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Churches in Leicestershire. These Churches were Thornton, Bagworth, and Markfield. The object of his going thither was that of serving the Churches till Mr. Abbott, the son of the deceased Vicar, should be able to take the charge of them. The END of his being sent thither, appears still more important.

On his going forth in this beginning of his Mission, he found little of real religion in these Churches; but by means of his ministry, a general attention to the truth was excited among the people, and many of them believed and clave unto the Lord. Mr. Abbott, in particular, and a sister of his, owed to Mr. Cecil, under the divine blessing, their knowledge and belief of the truth: and, at length a flourishing congregation was formed in each of the Churches.

Mr. C. laboured to awaken the mind of Mr. Abbott, not merely to the necessity of embracing the truth, but that he might continue in the things which he had learned, and preach among the people the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God, which was committed to his trust. Mr. Cecil, anxious that these

"Plants of his hand, and children of his prayer"

should not be left like sheep without a shepherd, earnestly urged on Mr. Abbott his responsibility as a Minister-the obligation of making full proof of his ministry--and the infinite consequences at

taching to his holy function. It pleased God to bless his endeavours: and Mr. Abbott, not only received the truth in the knowledge of it, but in the love of it, and became a faithful and upright Minister. He died in early life.

On Mr. Cecil's return to Rauceby, he found a letter informing him, that, by the interest of friends, two small Livings had been obtained for him, at Lewes, in Sussex. This was a great disappointment to Mr. Pugh, who, at that time, wished to go to Bath; but he generously dismissed his Curate, and accordingly Mr. C. proceeded to take possession of his Livings.

At Lewes, residing in a damp situation, near one of his Churches, he was long afflicted with a rheumatic disorder in his head; and, at length, was disabled for duty for several months, and was under the necessity of procuring a Curate. I have heard him mention, with much feeling, a very singular providence, which occurred to him on his going from London to Lewes to serve these Churches. Instead of his leaving town early in the morning, the farrier, who shod his horse, detained him till noon; in consequence of which, he did not arrive on East Grinstead Common, till after it was dark. On this Common he met a man on horseback, who appeared to be intoxicated, and ready to fall from his horse at every step. Mr. C. called to him, and warned him of his danger; which the man disregarding, with his usual bene

volence he rode up to him, in order to prevent his falling, when the man immediately seized the reins of Mr. C's horse; who, perceiving he was in bad hands, endeavoured to break away, on which the man threatened to knock him down if he repeated the attempt. Three other men on horseback immediately rode up, placing Mr. C. in the midst of them. On perceiving his danger, it struck him "Here is an occasion of faith!" and that gracious direction also occurred to him--Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will deliver thee. He secretly lifted up his heart to God, entreating that deliverance which HE alone could effect. One of the men, who seemed to be the Captain of the Gang, asked him who he was, and whither he was going. Mr. C. here recurred to a principle, to which his mind was habituated-that " Nothing needs a lie." He therefore told them very frankly his name, and whither he was going: the leader said, "Sir, I know you, and have heard you preach at Lewes let the gentleman's horse go: we wish you good night." .

Mr. C. had about him sixteen pounds, Queen Anne's Bounty, belonging to his Churches, which he had been to town to receive, and which, at that time, was to him a large sum.

It may not be improper to add here, that both the Livings brought in only about 807. per annum; and when Mr. Cecil's health rendered it necessary for him to engage a Curate, from that time he de

rived no emolument from them, as the income was only adequate to the expence of a Curate. He held these Livings for no other but the express purpose of continuing the preaching of the truth in that place, and had many difficulties to contend with in carrying his point: but he persevered in this way for many years, till he could resign them, SATISFACTORILY, to the late Rev. Mr. Dale.

Although Mr. C. was a single man while Rector of two Livings at Lewes, yet, possessing no personal property, he was always straitened in his pecuniary affairs, particularly so during the first years of his Ministry.*

In June 1777, while Mr. C. lived at Lewes, he lost his pious mother, whose death was made of singular benefit to him. He went on the evening of her death, under the solemn impressions which it had made on his mind, to the Lock Chapel, for which service he was previously engaged; and preached a most effective sermon-by some, probably, still held in remembrance. His father did not long survive her: he died in Feb. 1779. Both

It may be necessary for me to mention, that though his Father's business was lucrative, yet as he had no turn for business, consequently he did not pay that attention which so large a concern required, and which, under proper inspection and good regulation, would have been, as he said to his son," as good as an Estate to him." At his Father's death, therefore, nothing remained, but his business, house, and premises; into the possession of which his elder brother entered: and all, of any consideration, that Mr. C. received from his Parents, was a few articles of plate, given him by his Mother on her death-bed, with her watch, and some old family china, which (though useless) he valued as relics of sacred antiquity; particularly one article-a coffee-pot, out of which John Bunyan drank coffee in the house of Mr. Cope mentioned before.

his father and mother lie buried in a family vault in Bunhill Fields, with five of his own childrenTabitha, John Christian, Theophilus, Henry, and Israel.

Mr. C. continued to be so much affected with the rheumatic complaint in his head, that he removed from Lewes to London, and lived at Islington for the recovery of his health. During this time he preached at different Churches and Chapels in London.

For some years he preached a lecture at Lothbury, at 6 o'clock on the Sunday Morning. He found the walk, at that early hour in winter, very dangerous, as most of the lamps were gone out, and few persons stirring except those who wander for prey. He has often made me thrill with horror, at hearing him state the meeting on his way thither of wretches with their dark lanterns, with designs still darker: but God graciously preserved him amidst these dangers. He found, however, that this undertaking was not only dangerous, but that the additional fatigue of this early service became too great a demand on his strength: and on both accounts, he engaged a hackney coach, to take him to and from the Church during the latter years of his going thither. At this time, he had the whole duty of St. John's, and also an Evening Lecture at a Chapel, in Orange Street, Leicester Fields, at that period a regular Chapel in the Establishment.

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