MEMOIRS OF DR. WATTS, tÌÌ His unremitted diligence, and rapid progress at the grammarSchool, taere so conspicuous asto draw upon him the attentionofsome considerablecha- teeters in the town and neighbourhood, engagedbythe promising appearances which he made of future celebrity in learningand religion : And with a view to hisadoption into the established church, they proposed to support him at one of our English universities. But having studiedthe principlés of non- conformity, on which thesufferings ofhis father had probably given him some useful lessons ; and being,satisfied that these principles were most con, genial with a kingdom not of this world, he respectfully declined the flattering proposal, and declared his resolution to take his lot with the dissenters. Thus when youthful vanity and ambition are generally most alive to the allurements of emolument and elevation, he sacrificed the fairest pros- pests of earthly possessions in order to unite himself witha people, branded With every opprobrious epithet; a people with whom, in place of the ease, riches, and honours of clerical preferment, he must substitute labour for the salvationof souls, and estimate his gains only by his success. Thedate of his spiritual life cannot beascertained, but the fact was indu, bitable from a very early period; Surely the consideration, that such a Christian as Da. WATTS, could make no reference to the particular circum- stances of time, place, or means, connected with his first spiritual affections, ought to check the presumption of those, who would limitthe operations of grace, tothe contracted sphere of their ownpre- conceptions. Hewho con- descended to lay aside the scholar and the philosopher, todirect the hosannas of our children, and to provide systems of instruction adapted to their wants And capacities, was himself discriminated in his early childhood, by hatred pf evil and love to the ways of God. When only seven or eight years old, he composed some verses to gratify the wishes of his mother which, for clear views of scriptural truth, and fervour of devotion, would havedone honour to.far more advanced age. The natural vivacityof his youth was corrected and improved by a deep sense of religion ; convinced that no life can be pleasing to God, that is not useful to man, he sanctified his best days, by a lively and well- tempered zeal to do good. He soughtand enjoyed communion with God, in retirementfrom the world ; and displayed, in his uniform deportment, the inseparable connexion subsisting between strict religion and substantial pleasure. In thedepth of his humility, in the elevation of his affection, he was superior to most of his cotemporaries. Before he attained his twenty-second year, he had compo- sed the greater part of his hymns ; in comparison with which, most composi . tions of the some kind are frigid and lifeless. They may indeed in some instances, bethought too appropriatingandextatic -for our mixedassemblies, and for the general state Of our religions joys but such objections only con- fess the sublimity of his devotion ; and faithfully applied to the disparity of oar resemblance, will excite every sentiment of humility. As he advanced from Isis childhood inhis intimapywith heaven, and in bis rapidattainments of that knowledge, which too commonly inflates the mind with pride, he was still farther removed from the consciousness of his superiority; and in pro- portion as lie grew in favour with God, his meek and lowly temper rendered him daily a greater favourite with man. Decided in his views and experience of the doctrines of the gospel, the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=