bleffing, I faid, behold the time of going to fee the Secret of the Lord: he anfwered, "All is clear; there is no longer any thing hid; it is full noon with me." Plainly declaring, that the light which then fhone on his foul, far furpaffed that of the noon-day fun. And in this marvellous confidence, full of* faith, hope, and love, he gave up his spirit to God.

8. This was on Saturday noon, on the 20th of July. He lived fifty-four years, thirty-four of them in America. His face appeared as if he had been still alive. His flefh all over

his body was as foft as that of a little child; and many who touched him, even for twenty-four hours after, found all the parts of his body full as flexible as thofe of a living man. His corpfe was carried into the church, where it remained all the night. The Indians covered it with rofes, and abundance of other flowers, as a teftimony of their love.

As foon as his death was known at Mexico, many perfons of quality, as well as people of all ranks, ran to St. Foy, that they might be present at his burial, bringing tapers, and all things neceffary for the funeral. All appeared full of joy and confolation; believing there was no occafion for tears here, as at the death of other perfons, but rejoicing with him, who was now triumphing in his own country.

His body was interred near the high Altar, the Dean of Mexico performing the office, and brother Hernando Hortez, one of the Canons, preached his funeral fermon.

9. He was of a middle fize, and fo exactly proportioned, that no blemish could be found in him. But his conftitution was tender: his hair was chefnut: he had a large and high forehead his eye-brows were arched, his ears fmall, his eyes black, and his fight fo ftrong that he read the smallest print or writing without any fpectacles. His nofe was inclining to large; his lips fmall, though his under-lip fomewhat thicker than the other. His teeth were even and white; his face and hands of a dead, wan colour, through his extreme abftinence. VOL. III.

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But

But the beauty of his foul fhone through his face, and wrought fuch a reverence in all who beheld him, that they confidered him rather as one just come down from heaven, than a mortal

creature.

[The Life of Gregory Lopez, concluded.]

Some Account of the Life of Mr. JOHN MASON: in e Letter to the Rev. Mr. J. WESLEY.

I

Rev. Sir,

Motcomb, near Shaft fbury, Aug. 31, 1780.

Am a perfon who has neither ability nor inclination to fay much of myself; being defirous to be little and unknown. Nevertheless, if this fhort Account, of the mercy of God to a finner, may be of the least use to any, all the praise shall be given to Him, by whofe grace I am what I am: for I always defire to bear in mind, that teftimony of St. Paul, 1 Tim. i. 15, This is a faithful faying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chrift Jefus came into the world to fave finners; of whom I am chief.

I was born in the year of our Lord 1732, in the parish of Hambledon, about eight miles from Portfmouth. When I was about four years old, my father died, and foon after my mo ther. Such was the order of divine Providence, that I had but little knowledge of, or help from them: but almighty Goodness provided for me.

When my mother died, I was removed to Portsmouth Common, by the care of her own fifter, the wife of Mr. Richard Libbard, who had lived there in good credit for many years: and I was to them, as their own child.

I believe my aunt lived in the fear of God, and according to the light fhe had, endeavoured to breed me up in a relie gious manner. I have great reafon to be thankful to God on

her

THO

BRISCO

Aged.

her account. Many of her inftructions, I remember to this day, with much comfort: and I have not a doubt, but that fhe is now in Abraham's bofom.

Yet, notwithstanding all the care that was taken of me, I gave way to evil, and did many things contrary to the word of God; on account of which, I remember to have felt many fharp convictions before I was ten years of age. I was often alarmed with the fear of Death and Judgment. I trembled at the thought of being caft into the fire of hell. At those times I frequently went alone, and prayed that God would have mercy upon me, and save me from my fins. I faw more and more into the evil of fin. truly hated fin, I was often overcome by it, which abundantly increased my pain and forrow.

As I grew up, But although I

But it was by hearing a Sermon of Mr. Whitfield's, and thofe of a pious Minifter, whofe congregation I now attended, that my convictions deepened. I began to fee myself as I never had done before, and to know I was a fallen child of Adam. I felt the burthen with deep diftrefs. My fleep departed from me, and I neglected to take my neceffary food. I cried to God night and day. I longed for his falvation. But I was afraid, Chrift did not die for me. When this perfuafion prevailed, it cut me off. I was as one that had no hope. I cannot defcribe the anguish that tortured my poor foul. Sometimes I wished I had never been born; at other times, that I had been an ideot from my birth. And many times, fuch was my ignorance and the force of temptation, I complained against God for making me what I was.

While I was exercifed in this gloomy, dejected manner, I, one evening, took up the New Teftament to read, and I hope never to forget the time or place. place. As I read, I felt, I cannot tell how, an unufual going out after God and Chrift. At once my eye, and all the powers of foul were fixed on thofe words, Heb. ii. 9, But we fee Jefus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the fuffering of death, crowned

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my

with