sions that he said, with reference to his accepting a benefit of considerable magnitude afforded him by a friend-"I quiet myself with thinking, it pleases God to quarter me upon helps out of myself, to make me feel my utter dependence." It may, indeed, easily be conceived, that a man SO justly beloved, and with so many friends, might have enriched himself, had not some higher principle guided his conduct.

Duty varies with circumstances. Whatever Mr. C. perceived to be a DUTY, he never asked a question upon. When it pleased God rapidly to increase his family, and thereby his expenses, he readily and thankfully received whatever Providence was pleased to send; and considered it as granted for the express purpose of supplying his need:-THAT being evident he refused no assistance, where he did not see some clear and delicate reason, why it was improper, all things considered, to do otherwise. Herein appeared not only his integrity and his faith, but his SUBMISSION to the will of that God whom he served in his spirit, thus made known to him: he used cheerfully to say, on a child being added to his family, "I now expect an addition to my income, though I know not from what quarter." In the year 1781, he had married one of his parishioners from Lewes, by whom he had eleven children, six of which are living.

While Mr. C. cautiously avoided the error of enthusiasm, he possessed a faith as simple as it was energetic; and, though he was often in straits, he felt at such times something like a man who has little or nothing in his PURSE, yet is not anxiously careful, knowing that he has at his BANKER's sufficient for all his wants. The truth is, as a minister of Jesus Christ he aimed, in all situations, to walk at liberty-worthy his high calling. Though the

principles which actuated his conduct might not appear to the superficial observer, yet they were not the less real and evident to those who knew him intimately, and could trace the purity of his motives.

Mr. Cecil's natural perceptions were quick, and his feelings exquisite. He was most sensibly alive. to kindness or unkindness. I have often, long afterward, discovered with astonishment, his having keenly felt the one or the other, when, at the moment, I had no perception of it; as his cast of character led him to think, rather than speak, under such impressions. Indeed his feelings were too acute for his comfort; and his views of rectitude were so high, that they opened perpetual avenues to pain: but this tended to keep his mind more steadfastly fixed on that world, where disorder or deformity have no place-He often quoted the words of Hooker on his death-bed, who exulted in the prospect of entering a world of ORDER.

I cannot omit observing, that HUMANITY was a very striking feature in Mr. Cecil's character, insomuch as frequently to produce great pain and selftorture. The very contemplation of oppression was intolerable to him. To use his own words"There is nothing I abhor like cruelty and oppression. Tenderness and sympathy is not enough cultivated by any of us- There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart!" No one is kind enoughgentle enough-forbearing and forgiving enough. We find throughout our Lord's history the strongest traits of compassion."

He felt exquisitely where he conceived a wife was not treated kindly. He used to say, that so much power was lodged in man, and so much dependence and helplessness in a woman, that it required a large portion of candour not to believe that they must suffer; especially where grace did

not come in aid, and regulate the depraved passions of mankind. This tender susceptibility was delicately, though familiarly expressed by himself, some years since, when speaking of the breaking down of his tabernacle:"I don't know," said he, "any thing that convinces me of my weak state more, than that I cannot Now bear to see oppression as I formerly could. Though, when I had better health and more strength, I equally deplored it: yet I was able to view it more abstractly, and with more Christian philosophy; and to leave things, which could not be amended, to the great Moral Governor, who is infinite in compassion-notices the oppressor and the oppressed and, in his own time, will both recompense and deliver: for, Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Still, I sink under the very recollection of scenes, which I have witnessed; and sometimes lie sleepless all night, from having seen an instance of cruelty in the day."

These interior impressions could never be discovered in his converse with the world, much less from the pulpit-where, like the eagle, he soared on high, where the object of his high calling filled his whole soul, and wherein his unwearied labours tended to wear away that invaluable life, so willingly spending and spent in that service.

He used to speak of himself as being, by nature, violently passionate. If it were so, much indeed was due to the power and glory of that grace, which subdued his passion. Whenever he spoke of the defects which he thought peculiar to his constitution, which he ever did in the language of the Prophet's roll, with lamentation, and mourning, and woe-it appeared to me like romance. never could attach REALITY to such ideas: and, indeed, it was difficult to discover what his natural defects really were, while they were under per

I

petual chastisement and control; insomuch that he ever manifested patience, forbearance, and the utmost condescension-the most tender sympathy, and the most lively affection. Though his aspect and manner frequently obscured the real kindness of his disposition, and sometimes he might be thought like Joseph to speak roughly, of which he was not only aware, but deeply lamented it; yet his HEART was also like Joseph's, full of love to his brethren and whatever bore a contrary aspect may be accounted for, from his abstract habits, a love of retirement, a natural quickness of mind, and great energy-and NOT from the ABSENCE OF

REAL CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY.

Men have been said to resemble animals. Mr. Cecil's resemblance to the lion-distinguished for his majestic aspect-his dignity, generosity, and superiority was conspicuous! I remember on going to the Tower, many years ago, seeing one of those magnificent animals, in whose den lived a little dog, who made very free with his superior; and fawned, or barked, or bit, as his humour turned. The lion, instead of resenting either the insults or impertinent familiarities received from his companion, still retained his own dignity, and looked on the conduct of the little cur with generosity and complacency: instead of crushing him with his paw, he LET HIM bark, or bite, or play-because, he was a LION! I have often recognized similar conduct in Mr. C. As the lion among the brute tribes, was my dearest husband among men. His dignity, liberality, and selfpossession, were most evident in all his dealings with them. Where he discovered any one inclined to impose on him, he would, with Christian forbearance, withdraw; but would studiously avoid giving pain by conveying an intimation that he perceived the attempt--except where he felt him

self called to appear as a REPROVER, and THEN, he spoke most freely and openly. Viewing the obliquities of the age, or of individuals, he often quoted Jer. xv, 10: Wo is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife: and would frequently recur to that remarkable chap. Eze. ii, which was the appointed lesson on the day of his ordination, as descriptive of his arduous and difficult course in his ministry--and which made such a strong impression on his mind at the time, that it continued with him through life.

He had learnt from his Divine Master, to unite the wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove; and when any treated MEANLY with him, he never resented it, but always endeavoured to render good for evil. Innumerable instances of this kind I could mention, were it necessary or proper. He was kind to all. His manly affection did not appear in a trifling, frivolous, and disgusting form, but in the beauty of REALITY and

MEANING.

Nothing was more striking in his character, than his high PROBITY. If he had raised an expectation in the mind of any one, no inconvenience -no labour-no Loss-could lead him to disappoint such expectation. This sentiment he urged perpetually on the mind of his children: and lamented that human conduct fell so far below that perfect example of our Blessed Saviour, who never failed to meet every expectation which he had raised in the breast of his creatures. 66 'THIS," said he, "is the high privilege of Christianity, that none, who trust in Him, shall ever be confounded." A perfect description of this part of his character may be found in the xvth Psalm :"Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?-He, that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh