A heart so devout as Wilson's could not fail to be strongly impressed by the solemn engagements into which he had that day entered. A beautiful prayer, preserved in a memorandum book, records his feelings and desires on that occasion; he beseeches God, who gave him a will, to give him also power and strength to serve Him in the sacred ministry, to which he was on that day dedicated ; and the following passage conveys in a few words his views of that holy calling: "Give me, O Lord, I humbly beg, a wise, a sober, a patient, an understanding, a devout, a religious, a courageous heart; that I may instruct the ignorant, reclaim the vicious, bear with the infirmities of the weak, comfort the afflicted, confirm the strong; that I may be an example of true piety, and sincere religion; that I may constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and cheerfully suffer for righteousness' sake. Let my great Lord and Master, let his example, be always before my eyes. Let my days be spent in doing good, in visiting the sick, helping their infirmities, in composing differences, in preaching the glad tidings of salvation, and in all the works of mercy and charity by which I shall be judged at the last day..... Give us all grace, that we may often and seriously lay to heart the nature and importance of our calling; that these thoughts may make us diligent and zealous, and that our zeal may be ever concerned in matters of real moment."

Nor did he permit the solemn act of that day to fade from his memory, for he ever after set apart the anniversary for reflection and devotion, and for the more express consideration of his ministerial obligations, and the manner in which he had discharged them.

His further stay in Ireland was short; for in December of the same year he was licensed to be curate of Newchurch, a chapelry in the parish of Winwick, in Lanca

shire, of which Dr. Sherlock, his maternal uncle, was then rector. Here he early exercised the charity which Goldsmith so much commends in the "Village Preacher" of sweet Auburn, though his income fell short of that possessed by the latter, being only thirty pounds a year. Yet was he also "passing rich," for he contrived, then and ever after, to set apart a stated portion of his income for charitable purposes.

In the society of Dr. Sherlock he possessed very great advantages, and had opportunities of studying a character, which he seems in many respects to have imitated, and of which he expressed his admiration and love in a memoir, which he commences in the following terms :"When I have said that he was born of very honest and religious parents, the pious reader will not be offended that he finds nothing more considerable in the account of his family." He then proceeds to state, that after various sufferings and reverses during the troublesome times of the great Rebellion, Dr. Sherlock found a refuge in the family of sir Robert Bindlosse, of Borrick, in Lancashire, to whom he became domestic chaplain. It is remarkable, that at this time, and in this neighbourhood, George Fox, the quaker, was then making a stir; and hearing of his reputation for learning and piety, desired to bring him round to his views. Accordingly, he commenced a correspondence, which ended in Sherlock's publishing several small tracts upon the subjects in controversy between them, which, his biographer says, "by the blessing of God, had their effect."

Sir R. Bindlosse afterwards recommended Dr. Sherlock to the notice of Charles, eighth earl of Derby, who reposed so much confidence in him, that at the restoration he gave him a commission to settle the affairs of the church in the Isle of Man, "which during the great rebel

lion had suffered in its doctrine, discipline, and worship." "This difficult work he went through (while his fellowcommissioners settled the civil affairs) to the entire satisfaction of the lord and people of that island, which, by the blessing of God, continues as uniform in her worship, as orthodox in her doctrine, and as strict and regular in her discipline, as any christian church in the world." Upon his return from that "happy island,” he was appointed to the valuable living of Winwick.

His mode of living was frugal and simple; he was hospitable, and so "exceeding charitable," that at his death he left "not above one year's profits" of his living, and 66 even these in a great measure to pious uses." He always entertained in his house at least three curates, for the service of his church and chapels. So that on account of the doctor's primitive example, as also the choice that he made of persons to serve at the altar, Winwick became a very desirable place for young divines to improve themselves in the work of the ministry. Dr. Sherlock died in peace, at the age of 76, June 20th, 1689.

Mr. Wilson, after having remained in deacon's orders rather more than three years, was ordained a priest by the bishop of Chester, October 20th, 1689; and on this occasion he entered in his memorandum-book a series of resolutions, by which he thought fit to bind himself, “in the beginning of his days," not to obtain church-preferment by promise or reward; never to give a bond of resignation; not to hold two livings with cure of souls; and to reside and do the duties himself, whenever it should please God to bless him "with a parish and a cure of souls."

Full five years passed away in the discharge of the quiet yet interesting duties of a country pastor, in this place. With all its responsibilities, anxieties, and disappointments, there is no employment more fruitful in

peace and joy, "if a man be found faithful." That Mr. Wilson was so, his previous character, and the even tenor of a good life going onward to perfection, which we shall see in his whole deportment, may be deemed satisfactory evidence. And it is all the evidence that we possess. Delightful as it would have been, to have watched him acting in the spirit of his Deacon's Prayer,zealously cultivating pure religion and sound knowledge in his own heart; and then carrying a spark from that holy altar, to light up a kindred flame in the hearts of his people; teaching the poor of this world to be rich in faith; preaching peace by Jesus Christ; turning sinners from the error of their ways; administering comfort in the chamber of woe;-he has left no record of these good works, nor have his biographers been able to furnish any memorial of them.

In the year 1692 he was introduced to a new scene of exertion, by being appointed domestic chaplain to William earl of Derby, and preceptor to his son, James lord Strange, with a salary of thirty pounds a year. The earl was the patron of Dr. Sherlock's living of Winwick, and there can be little doubt that through this circumstance he became acquainted with the character and capabilities of Mr. Wilson.

In Latham Park, then the seat of the earl of Derby, there is an almshouse, consisting of several tenements, with a chapel annexed, and shortly after the commencement of his residence in the earl's family, he was appointed to the mastership of that charitable institution, which produced to him twenty pounds a-year.

The memorandum in which he declares his intention of increasing the proportion of his income devoted to pious uses, in consequence of this addition to his means, will not be read without interest.

"Memorandum.-Easter-day, 1693. It having pleased God, of his mere bounty and goodness, to bless me with a temporal income far above my hopes or deserts, and I having hitherto given but one tenth part of my income to the poor, I do therefore purpose, and I thank God for putting it into my heart, that of all the profits which it shall please God to give me, and which shall become due to me after the 6th of August next (after which time I hope to have paid my small debts), I do purpose to separate the fifth part of all my incomes, as I shall receive them, for pious uses, and particularly for the poor.— T. W."

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August, 1693.-The God that gave me a will to make this solemn purpose, has given me grace not to repent of it, and he will give me grace to my life's end. Amen."

During his residence in lord Derby's family, which continued for about six years, a few incidents occurred which demonstrate his soundness of principle and simplemindedness, and clearly show what spirit he was of.

When lord Derby offered him the valuable living of Baddesworth in Yorkshire, making it a condition that he should continue with him as chaplain and tutor to his son, he refused to accept it, as being inconsistent with "the resolves of his conscience against non-residence." He also refused to hold the living of Grappenhall in Cheshire, during the minority of Mr. Boardman, then an infant, as being contrary to another of his resolves.

The reflections on his recovery from a dangerous illness, in 1693, and the resolutions to walk more watchfully for the future, betoken a full understanding of the purposes and advantages of the afflictions which God sends upon the children of men, and a desire neither to