gether with their
hearts, to the many publishers, that, in a short time, the Lord had
raised to declare his salvation to the people; and where meetings of the
Lord's messengers were frequently held, to communicate their services and
exercises, and comfort and edify one another in their blessed ministry.

But lest this may be thought a digression, having touched upon this
before, I return to this excellent man; and for his personal qualities,
both natural, moral, and divine, as they appeared in his converse with
the brethren, and in the church of God, take as follows:

I. He was a man that God endued with a clear and wonderful depth: a
discerner of others' spirits, and very much a master of his own. And
though that side of his understanding which lay next to the world, and
especially the expression of it, might sound uncouth and unfashionable to
nice ears, his matter was nevertheless very profound; and would not only
bear to be often considered, but the more it was so, the more weighty and
instructing it appeared. And as abruptly and brokenly as sometimes his
sentences would seem to fall from him, about divine things, it is well
known they were often as texts to many fairer declarations.

And indeed it showed, beyond all contradiction, that God sent him, in
that no arts or parts had any share in the matter or manner of his
ministry; and that so many great, excellent, and necessary truths, as he
came forth to preach to mankind, had therefore nothing of man's wit or
wisdom to recommend them. So that as to man he was an original, being no
man's copy; and his ministry and writings show they are from one that was
not taught of man, nor had learned what he said by study. Nor were they
notional or speculative, but sensible and practical truths, tending to
conversion and regeneration, and the setting up of the kingdom of God in
the hearts of men: and the way of it was his work. So that I have many
times been overcome in myself, and been made to say, with my Lord and
Master, upon the like occasion, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent of
this world, and revealed them to babes:" for, many times hath my soul
bowed in an humble thankfulness to the Lord, that he did not choose any
of the wise and learned of this world to be the first messenger in our
age, of his blessed truth to men; but that he took one that was not of
high degree, or elegant speech, or l