happiness, have ever attended, and ever will attend, such earthly minds.

JUSTIN MARTYR, a philosopher, who received Christianity five and twenty years after the death of Ignatius, plainly tells us, in his relation of his conversion to the Christian faith, that "The power of godliness in a plain, simple Christian, had such influence and operation on his soul that he could not but betake himself to a serious and strict life:" And yet, before, he was a Cynic; a strict sect. And this gave him joy at his martyrdom, having spent his days as a serious teacher, and a good example. And Eusebius relates, "That though he was also a follower of Plato's doctrine, yet, when he saw the Christians' piety and courage, he concluded no people so temperate, less voluptuous, and more set on divine things.” Which first induced him to be a Christian.

MICHAEL DE MONTAIGNE, a lord of France, famous with men of letters for his book of Essays, gives these instructions to others, and this character of himself, viz. : "Amidst our banquets, feasts, and pleasures, let us ever have the restraint or object of death before us, that is, the remembrance of our condition. And let no pleasure so much mislead or transport us, as to neglect or forget how many ways our joys or our feastings be subject unto death, and by how many holdfasts she threateneth us and you. So did the Egyptians, who in the midst of their banquetings, and in their greatest cheer, caused the anatomy of a dead man to be brought before them, as a memorandum and warning to their guests. I am now, by means of the mercy of God, in such a taking, that without regret, or grieving at any worldly matter, I am prepared to dislodge, whensoever he shall please to call me. I am everywhere free. My farewell is soon taken of all my friends, except of myself No man ever prepared himself to quit the world more simply and fully, or did more generally lay aside all thoughts of it, than I am assured I shall do. All the glory that I pretend to in my life, is, that I have lived quietly. Let us not propose so fleeting and so wavering an end to ourselves, as this world's

glory. Let us constantly follow truth: and let the vulgar approbation follow us that way, if it please. I care not so much what I am with others, as I respect what I am in myself. I will be rich in myself, and not by borrowing. Strangers see but external appearances and events: Every man can set a good face upon the matter, when within he is full of care, grief and infirmities. They see not my heart, when they look upon my outward countenance. We are nought but ceremony; ceremony doth transport us, and we leave the substance of things. We hold fast by the boughs, and leave the trunk or body, the substance of things, behind us."

SIR WALTER RALEIGH is an eminent instance, being as extraordinary a man as our nation hath produced. In his person, well descended; of health, strength, and masculine beauty; in understanding, quick; in judgment, sound, learned and wise, valiant and skillful; a historian, a philosopher, a general, a statesman, After a long life, full of experience, he drops these excellent sayings a little before his death, to his son, to his wife, and to the world, viz. : "Exceed not in the humor of rags and bravery; for these will soon wear out of fashion; and no man is esteemed for gay garments, but by fools and women. On the other side, seek not riches basely, nor attain them by evil means. Destroy no man for his wealth, nor take anything from the poor; for the cry thereof will pierce the heavens. And it is most detestable before God, and most dishonorable before worthy men, to wrest anything from the needy and laboring soul: God will never prosper thee if thou offendest therein; but use thy poor neighbors and tenants well." A most worthy saying. But he adds, "Have compassion on the poor and afflicted, and God will bless thee for it. Make not the hungry sorrowful; for if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him. Now, for the world, dear child, I know it too well to persuade thee to dive into the practices of it. Rather stand upon thy guard against all those that tempt thee to it, or may practice upon thee; whether in thy conscience, thy reputation,

or thy estate. Resolve that no man is wise or safe, but he that is honest. Serve God; let him be the author of all thy actions. Commend all thy endeavors to him, who must either wither or prosper them. Please him with prayer; lest if he frown, he confound all thy fortune and labor, like the drops of rain upon the sandy ground. Let my experienced advice and fatherly instruction sink deep into thy heart: So God direct

thee in all thy ways and fill thy heart with his grace."

His noble and touching letter to his wife, after his condemnation, says: "You shall receive, my dear wife, my last words, in these my last lines. My love I send to you, that you may keep it when I am dead; and my counsel, that you may remember it when I am no more. I would not with my will present you sorrows, dear Bess; let them go to the grave with me, and be buried in the dust; and seeing it is not the will of God that I shall see you any more, bear my destruction patiently, and with a heart like yourself. First, I send you all the thanks which my heart can conceive, or my words express, for your many travails and cares for me; which, though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is not the less; but pay it I never shall in this world. Secondly, I beseech you for the love you bear me living, that you do not hide yourself many days; but by your travails seek to help my miserable fortunes, and the right of your poor child; your mourning cannot avail me, who am but dust. Thirdly, you shall understand that my lands were conveyed (bona fide) to my child; the writings were drawn at midsummer was a twelvemonth, as divers can witness; and I trust my blood will quench their malice, who desired my slaughter, that they will not seek to kill you and yours with extreme poverty.

"To what friend to direct you, I know not; for all mine have left me in the true time of trial. Most sorry am I, that being surprised by death, I can leave thee no better estate. God hath prevented all my determinations; that Great God which worketh all in all. If you can live free from want, care for no more; for the rest is but vanity. Love God and begin

comfort.

betimes; in him shall you find true, everlasting and endless When you have wearied yourself with all sorts of worldly cogitations, you shall sit down by sorrow in the end. Teach your son also to serve and fear God, whilst he is young, that the fear of God may grow up in him; then God will be a husband to you, and a father to him; a husband and a father that can never be taken from you.

"Dear wife, I beseech you, for my soul's sake, pay all poor men. When I am dead, no doubt you will be much sought unto, for the world thinks I was very rich; have a care of the` fair pretences of men; for no greater misery can befall you in this life, than to become a prey to the world, and after to be despised. As for me, I am no more yours, nor you mine. Death hath cut us asunder; and God hath divided me from the world, and you from me. Remember your poor child for his father's sake, who loved you in his happiest estate. I sued for my life, but God knows it was for you and yours that I desired it. For know it, my dear wife, your child is the child of a true man, who in his own respect despiseth death, and his misshapen and ugly forms. I cannot write much; God knows how hardly I steal this time, when all are asleep: And it is also time to separate my thoughts from the world. Beg my dead body, which living was denied you; and either lay it in Sherburne, or in Exeter Church, by my father and mother. I can say no more; time and death call me away. The everlasting God Almighty, who is goodness itself, the true light and life, keep you and yours, and have mercy upon me, and forgive my persecutors and false accusers; and send us to meet in His glorious kingdom. My dear wife, farewell; bless my boy; pray for me; and let my true God hold you both in His arms. "Yours that was, but not now my own,

"WALTER RALEIGH."

Behold wisdom, resolution, nature and grace! how strong in argument, wise in council, firm, affectionate and devout. O that your heroes and politicians would make their example

in his death, as well as magnify the great actions of his life. I doubt not, had he been to live over his days again, with his experience, he had made less noise, and yet done more good to the world and himself.-William Penn.

EXTRACT FROM A NOBLE ADDRESS TO KING CHARLES II., ON HIS RESTORATION.

To Charles II., King, &c.:

* * *

To

Robert Barclay, a servant of Jesus Christ, called of God to the dispensation of the Gospel, wishes health and salvation. As it is inconsistent with the truth I bear, so it is far from me to use this epistle as an engine to flatter thee. God alone I owe what I have, and that more immediately in matters spiritual; and therefore to Him alone, and to the service of His truth, I dedicate whatever work He brings forth in

me.

Thou hast tasted of prosperity and adversity; thou knowest what it is to be banished thy native country, to be overruled as well as to rule and sit upon the throne; and being oppressed, thou hast reason to know how hateful the oppression is both to God and man.

God hath done great things for thee; He hath sufficiently shown thee that it is by Him princes rule, and that He can pull down and set up at His pleasure. He hath often faithfully warned thee by His servants, since He restored thee to the royal dignity, that thy heart might not wax wanton against Him to forget His mercies and providence towards thee; whereby He might permit thee to be soothed up and lulled asleep in thy sins by the flattering of court parasites, who by their fawning are the ruin of many princes.

God Almighty, who hath so signally hitherto visited thee with His love, so touch and reach thy heart, ere the day of thy visitation be expired, that thou mayest effectually turn to Him