and domestics, as well as when engaged in his high and public offices. There was not the least tincture of insincerity in any of his intercourse or proceedings.—He was a great observer of God's providential care over him, to whom he always gave the praise.*-These particulars, among others, contributed greatly to make him a very useful, popular, and important character in the principality.

Thus we have dwelt in three chapters on Jones's ministerial qualifications as uncommon, especially his genius and taste; his feelings, passions, and captivating manner; also the humbler qualifications,-humility, meekness, and love. Yet though he was such a great minister, he never thought much of himself. Christ was his all and in all. It might be said of him as of some minister that was recommended for a living to Archbishop Cranmer, on the account of his love to Christ, "that he preached nothing,-conversed about nothing,-thought of nothing,-dreamed of nothing, but Christ!"

* A striking instance of the Lord's superintending care over his servant, shall be noticed here. The subject of Jones's sermon one Sunday evening in London, was on God's particular providence. In order to prove his point, he referred to Peter casting a book into the sea, at his Master's command, for a fish-to have money to pay tribute. The effect on the mind of some female was remarkable. A man called the following morning at his lodgings with a hamper containing a fish, accompanied with a note from a lady, to request bis acceptance of the same, and a £10 note enclosed therein. Jones saw and acknowledged the hand of his heavenly Father in this remarkable gift.

CHAP. XII.

The success of Jones's ministry in different places, ways, and manner,-letters thereon.

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JONES's labours in the ministry were crowned with success. This is very evident from the foregoing statement: and it will be confirmed by what shall be noticed hereafter. It is a cause of unspeakable thankfulness, when the Lord condescends to bless the endeavours of his humble servants, engaged in his vineyard. For endowments of the most extraordinary nature and of the rarest kind are, after all, of no real use, except the Almighty is pleased to own and to prosper them for the salvation of sinners. Of this we should be most deeply sensible, that we may not rush into his presence and work in a thoughtless, careless man"Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but it is God that giveth the increase." It should also teach us to wait on Him, in the most humble and earnest manner, for the aid and influence of his Spirit. It is very certain that men of the greatest parts and mest splendid talents in the ministry, have not been noticed by him: and no wonder, if they put any confidence in an arm of flesh. We have, on the other hand, seen ministers, though of humbler abilities, yet relying entirely on the divine blessing, labouring with success in the work of the Lord. This business is far above the reach of any human being to perform effectually in his own strength. Ministers of the most gigantic understandings, of the most exquisitely tender feelings, and of the most retentive memories, cannot change the heart! Yea, though they have also most melodious and commanding voices, the most pleasing appearance, and most becoming and graceful actions and gestures, yet they are utterly unable

to bring one soul to God: a stronger than they all, keeps safely his possession of the heart; he laughs at all their attempts; and the old man under his controul, breaks their bands like threads, and with greater ease than Samson the withes of the Philistines. Yea, a minister may, in addition to all these most excellent qualifications, possess very solid and deep piety, and yet fail in success and usefulness in the ministry; for the work of the Lord does not actually depend upon any or all of these very important excellencies. It is the Lord alone that can ensure prosperity. It is true that it is his ordinary manner to qualify instruments and then employ them. The work is his altogether, from the beginning to the end. This should be most deeply impressed on our minds, that we may know who deserves the glory. His Spirit owns and blesses the word preached, making it like a hammer, to break the heart, though it be as hard as stone. He dwells in all christians, but more especially in his ministers, directing their minds to proper subjects, and engaging and influencing their hearts in the great work of the ministry. "No tones, looks, nor tears, can demonstrate the presence of the Spirit in a sermon, if the preacher has not been in the Spirit' before coming to the pulpit. Never does a minister dupe himself, or endanger others, more than when he imagines that the Spirit will give power to the gospel amongst his people, whilst it has not power upon himself." What a blessing it is, for a preacher to live, move, and have his being, in the warm element of love, and intercourse with heaven; and then when he preaches, it will be in the demonstration and power of the Spirit, as well as dependance on him.Then the Spirit makes the gospel rebound from his heart to theirs, melts them by the warmth of love, and wins them by the exhibition of the glories of salvation, in his animated and experimental preaching. He is himself absorbed and swallowed up with the grandeur of such subjects.

This was very much the case with Jones, as has been already noticed in the history of his life. Even before he came to Langan, he was not unacquainted with the convincing and converting influences of the Spirit on his own soul, and thus on his ministry also. But the effect was most evident and wonderful on the hearts of his hearers at Langan.-How did Satan quail and tremble, even in his strongest abodes, when Jones approached, under the influ ences of the Spirit. They fell down, though fortified with revels and all manner of amusements. And what place among those numerous parishes, villages, and towns, does not bear testimony to the powerful effects of his preaching? Where is that place that the strong hold of sin and Satan did not fall down, as he blew the silver trumpet of the gospel? It is impossible to say how many hundreds, if not thousands, were converted and edified under his preaching. He went through the country, as the agent of the Holy Ghost, performing wonders. Such enlargement of heart and comfortable frame he always enjoyed, as enabled him to speak with great freedom and clearness; and the people were everywhere deeply affected, impressed, edified, and converted. What a moving captivating sight will present itself to him in the last day :-a large assembly of the redeemed, looking up to him as their father in God, and blessing His holy name for making him an instrument of such a signal, saving, and eternal blessing to their souls! Hundreds if not thousands may be seen even now around him in glory, that were once seals to his ministry. He might be greatly inspired with a hope of such a prospect, as he travelled through this weary land, in the arduous work. Lo now these hopes and expectations are amply and even abundantly verified and satisfied. What multitudes have gone home, and are going, from the various societies he established, nourished, and supported ;-from the monthly and quarterly meetings he disciplined and watered with the dew of heaven; and from the associations he

moved, melted, and renovated, by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost on the word! England too will not be backward to acknowledge Jones at the great day, as a star of no small magnitude. Many of the saints in London, Bristol, and elsewhere, when they arise that day, will look unto him with transports, as an instrument wonderfully blessed for their conversion and edification. Surely this is one that shall shine as the sun in the firmament, through whom the Sun of Righteousness did shine delightfully to many a heart in this world. Oh how greatly does God exalt a poor worm of the dust! No one sunk more into the dust, yea nothingness, than Jones; and no one will be more self-denying in that wonderful day, when the Lord will proclaim the services of his children, than this vessel of grace.

In reviewing Jones's extraordinary labours, we must be struck with his earnestness, constancy, and amazing success. No merchant could be more devoted to his merchandise, than Jones was to the work of the ministry, and the good of mankind. Like him, his heart and his head were always engaged. He watched and seized every opportunity for doing good; as the merchant does any advantageous turn in business. Such a person could not mind wind and weather more than Jones did proper seasons and calls for spiritual merchandize, and the salvation of souls. Nothing could divert him from this business: he was bent on the pursuit, and full of energy.-One fact, bearing very much on Jones's success in these extraordinary attempts, shall be mentioned here. Actuated by the same benevolent motives which often induced his divine Master to preach on the sea-shore, and other places out of doors, he was led on a particular occasion to preach on the sands near Fishgard, in Pembrokeshire. The object was to commemorate the deliverance afforded by the Lord to the inhabitants of the country, on the landing of a French force, in 1797, in the neighbourhood. The troops landed were of a desperate