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whose narrative I read; which was like pouring vinegar into my wounds. But my grievance I kept to myself, thinking my case singular; and as I had made profession of faith in Christ, I was afraid of making known my fears, lest I should cast a damp upon the minds of those who had entertained a good opinion of me. Being in the company of two ministers, one of whom being skilled in medicine, I asked, What was good to procure sleep? One of them replied, "An easy mind." This answer hit upon my case, it was the thing I wanted; but how to obtain it I knew not. I cried to God day and night; but he hid himself, and I was troubled. I expected some singular manifestation or word to be impressed on my mind with a divine and sensible power, which it was not the will of Godto grant but one day, as I was reading in a book called the "Marrow of Modern Divinity," a sentence from Luther was quoted, which was this, "I would run into the arms of Christ, if he stood with a drawn sword in his hand." This thought came bolting into my mind,—so will I too, — and those words of Job occurred: "Though he slay me, I will trust in him." My burden dropped off; my soul was filled with joy and peace through believing in Christ: a venturesome believing, as Mr. Belcher calls it, was the means of setting me at liberty; nor have I ever been in such perplexity, respecting my interest in Christ, since that time; though I have had various trials in other respects.

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"About this time I had strong desires f preaching Christ to my fel. low sinners; and many thoughts occupied my mind how I could reason. with them respecting the deceitfulness, absurdity, and danger of sin, and the excellency, importance, and happiness of godliness. Accordingly, I prayed to the Lord to give me grace and talents for this important work, and at times I spoke a few words at our private meetings; but had no idea, at that time, of being tried and regularly called out by an orderly church of Christ, being then among the Methodists. I had, indeed, been baptized by Mr. Ashworth, but did not design to be a member of his church, as I apprehended that little of the life and power of religion was amongst them; but having a strong desire to speak of the things I believed and had experienced, I informed a few friends that I would carry on a meeting, at my father's house, next Lord's Day in the afternoon. More people came than I expected; however, with much dif. fidence, I attempted to speak from John vi. 40. Before I had finished, my father and mother came from their meeting, much surprized to find me preaching: I was invited to preach again in the evening, about a mile distant, and I complied. These words had been impressed on my mind: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Pet. iv. 10.

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Here Mr. Butterworth's account of himself concludes; but, from some other papers, it appears that God, having in his providence, appointed him to labour among different people, he was gradually led to separate himself from the Methodists, and to join the Calvinists. His preaching was rendered very useful; and he was greatly beloved in the neighbourhood of his native place. It is not often that a prophet is esteemed in his own country; but this singular honour was conferred on him.

The Baptist church at Coventry being in want of a pastor, and hearing a good account of Mr. Butterworth, they invited him, in the year 1751, to pay them a visit. He was approved of, and in due time accepted their call; was ordained to the pastoral office, and lived and died among them.

Mr. Butterworth was little known beyond his own circle of friends, except by his valuable labours in compiling a Con

CORDANCE to the holy Scriptures. His heart was much en gaged in the duties of his office, and deeply concerned in promoting the benefit of immortal souls, and in advancing the kingdom and interest of the Redeemer. He had many seals to his ministry, particularly in the early part of his life; and bis uniform steady conduct has rendered his name beloved and venerated by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.. His integrity of character was never impeached, upon any occasion whatsoever; and he had a frankness of disposition which at once manifested the generosity of his heart. One thing should not be unnoticed in his character; namely, his spiritual edification when attending the labours of his brethren inferior to himself in ministerial abilities. He has often mentioned the precious opportunities he has enjoyed under sermons evidently unequal to his own; and he was always much delighted when any minister visited him, and preached to his people with liberty and freedom in the work.

For many years the meeting-house in which Mr. Butterworth, preached, was too small for the congregation. This circumstance rendered his labours very fatiguing to him, and was a means of reducing his strength and of bringing upon him an asthmatic complaint. But as soon as an opportunity offered of building a more commodious place of worship, he set abrut it with all his heart, and rejoiced in the prospect of an increase to the borders of Zion, though he himself was too far advanced in years and infirmities to enjoy it, being at that time nearly seventy years of age. The ground which seemed to be most eligible for the new chapel was Mr. Butterworth's garden behind his dwelling-house: this was to him a favourite place, and had afforded him much pleasure and recreation for more than forty years; but as soon as the matter was determined upon, the good old man, in order to clear the way for an house for his God, pulled up, with his own hands, the trees which he himself had planted and nurtured; and it was remarked by his family and friends, what particular delight he took in making any sacrifice of personal gratification for the good of the cause of Christ.

After the completion of Mr. Butterworth's ardent wishes to have a commodious house for the worship of God, he found himself too feeble to preach so often as he wished, for the benefit of the flock of Christ under his care; he therefore requested the people to unite in prayer to God, to be directed in the choice of an assistant: and when the Lord had directed them in the choice of a young minister (the Rev. F. Franklin) who was likely to succeed him to the advantage of the church and congregation, Mr Butterworth immediately surrendered the little income he had hitherto received from the people as a re ward for his services, and became himself a subscriber to the cause. A circumstance this, that developes his disinterested

religious character more than pages employed in panegyric.. This proves, to a demonstration, how much he loved the Saviour, what regard he had for his glory, and how ready he was to sacrifice temporal advantages to promote the interest of mankind.

Mr. Butterworth did not acquire popularity in the pulpit, bat had great judgment in opening and explaining the scrip tures. The arrangement of his subjects was clear and perspicuous. His discourses were in general short: his style was bold, nervous, and concise. He had a remarkable talent of conveying his ideas in a few words. He never aimed to substitute sound for sense, or to adorn his sermons with fanciful. imagery but as his arguments were weighty, and fortified by scripture quotations, they always came with solid authority, When he delivered important passages, he would enforce them with a becoming earnestness, that manifested his whole soul to be engaged in his work; and his attentive hearers were constrained deeply to feel the subject. He well studied his sermons in his closet; and though he used short notes in the pulpit to help his memory in recollecting the heads of his discourse, yet his hearers had all the life and energy of extempore preaching; and he depended upon God to assist him by the power and operation of the Holy Spirit. In the account Mr. Butterworth gave of his early experience, our readers must have noticed his desire of a spirit of prayer, and how he sought the Lord for it. God, in an extraordinary manner, fulfilled this desire of his heart. He had a singular variety in his petitions, and always expressed them with remarkable felicity. His memory had treasured up large portions of the word of God; and he addressed the Lord upon all occasions in the language of Scripture. It was generally observed, whenever he had to conclude any public prayer-meetings, that he always offered whatever necessary petitions had been omitted by those who had preceded him in the service; and though stationed so many years in one place, there never seemed any dull formality in this important duty.

He enjoyed sweet communion with Heaven. His family can testify how much time he spent in private with the Lord;they have often known him to be wrestling long in secrct; and thus it was that he cultivated and maintained intercourse with God.

Perhaps no better proof can be given of his happy experience of the power of godliness, than from his own expressions in private letters towards the close of his life. From these, and from the sentiments in his diary, it appears that he largely partook of the consolations of that religion which he had long recommended to others. In the decline of life that passage was remarkably verified in him, "The path of the just shineth brighter and brighter to the perfect day;" for, as he advanced

in years, it was evident that he advanced in the life and power of godliness; and as he drew near to the end of his days, he felt a growing approximation to the heavenly world. As Death approached, he cheerfully advanced to meet him; and his friends have often noticed the pleasure with which he would speak of his approaching dissolution, when any bodily affliction seemed to intimate the breaking up of the earthly tabernacle.

In February, 1792, he wrote to one of his sons as follows: "This winter I have been much exercised with an asthmatic disorder, with hoarseness, great expectoration, and shortness of breath: I have strong symptoms of declining nature, yet am not left comfortless; ever. lasting arms are underneath; and, I am persuaded, that to be with Christ is best. Had I not a good persuasion that I have "a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens," the breaking down of my present tabernacle would occasion great anxiety; but how joyful to have an anchor cast within the vail ! to be secured in a strong hold in the day of trouble, and to have a Friend in the court of Heaven! When flesh and heart fail, to experience God to be the strength of our heart and portion for ever, how desirable a blessing! Christ is the one thing needful :- if Christ is ours, all is well."

In May, 1797, he wrote, "Having an opportunity of sending you a letter, I was willing to write a few lines; though I am at this time not very able for doing any thing, through weakness and infirmities of nature, which have come upon me, of late, very fast."

"Nor would I wish the hours more slow,

"To keep me from my Lord."

March, 1800. "I am glad to inform you that my wife is no worse, but rather better, and is now enabled to attend all religious opportunities. Her memory is not so good as usual, but she is thankful; and we have abundant cause' to be so, having all the comforts of this life (which multitudes have not) the means of grace,, the exercise of faith in Christ, and, in general, comfort of mind and peace of conscience, reconciliation to God, both respecting the way of salvation and providential dispensations. — Though I am not able, as usual, to carry on the worship of God in a public way, yet God has sent us help from his sanctuary, and strengthened us out of Zion. I often think that I am one of the richest men in Coventry; for he is not rich who wants more, but he that has enough; and, like Jacob and Paul, I have enough! Yea, I have all, and abound.” Jan. 18c1. You wish to know the state of my mind under my infirmities of age. I have indeed been so feeble, through a constant expec toration, that I have not preached since November 16; but never was more comfortable in mind, being assured that God is my Father, Jesus Christ my Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit my Comforter and Sanctifier. I am reconciled to the Divine Will, whether in health or sickness, life or death. The life that I live in the flesh is by faith in Christ the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

March, 1802. "I am so feeble, through coughing and shortness of breath, that I expect a short time will land my body in the grave, and my

soul in Heaven."

October, 1802. "My asthmatic complaint seems to be drawing to a crisis; my appetite is nearly gone, and my cough almost perpetual; but I have much to bless God for: his comforts delight my soul."

- February, 1803. - You know, of course, that I am got to old age. However, I know it and feel it. I entered on my 76th year last Decem ber. I have not preached since November 14, when my text was from Ephes. iii. 19. That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God;" which I pray to be myself, and for all the Lord's people. Since then, I

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have had a hoarseness all the winter to this time, and I cough every day with all my might, but everlasting arms are underneath, and God has not broken this promise: "As thy day, so shall thy strength be." O! Lord make me meet for a better country! I am, in a good measure; reconciled to the divine will, but know not how I might be if exercised with excruciating pains; yet I hope that grace would be given according to my need." April 8, 1803.Through amazing mercy we are still alive, and have many mercies mixed with our afflictions; so that we have much to be thankful for, and have no cause to murmur or complain, except for our own want of spirituality, love to, and zeal for Christ, his cause and interest. We have appointed Lord's Day se'ennight, April 17, for our Sunday-School Sermons, to be preached by the Rev. Andrew Fuller. A hymn will be sung by the children. We have above one hundred girls, besides boys. They are fond of coming; and make good proficiency in learning. We shall be very glad to see you here at the time.

April 15, 1803, he wrote to one of his grandsons, "I am glad to see that you have such a hand at your pen, and, I hope, at your business too; and I wish you may have a spirit of prayer, and seek of God to be preserved from every evil of earth and Hell, without and within, for we, being depraved creatures, are exposed to innumerable evils: and he who is infinite in wisdom and goodness, hath exhorted us to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, with a promise that all things belonging to this life shall be added. Keep this counsel constantly in your mind, and put it into practice, and you will be sure to reap the benefit of it, as I have done, glory be to God! Nothing in the creation is so important as an interest in Christ: if you are favoured herewith, you are made for ever. This is my consolation under the infirmities of age, that I am going home to a better country, and to a fairer and larger inheritance than I ever had in England. I have been ill of my asthma all this winter; have lost my voice, so as not to be able to preach since November last; and, very probably, this is the last letter you will receive from me."

This proved to be the last letter he wrote. He greatly enjoyed the Sabbath (April 17) which he had anticipated with so much pleasure. He was so overcome with the delightful services of that day, so much affected with the sight of the large congregation and of the children, together with their singing, &c. that he said he could not bear it again; it would be too much for his feelings; and he did not go into the chapel in the evening. He was taken ill on the Thursday following, but not, apparently, with any strong pain. He made several efforts to speak, but could not; the silver cord was loosed, and the pitcher broken at the fountain. The Sabbath Day had always been to Mr. Butterworth the best day of the week; and on the next Sabbath after he was taken ill, his spirit entered into eternal rest, April 24, 1803, in his 76th year.

He was interred in the meeting-house yard, on Monday the 6th of May; and on the following Sabbath his younger brother, the Rev. Lawrence Butterworth, of Eveshain, preached two suitable sermons on the occasion. One in the morning from John i. 47,- and a funeral-sermon in the afternoon, from a text which his deceased brother had chosen some time before his death," Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace," &c. In the evening the Rev. Adam Clarke improved the occasion by a discourse from 1 Cor. xv. 55—57.

VOL. XII.

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