remembrance. After Mr. Scott left them, the people were principally supplied from London; Mr. English addressing them, occasionally, for about five-and-twenty minutes, and sitting to dispense the Lord's Supper; but even these services were too much for his weak frame.

Mr. English published, during his lifetime, several small pieces. The first of these was a Poem, entitled Rest for the Weary; or, an Anchor for the Soul in a severe Tempest.' If this work does not place the author among the most celebrated poets of the age, it proves him to have been a minister well instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom of God; if it does not charm the imagination of the reader, it speaks to his heart, and conveys in a pleasing simplicity of style, those ideas which cannot fail to delight and edify serious Christians. This poem has passed through three editions, and has been made truly useful to many who were walking in darkness, and had no light.

Mr. English published also The Harmony of the Old and New Testament,-The Slave Redeemed, a Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Blackwell, A Political Sermon on Christian Loyalty, On the Dignity and Use of the Moral Law; and another for the Rev. Mr. Blackwell. The last pamphlet he published was a poem, entitled The Blessings of Wooburn;' to which was prefixed, a Short Account of the Rise and Progress of Religion in the Village of Wooburn. In this he observes, Success, it is hoped, has, in many instances, followed much persevering and anxious exertions; sinners have been awakened, backsliders have been reclaimed, and real believers have been edified, and led on to everlasting life and glory. With lively gratitude it should be recorded, that several useful and eminent ministers of the gospel, have been raised up from this church. I cannot omit the names of my respected friends, the Rev. John Cooke, of Maidenhead, and the Rev. John Griffin, of Portsea; to whom may be added the name of the Rev. Johu Simmons, a useful Antipado Baptist minister.'

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Mr. English kept a journal of the principal occurrences of his life, and of the most remarkable parts of his Christian experience. After he had been pastor at Wooburn about eighteen years, he complained, in his Diary, that the children of the people of property and influence had not received the word in the power of it. He says, I have long bewailed that the children of my people who most encourage the gospel by their property and influence, are, in general, careless, light, and gay; nor do they give any proof that they prefer the ways of God to those of the gay world: notwithstanding the many sermons they have heard, the private advice given, the examples, both living and dying, that have exemplified the truth: yet now, I bless God, there appears a good work begun among them; there are several young people who are apparently in earnest for the salvation of their souls." He then recites the names of several persons, some of whom

have since died, leaving a good testimony of real conversion; and others are now living ornaments to religion and the church. After admitting several of these to church-fellowship, he observes, My weak and enfeebled body has been almost overwhelmed with the pleasure of my mind, in witnessing the pleasing appearances among many of my young people. Some making an humble profession, has drawn forth the blades of the seed which has been for a long time sown in others. The Lord now is giving me some proof, to comfort me before he takes me out of the world, that I have not been labouring in vain, ner spending my strength for nought. I feel the force of these words: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation' begun in many of my young friends! Lord it is enough that I see, a prospect of thy work continuing among us!

--

After a very severe fit of illness he thus expresses himself in his Diary The Lord is graciously removing my complaint; I trust, if I am to live longer, my life will be devoted to his glory. The thought of my being again employed in my work, seems too much for my spirits: if it should be so, I hope I shall be thankful; but I would wish to prefer the will of God; and under no specious pretence seek my own.'

In his last illness he writes, I died often in the death of my friends; more so in the death of my children; much more still in the death of my dear wives; but I have had no death like that which I am now dying to my church, owing to my not being able to serve them as I have done and would do; but this is a trial I must bear alone. Only ministers in the same case can judge of what I feel.'

We could have procured some interesting Extracts from his Diary, and recorded many of his dying sayings, but the length of this article precludes it; and, as we understand, it was his request that his friend Mr. Griffin, of Portsca, should prepare some essays he had left for the press, to which he intends to subjoin a fuller memoir of his life and experience, it is unnecessary; and we gladly refer our readers to that publication.

A few sentences, however, recollected by his friends, must be recorded. At the beginning of his last illness, a friend asked him how he felt his mind. He answered, 'I have the meanest opinion of my own religion, but the highest opinion of the religion of Christ.' One day he rose from his chair, and walked across the room; but finding himself extremely weak, he leaned on the chimney-piece, and fainting, fell on the bar of the stove, by which his hand was severely burned; but he bore this afflic tion with great composure, and said, I have boasted too much of being the Unconsumed:'-a title he had subjoined to some of his letters, &c. in allusion to the Burning Bush of Moses.

One night, perceiving him worse than usual, and being unwilling to leave him, he said to Mrs. E. "You need not be afraid

going to bed, for, whenever I go, the Lord will give me an easy dismission.'

At another time, when it was apprehended that he was about to depart, he opened his eyes, and asked his daughter to give him some grapes; when he took occasion to speak very sweetly of the grapes of Eschol, and, looking very tenderly at her, said, I hope my dear children will taste those grapes.' To another daughter who came into the room, he said, taking her hand, Mind that you do not neglect the religion of the heart." His son Henry being taken to the bed-side, he laid his dying hand on the child's head, and said, May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, bless you, and keep. you, and preserve you in life, and when you come into my weak state, and for ever! May he who has been my Preserver, my Redeemer, and my All, be yours and your sister's! Amen.

At length, totally worn out, he breathed his gentle spirit into the arms of Jesus; while a more than common smile was imprinted on his countenance. He departed about eight o'clock in the morning of May the 29th, 1809, after baving been thirtyone years pastor of the church at Wooburn.

His funeral, on the 6th of June, was attended by more than twenty neighbouring ministers, and a great concourse of people from the adjacent towns and villages. The funeral oration was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Douglas, of Reading; and the funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Matthew Wilks, of the Tabernacle, his old and steady friend, to a very numerous and much affected audience, who could well attest the application of the text to the deceased, 1 Tim. iv. 6.)- A good minister of Jesus Christ.'

Sir,

A WONDERFUL WORK OF GRACE
ON THE SOUL OF MR. J. COOK,

WHO WAS DEAF AND DUMB.

To the Editor.

The following remarkable account of John Cosk may be depended upon as authentic; and as it has never appeared, to my knowledge, in any Periodical Work, your insertion of it in the Evangelical Magazine will preserve it from oblivion, and give it a wide circulation, to the glory of God, and the edification of many readers. BRISTOLIENSIS.

[In a Letter from the late Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Bristol, dated Oct. 1764.]

Mr. Cook came to my house, and, by writing, signified his desire to be baptized, That I might be satisfied of his being a fit sub. ject, I asked him, by writing, how long he had prayed. He told me, ever since the year 1750; that he began at Bourton, and that he

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continued to pray at Bristol, Bratton, and Lime; and since his return to Bristol to this time; and referred me to the following Scriptures, which he said had been very useful to him: Mic. vii. 7, Therefore will I look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.' Matt. xi. 28, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Ephesians iii. 19, And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.' Phil. iii. 8, 9, Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ and be found in him.' Psalm cxix. 5, O, that my way were directed to keep thy statutes!' Isaiah i. 18, Come, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.' Also Psalm Ixiii. 1, O God, thou art my God, carly will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee; my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is:" and Romans i. 17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith.'After he had referred me to the above texts, I asked the following questions, by writing them down :

1st. Are you willing to part with all sin? He answered by actions expressive of his hatred of it, and referred me to Hosea xiv. 2.Take with you words, and turn to the Lord, and say unto him, take away all iniquity.'

2d. I asked him, Do you love holiness? He answered by actions, and put his hand to his breast, to let me know how good it was in his estimation; and referred me to Psalm li. 2, Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.'

3d. 1 asked him if he loved the word of God. He answered by putting his hand on the Bible in such a manner as expressed how he valued it; and referred me to Psalm cxix. 97, O, how I love thy law; it is my meditation all the day.'

4th. I asked him, Do you love prayer? He answered by putting his hands in a praying posture, with indications of the greatest pleasure; and referred me to Psalm ixxiii. 28, But it is good for me to draw near to God.'

5th. I asked him if he loved good men. He answered by actions very expressive of his great regard for them; and referred me to Psalm xvi. 2, 3, My goodness extendeth not unto thee, but to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.'

6th. I asked him if he loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He answered by actions plainly expressive of his most affectionate】 regard for him, and referred me to Solomon's Song, v. 16, His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.'

7. I asked him if he expected to be saved by his own works,

He answered plainly by action, No; and referred me to Titus iii. 5, 6, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy,' &e.

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8th. I asked him if ever he had been afraid he should go to Hell. He expressed by action that he had; but referred me to Psalm ciii. 3, 4, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction,' and which had been comfortable to him.

9th. I asked him concerning Baptism. He referred me to Matt. iii. 13-17, Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of John,' &c. and chap. xxviii. 19, Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name,' &c. and then expressed his desire to be baptized.

10th. I asked him if he desired to eat bread and drink wine at the Lord's Table. He answered by actions which were expressive of his desire of this and how glad he should be to be among the Lord's people, referring me to Psalm xxvii. 4, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, and that will I seek after,' &c. also Psalm lxxxiv. 1, 2, 'How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts!' &c.

The above Mr. Cook is the son of a late worthy minister of that name, who lived at. Pershore, in Worcestershire. This his eldest son was born deaf and dumb, to the no small affliction of his good father..

ON PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO SINNERS.

Rev. Sir,

To the Editor.

Some time ago, being in conversation with a young man who was just entering upon the ministry, he asserted, that there was no such thing in the Scriptures as Calls or Exhortations to Sinners as such, to repent of their sins, and believe the Gospel, &c. I confess, it was a sentiment I could not receive; but, as a minister of the gospel whose praise is in the churches was to supply for us the following Sabbath, I availed myself of the opportunity of communicating the above conversation to him, and asking his opinion. I desired that when he should return home, he would give me his thoughts in the compass of a letter, which I have since received; and it has afforded me great satisfaction; and hoping it might be made still useful to some amongst the many readers of your valuable Miscellany, I should be glad to see it inserted. C. L.

My Dear Friend,

I HAVE not forgotten the conversation I had with you in your garden, on the Saturday evening I was at A--; nor the promise I then made of writing you on the subject of ministers preaching the gospel to sinners as such;-and I now attempt to make my promise good.