Earl of Surrey's children, then under her care. Mr. Isaac Ambrose, a worthy man, whose labours made him acceptable to his generation, in his epistle to the Earl of Bedford, prefixed to his work, entitled "Last things," gives an interesting statement of his own case. His words are these: "For my own part, however the Lord has seen cause to give me but a poor pittance of outward things, for which I bless his name: yet in the income thereof, I have many times observed so much of his peculiar providence, that thereby they have been very much sweetened, and my heart hath been raised to admire his grace. When of late under a hard dispensation, which I judge not meet to mention, wherein I suffered conscientiously, all streams of wonted supplies being stopped, the waters of relief for myself and family did seem low. I went to bed with some doubtings of the fountain's letting out itself for our refreshing; but ere I awoke in the morning a letter was brought to my bed-side, which was signed by a choice friend, Mr. Anthony Ash, which reported to me some unexpected outbreakings of God's goodness for my comfort."

The following examples will also shew how providence interposes for the safety and protection of God's people, when they are placed in circumstances of extreme danger, and some

times when they are quite unaware of the aid afforded them.

Maree, a Polynesian, was possessed of a surprising memory, a quick perception, and a good understanding, with a sound and penetrating judgment; while, to crown all, he was a man of genuine piety and ardent zeal in the Saviour's cause. He was one of the first who publicly embraced christianity among the South Sea Islanders, and, before it became general, his life was often in jeopardy, through the progression of it. More than one attempt was made, by a number of wicked men to shoot him and a little praying company who used to meet with him to worship the true God. On one occasion, these men having found him and his little party at prayer in a place appropriated for that purpose, levelled their muskets at them, with a view to execute their cruel design, when, as though withheld by an unseen hand, their attention was arrested by the prayers which were offered up by the intended victims of their fury. The effect was instantaneous and powerful. Abandoning their murderous purpose, they went into the place, sat down with Maree and his company, confessed what their intention had been, and told them not to be afraid, as they should not molest them any more; and this promise they kept.

The Rev. Rowland Hill had great reason to rejoice in the consistent lives, and zealous devotion to God, of many of his people at Wotton under Edge. There was amongst them a person of the name of Rugg, of a piety so deep, and of a life so useful and unblemished, that even his enemies admired and were awed by his character. Mr. Hill's gardener at Wotton, who had always passed for an honest, quiet sort of man, was at length discovered to have been the perpetrator of several burglaries, and other daring robberies in the neighbourhood, though he had, till caught in the fact, never been even suspected. He was tried at Gloucester, condemned, and executed. It need scarcely be said that his master visited him in gaol. During his interview with him there, he confessed the many crimes of which he had been guilty. "How was it William," he inquired, "that you never robbed me, when you had such abundant opportunity ?" "Sir," replied he, "do you recollect the juniper bush on the border against the dining room? I have many times hid under it at night, intending, which I could easily have done, to get into the house, and plunder it; but, sir, I was afraid; something said to me, He is a man of God; it is a house of prayer; if I break in I shall surely be found out; so I never could pluck up courage to attempt it."

In another conversation he told him, "Sir, I well knew that old Mr. Rigg was in the habit of carrying a deal of money in his pocket; times and times have I hid behind the hedge of the lane leading to his house; he has passed within a yard of me when going home from the prayer meeting, again and again; I could not stir; I dare not touch so holy a man; I was afraid; I always began to tremble as soon as he came near me, I gave up the thought altogether, for I knew he was a holy man."

CHAPTER XIV.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.

Hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments :
For this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment,
With every secret thing, whether good or evil.
SOLOMON.

In the preceding chapters we have endeavoured to present the subject of providence in various aspects, and to illustrate the agency of God in controlling and regulating the affairs of the world; displaying his wisdom and goodness in the arrangements which he has made, and the equity, mystery, and uncontrollableness of his proceedings. We shall now offer a few remarks in review of the whole. If the statements made respecting the providence of God, are founded