a regard to confcience, ready to facrifice every inferior intereft, and to hazard the efteem and affection of the fociety with which he was connected; and a chriftian church fo far advanced in the genuine fpirit of religion as properly to diftinguifh between the means and the end, to allow that liberty which they claimed for themfelves, and under the influence of candour, moderation and charity" to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." It is greatly to the honour of his copaftor Mr. Motterfhead that a difference of religious fentiments produced no contention nor animofity between them, but that they continued to love and respect the virtues of each other's character, cordially uniting in the edification of the church committed to their care, and by their prudence and fidelity contributing not only to its outward profperity, but to the peaceable and liberal spirit by which it has been fo eminently distinguished.

A worthy Gentleman once requested Mr. Motterfhead to remonstrate with Mr. Seddon as to the propriety of laying fo great a stress on fpeculative fentiments, and the probability of hereby doing more harm than good. Mr. Seddon entered into a close but friendly conference with Mr. Motterfhead, who returned with the frank and ingenuous acknowledgment, that his fon-in-law had not only convinced him that it was his duty to speak openly upon thefe fubjects, but that the doctrine he preached was the truth itself. For a while Mr. Motter fhead remained a convert to the arguments of Mr. Seddon, but afterwards reverted to his former opinions.

We are not however to wonder that fome perfons fhould view with horror a system of belief which fo widely differed from their own, nor that they fhould transfer their dif like of the doctrines to the person who became their advocate. The ignorant and

illiberal

H

illiberal were ready to connect infincerity and moral depravity, with the tenets which he efpoused, and to deny the poffibility of falvation to those by whom they were embraced. When the hour of death approached, fome narrow minded zealots took an opportunity of being introduced to him, with the expectation that he would fink in the time of trial, and retract his former opinions. Perceiving the drift of their inquiries, he fmiled with conscious fuperiority, declared that the doctrines he had preached appeared to him with undiminished evidence, and afferted that he derived the most powerful confolation from having given them his public fupport.

In the concluding scene of life, he exhibited the faith, the patience, and the hope of a chriftian. The ferenity of his last moments correfponded with his character for piety and integrity; and he finished his

courfe

course on November 22, 1769, in the fiftythird or fifty-fourth year of his age.

Concerning the truth and importance of the doctrines for which he fo earnestly contended, christians are very far from being agreed. Speculative errors are however of little moment compared with practical defects. It is the duty of every difciple of Jefus to fearch the fcriptures with diligence and impartiality, and to adhere to the conviction of his own mind. It is equally incumbent on him to allow to others the right of private judgment, and free inquiry in matters of religion, But however chriftians may differ as to the refult of their researches respecting the person of our Saviour, they cannot eafily mistake his character and office, the relation in which they stand to him, and the duties which they owe him. Their primary concern is to follow his example, to fubmit to his authority and to practise his commands,

commands.

"He that doeth these things

shall never be moved.”

The public papers announced his death, with the following honourable teftimonies to his character.

"On Wednesday died, after a long courfe "of illness, which he bore with uncommon

greatnefs and fortitude of mind, the Rev. "Mr. John Seddon, who had been minifter "of a fociety of Proteftant Diffenters in this "town [Manchefter] near thirty years. His "behaviour in all the relations of life was "exemplary and truly chriftian. As a mi

nifter he was very great, for he fhunned

"not to declare unto his people the whole counfel of God. He walked not in craftiness, "nor handled the word of God deceitfully, but by manifeftation of the truth com"mended himself to every man's confcience "in the fight of God.

"The