the country, my death had been inevitable; likewise, that it must have been equally fatal, occurring when and where it did, had not Dr. Hird that day called upon the family, and been prevailed on to stay dinner, and also had he not possessed the presence of mind to apply the only possible remedy. Now, when a train of circumstances so exceedingly minute, apparently independent of each other, yet operating as distinct causes, are every one of them essential to the production of a given effect, must we not conclude that not one of them happened by chance? And am I not warranted in the firm belief, that it was the intention of a gracious Providence by these means, at that time to preserve my life? So literally true, then, is the assertion of our Lord, that "not a sparrow falleth to the ground, without our heavenly Father."

But it may be asked, could not life have been preserved in a much shorter way, by simply preventing the accident? I answer, undoubtedly; but let it be remembered, that the mercy would then have been wholly unperceived, and consequently, that not one of the salutary convictions would have been felt, which similar dangers and similar deliverances are intended to produce. Do they not teach us, in language not to be mistaken, that we and our affairs are at all times in the hands of God,-that circumstances apparently the most trivial, and arrangements the most minute, may be, and often are employed as his agents, to take away life, or to restore it, even at the very moment when it is about to expire?

Shall we then calculate on protracted existence in this world, because we see no danger at hand? or shall we on the contrary, refuse any labour of love, in the strict line of duty, because the greatest apparent danger may attach to the effort?

CHAPTER 45.

Two more visits to London....Mr. Lindsey's rapidly declining health....An account of his death....Importance of gos pel promises to the aged biographer....The life of Christ prepared for the press....The Author's motives....The hopes of the closet compared with the actual survey of customs, prejudices, society, and manners.

In the years 1807, and again in 1808, I visited my friends in Essex-street, and although I found them surrounded with every comfort, which their situation could admit, and Mr. Lindsey, patient, meek, resigned, and even cheerful as usual; thinking well of God, and of his government; truly thankful for all his mercies, and looking steadily forward to more glorious displays of his infinite goodness; yet his entire inability to read, or converse, except occasionally for a few moments, was extremely painful to those who admired and loved him, and had so often been de

lighted and edified by his pious and instructive conversation. At the time of my last visit, in 1808, he was unable even to attend long at a time, to any book that was read to him, except the New Testament;-but of the discourses, the actions, the transcendant miracles, and the heavenly precepts of his divine Master, he never tired. On these occasions, a gleam of lively pleasure was wont to enliven his languid, yet placid countenance, whilst he frequently repeated, as it seemed, involuntarily, whilst the narrative proceeded,-" aye, aye," in a tone of inconceivable sweetness, and which fully revealed what was passing in the mind respecting Him, "whom not having seen, he loved," and to whose blessed society he is now for ever united,* to proceed right onward with accelerated pace from glory unto glory!

It was evident, that the period of probation assigned to this humble confessor, was now fast approaching to its close. It was extremely painful to me, to leave London under this conviction; and especially as it seemed to afford my aged friend particular pleasure, to share the soothing sympathy of one, whom he had honoured for so many years, with his. peculiar esteem and friend

* I do not conceive this language to be improper, when used even by those who interpret the Scriptures, as teaching a state of insensibility, from the moment of death to the period of a general resurrection; since, whatever is decreed in the immutable counsels of God, as the reward of exemplary virtue, may be justly considered as if it had already actually taken place.

ship. "I charge you," said Mrs. Lindsey to her servants, "do not tell your master that Mrs. Cappe is going away." But as I had been dangerously ill myself, it was necessary, in order to complete the recovery, that I should leave a close lodging in Essex-street;-to have remained there much longer, would have been extremely expensive;-I could be of no real service to one, who was surrounded by so many affectionate friends, and I was greatly wanted at home. Mr. Lindsey lingered about six weeks after I came away, until the 3rd of November. On the 6th, I had the following account of his death, from Dr. Blackburne, Mrs. Lindsey's brother. "I feel a degree of complacency, unusual on such occasions, in announcing to you, the easy transit of our excellent and venerable friend to the realms of peace. Mr. Lindsey expired at ten minutes past six yesterday evening, without a sigh, or the least change in the placidity of his aspect. He had been confined about six days to his bed, the oppression on the brain gradually increasing each day, till the final happy and gentle extinction of life."

On the 7th, I had a letter from Mrs. Lindsey, of which the following is an extract. "I write to give you the satisfaction of knowing, that by the mercy of God, my dear departed saint fell asleep in perfect serenity, and knew me almost to the last, said in his own sweet tone, and plainly, "my love;" a word he had repeated when awake, and able, both day and night. When I said to him on the afternoon of Thursday, My dearest

love, you and I shall live together for ever,' he replied in an audible voice, "aye." His countenance now dead, is so exactly expressive of his constant benignity, that it conveys satisfaction to all who behold it, and solaces me to contemplate."

How insupportable would be the feelings of the aged biographer, who is destined to survive the almost total extinction of all her early connexions, and to record the death of those whom she has most highly revered, and tenderly loved, were there no hope of a future happy reunion! Let those despise or lightly esteem the gospel of Christ, who do not stand in need of its consolations! Let them point out some other pilot, who can conduct them with equal safety, along the arduous road of human duty; support them by his precepts, and animate them by his example, whilst they humbly endeavour to follow and obey him in this life, and who can cheer and enlighten by his promises, and his resurrection, the dark and dreary valley of their departure out of it!

I had been much occupied during the greater part of this year, in preparing for the press, a series of Notes of my late husband's, on the four Gospels, formerly transcribed from his short-hand papers, and from the margin of different Bibles. The dictating from these, had soothed many a long hour of languor and debility, which would otherwise have hung heavily upon him, and had doubly endeared them to me, as well on that account, as for their own intrinsic merit. I con