Watts - BX5200 .W3 1813 v.1

MEllntas OF nit. vans. salons and theapplication they made of them tothe service ofthe church and of civil society, cannot fail to administer instruction. Every candidate fortlie work of the sanctuary, who feels as he ought the importance of his designa- tion, and who, having finishedhis preparatory obligations, will owe much of his best assistance to thelight reflectedupon him from these luminaries. Some, if not all, of these advantages, will be obtained from the life of Dr. Watts ; if perused with such dispositions, as gave that lifeall its lustre, What is said of another eminent man, will with equal truth apply to him : As anatomy discovers allthe curious contexture of our bodily fabric, so here are vivid representations of faith, love, and an heavenly mind; of humility, meekness, self - denial, entire resignation to thewill of God, in their first and continuedmotions ; with whatever parts and principles besides, compose the whole frame of the new creature. fiere it is as if we could perceive with our eyes, how the blood circulates in an human body through all theveins and arteries ; how theheart heats,the animalspirits fly to and fro, and how each nerve, tendon, fibre, andmuscle, performs itsseveral operations. Here it may be seen, howan heart touched from above, works and tends.thitherward: how It depresses itself inhumiliation, dilates itself in love, exalts itself in praise, submits itself under chastisement, and how it draws in its refreshments and succours as there is need. To many who have seen so amiable a course of life, howgrateful will it be to behold the secretmotions of those inwardlatent principles, from whence all proceed! Though others would look no further than the advantages (in externalrespects) that accrue from it. So some con- tent themselves, to know by a clock the hourof the day, or partake thebene- ficial use of some rarer engine; the more curious, especially any that design imitation, andfo compose something of the same kind, would bemuch more gratified, if throughsome pellucid enclosure, they couldbeholdall the inward work, and observe how every wheel,spring, or movement, perform their sere- KM partsand offices, towardsthat common use*. But to him whoseonly object is entertainment, the subsequent Memoirs will affordbut littlegratification. Extraordinary incidents, and curious anec- dotes, are not to be expected in the life of a man, whose excursions were bounded by a few miles in the neighbourhoodof the metropolis; who had formedno domestic relations ; whose bodily afflictions, often and for long sea- sons, incapacitated him for every duty, and for every pleasure, but such as were purely intellectual and spiritual ; and who, when in health, perhaps rather shunned social intercourse, as incompatible with his literary pursuits andhis ministerial obligations. But whoever is capable of appreciating the importanceof learning and philosophy, when sanctified by an ardentzeal for the glory of God, by gentleness, humility, and unremitted exertions for the best interestsof the world ; or whoever possesses the nobleambition of at- taining sucheminence in wisdom, piety, and usefulness, and of imbibing any degree of that elevation of mind, so conspicuous in this great man,may anti- cipate more substantial rarities, the zest of which he will never lose, while he needsthe aid of instruction,or theanimating influence of an example so full ofgrace and beauty. Iasse WATTS, the eldest of nine children, wasborn July 17, 1674, at Southampton. If his family connections did not possess the advantages of affluence, they were such as might have secured him against the prejudice a Howe

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