LIFE OF DR. WATTS.

he was seized by a dangerous illness, which sunk him to such weakness, that the congre­gation thought an assistant necessary, and ap­pointed Mr. Price. His health then returned gradually, and he performed his duty, till ( 1712) he was seized by a fever of such vio­lence and continuance, that, from the feeble­ness which it brought upon him he never per­fectly recovered.

This calamitous state made the compassion of his friends necessary, and drew upon him the attention of Sir Thomas Abney, who re­ceived him into his house; where, with a con­stancy of friendship and uniformity of conduct not often to be found, he was treated for thirty- six years with all the kindness that friendship could prompt, and all the attention that respect could dictate. Sir Thomas died about eight years afterwards; but he continued with the lady and her daughters to the end of his life. The lady died about a year after him.

A coalition like this, a state in which the notions of patronage and dependence were overpowered by the perception of reciprocal benefits, deserves a particular memorial; and I will not withhold from the reader Dr. Gib­bons's representation, to which regard is to be paid, as to the narrative of one who writes what he knows, and what is known likewise to multitudes besides.

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" Our next observation shall be made upon " that remarkably kind providence which " brought the Doctor into Sir Thomas Ab­" ney's family, and continued him there till " his death, a period of no less than thirty- six years. In the midst of his sacred labours " for the glory of God, and good of his gene­" ration, he is seized with a most violent and " threatening fever, which leaves him op­pressed with great weakness, and puts a stop at least to his public services for four years. In this distressing season, doubly so " to his active and pious spirit, he is invited " to Sir Thomas Abney's family, nor ever re­moves from it till he had finished his days. " Here he enjoyed the uninterrupted demon­" strations of the truest friendship. Here, " without any care of his own, he had every thing which could contribute to the enjoy­" ment of life, and favour the unwearied pur­

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