The P REFACE. ix fpea of fuccefs among them. The gene- ral fynod, when this matter was debated be- fore them, determined his continuance at Antrim. SOON after this, in the year 1712, his wife, by whom he had a fon and three daughters, died, which made a very deep and lafting impreffion upon his mind : He loved her with the greateft tendernefs ; and, though he bore up under his grief with all. poffible decency, yet there were plain ap- pearances that it was exceedingly intenfe. For a confiderable time afterwards he chofe retirement from the world, as much as it was confiftent with the bufinefs of his fta- tion. But whatever he fuffered upon this occafion, it was abundantly cotnpenfated, by his apparent growth in knowledge and all virtuous improvements, the belt proof, that he knew how to receive affliétion, and make the proper ufe of it. HE has left behind him a diary of his life, which begins February, 171 z -13 ; it makes fix large volumes in quarto, very finall writing, and very clofe: It is indeed an amazing work ; the temper of his mind all along
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