his opponents were reconciled, and he ever after lived with them in great harmony and friendship. He, who is the source of wisdom, and the giver of every good and perfect gift, had blessed him with a strong and vigorous mind, and an inclination to devote himself to those studies, which pertained to his profession. A close application to study, and habitual diligence in the duties of his calling, were prominent traits in his character. He was a scribe well instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, and was a workman who needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The Old Divines, next to the Bible, were his chosen companions. Regardless of the lighter ornaments of dress, he sought the truth, and these Divines greatly assisted him in his pursuit.

Mr. Gilman stood high in the estimation of discerning minds, who knew how to appreciate merit. In ecclesiastical councils his judgment was much sought and highly valued. In the Association of which he was a member, he was much esteem. ed, and was for many years their Moderator. When Bowdoin College was incorporated, he was named in the act, as one of the Trustees, and presided at that Board till his age and infirmities induced him to resign. As an other proof of his worth, he was clected the first President of the Maine Missionary Society, which office he held at his death. In his religious sentiments, he was strictly Calvinistic and Evangelical.

The Deity and atonement of Christ, he considered the foundation, and corner stone of the gospel building. In his preaching, he dwelt much upon the

doctrines of total depravity, particular and eternal election, regeneration by the special influences of the Holy Spirit, jus. tification by the righteousness of Christ, and the perseverance of the saints. He adopted the determination of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, to know nothing among his people, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. His doctrines were sound, and his manner grave and serious. Conscious that he was sent to negociate between God and men, when speaking of the awful ❝ concerns of judgment and mercy" he was studious to avoid "lightness in his speech." "He was serious in a serious cause." Without attempting to provoke a smile, by the prettiness of expression and the brilliancy of wit, he was anxious to feed his flock with the bread of life. It was an important object in his preaching, to shew the connexion of gospel doctrines, and their tendency, when cordially received, to lead to a holy and blameless life. While he was a son of thunder to the careless and impenitent, he was the

messenger of grace" to those who felt their need of mercy. It was his delightful employment, to lead the trembling and inquiring sinner, to that gracious Redeemer, who has said, "Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out. In his preaching he aimed more to enlighten the understanding and mend the heart, than to please the fancy, and gain the applause of his hearers. His sermons were filled with sound sense, and real instruction; and to the pious they were highly delightful and edifying. His usefulness as a minis

ter of Christ was not confined to the sacred desk. The spirit of that gospel, which he publicly preached, followed him into private life, and had a commanding influence in every situation. He was truly an example to his flock in conversation, as well as in doctrine. In the house of affliction and mourning, he was a welcome guest; and it was his object in such seasons, to awaken the minds of the careless, and to sooth the pious with the consolations of religion. As a husband, parent, neighbor, and friend, Mr. Gilman deserves the highest commendation. Affectionate, tender, and faithful, he acquitted himself in those relations as a christian of superior attainments. His mansion was the residence of love, and the most endearing sensibilities. He undoubtedly had his imperfections, as do all good men ; but by divine grace he was enabled to keep a conscience void of of fence towards God and towards men. To his friends, and espe cially christian ministers, his house was the abode of hospitality. To the poor and needy his liberal hand was extended for their relief. His kindness and benevolence were manifested, not only, in acts of charity to their bodies, but in recom. mending religion to them, by precept and example, as the one thing needful. To strangers his first appearance indicated reserv. edness; but acquaintance cón. vinced them that he was an open and agreeable companion. On subjects of science and politics, he could converse with the great. est propriety; but religion was his chosen and most constant theme. In this he shone as the

man of piety, and the christian minister.

In the affairs of the present life, Mr. Gilman interested him. self but little. He gave himself wholly to the work of the ministry, and his profiting, in read. ing, meditation, and prayer, was very apparent. The riches and splendor of the world, with him found but feeble attractions. He was blessed with one of the best of wives, whose prudence, economy, and gracious endowments, rendered her a help mete for him. She was a woman of superior attainments, who was admirably calculated to conciliate the love and esteem of all her acquaint ance. She was that virtuous woman whose price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusted in her. Her children arise up, and call her blessed. Well knowing that the reputation, and usefulness of her husband, depended very much upon his freedom from worldly cares, she willingly took upon herself the burden of domestic duties. In his union with such virtue and accomplishments, Mr. Gilman's cup of family blessings seemed to be full. But in the height of the greatest conjugal felicity, it pleased a holy and sovereign God to remove the desire of his eyes by a stroke. Soon after the birth of her youngest child, she was, it is believed, associated with the spirits of just men made perfect. In this season of deep affliction, Mr. Gil. man manifested the faith and resignation of a saint. At the tomb of his departed friend, he spoke with that calmness and composure, which indicated a mind remarkably resigned to the dispensations of heaven. This

lived worthless and useless, and blazed out his youth and his health in lavish voluptuousness; till, at the age of one and thirty, he had nearly exhausted the fund of life, and had reduced himself to a state of weakness and decay.

At this time he was led to an acquaintance with Dr. Burnet, to whom he laid open with great freedom the tenor of his opinions, and the course of his life, and from whom he received such conviction of the reasonableness of moral duty, and the truth of Christianity, as, by the Divine blessing, produced a total change both of his manners and opinions. Some philosophers of the present age will probably suppose, that his contrition and conviction were purely the effects of weak. ness and low spirits, which scarcely suffer a man to continue in his senses, and certainly not to be master of himself; but Dr. Burnet affirms him to have been "under no such decay as either darkened or weakened his un

derstanding; nor troubled with the spleen or vapours, or under the power of melancholy." In proof of this assertion, the following letter is produced; in which nothing is omitted but some personal compliments to the doctor.

long loved, and how much I glory in repentance, and in God's service. Bestow your prayers upon me, that God would spare me, if it be his good will, to show a true repentance and amendment of life for the time to come; or else, if the Lord please soon to put an end to my world. ly being, that he would merci. fully accept of my death-bed repentance, and perform that promise he has been pleased to make, that at what time soever a sinner doth repent, he would receive him. Put up these prayers, most dear doctor, to almighty God, for your most obedient, languishing servant.

“Rochester.”

June 25, 1680.

Soon after the receipt of this letter, Dr. Burnet visited him. Lord Rochester expressed to him, in strong terms, the sense he had of his past life; his sad apprehension for having so offended his Maker and dishonored his Redeemer; the horrors he had gone through; the sincerity of his epentance, and the earnestness with which his mind was turned to call on God and on his cruci. fied Savior, to have mercy upon him.

shire.

"My most honored Dr. Burnet, "My spirits and body decay equally together; but weak as I am in person, I shall write you a letter. If God be yet pleased to spare me longer in this world, I hope, by your conversation, to be exalted to such a degree of piety, that the world may see how much I abhor what I so

for his manifold transgressions, he exclaimed, "O blessed God! can such a horrid creature as I am, who have denied thy being, and contemned thy power, be accepted by thee?-Can there be mercy and pardon for me? Will God own such a wretch as I am?" About the middle of his sickness, he said; "Shall the unspeakable joys of heaven be conferred on me? O mighty Savior! nev

er, but through thy infinite love and satisfaction! O never, but by the purchase of thy blood!"

From the first of his yielding assent to the truths of the Christian religion, his faith seemed sincere and fervent. He highly reprobated "that foolish and ab. surd philosophy, propagated by the late Hobbes and others, which the world so much admired, and which had undone him, and many persons of the best parts in the nation." His hope of salvation rested solely on the free grace of God, through Jesus Christ. He often prayed that his faith might be strengthened, and cried out; "Lord, I believe, help thon mine unbelief."

He expressed great esteem for the Holy Scriptures, and resolved that if God should spare him, he would frequently read them, and meditate upon them: "for, having spoken to his heart, he acknowledged that all the seeming absurdities and contradictions, which men of corrupt and reprobate judgment supposed to be in them, were vanished; and now that he loved and received the truth, their beauty and excellence appeared."

He frequently implored God's Holy Spirit, to comfort and support him, to preserve him from wicked thoughts and suggestions, and from every thing prejudicial to that religious temper of mind with which he was now so happily endued. One night having been much disturbed by evil im. aginations, "I thank God," said he, "I abhor them all. By the power of his grace, which I am sure is sufficient for me, I have overcome them. It is the malice of the devil, because I am rescued from him, that thus troubles me;

but the goodness of God frees me from all my spiritual enemies."

He often called for his chil. dren, and spoke to them with a warmth of feeling that can scarce. ly be described. "See," said he to Dr. Burnet, "how good God has been to me, in giving me so many blessings! and yet I have been a most ungracions and unthankful creature!" He expressed much concern for the pious education of his children; and "wished his son might nev. er be a wit; one of those wretched creatures," as he explained it, "who pride themselves in denying the being or the providence of God, and in ridiculing religion; but that he might become an honest and a pious man, by which means only he could be the support and blessing of his family."

He gave a strict charge to the persons in whose custody his papers were, to burn all his obscene and filthy pictures, which were so notoriously scandalous; and all his profane and lewd writings, by which he had so highly offended, and shamed, and blasphemed that holy religion into which he had been baptized.

He was ready to make restitution to the utmost of his power, to all persons whom he had in. jured; and heartily forgave all wrongs which he had sustain. ed, hoping that he should meet with the like free forgiveness from God.

the

He expressed a tender concern for his servants, and those who attended him; and earnestly exhorted them to love and fear God. To a gentleman of some character who came to see him on his death-bed, he said; "O remem.