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Were all who ever liv'd on earth,
Since nature first receiv'd her birth,

Most skilful scribes, to place

In clearest light that wondrous love, Found in the heart of God above, T'wards Adam's sinful race:

Was each Methuselah in age,
And every moment wrote a page,
They'd all be tir'd, and die;
pens would every one wear out,
The book be fill'd within, without,
The ink be drain'd quite dry.

The

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And then to shew that love, O! then Angels above, as well as men,

Arch-angels e'en would fail;

Nay, till eternity shall end,

A whole eternity they 'll spend,

Nor then have told the tale.

APPENDIX.

BEING born in the same town, I knew my late worthy friend Mr. George Foxwell from my early days; but, being my senior, I was not then intimately acquainted with him. However, I well recollect the distress his parents and friends expressed on his going abroad; being, by that time, frequently in company with some of his family connexions. His parents were gracious persons, and adorned their Christian profession to a good old age. His father, Mr. George Foxwell, had been a deacon of the Baptist church in that town for many years, when he finished his course. Two of his brothers are old members of the church at present; and one of them has long filled the office of his late worthy father. But the truth is, I had no particular respect either for the father, or the brothers, as Christian characters till 1764; because, till then, I did not know what a Christian character meant. I also knew their aged, venerable pastor, Mr. Tipping; but, being brought up to

attend at the established church, I had never heard him preach: but, when the Lord had in mercy remembered me, and shewn me his salvation, I felt an esteem for both pastor and people, which I had never known before.

After Mr. Foxwell returned to England, and was known among his friends as a lover of Christ; a brother of mine very gladly gave me the information. My brother had been the companion of my friend Foxwell, in the days of their vanity; and, on meeting again, through rich and sovereign grace, they were cordial friends in the things of God: but, I had myself no interview with him, till October 1772, when he had his Narrative in hand. At that time commenced a reciprocal Christian friendship, which, I trust, will never cease: for death cannot dissolve the union, which the Spirit of grace is pleased to form between the heirs of salvation. It may, indeed, interrupt their immediate intercourse for a time; but, when they meet on Mount Zion, it will be to rejoice together in a manner far more enlarged and more exaltedthan they ever could possibly do while here be low and even eternity itself will not be too long to celebrate the praises of Him who loved them, and redeemed them to God by his blood.

I have perused this Narrative again with pleasure, and can freely recommend it to the reader's candid attention; under the persuasion that if he has tasted that the Lord is gracious, he will not repent the time employed in observ ing the dealings of God with this good man. The writer's design in drawing up this statement of facts, was, that the God of his mercies might have all the praise: and the reader will glorify God in him, because he will find many occurrences related, which tend to encourage his own hope of final felicity.

When my friend Foxwell was brought to the knowledge of Christ as his salvation, it appears he sought the fellowship of the saints, and esteemed it his privilege as well as his duty, to be found walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. To this he was induced, not from the prejudice of education; but, having his heart constrained by the law of Christ, he read, he believed, he acted for himself; being accountable to God only for his own faith, and for his own actions. Real religion is a persanal concern, and the Gospel is published for the obedience of faith in individuals: when, therefore, this gracious and wise design is answered, it is by having personal faith in Christ,

and by personal obedience to his commands, as taught by the Holy Spirit in the word. Under the impression of this important truth, my friend was baptized in the name of Christ, and was joined to his church at his own desire, and as his own act; because he knew that no one could love, obey, or worship God for him. This is the part that every believer should act in his walk with God, because our account to him at last must be given each one for himself, and not one for another. If attendance on Gospel ordinances be an act of religious worship, or obedience to the divine will; then such attendance must be a personal work, and done in faith personally; or it will be to me unprofitable, and will not be approved of God. If the gracious presence of God be enjoyed, I must know it for myself; or, if he be worshipped and obeyed in any religious action which he has commanded by others; yet, if any action be done, and done professedly for my spiritual good, if my will and my heart be not engaged in such action, it is not an act of obedience and worship performed by me; and consequently it cannot be accepted of God as mine. As, therefore, my father or friend cannot enjoy the presence of God for me; so neither can they obey or worship him for me.

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