Confent to republish it at the clofe of this Work, and I hope it will be efteemed an agreeable Part of it. Dr. Doddridge was rather above the middle Stature, extremely thin and flender; and there appeared a remarkable Sprightliness and Vivacity in his Countenance and Manner, when engaged in Conversation, as well as in the Pulpit, which commanded a general Attention. He left four Children; a Son, who is an Attorney at Law, and three Daughters; the eldest married to Mr. Humphreys, an Attorney in Tewksbury, Gloucestershire; the others fingle. And may they inherit all their Father's Virtues, and the many Bleffings which he befought for them! Thus have I endeavoured, in the beft Manner I was able, to give the Public an Account of those Circumftances in Dr. Doddridge's Life, Temper and Character, which appeared to me most important and inftructive. I have, in the Preface to this Work, anticipated fome Things, which might properly have been added as the Conclufion of the whole. I fhall therefore content myself with expreffing my chearful Hope, that my Readers are deeply fenfible how excellent and honourable fuch a Life, as the Doctor led, must be in itself; and what conftant Satisfaction and Pleasure he must have enjoyed, from fuch a Course of uniform, active Services for the Honour of his Lord and the Interest of Religion, and from the Success which attended them; especially from the Profpect of that glorious Reward, which was laid-up for him in Heaven: And I hope they will be excited and animated, by this Conviction, to emulate his Excellencies and follow his Steps, as far as their respective Abilities, Stations and Circumstances in Life will admit. I moft heartily wish them this Felicity: And I doubt not, but if they already poffefs it or are afpiring to it, they will join with me in intreating the Lord of the Harveft to fend forth more fuch faithful Labourers into his Harveft, and to pour out more of the fame Spirit on those who are already employed in it. It comforteth me, upon a Review of this Work, that I have, thro' the whole of it, fincerely confulted the Glory of GoD, the Advancement of real Religion, and the best Interests of my Fellow-christians, especially my Brethren in the Miniftry; and that it is the Happiness of great Wisdom and Goodness (I had almost said, it is a Part of its Reward) to be entertained and edified by the • Writings of thofe, who are much its Inferiors, and moft readily to exercife an Indulgence, which it• felf leaft needs.' THE EN D. 3 A POEM To the Memory of the late Reverend P. DODDRIDGE, D. D. L ONG have the Mufes feen their facred Lays The Friend of Man, the Fav'rite of the Skies, O would their raptur'd Sons exalt their Art, DODDRIDGE, thy Name should grace their nobleft Lays! And ev'ry Voice, and ev'ry Lyre, be thine. When Comets fhoot their wild eccentric Fire, Pour on the World a mild and healing Ray: Chear the fad Soul of Care, and beam around Delight. O Ever O Ever-honour'd, Ever-dear, Adieu! In all the Bitterness of Soul, could plead, Our Pray'rs, Bleft DODDRIDGE, had revers'd thy Doom, Shall guide with fkilful Care our wand'ring Youth; And ftrew with flow'ry Sweets her thorny Way? Angels that from their sphery Thrones defcend And And from their Stations look'd with Pleasure down Her Bays each Science scatters on thy Bier; Religion weeps; her Bofom fwell'd with Care She heard a darling Hufband's parting Groan; Wept round the Couch and kifs'd his dying Hand; No mournful Pupil pour'd the tender Tear; And by dividing mitigate her Grief: Her only Refuge plac'd in Heav'n and Prayer. Yet |