leave this world whenever He should be pleased to call him out of it."

He was sustained to the end in much cheerfulness, his spirit increasing in sweetness; and as he lived, he died, in love and unity with his brethren.

His death occurred in 1704, at the age of seventy-three years.

(Piety Promoted, &c.)

EDWARD BURROUGH.

EDWARD BURROUGH was born at Underbarrow, in the Barony of Kendal, Westmoreland, about the year 1635. His parents, who were in a respectable station in life, were careful to give to their son an education of the best description which that part of the country afforded.

We are told by his friend Francis Howgil, that in his boyhood Edward Burrough's knowledge and understanding far exceeded his years; and that he possessed the spirit of a man when he was but a child. Not addicted to youthful follies, he feared the Lord and walked uprightly

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according to the light and knowledge received; his mind intent on the best things; delighting in the company of the best men; seeking after that mode of worship which appeared to him to be most accordant with the Scriptures. natural disposition, bold, manly, fervent, he was dexterous in accomplishing that which he undertook; and what his hand found to do, he did it with his might. He was loving, kind, courteous, merciful, flexible, easy to be entreated; little caring for boyish sports, but delighting to read and meditate on the Holy Scriptures, "his very strength bended after God."

Yet, though his friends entertained this favourable view of his character; though thus educated by his parents in the profession of religion, and accustomed regularly to assemble on the first day of the week with the congregation to which they belonged, he tells us himself that he was conscious he was wanton and light, too much living in pleasure, "not knowing God but by hear-say and tradition."

When he had attained to nearly twelve years of age, he says, he found that something stirred with him, and convinced him that there was a higher and more excellent way than that in which he was then exercised. He therefore attended the ministry of the most esteemed preachers, and would go several miles

to hear those whose doctrine appeared to be more consonant with his views of truth than that of others.

He now became more strict in his outward demeanour, but at the same time "head-knowledge" and spiritual pride increased. And when he would sometimes reprove his former acquaintances for their follies, they began to scorn and to mock him, calling him "Roundhead," and the like. He yet confesses that all his head-knowledge could not satisfy the longings of his soul and he relates that when he was about seventeen years of age he was often struck with terror after he had been praying; for it was said to him, "Thou art ignorant of God: thou knowest not where He is, nor who He is: to what purpose is thy prayer?" And such dread came upon him, that many a time when so engaged he was forced suddenly to desist. For the Spirit of God moved upon his spirit, and made him to tremble at the reproofs of instruction. was shown that he was very ignorant; the carnal knowledge he had gathered respecting a God, died; he was deprived of the delights he formerly loved; the beauty of all earthly things vanished. And he went from one man to another, enquiring, "What God was whom they professed?" But he obtained no satisfaction.

He

He was thus by degrees separated more and more from the world. The eloquent preaching of those whom he had formerly so much admired, had lost its beauty. Then it pleased the Lord, in love to his soul, further to reveal Himself, and grant him times of sweet refreshment from His presence, with abundance of joy and peace, and precious openings of the living truth. The mysteries contained in Holy Scripture were measurably brought home to his understanding, and he perceived some of the many glorious things, which to the wise and prudent are concealed under the letter, but which the Lord revealeth to His babes. And he rejoiced and sang praise, "because he was brought out of the land of darkness," and could say "I am in the light." He thus increased in knowledge; but not being careful to dwell low under the cross of Christ, he ran before his blessed Guide. He found that he had advanced beyond many of the priests and professors: so that he now only followed the very highest Notionists, who preached lofty discourses while the fleshly man was still at liberty. He became one with these, and was looked upon by them as exceeding wise: for his former fears were gone, and he had gotten from under judgment.

Now pride grew more than ever, self-conceit,

presumption, and liberty to the carnal mind. His enjoyment was in conversing of those high experiences intended for his own instruction, but wherewith he played the prodigal, and gave "that which is holy unto the dogs;" for wisdom was hid from him. Here he lived pleasantly;

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for he had the true God and His truth in his comprehension, but he had the world in his heart. That which had formerly been stained in his view, had its beauty again restored. Pride, coveteousness, and the earthly spirit ruled for he went after other lovers; forsook the Lord his Redeemer; his mind became darkened; and he lost that good estate which he had once enjoyed. Yet he retained in his memory his former experiences, and could talk about them though they were dead to him. Yet something within him began to question how it was with him. He saw himself to be more ignorant than formerly, and at times desires were raised in his heart, to get back to that place from which he had wandered, But he began to devote himself to the acquirement of wealth, in which he gloried. And he fed himself with that he had formerly enjoyed, quieting his conscience by saying within himself "Whom God loves once, He loves for ever: but he observes, "That was then head, and ruled in me, which He loved never."