"I mention these things to show that, while he was under the influence of much ignorance, the spirit of God was evidently working upon his mind, by drawing out the desires of his heart for the blessings of salvation. That light had just begun to dawn upon his soul that shineth more and more, until the perfect day? While his conscience was thus partially awakened, he went one Lord'sday to Ipswich, a distance from his own house of about three miles. His errand was to purchase provisions and clothes. On his return home, he met some religious people going to meeting. Their appearance and conduct made him ashamed of his own; and his convictions of the evil of Sabbath-breaking were much increased. He carried home his provisions, and determined, by the help of God, it should be the last excursion of the kind he would take on that holy day; and this determination he never after violated. Having opened his mind a little to his wife, and taken some refreshment, he returned again to Ipswich, with a view, if possible, to find the meeting-house. But, when he arrived there, he was ashamed to enter the congregation, but went to the back of the house, and took his station where he could hear the minister without being observed; and, says he, I heard with astonishment; they were things I had never heard before. It brought a deeper conviction of the evil of sin into my soul than I ever had before. I was not only convinced of a guilty life, but of a polluted nature. It was now I began to see something of the desperate wickedness of my depraved heart, and how impossible it was for a sinuer like me to obtain salvation, but as an act of God's free and distinguishing grace.' He now became a regular attendant upon the means of grace, and ob

tained a quiet conscience, before hè knew the depths of his disease, or the worth of the only remedy that God hath provided. Having at tended scrupulously and constantly to most of the external forms of Christianity, he felt great confidence in the goodness of his state, and thought he only needed to be bap tized to make him the perfect Christian. So vain was he of his attainments, and so much elated with his condition, that, when his fellow-labourers sat down in the field to eat their morsel, he took his seat at a distance from them, lest, by coming near, they should defile him. And thus, in the true spirit of Pharisaic-pride, he said in his heart,

Stand by, for I am more holy than thou.' Under the influence of this frame of mind, he made known his wish to join a Christian church to a good minister in his neighbourhood, whom he afterwards called his spiritual father. This good man said to him, Do you suppose by this means you will obtain the favour of God, and merit the salvation of your soul?' He replied, Yes, most certainly I shall. His friend pitied his ignorance, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly; opening to his mind such truths as these:Not by works of righte ousness which we have done, but, according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost," Titus iii. 5. There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus.' Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.' And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses," Acts xiii. 38, 39.

"To this friend's house he used to go nearly every evening, after the toilsome labours of the day; and

means of instruction, and to make the gospel thus administered the power of God to salvation.' Referring to this period of his experience, he says, When I was brought to believe that Jesus Christ was made unto me 66 wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption," I enjoyed a very heaven upon earth. "Whether I was in the body, or out of the body," at seasons I could scarcely tell. And, sometimes, when I have been reaping in the fields, my communion with God has been so transporting, and my meditation of him so sweet, that, though unconscious of it my self, I have often spoken so loud as to be heard by my fellow-labourers; and I have been brought to my recollection by their calling out to me, "John Keeble! what, are you mad?" These were happy days, when I first obtained the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sin.'

"Living remote from any place of social worship, he opened his house for a prayer meeting, which he had duly licensed. This gave great offence to the neighbouring farmers, on whom he and his family were dependent for employment and support. They reproached him for his conduct, and commanded him to desist, upon pain of his being driven out of the parish. They had a parish meeting, and sent him a deputation with a message to that effect. To which he replied, Gentlemen, you know how ready I have been to serve you by night or day; and I am as willing to do so as ever in any thing that is in my power; but, having opened my house for the worship of God, I cannot shut it, come on me what will.' This threat, however, was carried into execution: he was dismissed from his employ by a combination that had determined to starve him out of the parish. But God presently

"These enemies of religion having failed in this attempt, determined on a more formidable expedient. They summoned this poor man before a quarterly meeting of magistrates, which he attended, and was placed before their worships in due form for a hearing. His accusers being called upon for their charge, one stepped forward and said, This man is a disturber of the peace of our parish; he has a prayermeeting in his house every week, and sometimes preaching. The magistrate asked Mr. Keeble if his house was licensed? and being answered in the affirmative, and the licence being produced, he turned to the farmers, and said, Gentlemen, have you any other charge against this poor man? Does he break your hedges, or steal your turnips, or is he a drunken and riotous man?' They said, No, he is very sober and honest.' Then,' said the magistrate, you have committed a great error in bringing him here: you have no more right to interrupt or interfere with his religion, than he has with yours.' After his accusers had received suitable reproof and advice, they returned home, abashed and disappointed, and ever after suppressed their malice.

"For some time after his conversion, his whole literary store was a Spelling-Book, and, having made some progress in reading, he became anxious to possess the word of God, but his poverty forbade the purchase. At last, by self denying means, he saved one shilling, with which he bought an old tattered Bible, without a cover, and to preserve it from ruin, in its frequent

use, he bound it about with a leathern strap, and made it his every-day companion. When in the house of God, he was particularly attentive; and, when the minister rose to give out his text, his book was carefully untied, and he would follow the preacher's references through the sermon; and it was by the use of this mutilated book, that he acquired a greater aptness for referring to chapter and verse, in numerous passages, than is common to those who have had greater advantages.

"It has been observed, that Mr. Keeble's residing at a distance from the church to which he belonged, was the occasion of his assembling with a few serious persons in his neighbourhood for prayer and Christian conference; and, to promote their edification, a portion of scripture was frequently selected for consideration and mutual discussion. In these exercises our departed friend used to take his part; and, in the exercise of his gifts, God was pleased to bless him, to the edi fication and comfort of his companions; so that, in a short time, the whole work of instruction was given up to him; and he, who was literally a shepherd, became the spiritual leader of this little flock; and this was his preparation for more public labours. While he was thus engaged, a woman who came before the church of which Mr. Keeble was a member, in giving an account of her conversion to God, said, The first serious impression I ever had of the importance of divine truth, was by a sermon I heard John Keeble preach.' The minister started at this, and said, 'John Keeble preach! did you say?' 'Yes,' said the woman, if ever I heard you preach the gospel, I have heard him preach; and his preaching was blessed to the salvation of my soul.' This induced a judicious

member of the church to go into the country and hear him; and he was then brought before the church of which the late Mr. Hall was pastor, for the exercise of his ministerial talents; and, having spoken three or four times to the satisfaction of those who heard him, they were desirous of his going directly into the ministry; but he was not so soon satisfied, and attributed their opinion to their partiality, and requested to continue his exercises before the church for six months. He had no sooner been called out by the church, than he was appointed to preach before the meeting of the Suffolk Association. When the time arrived, his soul was in the greatest distress, in the prospect of his engagement; but God was wonderfully with him, as has been very generally acknowledged, and he himself says, I know not that I ever preached with so much ease, pleasure, and savour, in all my life." I mention this circumstance more especially, because upon this single hinge turned his future employment and usefulness; for a gentleman from London, acquainted with the circumstances of the church at Blandford-street, heard him preach on this occasion. The text was that admirable passage of which he was so fond : Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord; smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.' This individual, in common with others, obtained a blessing; he came to London and made a good report, and Mr. Keeble was sent for to come and labour in this congregation, then destitute of a stated minister; which he did, I believe, for six weeks, to the great satisfaction of his hearers, and so as to bring about his settlement among them as their pastor. This office he sustain

ed diligently, faithfully, and usefully for nearly twenty-six years: what has been the effect of his ministry, many of you have had opportunity of observing. When he came here; things wore a very gloomy aspect; the last embers were ready to expire; but God made him a bright and shining light, and hundreds have rejoiced in that light. For twenty successive years, there were few churches more prosperous, united, or respectable. I have by me a private memorandum, kept by your late pastor, containing the names of four hundred and ninety seven persons, who were admitted members of the church during the time of his pastoral office.

"The numerous afflictions of his family I will not attempt to describe; however, amidst these he was often reduced to great poverty: In one of these seasons of sorrow, a letter came, of which his wife complained, and, at first, objected to receive, because it required near ly all their money to pay the postage; but he said to his wife, 'Well, never mind, my dear, pay for the letter; the Lord will provide. She did so; and on opening it, they were presented by the hand of Providence with a two pound note for their supply; and thus they were relieved from a state of embarrassment and distress. In such a case, I think persons may be excused in not paying the postage of poor ministers' letters. For many years, his personal afflictions have been very frequent and protracted; God saw how much he would stand in need of that advice which he had not the means of procuring; be, therefore, raised him up an eminent and skilful medical friend.

"It would save me an irksome task, could I, with faithfulness, close this narration without adverting to the painful circumstances that at tended the last five or six years of

Mr. Keeble's life; nor shall these be referred to for the purpose of provoking remorse, or exposing human frailty; but with a view to remind ministers and churches of the instability of all societies on this side heaven. It was at a time when Mr. Keeble was the subject of great personal and family afflictions, that divisions broke out in the church; and when his spirit was overwhelmed with these waves of calamity, the unkindness of some, and opposition of others, were, to him, as vinegar to drink mingled with gall;—but I spare them. May God never lay this sin to their charge. It was often observed, by his medical attendants, that with such a pressure upon his spirits, it was not likely his bodily health could be restored.

"While these troubles were going on, Mrs. Keeble became the subject of increasing afflictions. With a constitution already shook with numerous domestic calamities, she was incapable of sustaining new troubles; and, though happily supported by the consolations of the gospel, nature gradually sunk under its burden, and she finished a course in which she had seen many an evil day: leaving her husband, at this time, incapable of discharging with regularity his ministerial work, and under circumstances that must awaken many painful feelings as to his future condition: but that God, whose he was, and whom he served, appeared in the time of extremity, and raised him up a friend whose pecuniary resources removed all apprehension of future embarrassment, and rendered his mind on this subject, tranquil and grateful: God knew that his afflicted condition would require attention, that could not be purchased at any price; it was, therefore, the more obvious, that the Lord raised her up for such a time as this. May the Lord recompeuse her work, and a full re

ward be given her of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wing she has been brought to trust.

"For two years past, our departed friend's bodily afflictions have been great and increasing. During this period, he lived and acted as a dying man. In each of my visits to him, during the last year, we parted with the mutual understanding that it would probably be the last meeting here. At my last interview but one, he said, ' I am not wonderfully transported; but I have a solid and well-grounded hope, and that hope is built on the truth and faithfulness of God; and when I lie down, it is a matter of perfect indifference to me, whether I awake in this world or another; death cannot alarm me, for, "I am founded on a rock;" but,' said he, since I have been ill this last time, and while I thought my departure was at hand, one night, when all were asleep about me, I bad some sweet enjoyments; for it was just as though my heavenly Father had lifted up a cloud, and allowed me to peep into heaven; I had such a view of it that I cannot express, and such enjoyments as I cannot describe; but these were not long continued; nor is this the ground of my hope. He added again, I am founded on the rock Christ Jesus. And, my friends, you who heard him address the minister

lately set apart in this congregation, I am sure you require no better testimony than you then received. What did he say? and how did he say it? Why, he said, with tears, 'I appear before you as a dying man; and I bear my testimony to the excellency and influence of divine truth. What should I have done without it? These two years past I have been graciously supported by it. Yes! I have had such enjoyments from the truth of God, that I have been able to sing songs in the night. He appeared like

Moses on the mount. I was persuaded that his work would soon be done; for he felt and spoke as a man on the borders of the grave-on the confines of a happy world.

"With regard to the state of his mind, within the last few weeks, he was very much detached from earthly things. When his partner used to speak to him of secular concerns, he would reply; Never mind! These are little things; these are small bubbles; I live on high:' referring to that passage; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munition of rocks! Isaiah xxxiii. 16. When his poor body was deeply afflicted, he would often sing the praises of God, in the delightful contemplation of heaven. That passage in Watts's Hymns was particularly pleasant to his mind, and often on his tongue: "To heaven I lift my waiting eyes,

There all my hopes are laid; The Lord, that built the earth and skies, Is my perpetual aid. Their feet shall never slide to fall, Whom he designs to keep; His ear attends the softest call;

His eyes can never sleep." On one occasion, speaking of the ground of his hope for salvation, he enlarged, with apparent pleasure, on the efficacy of the atonement by Jesus Christ; and closed his observations by citing the lines of Cowper:

"The dying thief rejoic'd to see

That fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he,

Wash'd all my sins away."

"It was evident that all his supports and consolations were closely connected with this subject; for he seldom conversed about them without adverting to that passage, The blood of Jesus Christ, his son, cleanseth us from all sin.' 1 John i. 7. A few hours before his death, there was no unusual apprehension of danger. He rode, on the morning of the same day, in an open