Reclining, vainly from the ruthless blast Respite I beg; and, in the shock, expire.

However, his good sense and religion enabled him to get the better of these fears, and of all his other calamities, in his calmer hours; and, indeed, in this very poem (which is the most gloomy of any he had written,) he semed to have a gleam of light fall in upon his mind, and recovered himself enough to express his hopes, that the care of Providence, which had hitherto always protected him, would again interfere, and dissipate the clouds that were gathering over him.

Towards the close of the same piece, he shewed, not only that he was satisfied with his own condition, but that he could discover some very great blessing in it; and, through the general course of his other poems one may discern such a justness of thinking about the things of this world, and such an easy and contented turn of mind, as was every way becoming a good Christian, and a good philosopher.

This was the character given of our author, by Mr. Spence, who, in the year 1754, took upon himself the patronage of Dr. Blacklock, and successfully introduced him to the notice of the public. In that year he published a pamphlet, entitled, "An Account of the Life, Character, and Poems of Mr. Blacklock, Stu

dent of Philosophy in the Univer sity of Edinburgh" Svo. which, with some improvements, was prefixed to a quarto edition of Dr. Blacklock's poems, published by subscription. By this publication, a considerable sum of money was obtained, and soon after, our poet was fixed in an eligible situation in the university of Edinburgh.* In 1760, he contributed some poems to a Scotch collection, published at Edinburghin that year, and being there styled the Rev. Mr. Blacklock, it appears he had then entered into holy orders. About 1766, he obtained the degree of Doctor of Divinity; and in 1767 published "Paraclesis; or Conso lations deduced from Natural and Revealed Religion, in two Disserta tions," 8vo. In 1768, he printed

Two Discourses on the Spirit and Evidences of Christianity," translated from the French of Mr. James. Armand, and dedicated to the Rev. Moderator of the General Assembly," 8vo. ; and, in 1774, produced "The Graham; an Heroic Ballad, in four Cantos,' 4to. In 1776, appeared," Remarks on the Nature and Extent of Liberty, as compatible with the Genius of Civil Societies; on the Principles of Government, and the proper limits of its Powers in Free States; and on the Justice and Policy of the American War; occasioned by perusing the Observations of Dr. Price on these Subjects," 8vo. Edinburgh. This, we have been assured, was written by our author, who, at length, at the age of seventy, died during the course of the month of July in this year.

Account

Account of the late Rev. John Wes ley; from the Gentleman's Magazine.

T

HIS extraordinary man was born in June, 1703, at Epworth, a village in Lincolnshire of which place his father, Samuel Wesley, was rector; a man much respected for piety and learning; as were his other sons, the rev. Samuel and Charles Wesley, now deceased. The very childhood of John was marked by an extraordinary incident. When between six and seven years of age, the parsonage-house at Epworth took fire in the night, and, in the confusion of the family, he was forgotten. Finding his bed in flames he ran to the window, and, happily being perceived there by some of the men-servants, they formed a ladder, one on the shoulders of another, and took him out unhurt, the moment before the roof fell in. He was entered a scholar of the Charter-house, about 1713, where he continued for seven years, under the instruction of the celebrated Dr. Walker, and Mr. Andrew Tooke, author of "The Pantheon," and contemporary with Dr. Kenrick Prescot, late master of Catharine-Hall, Cambridge. Being elected off to Lincoln-College, Oxford, he became there a fellow, about 1725; took the degree of M. A. in 1726; and was joint tutor with the late rector, Dr. Hutchins. During his residence there, he was equally distinguished by application and abilities, and laid up those large and varied stores of knowledge which he directed, during his long life, to what he thought the best of purposes. But what chiefly characterised him, even at the early age of twenty-six, was piety. By reading the works of the famous William Law, he, his brother Charles, and a

few young friends, entered into that strict course of life which marks their sect at the present day. They received the sacrament every week; observed all the fasts of the church; visited prisons; rose at four o'clock, and partook of no amusements. From the exact method in which they disposed of each hour, they acquired the nick-name of Methodists, and are the only people who take to themselves a term first given in reproach. The ridicule and contempt which this singular conduct produced, John and Charles Wesley were well qualified to bear. They were neither to be intimidated by dan ger, affected by interest, nor deterred by disgrace. But their zeal did not stop here. In 1735 they embarked for Georgia, in order to convert the Indians: but returned to England in 1737, when the charges of enthusiasm, bigotry, and fanaticism, were urged with so much bitterness, and examined with so little candour, that they were forbidden to preach any more in the churches. This gave rise to fieldpreaching, in which George Whitefield was first; with whom the Wesleys had a cordial friendship, though they separated their congregations, on some differences in sentiments. John Wesley embraced the mild and general views of Arminius, which, it must be confessed, are more benevolent in their nature, and practical in their tendency, than Calvin's. His abhorrence of the doctrine and the man, occasioned long, bitter, and useless, controversy; though he never treated his opponents with the ill-breeding and abuse that he received from them. He now appeared as a zealous reformer and the great leader of a sect, no way differing in essentials from the

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church of England. His peculiar opinions were, justification by faith, and Christian perfection; of which it may be remarked, the former is to be found in our own articles and the latter, however he might enforce its possibility he always disclaimed having attained himself. In 1738, he visited, at Hernhuth, in Germany, Count Zinzendorf, the chief of the Moravians. In the following year we find him again in England, and, with his brother Charles, at the head of the Methodists. He preached his first field sermon at Bristol, on the 2nd of April 1738, from which time his disciples have continued to increase. In 1741, a serious altercation took place be. tween him and Mr. Whitefield. In 1744, attempting to preach at a public inn at Taunton, he was regularly silenced by the magistrates. Though he remained the rest of his days nearer home, he travelled through every part of England, Scotland, and Ireland, establishing congregations in each kingdom. In 1750, he married a lady, from whom he afterwards parted, and she died in 1781; by her he had no children. This separation, from whatever motives it originated, we have heard some of his followers say, was the only blot in his character. Others have observed, on this head, that nothing could be more effectually disappointed than ambition or avarice, in an union with John Wesley. In 1771, he seems first to have commenced politician, by publishing, "Thoughts on Public Affairs;" which he followed up by "Thoughts on Slavery, 1774;"An Address to the Colonies, 1776;" Observations on Liberty, 1776." His other

writings it is not very easy to enumerate. Few men have written so voluminously; divinity, devotional and controversial, history, philo sophy,medicine, politics and poetry, &c. &c. were all, at different times, the subjects of his pen ; and whatever may be the opinions held of his divinity, itis impossible to deny him the merit of having done infinite good to the lower class of people. Abilities he unquestionably possessed, and a fluency which was highly acceptable, and well accommodated to his hearers. He had been gradu ally declining for about three years past; yet he still rose at four o'clock, and preached, travelled, and wrote as usual. He preached at Leatherhead on the Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1791, before his death. On the Fri day following, the first symptoms of his approaching dissolution appeared. The four succeeding days he spent in praising the God of his mercies,and died on the 2nd of March, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. His remains after lying in his tabernacle in a kind of state, dressed in the gown and cassock, band, &c. which he usually wore, and on his head the old clerical cap, a bible in one hand, and a white handkerchief in the other, were, agreeably to his own directions, and after the manner of the interment of the late Mr. Whitefield, deposited in a piece of ground near his chapel, at the Foundry, Moorfields, on the morning of the 9th instant in the plainest manner, consistent with decency, amidst the tears and sighs of an innumerable company of his friends and admirers, who all appeared in deep mourning on the occasion. mon, previously to the funeral, was

was

preached by Thomas Whitehead, M.D. (one of the physicians to the London-Hospital), accompanied with suitable hymns, &c. And on the 13th, the different chapels in his connection in London were hung with black. Where much good is done, we should not mark every lit tle excess. The great point in which his name and mission will be honoured is this: he directed his labours towards those who had no instructor; to the highways and hedges; to the mines in Cornwall, and the colliers in Kingswood. These unhappy creatures, married and buried among themselves, and often committed murders with impunity, before the Methodists sprang up. By the humane and active endea yours of him and his brother Charles a sense of decency, morals and religion, was introduced into the low est classes of mankind: the ignorant were instructed; the wretched relieved; and the abandoned reclaimed. He met with great opposition from many of the clergy, and unhandsome treatment from the magistrates, who frequently would refuse to check or punish a lawless mob, that often assembled to insult or abuse him. He was, however, one of the few characters who out lived enmity and prejudice, and received, in his latter years, every mark of respect, from every denomination. The political sentiments of popular men, are of importance to the state. John Wesley was a strenuous advocate for monarchy; and all his followers in America were firmly loyal. Those of Mr. Whitefield declared in favour of independence. His personal influence was greater than, perhaps, that of any other private gentleman in any country. It is computed, that, in the three kingdoms, there are eighty

thousand members of this society. He visited them alternately; travelled eight thousand miles every year; preached three or four times constantly in one day; rose at four, and employed all his time in reading, writing, attending the sick, and arranging the various parts of this numerous body of people;-Amongst his virtues forgiveness to his enemies, and liberality to the poor, were most remarkable: he has been known to receive into even bis confidence, those who had basely injured him; they have not only subsisted again on his bounty, but shared in his affection.-All the profit of his literary labours, all that he received or could collect (and it amounted to an immense sum, for he was his own printer and booksel ler), was devoted to charitable purposes. And with such opportunities of enriching himself, it is a doubt whether the sale of the books will pay all his debts. His travelling expences were defrayed by the societies which he visited.-The superintendency of his various chapels and societies, he committed, about seven years ago, by a deed enrolled in chancery, (in trust for the port of his preachers, and their poor families,) to a hundred travelling preachers, now in various parts of these kingdoms; and, among the number, is the rev. Dr. Coke, at present in America, whose mission is supposed to have increased the converts in the West-India islands, and other parts of America to near fifty thousand, since the conclusion of the war, and founder in 1789, of a college in South Carolina called Wesley College.-On a review of the character of this extraordinary man, it appears, that though he was endowed with eminent talents, he was more distinguished by their

sup

use

use than even by their possession; though his taste was classic, and his manners elegant, he sacrificed that society in which he was particularly calculated to shine; gave up those preferments which his abilities must have obtained, and devoted a long life in practising and enforcing the plainest duties. Instead of being "an ornament to literature,” he was a blessing to his fellow creatures; instead of "the genius of the age," he was the servant of God!—One striking passage from Mr. Badcock's anecdotes of him, we shall repeat, with Mr. Wesley's short remark on it. "In one of Mr. Wesley's earlier publications, he, in the strongest language, disavows all pecuniary motives, and calls on posterity to vindicate his disinterestedness, in one of the boldest apostrophes I ever read. 6 Money must needs pass through my hands,' says he, but I will take care (God being my helper,) that the mammon of unrighteousness shall only pass through; it shali not rest there. None of the accursed thing shall 'be found in my tents, when the Lord calleth me hence. And 'hear ye this, all you who have dis'covered the treasures which I am to leave behind me; if I leave behind me ten pounds (above my debts, and the little arrears of my fellowship), you, and all mankind, bear witness against me, that I lived and died a thief and a robber.' I doubt not but his pride, and something better than his pride, will prevent the stigma." To this Mr.W. in January 1785, adds, that the only end he ever had in view was, "to save sinners." "What other

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end," he asks, "could I possible have in view? or can have at this day? Deep projects of a subtle mind.' Nay, I am not subtle, but the veriest fool. under the sun, if I have any earthly project at all now! For what do I want which this world can give? And, after the labour of fourscore years,

No foot of land do I possess,
No cottage in the wilderness
A poor, way-faring man,,
I dwell awhile in tents below,
Or gladly wander to and fro,

Till I my Canaan gain.""

His executors have already given notice, that a gentleman, to whom Mr. Wesley has bequeathed his MSS. will publish an authentic narrative ofhim, as soon as it can be prepared for the press; and that the truth of this performance is intended to be regularly attested. His history, if well written, will certainly be important, for, in every respect, as the founder of the most numerous sect in the kingdom, as a man and as a writer, he must be considered as one of the most extraordinary characters this or any age ever produced.

Life and Character of Philip earl of Hardwicke, in a letter from a gentleman of the law, to Mr. Richard Cooksey.

Sir,

Hisement, wherein you mention a design of giving an essay on the life of Philip, earl of Hardwicke, in your proposed History of Worcestershire,

AVING met with an adver