still more agreeable to me. But in any way the chancellor would do it, it would highly oblige me.

"And now, dear Duchess, I expect you will exert yourself; and then I think it is impossible you should fail. Believe me, the success of it would give me infinite pleasure; and, low as I am, it would raise my spirits.

Yours; adieu,

C. EDWIN."

To her Grace

The Duchess of Argyle.

We have now come to the end of the two chapters on Jones's afflictions.-How humble, contented, and resigned we should be under afflictions, when we see men superior to us every way, overtaken with greater: and may we come out of the furnace more quickened, sanctified, and purified, as Jones and others were. Let us submit and kiss the rod, like them, when afflicted in health, property, family, or reputation; and cheerfully yield when disappointed in our expectations, intentions, plans, and inclinations.-May the evil of sin be seen, and the soul brought to repent, and turn to the Lord; then murmuring and fretfulness will be done away with.-The happy effect of affliction is fully seen in the next world. 2 Cor. iv. 17.

"The more we toil and labour here,

The sweeter rest will be."

CHAP. IX.

Jones's ministerial qualifications-his judgment and feelings.

JONES's active, extraordinary, and public life having been set before us, his ministerial qualifications, which, under God, were so useful in all his labours, shall now be considered; especially his judgment, perception, and feeling. His soul was endued with those faculties in an eminent degree. They were sanctified and rendered very useful by the influences of the Holy Ghost. These particulars will now fall under our consideration.

Jones's judgment or perception shall first occupy our attention. This is a most desirable qualification, in order to make a man a good and useful preacher. For without a mind to perceive divine truths in their several bearings, how can he divide the word of God rightly, and give every one his portion in due season? Except a minister has a clear understanding, he cannot acquit himself well in the ministry, nor be acceptable to God's people. "Study to show thyself approved unto God," is the apostolic charge, "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim. ii. 15.

Jones possessed this faculty in an eminent degree. This genius for discriminating natural and divine things, and arranging and setting them forth in their captivating light, was extraordinary, especially when under the influence of the Spirit. He was indeed a natural and vivid describer: he had the happy talent of painting in words. When he had occasion to set forth scriptural scenes and characters, it was done with such propriety and liveliness, that one would think they were actually present. How engaging were the representations! With what interest and attention would

the people listen to his fine and animated description of Abraham offering up his son Isaac; of Christ conversing with Simon, and Mary Magdalene; his addressing Zaccheus on the sychamore-tree, his interview with Nicodemus, his temptation in the wilderness, transfiguration on the mount, and agony in the garden. It was at times so well done, that it resembled a spiritual drama. He was so ingenious, facetious, and solemn, that his exhibitions were exceedingly entertaining, even to unconverted men. His fancy and imagination were so strong and excellent, that he could paint and set forth gospel subjects in the most grand and striking manner. His illustrations, for instance, of such parables as those of the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the importunate widow, and the mar riage feast, were so beautiful and noble, that the people heard them with great pleasure and astonishment. But oh in what captivating language would he draw the attention of his hearers to the amazing scenes of Calvary. This description of the awful tragedy of the cross was most awakening, lively, and overwhelming! In what amazingly grand and solemn colours would he set forth the humiliation of the Son of God, his unspeakable sufferings and sacrifice, his wonderful atonement and satisfaction to divine justice! With what glowing vigour would he illustrate the strictness of the justice of God, the awfulness of his holiness, and the immensity of his love! With what sweet delight, with what captivating eloquence, would he describe the grandeur, felicity, and glory of heaven: and, on the other hand, with what awe and solemnity would he exhibit the misery of hell! And in what exalted and impressive language he would bring before the people the solemnities of the last day! With what burning eloquence would he dwell upon the awful, the infinite, destinies of eternity! He possessed an imagination brilliant, plastic, and copious; and such scenes as these afforded him ample scope for its exercise. His matter was delightfully formed and shaped

in the forge of the mind. All the links and members of divine truth were most nicely, ingeniously, and admirably adjusted, adapted, and joined together, in the exhibition of his subjects. And oh in what bright, warm, and striking colours would the truth come forth after such a preparation! In that particular work he was most sedulously and happily engaged on Saturdays. He was naturally a man of a contemplative, studious turn of mind. Most glad he was to see the Saturday evening, after the labour of the week. He was always more eminent and happy in his sermons, when preaching in his own pulpit than elsewhere. The same was the case with Rowlands. It is thought that this difference was owing to the devout and diligent study and meditation they were able to bestow on their subjects when at home. It is true the Lord blessed them in an extraordinary manner when on their itinerant excursions, though their discourses were not then the production of so much study and contemplation. He clothed them with the influences of his Spirit, and made up all deficiencies, his servants being engaged in such an amazing work.

This faculty of the mind is employed by none in so glorious a manner as the minister of God. It is true that the powerful exercise of the imagination is everywhere most remarkable in its effects. What extraordinary works

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of literature of every description are the produce of its operations! A thousand specimens might be mentioned as instances of its extraordinary power; but in no instance is it devoted to such noble purposes as in the ministry of the word these are beyond comparison great and glorious. The subjects of a preacher are sufficient to engage his mind for ever without creating weariness or satiety. All other objects are too poor and humble to gratify the aspirations of the soul and besides, they are things of a transcient and perishable nature. "The power of the human mind," says Newton, "when cultivated by education, and habituated to reflection, is certainly capable of great exer

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tions; but its researches are in many respects limited within narrow and mortifying boundaries. Man can calculate to a minute an eclipse that shall happen a hundred years hence, but he knows not what changes may take place the next day or hour in his most interesting concerns. He attempts to measure the earth, to weigh the subtle air, and almost to number and marshal the stars; but while he prides himself in his excursions abroad, he is a stranger at home." But the man of God is not :-he delineates his most awful, sinful, and miserable state, in all its details; and sets forth its grand and sovereign remedy in all its excellencies.

The preacher may also make use of such extraordinary earthly ideas as those above mentioned, and apply them to illustrate and set forth his noble and most surpassing themes. Jones was a great student of nature, especially of its lovely productions, such as shrubs, flowers, and trees; and from them he frequently borrowed images to illustrate his sermons. It may not be uninteresting to some to observe here a proof of his taste for the contemplation of the works of God manifested in the visible and material creation, like the psalmist of Israel. His garden was a favourite source of meditation and recreation to him at his leisure hours. He delighted much in cultivating flowers, and in grafting and dressing fruit trees.—A notable fruit tree used to be shown by Mr. Bassett's family at Aberthaw, which Jones had grafted with his own hands, when he once visited them, to preach in a chapel built by that gentleman on his own premises.—A clergyman who had heard Jones preaching at a village in the vale of Glamorgan, named Monkton, well remembers his noticing some tulips growing, in front of a farm house, where they went after sermon, and pointing out the superiority of one sort above the other in the same plot of ground.-No wonder that men of taste and genius, like Jones, are fond of such subjects. Flowers are endued with enchanting graces, for the pleasure and edification of man. What ideas of divine things arise by