numerous Perfors recommended to him by his Friends here and from abroad were ever kindly and generoufly received, entertained counfelled and advifed &c. In Return for which good Offices there are many Letters of Thanks found. And if the Number of Perfons whom he ferved by Letters of Recommendation and other- ways was to be told it would furprife the Reader. Few Perfons of Figure of later Years have travelled to Europe without feeking and obtaining Favours from him And thofe who have gone from us in Forma Pauperis were with an equal For- wardnefs commended to his Friends and Correfpondents. And yet it muft be confeffed that he was fometimes too fudden in contracting Friendmip with Perfons and truf- ted them too far without fufficient Trial, being ftruck with their plaufible Addreffes in Word and Writing who after they hadanfwered their own Ends, foon treated him with a criminal Indifference &c. Ah ! 'Vis an un grateful World we live in /f The -f- The Ancients had a moft excellent Emblem whereby they ufed to exprefs a true and fincere Friendfliip, they pictured it in the ; Shape of a young Man, very fair, bare-headed, meanly attir'd ; on the out- fide of his Garment was written V 'IV 'ERE ET MORI, and in his Forehead JEST ATE ET HTEME : his Breaft was open fo that his Heart might be feen, and with his Finger he pointed to his Heart where was written PROPE LONGE. But fuch faithful Friends (faith Bi/hop Morton) are in this Age all (or for the moft partj gone in Pilgrimage, and their Return is uncertain. CAMER, oper. WANLEY Pag. 168 216 The LIFE ^CHARACTER The Z>0#0rwas a gentle and compaffionate Mafttr to all his Servants, whether they were bought Slaves or hired into his Employ He carefully faw to it that they had every Thing necefifary for their Comfort and even for Delight. Such as lived with him any con- fiderable Time are WitnefTes of his wife Inftrudlions, Counfels, Admonitions, Reproofs &c. He condefcended to teach his Negroes in Perfon (dull and ignorant as they came) to read *, and catechifed them ; and was ever drop ping fomegood Sentence to inftruct and help them. r And with a moft diftinguifhed Humanity miniftered to the meaneft of his Houfhold when fick. . And this leads me to write of other his Excellencies as Head of a Family* He did all that lay in his Power that all that belonged to his Houfe might be alfo of the Houlhold of Faith. He ordinarily had his fett Hours for Family Devotion and InftrucYion. For the laft Twenty Tears of his Life (and I fuppofe before) it was his Practice to read the facred Scriptures Morning and Evening with large Paragraphs of Mr. Henry's or Burketfs Annotations on them before Prayer: And his Prayers (the Matter of them) was chiefly taken from the Portions read.- Yet he never forgot the fpecial Condition and Circum- flances of his own Family and Flock or of his abfent Friends and Relations, the Town, Country^ Nation and the Protettant Inter eft abroad in the World. He was very particular on the Face of divine Providence toward all and each ofthefe. Andfometimes he would difcourfe Jargely to us on the Chapter read after Prayer. He feemed greatly affected in the Time of reading, and made his Paufts and often found fomething new and ftriking in the Oracles of God. I ftiall give but one Inftance of many, and that is mentioned by himfelf in his Funeral Sermon on the Honourable Mrs. Frances Shirley 1746. * See his Treatife on Family Worfhip printed in 1728. I of Z)r. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 217 " I can never ( fays he ) forget, how as I was once reading the 6th Chapter of the Prophet Zechariah's Pro phecy in my Family, thofe Words in the 8th Verfe -j- ftruck me with a marvellous Light and Force, " Behold thefe have quieted my Spirit : reprefenting to me the per fect infinite Complacency which the Soul of God has in all Events of his Providence, which are all and every one of them altogether/#r as they fhould be , the full Accom- plifhment of the everlafting Purpofes of his own Wifdom, Holinefs and Grace , wherein therefore the Holy Spirit of the Lord muft have everlafting Reft and Quiet, Plea- fure and Satisfa&ion. Can there be a more calming, quieting Confideration than this to the Spirit which God has made and fanctified ! has made to govern, and to be in Subjection unto his own holy, perfect and bleffed Will: " Behold thefe have quieted my Spirit : And what quiets the Spirit of the Lord fhould quiet ours , and will do fo, if we defireto be holy y wife and good as He is." Such Perfons who have been much in the Doftor's Com pany have often feen and known (if any external Signs can indicate it) " That he was abundant in Ejaculatory Prayer : How would his Eyes and Hands be lifted up to Heaven, on hearing of the Difpenfations of God's .Grace and Providence ? And in his latter Years, his de vout Thoughts and inward Breathings were frequently vented in pathetic Exprefllons of Humiliation and Praife on one Occafion and another. There are not indeed fo many Particulars recorded of his Clofet and fecret Devotions and Communion with God, as is wiftied for ; and thofe that are found have fuch a Relation to Family-Circumftances and other Grievances, as the Publick is but little concerned in, and therefore muft be omitted : Neverthelefs, on juft Grounds we may aflert, " That he fpent much Time in Self- Examination, Supplications, Intercefllons, and Renewals of Covenant -f- The Dcfior foon after reading this Chapter in his Family, preach ed Come excellent Sermons on the Text and Context. E e Such 218 rbe LIFE and CHARACTER Such important Duties he preffed with all Earneftnefs on his Children and others, not only from the facred Lejk (as what he preached and printed abundantly proves) but alfo in his private Letters and Vifits and Applications to Souls. 'Tis probable, he defigned, as is faid of the Rev. Mr. John Shower, " That the chief TranfacYions between God and his own Soul mould remain a Secret." However, I find him ordinarily taking a religious No tice of the Return of his Birth-Days, and compofing and preaching Sermons futable to the Occafion. I (hall offer the Reader two or three Records, made of Incidents and Occurrences, by which you may judge of his good Spirit and Frame of Mind, under Providences. Upon his Removal from his Houfe in King-Street to his new-built Houfe in Brattle-Street, May 1715, he wrote this Meditation, " It was a very pleating and inftruflive Sight once to me in a far diftant Land, where a Perfon of Honour and Riches was building a (lately Houfe for himfelf and his Family, but at once he took off the Work men to build himfelf a Vault or Tomb to be buried in. It becomes us ever to keep in Mind, and lay to Heart, the Remove that we muft foon make to our Grave. A convenient Houfe, an eafy Bed, and agreeable Rela tives, are among the valuable Comforts of this Life. When we are building to our felves pleafant Houfes to live in, we mould all the while be thinking of the dark- fome Houfe or Place, where our Bodies will fhortly be laid : And when we enter into our new Habitations, or after we are fettled in them, the fame Thought mud dill abide with us. We muft not entertain a Thought of living long , and muft be willing and ready to go, and to leave our new-built Houfes as foon as God calls us a- way. They are only to be ufed as Accommodations for us in the Way unto an ever la ft ing Habitation and Houfe eternal. We may not fet too much by an Houfe on Earth, but ought ~to raife our Affedlions to Things above, &c. We ought to ferve God in our Houfes This was Jojhua 9 $ holy Refolution, As for me and my Houfe, we will of Dr. BENJAMIN COLM AN.' 219 will ferve the Lord! And this was David* s^ Pfal. icu. / will walk within my Houfe with a perfeft Heart, &rc. Surely we ought, under the outward Smiles of Provi dence upon us, to be renewing the Confecration of our felves and all that we have to the Service of God , we ought like Abraham^ to charge our Houfholds and our Children after us to keep the Way of theLord. We ought to worjhip God in fecret, in our Clofets, and we ought every Day to pray to, and praife him in our Families : We ought to read his holy Word, and meditate on his Law, and teach it diligently to our Children, and talk of it when we fet in our Houfe, when we Jay down, &c. Thus we muft write as it were upon the Pods of our Houfe, and our Gates, Deut. 6. 7, 9. Our Houfes fhould be Bethels^ little Churches for the Practice of Pi ety, and the Exercifes of Devotion therein, that theApo- ille's Salutation may reach us, Rom. 16. 5. Greet tbe Church in their Houfe. With thefe and fuch like Medita tions, I can truly fay, 1 have been building, and would now enter into my new and pleafant Habitation : May they abide and dwell always in my Soul, that thus I may there dwell the few remaining Days of my frail Life." As he wrote and printed Sermons, Meditations and Let ters on the great Earthquake in the Year 1727, fo I find him making the following Record of that which hap pened on June gd. 1744. " In the Midft of Singing, in the Morning Exercife, being the Lord's-Day of our holy Communion, a great Shock of an Earthquake terrified the Congregation, and broke off the Worfhip ; all rofe up, many ran out of the Houfe, Women and Children cried out, &c. But it pleafed God to enable me to rife up and take the Pulpit, and with great Compofure and Sedatenefs, and an unex- pedted Flow of ready Words to ftill and quiet the Af- fembly ; who all earneflly liftned to me, and I went on and finifhed the Exercifes, and adminiftred the Sacrament of the Lord's-Supper with the greateft Solemnity, Pro priety, Fulnefs and Brevity I had ever experienced. Laus Deo. On 220 The LIFE and CHARACTER On Dec. 31(1 1743. He writes in his Almanack, " I thank God, I have been enabled to go through a World of Work fince Mr. Cooper's Death , and now am preparing for a forrowful New- Year's- Day *, and if it be my dying Year, I commit my Soul, and the Flock, to the great Shepherd the everlafting Father." Before I finifh thefe Seclions, I cannot but in Juftice mention the high Regard, the Doftor paid to the Cbrij- tian Sabbath * He mentioned it oftner in his Prayers and Sermons, and prefled the due SancYification of the LordVDay, beyond any Divine I have ever known. -f He ever manifefted his Mindfulnefs of it, and Joy at its Approaches, in his Morning- Prayer on Saturday, be gan it in the Evening, |j and was truly in the Spirit in his own Houfe, as well as God's. And although he preached in the Forenoon to Wearinefs, he not only foon retired to his beloved Study for Devotion, but alfo fome- times read and inftructed his Family in the Time of In- termifiion And in the Evening did often repeat his Ser mon ; and with great Fervour and Enlargement, lead in the religious Duties of the Family, as he has directed others in his Treatife of Family- Worfnip. Mod Company gave him Uneafinefs and Difturbance on the Lord's Day. He ufed to invite and admit Per- fons (for Conference in the Evening) when he firft fettled in Bofton y but found fuch Inconveniences attending it, that he was obliged to defire his Friends to vifit him at other Times. .He pafled through many foreTrials andTemptations in the feveral Stages of Life (Tome of which have been already recorded in this Narrative,) I fhall only curforily * Si*t Oceu/i, manufque Veftr -; _ _ __ ___ ; _ , _ f Vid. His Sermon from John 9. 4. on the Rev. Meflirs. Brattle and Pembertons Death, printed 1717. Alfo his Sermon before the General Court 1736, from Zecb. 7. 8, 9. Wherein he has thefe Words, " I fuppofe this may be the lad Exercife on a publick Occa- 'fion I may dare to "undertake. I have ftirred up the Gift that is in me as a Candle in the Socket will now and then flafh up. Regard what I have faid as fome of the laft Words of a true and faithful Friend to the civil and religious Intereft of this People. In a Ser mon from Pjalm 138. z. printed 1732, he gives his dying Charges to Minifters and People. * It would be endlefs to quote PaiTages from his Sermons or Letters. || In which Refpefl it might be faid, Anima Galba? male habitat. A Phrafe the Doacr often ufed. of of Dr. BENJAMIN COLMAN. 225 of Body, I have been kept ftudying, praying and preach ing like a dying Man for Thirty Years together. 1 ' A conftant inwrought Senfe of our (landing on the Borders of Eternity, is one of the moft effectual Motives to our Zeal and Diligence in the facred Work, and it is alfo of eminent Ufe to direct us what Studies and what Labours to purfue, and which to neglect. About the Time of his preaching Funeral Sermons on the Deaths of the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather^ and the venerable Mr. Solomon Stoddard f of Northampton^ at the publick Lecture in Bofton, he found himfelf fo languid and fpent that he expected daily to depart When he was helped home from one of thofe Exercifes, he fainted in his Study, and fpoke to us of foon following thofe Worthies of our Ifrael, to the eternal World And a- greeably to fuch Apprehenfions and Impreflions, he took Care to fet and. keep his Heart and Houfe in Order, and died daily * But a gracious God had more Work for him to do, fome great and fpecial Services for his Name and Churches, and Poor among us, which have been at large related in the preceeding Chapters. After this his Health grew firmer for a confiderable Number of Years, and he was brought to his End by a meer gradual De cay. As it has been obferved of the great Mr. Locke, * 6 That by a conftant Temperance^ he prefer ved a very weak Conftitution to an Age very few attain unto" So under Providence, the Age of Dr. Colman may be afcribed to a nice Care about, and a difcreet Ufe of thofe Things which Phyficians call Non-Naturals. \\ He had that great Favour of God granted to him, which fome eminent Lights of the Church have earneft- f The Sermons are both printed in the Years 1728, and 1729. * He ever kept a Will by him that he might not have the Trou ble and Anxiety of tranfa&ing worldly Matters on a dying Bed. || " Things that enter not into the Nature of Difeafes, though they, are Caufes of them, viz. Air, Meat, Drink, Sleep and Watch ing, Motion and Reft, Retention and Excretion, and the Paffions of the Mind.- Bailey. Ff Iy 226 fte LIFEa/^CHARACTER Jy defired, fciL " Not to outlive his Work and Ufefui- nefs." God highly honoured him, by enabling him to preach conftantly on Lord's-Days to his Seventy- fourth Year with very little Abatement of his former Vigour and Agreeablenefs Thus his Day and his Work ended together.* A long and bright Courfe ! and that Pro- mife was eminently made good to him, " ttofe that art planted in the Houfe of the Lor d^Jhall flour ifh in tbe Courts of our God : They Jhallftill bring forth Fruit in old Age* they Jhall be fat and flour ijbing \ to Jhew that tbe Lord u ufrlght.-\ " He was brought flowly and fafely to Hea ven" as Dr. Bates fays of Mr. Baxter Serus in Ccelum-~+ No remarkable Symptoms appeared of his Diffolution being at Hand^ until a few Days before he died He mentions one in a Letter (the very Jaft I fuppofe he ever wrote, whether fent or not, is uncertain) to his honoured Friend and Correfpondent Dr. Benjamin Avery, the rough Draught of which is found dated, Auguft 26. 1747 (three Days before his Death,) wherein are thefe PafTages, fciL * The Doftor preached the very Sabbath before he died, from Pfalm Ixyi. 3. Say unto God, How terrible art tbou in thy Works / In the Year 1737. He defired to be excufed from frequent Vifit* ing the Sick and the Adminiftration of the Sacraments. But he often performed both thefe Services afterwards, in particular after the Death of his Colleague. f- Although he often complained both in publick and to his Cor- refpondents of his Memory and other Mental Powers failing, yet but very few Traces of fuch a Debilitation were difcernable in any of fci* Performances. Nee tarda Seneflus Debilitat Fires Aaimi tnutat* LIFE and CHARACTER A Funeral Sermon on the Deaths of the Rev. Meflirs. Brattle and Pftnbtrton, from John ix. 4. A holy Walk before God in Truth. A Funeral Sermon upon the Death of Grove Birft, Efq; with his Remains annexed. The Rending of theVail of the Temple. A Sermon from Mark xi. 38. Five Sermons on the ftrong Man armed, from Luk. xi. 21, 22. A Difcourfe of the Pleafure of religious Worfhip in our publick Af- femblies. A Sermon from Pfalm cxxii. i. 1718. An Eledion Sermon, from Neb. v. 19. 1719. The Blefliag of Zebulun and Iffacbar. A Sermon fromZ)^/.xxxiii. 1 8, 1 9. Reafons for a Market in Eojlon. 1720. Of a Jofepbi: A Funeral Sermon on Governor Dudley, fromH^.xi.22. Early Piety inculcated, from Eccl. xii. I. 1721. The Hope of the Righteous in their Death. A Funeral Sermon on William Harris, Efq; from Pro Efq; iSSSSSfc 8 Government the Wto rf the Earth. " A Sermon from , S aal . ii, 8. on Governor Belcher^ Acceffion t P he a Hnn ^ *** *,?*? S? *&' A Serm0n n t the Hon. Stmeon Stoddard, Efq; from G.. xv. 15. A Funeral fq; from John xi. n. 1722 The Grace given us in the preached Gofpel. A Sermon from E t b. iii.8 God is a great King. A Sermon 7 from Mai. i. 14. The Faft which God has chofen.' 7 A'sermon from Ifa. Iviii. 5. i from w . x. 3. and MI. 23. on the Death of his eldeft Dauehter D,flertauon on the three firft Chapters of Gaefo. G*' I n ' he Image f God ' wherein Man was created, from Me.handi ze a*, Hire Holinefs to the Lord : A Sermon from Ifa. Righ- 236 tte LIFE and CHARACTER Righteoufnefs and Companion the Ruler's Duty and Chara&er : A Sermon from Zech. vii. 8, 9. J 737- The divineCompaffions new every Morning. ASermonfrom Lam.'in.z^. Waiting on God in our Straits and Difficulties. A Sermon from Jer. xiv. 22. 1738- Chrift (landing an Eniign of the People : An Artillery Eledion Ser mon from I/a. xi. 10. "739- The Unfpeakable Gift : A Sermon from 2 Cor. ix. 15. Faithful Paftors, Angels of the Churches : A Funeral Sermon on the Rev. Mr. Peter T backer, from Rev. i. 20. The withered Hand ftretched forth and reftored : A Sermon from Mark iii. 5. 1740. The faithful Servant in the Jay of his Lord. A Funeral Sermon on the Hon. Samuel Holden, Elq; from Mat. xxv. 21, 22. Pleafant to fee Souls flying to Chrift : A Sermon from J/a. Ix. 8. 1741. The Lord fhall rejoice in his Works. A Sermon on Governor Shirley's Acceffion, from Pfal. civ. 3 1 . 1742. The Word of God magnified by him : A Sermon fromP/b.cxxxviii.2. The Glory of God's Power in the Firmament : A Sermon from Pfalm cl. i. J 743- ]ES us weeping over his dead Friend : A Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mr. William Cooper, from John xi. 35. 1744. SataiVs fiery Darts in hellifh .Suggestions, in fibveral Sermons from Job ii. 9, 10. 1.746. One chofen of God and called to the Work of the Mmiftry, willing ly offering himfelf : A Sermon at.the Ordination of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Cooper, from Ifa.v'i. 8; The Vanity of Man as mortal : A Funeral Sermon on the Hon, Mrs. Frances Shirley, from PfoJ. Jxxxix. 47. < . FINIS. POSTSCRIPT^ I Had (with no fmall Labour) prepared a large AppeS dix to the foregoing Narrative, containing many cu* rious and entertaining Pieces in Profe and Verfe (which I laid by in my Searches and Refearches, among the Doc tor's Papers) fome of which I found would not ftand well under either of the Ten Chapters And others came too late to Hand to be inferted in their proper Places. But Thefe muft now lie buried for Want of fufficient Subfcriptions and Encouragement to the Undertakers ; and by Reafon the Book's already fwelling to a Bulk be yond the Expectation and DESIRE OF SOME of the Sitf> {bribers. I would add concerning the Narrative it felf " That upon a Review, I have difcerned a few Miftakes and feem- ing Inconfiftences (and doubtle(s my Readers will fee more) fell. In the Doctor's Character of Mrs. Rowe, P. 40. he fays, " She had only her Mother Tongue," I am in clined to think, that even when the Doftor was acquaint ed with her, me had Knowledge in the French and Italian Languages, although he was ignorant of it to the Day of her Death,* not only from what the worthy Author of her Life fays, P. 20. but alfo from what we read in Dr. Watts' s Preface to his Her* Lyric* written 1709, wherein he mentions his Obligations, to her fo# directing him to fome foreign Authors. And this (by the Way) fhews that one may be intimately acquainted with a Perfon, and yet remain ignorant of fome of their Accomplifhments and Circumftances of Life, as I hint in my Marginal Note, Page ibid : My fhort Note on Mr. Henry Groves'* Ac quaintance with Mrs. Rowe, might have been fpared ; for if it be the fame Gentleman whofe Poem ftands be fore Dr. Watts'* Hor<*> Lyric*, dated 1706, it is highly probable he might have had a long Acquaintance with the Lady ; but be it ever fo long my Remarks on his denying the Story Jland good. * For in like Words he gives her Character in a publick Print of April 28. 1737, upon the News of her Deceafe. Irt ( 2.3 ) In Page 59, tart of the aid and 22 d Lines fhould have, been omitted, (being mecr Repetitions) viz. which he fervtd and and an Abftradt of the Rev. IWsDeed fo far as relates to the Ufe he has direded the Eftate to* fhould have been inferted, which I have fmce feen and find the Gift made in a more catholick Manner than was feared, and yet attended withfome undefirable Conditions. In Page 78 Margin read Dr. Jurin Page 1 14 Margin next to Thomas Hutchinfon, Andrew Oliver., Efq ; fhould have been named Page 183 Margin firft Line, read a Mmifler inftead of Ministers Among the Inaccuracies, is Dr. Colman's being too often ftiled Doftor, before he had received his Diploma All other lefler Miftakes may be mended by the candid intelligent Reader E. r.