joice. And the fame Charity often engag'd him, in Compofing Quarrels and Difputes, among Relations and Friends. Most who knew, him,defir'd his Affiftance in those Cases, often leaving their differences to his Determination alone: The most oppofite Interests and Tempers, agreeing in this, that there cou'd be no partial proceedings where he was Concern'd.

His Management of the Duty of Reproof, His manage is another Inftance of his Charity to Mens ment of the Souls. He hardly ever omitted to Reprove, Duty of Re- where he faw it neceflary; which fhews, proof.

confidering how hard a Duty Reproof is efpecially to one of his great Modefty, that a Zeal for God, had gain'd the entire Afcendant of his Soul; and Conquer'd, even his Natural Temper. But as he feldom neglected to Reprove, when 'twas fit for him to do it; fo he had a peculiar Happiness in the Way and Manner of Reproving: He did it in fuch a Prudent Obliging Way, as to gain more Friends by his Reproofs, than many do by their Flatteries: His Rebukes were always deliver'd with that Addrefs and Concern that Force of Argument, and Perfuafive Eloquence; as he feldom fail'd of making the Man his Convert, but was fure of his Friendship and Esteem. And I have been aflur'd by his Friends, particularly a Great Man, who had a long and intimate Acquaintance with him; that they have wondred to fee Paffionate and Proud Men, endure fuch home and cutting Reproaches;

deliver'd

deliver'd with fuch Plainnefs from Him without the least Return of Refentment: And that his Method of Reproving, was fo Particular and Uncommon, that 'tis impoffible for any, who did not fee it often, and the strange Effects it produced, to have any juft Notion of it. Such force there is in Prudent and well manag'd Zeal; fo different, both in Value and Success, from the infolent Reproofs of the Violent and Haughty; which only Expofe fuch foolish Reformers, and Harden Sinners in their Crimes.

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But His Charity was not fo entirely con- His Charity fin'd to Mens Souls, as to neglect their Bo to the Poor. dies; great was his Concern for both: And by his Bounty to the One, he often made way for Success, to his Charitable Endeavours on the Other. By the exacteft Computation his most intimate Friends, who were best acquainted both with his Fortune and Charity, cou'd make; he gave away the Eighth part of his Yearly Income to the Poor. And fome Years when Objects were numerous, he fav'd nothing at all. His Private Papers fufficiently fhew, what a Chriftian Feeling he had, of the Sufferings and Neceffities of the Poor; and there are feveral Meditations in them, to move us to Compaffionate and Relieve them. And in one Place he Prays for Charity in this manner, Give me Faith, that will make me dare to be Charitable, without Fear of Wanting my Self, by what I Lend, or Give away; that will make me freely commit all

my Worldly Concerns to God, and trust him with my Fortune, my Reputation, and Life it felf: That fo I may fee my felf, His Care; and under the Conduct of His Providence, Ordering and Over ruling, my whole Life, and every CircumStance of it.

He never heard of any in Want, but he generously Reliev'd em; and frequently defir'd his Friends, to find out for him, poor House-keepers, and fuch as were afham'd to Beg; for fuch he Efteem'd the fittest Objects of his Charity. And to feveral, he gave yearly Penfions; that they might not only be comforted with prefent Relief, but the Profpect of future Supply: And left Inftructions in his Will, for the Continuance of thofe Penfions; and order'à a confiderable Sum of Money, to be laid out in Charity for ever.

Nay his Bounty to the Poor was fo great and built on fuch right Principles that neither his being of a fickly Conftitution,andconfequently needing more to fupport him than if he had been healthy, nor yet the Apprehensions of lofing his Employment in the late King James's Reign were the least Retraints upon his Charity, as may appear by the following Meditation written in the Year 1688 and during a Fit of Sickness.

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My God I am unworthy of the leaft of all thy Mercies much more of these comfortable. Conveniences which thy Fatherly Tenderness provides for my Repofe, while thou thinkeft fit to lay thy hand upon

me.

me. How doft thou afflict us in measure? fhall then the confideration of my ficklinefs that I cannot fhift fo well nor live on fo little as I might do, if I were well, dif courage me from imparting of what I now have, to thofe that need it (tho' I have 'reafon to fear the lofs of all I have) when 'I fee how tender thy goodness and care is ' in providing for nie according to the con'dition thou putteft me in, and that thou 'doft not lay on us many troubles, nor at any time more than we are able to bear? It fhall not hinder me, O Lord, by the 'Aid of thy Grace, but as I have freely receiv'd, fo will I freely give, and do thou deal with me as feemeth good to Thee. 'Amen.

But to Great, fo Generous was Mr. Bon- His Charity nell's Charity, as to extend, even to Injuries to Enemies. and Enemies; infomuch, that, I believe, few, ever more fully obey'd the Command, or imitated the Example of our Lord, in loving his Enemies, and praying for his Persecutors. When he heard that any had spoken Reflectingly of him, he was hardly ever known to Refent it. And tho' humane Nature is hardly ever more Provok'd, than by Injurious or Reproachful Words; yet fo much had Grace with him, got the Mastery of Nature, that the ufe he made of Slanders and Reflections, was, to Examine himself, If he had never been guilty of Detraction towards others; or at least heard them Cenfur'd, without Striving to Justifie them: If he had, then he

bop'd

hop'd, what he then Suffer'd, was all the Punishment God defign'd him for it; if so, he chearfully embrac'd it.

And when immediately after the late Revolution, an attempt was made to Deprive him of his Employment; a Gentleman having made great Intereft for it; aud when things were brought to that pass, that both He and his Friends look'd upon the Employment as loft: Yet he was rarely known to speak an angry Word against his Supplanter. And when others, who were concern'd for Mr. Bonnell, wou'd Exprefs themselves with fome heat against that Gentleman; he commonly pleaded for him, and faid every thing that cou'd be offer'd in his Favour. Thote Designs indeed Miscarry'd, but Mr. Bonnell's Charity was ftill the fame. And how little fuch an Attempt difcompos'd him, the following Meditation, Compos'd upon that particular occafion will fhew.

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O my God, I have often folemnly offer'd up to Thee my Place; Thou now takest me at my Word: Ought I not to Rejoice and be fatisfi'd, that thou accepteft of any thing from me? For me now to be any way Troubl'd or Repine at it, wou'd be a Childish Act between Man and Man; much more, Sinful, between a Creature and its God. I Bless Thee for that entire Readinefs, which Thou haft haft put into me, 'heretofore to offer it up to Thee: For this gives me now the greatest Comfort, in thy taking it from me.

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