sentment, and the modest conscientious Scou gal compared administering reproof to martyrdom. Robert Barclay, the Quaker, (a man eminent for intellectual and moral endowments, clothed with Christian humility and love), passed through the streets of Aberdeen in sackcloth and ashes, under a conviction that it was his duty, preaching the necessity of faith and repentance to the inhabitants, his mind suffering the utmost agonies till this command of the spirit was obeyed: self-denial from a sense of duty, and in the cause of benevolence, however singular, is respected. Leighton, notwithstanding his extreme reserve and aversion, submitted to be a bishop, and an archbishop: he testified against intolerance, and dissuaded the king from persecuting, and preached, and obeyed the law of love in evil times. The talents and vir tues of the modest at last break through the cloud, and Leighton now shines, a teacher and a pattern of devout humility. Burnet, whose temper was the reverse of bashful, is eloquent in his praise. Jeremiah, under his heavy burden, like Job, cursed his day: "Wherefore came 1 forth out of the womb "to see labour and sorrow, that my days "should be consumed with shame ?" yet, like` Job, he held fast his integrity, and is honoured as a prophet for ever. THE pious and profoundly learned Joseph Mede, (from whom Warburton's lecturers have derived their apocalyptical science, and who unite in lamenting that he was not preferred), declined preferment, consulting his natural disposition, and talent for profound research, and love of independence. He produced his original thoughts when matured, without timidity, but without ostentation. "I am no niggard according to my ability to impart what I know, but it is where I find "some appetite, otherwise my familiarest "friends are as ignorant of my notions as any "stranger. There are, I think, few men 66 66 living who are less troubled to see others "differ from them in opinion than I am. "Whether it be a virtue or a vice I know "not." BISHOP BURNET says to candidates for the ministry, "I never yet knew any one of 66 those, who, with no practice of their own, "delivered themselves to the conduct of Providence, who have not found the fruit of it 66 66 " even in this world." The bashful candidate. after musing on prosperous accidents, and instruments raised up, of which the Bishop speaks, and of which there are instances, may listen to what Richard Baxter says: "It is "as true as that the sun shineth, that the most proud, ambitious, worldly men will be the "most studious seekers of that office, when accompanied with wealth and honour; and “ will make it their plot, and trade, and busi"ness, how by friends, and observances, and "wills, to attain their end; and usually he "that seeks shall find." One who is not made for rising in life lowers down his hope to what is congruous, and the splendour of a mitre is less attractive than the pastoral care of a minister in Icelandt. He is gratified by studies which have no secular interest, as Cumberland was in troublous times by the peaceable doctrine of weights and measures; and Doctor Sanderson, by studying heraldry * Tales and romances composed for the young exhibit virtue rewarded and vice punished upon earth. Is this a true representation of the plan of Providence? Is there no danger to the young from delusive prospects and hopes? Are temporal enjoyments an adequate recompense to the virtuous? Were it not better to teach in tales, as well as in graver instruction, that happiness is often sa crificed to virtue here below ?-Mrs. Semple's Miscellany. + Sir George M'Kenzie's Travels in Iceland. and repeating Horace; and Newcome Cappe, by elucidating obscure passages of Scripture: 66 66 easy Rejoice with me, (he would say to his wife, "when coming from his study), for I think I have discovered the true meaning of a pas"sage which I never understood before." Doctor Henry More says in a preface to one of his books, that "Free speculation, the springing up of coherent thoughts and con"ceptions within, is a pleasure to me far above any thing I ever received from ex"ternal sense, and the lazy activity of mind "in compounding and dissevering of notions "and ideas, and the silent observation of their "natural connections and disagreements, is a holiday, and sabbath of rest to the soul." 66 66 A modest pensive thinker respects the heavenly-mindedness of the mystics, and the manners of the Moravians, who are said to have no distinction of dress, or food, or rank, and no intolerant dogmas, passing their lives in labour and love, and inscribing on the grave-stone, He is returned to his native country*. A stranger upon earth, he hearkens to Hartley on a future state. "Such disquisitions and enquiries may a "little awaken the mind, and withdraw it "from the magical influences of this world: " and if the children of this world find a plea"sure and advantage in ruminating upon "their views and designs in it, much more may the children of another world, by mak 66 66 ing that the subject of their meditations "and enquiries." He is penetrated with Paschal's thoughts on the misery of man, the bondage of the soul; its restless state, alternate despondence, and aspirations. He is rapt with sublime views of the general conflagration, in Burnet's Theory of the Earth. He loses himself in the clouds of beau ideal, and the metaphysics of Kant, and of Milton's devils, Who reason'd high Of Providence, foreknowledge, will and fate, He sometimes thinks of anchorites, and reads the lives of the fathers of the desert. But idleness is not permitted, and a bashful young clergyman may learn from Doctor Burgess, Love to his profession from the many advantages it possesses towards the acquisi"tion of happiness, in its opportunities of a 66 F |