R. BOLTON. 391 event was in the thirty-fifth year of his age, when he resolved to enter upon the work of the ministry. Having received much from the Lord, he loved much, and was desirous of being employed for much usefulness. Having preached at various places for about twoyears, SirAugustin Nichols, one of the justices of the common pleas,. presented him, in the year 1609, to the rectory of Broughton in Nor- thamptonshire, at which place he continued to the day of his death. Upon his presentation to Broughton, Bishop King thanked the worthy judge, but observed, that he had deprived the university ofone of its brightest ornarnents.i- Mr. Bolton was a most authoritative and awakening preacher, beingendowed with the most masculine and ora- torical style of any in his time. He preached twice every Lord's day, and catechized the youth of his congregation. Upon every holiday, and every Friday before the sacra- ment, he expounded a portion of scripture; and constantly prayed six times a day, twice in secret, twice with his family, and twice with his wife. He kept many days of fasting and private humiliation before God, especially for the protestant churches abroad. He was a comely and grave person, commanding in all companies, and ever zealous in the cause of Christ ; yet so prudent, as to avoid being called in question for those things in which he was unconformable to the ecclesiastical establishment. As a minister of the gospel, he was famous for charity, courage, wisdom, and impartiality4 He was so deeply engaged in his work, that it is said, " he never delivered a sermon to his people in public till he had preached it to himself in private.§ In his last sickness, which was a quartan ague, Mr. Bolton, finding that his complaint increased,revised his will, and retired from the noise of the world, employing the remnant of his time in sweet meditation on the joys of heaven. Though his sickness was tedious and painful, he bore it with admirable patience, and endured it as seeing him that is invisible. During the intervals of his fits, be oftenexclaimed, " Oh ! when will this good hour come ? When shall I be dissolved ? When shall I be with Christ ?" Being told, that though it would be better for him to be 4, Sir Augustin was a learned limn, an upright judge, an excellent christian, and a zealous promoter of true religion.-MS. Chronology, vol. iii. A. D. 1656. 1- Life of Mr. Bolton prefixed to his " Four Last Things." Edit. 1639. Ibid. 4 Ambrose's Works, p. 94. Edit. 1701
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=