438 , LIVES OF THE PURITANS. the lecture as a means of promoting nonconformity ; there- fore, however useful it might be in effecting the conversion and salvationof souls, it was deemed unfit to be continued.. Accordingly, the Bishop of Worcester observes, that after this lecture was discontinued, his diocese was less troubled with nonconformists.. Mr. Whately was a man of distinguished eminence. He possessed excellent endowments, which he unreservedly employed for the advancement of the glory of God and the happiness of men. He was eloquent and mighty in the scriptures ; and his speech and his preaching were not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power. His labours were not in vain in the Lord. " For it pleasedGod," says Mr. Scudder, "to put sogreat a seal upon his ministry, that many thousands of souls were converted and established by his ministerial labours." As a good shepherd of Christ, he exercised much care over his flock. He visited them from house to house, without respect ofpersons, resolving their doubts, and giv- ing them suitable instruction. He had a tender affection for his people; and, with a view to promote their best interests,, refused many offers of considerable preferment. He was always much grieved when a difference of opinion in lesser matters produced shyness among christians, who agreed in the fundamentals of the gospel. He was always ready to receive a word ofreproof from the Lord's,people, whether they were his superiors, equals, or inferiors, and would ever shew greater kindness to such faithful reprovers afterwards. He abounded in acts of liberality to the poor, and for many years expended one-tenth of his income in this way. And, indeed, the more he gave away, the more the Lord caused his worldly estates to prosper. Having for many years been exercised with manifold temptations and infirmities , he became particularly watch- ful over himself, deeply humblebefore God, more loathsome in his own eyes, and more tender and compassionate towards others. Towards the close of life, he greatly in- creased in humility and holiness. His last days were his pest days ; and, as his dissolution approached, he bore his racking pains with most exemplary patience. A brother minister having prayed with him, at the close of the exer- cise he lifted up his eyes and one of his hands towards heaven, and immediately resigned his happy spirit unto re Wharton's Troubles of Laud, vol. i. p. 552.
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