J. CARTER. 411 pour excellent instruction into the minds of his com- panions. This worthy divinewas remarkable for sensible and witty expressions. Being once reminded of the severe proceed.. ings of the prelates, in persecuting the servants of Christ; and that the Book of Sports tended to the universal pro- fanation of the sabbath, he said, " I have had a longing desire to see or hear of the fall of antichrist; but I check myself. I shall go to heaven, and the news will come thick after." A poor man once meeting him, and sorely bemoaning his case, said, " Mr. Carter, what will become of me ? I work hard, and fare hard, and yet I cannot thrive. I know not how in the world to live." To whom he replied, " Yet still you want one thing. You must work hard, and fare hard, and pray hard, and then you will be sure to thrive." This reverend divine once coming softly behind a reli- gious man of his acquaintance, who was busily employed in tanning a hide ; and giving him a pleasant tap on the shoulder, the man startled, looked behind him, and, with a blushing countenance, said, " Sir, I am ashamed that you should find me thus." To whom Mr. Carter replied, " Let Christ, when he cometh, find me so doing." " What," said the man, " doing thus ?" " Yes," said Mr. Carter, " faithfully performing the duties of my calling." Being invited to dine, together with several other minis- ters, at the house of a respectable magistrate in Ipswich, a very vain person who sat at table, boasted that he would dispute with any gentlemanpresent, upon any question that should be proposed, either in divinity or philosophy. A profound silence ensued, till Mr. Carter addressed him in these words : " I will go no farther than my trencher to puzzle you. Here is a sole; now tell me the reason why this.fish, which hath always lived in saltwater, should come out fresh Y" As the bold challenger did not so much as attempt any answer, the scorn and laughter of the company were presently turned upon him.* Mr. Carter's zeal for the glory of God and the welfare of souls continued to the last. A little before his departure, he calledhis daughter to him, and said, " Daughter, remember me to my son John. I shall see him no more in this life. And remember me to the rest of my children, and deliver this message from me to them all : Stand fast in the faith, Clark's Lives, p. 136, 137.
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