and the toil which he endured in this very extraordinay service, we may conceive, in some measure, from a very affecting treatise written by himself, and entitled, " God's Terrible Voice in the City, by Plague and Fire +." The younger brother was Nathaniel Vincent, whose memorial, as recorded by Calamy, exhibits astonishing instances of zeal and courage, amidst the most cruel persecutions for righteousness sake. His daughter married a Mr. Ford, a very respectable merchant in London, by whom she had two sons, John and William Ford. The former of these preached to a very crowded congregation at Sudbury, in Suffolk, with great acceptance and usefulness. The other son, William, the father of the late Dr. Ford, was a respectable dissenting minister at Castle-Heddingham, in Essex; where he continued in the pastoral office As this book is exceedingly scarce, we shall gratify our readers by extracting the account which the author gives of the progress of the plague, omitting the interspersed reflections, which are very affecting, but too long for insertion: "It was in the year of our Lord 1665, that the plague began in our city of London, after we had been warned by the great plague in Holland in the year 1664, and by the beginning of it in some remote parts of our own land in the same year. "In the beginning of May, the bill of mortality tells us of nine who fell by the plague, just in the heart of the city, and of other eight in the sub. urbs; the next week's bill signifies a decrease from nine to three; but in the next, the number of dead by the plague, amounted from three to fourteen; in the next, to seventeen; and, in the next, to forty-three. In June, the number increases from forty-three to 112; the next week, to 168; the next, to 267; the next, to 470. "In July, the plague increaseth and prevaileth exceedingly. The number of 470, who died in one week, by the disease, riseth to 725; the next week, to 1089; the next, to 1843; and the next, to 2010. In August, how dreadful the increase! From 2010, the number amounts to 2817, in one week; and thence to 3880, the next; thence to 4237, the next; thence to 6102, the next; and all of these of the plague, besides other diseases. "In September, when we hoped for a decrease, because of the season, because of the number gone, and the number already dead, yet it was not come to its height; but from 6102, who died by the plague in the last week of August, the number is augmented to 6988, the first week in September; and, when we conceived some little hopes in the next week's abatement to 6544, our hopes were quite dashed again when, in the next week, the number of the dead rose to 7165, which was the highest bill: and a dreadful bill it was! From 7165, who died of the plague in one week, there is a decrease to 558 in the next, which was the latter end of September; the next week, a further decrease to 4929; the next, to 4327; the next, to 2665; the next, to 1421; the next, to 1031: then there was an increase, in he first week of November, to 1414; but it fell, the week after, to 1050; and the week after, to 652; and the week after that, to 333; and so lessened more and more to the end of the year, when we had a bill of 97356, who died of all diseases; which was an increase of more than 79000 than what it was the year before; and the number of them who died of the plague, was reckoned to be 68596 in this year; but the bill speaks only of six who died of this malady the year before." MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. J. FORD, M. D. for upwards of forty years; during the whole of which time, we are informed, he never preached twice from the same text. This venerable man had three sons, William, John, and Webb. The first was a well-known respectable minister of the congregation assembling in Miles's Lane, London. The second son, John, the subject of this memoir, we learn nothing respecting his childhood, except that he was distinguished by the sprightliness of his disposition. Very early in life, he became an apprentice to a surgeon at Ipswich, where he experienced his first serious impressions: these were occasioned by a letter which he received from his father. He was at this time about sixteen years of age. The family with whom he resided had embraced the Arian sentiments. Roused to an earnest concern for his soul, he soon found that these doctrines could afford him no solid ground of hope; he, therefore, expressed his disapprobation, and deserted the meeting. In this state of spiritual distress, he was much edified by a good old book, "Gurnall's Christian Armour," which, very providentially for him, lay in the shop to be used as waste paper. A particular friend, who had shewn him much respect, found him one day poring over this ragged volume; and, ob serving what it was, he exclaimed, I hope, John, you do not read such books as these.' "Yes, indeed, I do," replied the From this period, youth; "and I find them very profitable." during his continuance at Ipswich, his leisure hours were generally spent in a turret at the top of the house. In this retire ment he pursued his medical studies, and also enjoyed much intimate communion with God in reading the Scriptures, and in prayer; always rising for this purpose very early in the morn ing. When his apprenticeship had expired, he went to London for the advantage of attending the hospitals. Though young, he had formed his plan of conduct, resolving to be diligent in business, and, at the same time, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord: and to this plan, through grace, he invariably adhered. Such was his known fidelity and attention to the duties of his situation, that often the whole practice of the hospital devolved upon him; yet, even on these occasions, he reserved a suitable portion of time for religious exercises. On his arrival in London, he at first attended his brother's ministry. Soon after, he became an occasional hearer at the Tabernacle; and, in a little while, settled at Jewin Street Meeting, with the late Mr. Hart; under whose ministry he was confirmed in the great and distinguishing doctrines of the gospel; and became, ever after, remarkably clear in his views of divine truth. To the glory of divine grace in him, it ought to be remarked, that when he had entered into business, he never sought, nor attempted to retain his practice, by the usual mode of receiving 3Y2 and paying ceremonious visits: a mode which is generally sup posed to be essentially necessary, in his line of business, to ensure success. He objected to this from conscientious motives; and he steadily resisted the most earnest solicitations to adopt the prevailing custom. His general answer to invitations of this kind, was, "I never go out to dinner, for my soul's sake; por to supper, for my body's sake." Ilis advice to a very respectable gentleman, who was then just entering on the busines of life, expresses the maxim on which he himself acted, and deserves the attention of heads of families in general. "Make it a point," said he, "never to ask company to supper; it will interrupt the course of family worship, and unfit you for communion with God.” His close attention to the house and ordinances of God, even in the very zenith of his practice, was truly admirable. At his stated place of worship, he attended regularly three times on the Sabbath; and was scarcely ever absent from the Tabernacle on the Wednesday evenings; or from the sermons of the late Rev. W. Romaine, at Blackfriars, on the Tuesday mornings; and at St. Dunstan's on the Thursday evenings. This has been remarked with astonishment by those who were acquainted with his numerous engagements; and it shews what persons might do, if they had but a proper degree of spiritual-mindedness, and were determined to act by a well arranged plan. It has been often and justly lamented that the religion of too many professors, and especially in the metropolis, and other large and populous towns, consists principally in removing from one public ordinance to another. This complaint did not apply to Dr. Ford. Whilst he was thus diligently attentive to the public incans of grace, they who had the privilege of being intimately acquainted with him, bear witness that he enjoyed, and that he manifested the life and power of godliness in a very eminent degree. He always reserved a regular portion of time for private devotion; his conversation was remarkably spiritual; he could not, or rather would not, speak with his friends on any but religious subjects, except particular circumstances required attention; and, even then, he dismissed every other topic as soon as possible. Though he attended so closely to the exercises of religion, and withdrew so completely from the fashionable world, he attained to the highest pitch of eminence in his profession; and his practice yielded an income of at least 30001, per annum. Too often, when riches increase, the hearts of the owners become inordinately set upon them: their covetous desires are evalently insatiable. Bat, from the prospect of amassing a greater store of worldly wealth, our friend retired carlier in life than usual, in order that he might enjoy the greater leisure for attending to things of eternal moment. : Freed from the cares of business, he devoted his attention MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. J. FORD, M. D. more than ever to the sacred Scriptures. Longing to read them By providential circumstances, he was led to offer his ministerial services in the late Countess of Huntingdon's connection. They were gladly accepted: and, in several of the places which he occasionally visited, his labours were very acceptable and useful. At the death of one of her Ladyship's devisees, Dr. Ford was appointed to succeed him in office; and, when Lady Ann Agnes Erskine was called to her heavenly rest, he was chosen to the active management of the connection: a trust which he discharged, though but for a short time, with eminent fidelity and prudence. Were we to particularize the graces peculiarly prominent in the character of Dr. Ford, we should mention his meekness, humility, and Christian affection. These endeared him to all who knew him they cast a lustre on all his other excellencies. Instead of employing the pen of the biographer to describe his holy walk with God, we shall better accomplish this design by presenting our readers with a few extracts from letters, addressed to his most intimate friend. These exhibit his rcal character; they are a kind of living portrait; express both his religious sentiments, and also the influence which those sentiments had on his mind. - they In a letter, dated August 1774, he thus writes: "I love to see you reconciled to the cross. There certainly is less danger from it, than from the caresses of friends, or the smiles of Providence. Your kind and loving Saviour will take care that the former shall be a balance to the latter. I do not wonder that the affairs you are settling go on well, for it is said, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths." This is the good old way: may we always walk therein! "Yesterday my dear wife and I revived the custom of spending a little time together at noon, in reading and prayer; at which time we did not forget our dear children. When I have opportunity, and grace to improve it, I find this season a great help to my soul. I hope for a gracious revival. How much do I live beneath my privileges! I want to make religion the main business of my life, and to regard every thing else in subservience to it." In another letter, dated December 1785, he remarks, "Your observation respecting the industrious poor, who would be glad to work, but are destitute of employment, ought to excite thankfulness and gratitude in our hearts; and the abundance which the Lord has given us, ought to open our hearts to their necessities, and make us moderate in the pursuit and enjoyment of temporal blessings. In my estimation, the principal advantage of a competency, or what is called Easy Circumstances, is, to have the mind freed from anxious care, and the body less subject to constant employment and fatigue, that we may have more time for communion with God, and for promoting the Redeemer's kingdom; yet, I am persuaded, that, unless a larger measure of grace be given to improve these opportunities, they will prove a curse, instead of a blessing. This point was so fastened on my mind, after I had quitted business, that it was my constant prayer for more grace, for a double portion of the Spirit, - for peculiar direction from God; — and the Lord has given me such power to wrestle with him in secret, that I firmly believe he will not fail to do that which he has spoken to me of. I think I see the way opening, the cloud moving; and am satisfied that Providence is confirming the promises, which, I believe, the Lord himself hath made, and often renewed for the establishing of my faith. It is my heart's desire and prayer to God, that you may be under the increasing influence of the Holy Spirit; that business may be only a secondary object; -that it may always give way to religion; - that it may never prevent sufficient time for public ordinances, secret retirement, family worship, and the very important charge of bringing up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - Just recovering from a dangerous stroke, he writes, in a letter from Tunbridge-Wells, dated August 1795, as follows: “I have, for the present, laid aside both study and preaching; and I have avoided writing letters as much as possible, because whenever I wrote, I found it hurtful to me. I am, through the Lord's goodness, gaining bodily strength; but I cannot yet read my delightful book, the Bible, for any length of time, without my head being affected; nor can I exert myself in conversation without being the worse for it. These are no small trials to an active mind; but my God, who hath heretofore called me out to active service, now says, "Be still:" and he makes me like a weaned child! He doth not call me to much suffering; but if he did, his grace is sufficient for me. The world would have a very different idea of the religion of Jesus, if they only knew what it hath done, and what it now doth for my soul. It gives me much pleasure to hear of the promising appeas |