BLACKERBY. 99 heart, and received with all acceptation, because of the over- coming kindness with which they were attended." When he was in company with persons of wealth, and heard them swear, or use profane language, he would withdraw from their company with a sad countenance; and would address them in private, with so much affection and seriousness, that they would frequently thank him. On one of these occa- sions, a gentleman said to him, " Had you reproved meat table I would have stabbed you, but now I thank you." He was a strict and zealous observer of the sabbath. As preparatory to the holy observance of this day, he constantly preached in his own house on the Saturday afternoon. He rose earlier on the sabbath than on other days ; and prayed . six times with his family every sabbath, besides expounding the scriptures. He was particularly zealous inreconnnending to others the holy observance of this day. Being once invited to preach at Linton in Cambridgeshire, where a fair was annually kept on the Lord's day, he so convinced the inhabitants of the sinfulness of the practice, that, it is said, they would hold the fair no more on that day. He was of a most tender and contrite spirit; and enjoyed so much the presence and blessing of God in holy duties, that he often said at the conclusion, he would not for many worlds have missed the opportunity. This holy man was crucified to the world, and the world was crucified to him. He lived above the world, having his affections set on better things. His passionate fondness for the things of this world was so far' subdued, that, though he had a most tender affection for his relations and friends, the loss of them did not discompose his mind, nor interrupt his communion with God. When his eldest daughter, whom he dearly loved, was taken away by death, he preached her funeral sermon with the utmost com- posure and said, he believed , she feared God from three years Old. He preached as a man who had not lost his God, though he had lost his dearest child. The love of the creature could never draw his heart-from the Creator. He enjoyed the abundant manifestations of God's love. His holy and heavenly deportment was accompanied with a settled peace of conscience, and a full assurance of eternal life. He often declared before his death, that for more than forty years he never had a single doubt of his salvation. When the persecuting prelates were laid aside, and Mr, Blackerby could take the pastoral charge without subscrip- tion and observing the ceremonies, he was chosen pastor, of Great Thurlow in Suffolk; where he continued the rest of his
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