contribute to the enjoyment of life, and favour the unwearied
pursuit of his studies. Here he dwelt in a family which, for piety,
order, harmony, and every virtue, was a house of God. Here he had
the privilege of a country recess, the fragrant bower, the spreading
lawn, the flowery garden, and other advantages, to soothe his mind
and aid his restoration to health; to yield him, whenever he chose
them, most grateful intervals from his laborious studies, and enable
him to return to them with redoubled vigour and delight. Had it not
been for this most happy event, he might, as to outward view, have
feebly, it may be painfully, dragged on through many more years of
languor, and inability for public service, and even for profitable
study, or perhaps might have sunk into his grave under the
overwhelming load of infirmities in the midst of his days; and thus
the Church and world would have been deprived of those many
excellent sermons and works which he drew up and published during
his long residence in this family. In a few years after his coming
hither, Sir Thomas Abney dies; but his amiable consort survives, who
shows the Doctor the same respect and friendship as before, and most
happily for him and great numbers besides; for, as her riches were
great, her generosity and munificence were in full proportion; her
thread of life was drawn out to a great age, even beyond that of the
Doctor's, and thus this excellent man, through her kindness, and
that of her daughter, the present Mrs. Elizabeth Abney, who in a
like degree esteemed and honoured him, enjoyed all the benefits and
felicities he experienced at his first entrance into this family
till his days were numbered and finished, and, like a shock of corn
in its season, he ascended into the regions of perfect and immortal
life and joy."

If this quotation has appeared long, let it be considered that it