Upon Dr. Guyse's tomb-stone; in Bunhill's-fields, is the

xi. 9.-10. Christ the Son of God, the great Subject of a Gospel Ministry, opened and recommended; in two Sermons, preached at Mr. Coward's Lecture, in Little St. Helen's. Acts ix. 20. 1729.-11. Early Seekers of Christ encouraged; a Sermon preached at Petty-France, May 1, 1729. Prov. viii. 17.-12. A present Remembrance of God in the Days of Youth, explained and enforced; preached Dec. 25, 1729. Eccles. xii. 1.-13. A Letter to Mr. Samuel Chandler, upon preaching Christ. 1730.-14. A second Letter to Mr. Chandler, upon the same Subject. 1730.-15. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. John Asty; preached at Ropemakers'-alley, Feb. 8, 1730. To which is subjoined, a Postscript, relating to Mr. Chandler's second Letter to the Author upon preaching Christ. John xi. 25, 26.—16. And yet there is room, explained and applied, particularly to young People, May 19, 1730. Luke xiv. 22.-17. The Improvement of present Time : preached January 1, 1731, for the Benefit of the Gravel-lane Charity-School. Eccles. ix. 10.-18. Nine Sermons, in the Berry-street Collection : viz. (1.) God and his natural Perfections. John iv. 24. (2.) The original State

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WILLIAM GUYSE.-During the chief part of his residence in London, Dr. Guyse was assisted by his only son, the Rev. William Guyse, a gentleman of excellent abilities, and agreeable ministerial talents; but the imperfect and precarious state of his health, and too modest opinion of himself, prevented his meeting the wishes of his father, and of the congregation, to undertake the office of co-pastorship. He was much esteemed in his day as a pious and accurate preacher, and passed through the world with an unblemished

of Man, and the Covenant of Works. Eccles. vii. 29. (3.) Christ's personal Ministry, Miracles, and prophetic Office. John i. 18. (4.) Pardon of Sin, Justification, and Adoption. Rom, iii. 24, 25. (5.) Worshipping God only, and that in his own appointed Way, and doing all to his Glory. Matt. xv. 8, 9. (6.) The Love of God, and universal Obedience. 1 John, v. 3.— (7.) Duties relating to the Holy Spirit. Ephes. iv. 30. (8.) Justice, Honesty, Truth, and Sincerity. Psalm xxv. 21. (9.) The Death of the Body, and separate State of the Soul. Eccles. xii. 7. 1734.-19. The Minister's Plea for the People's Prayers. 1 Thess. v. 25. at the Separation of the Rev. John Halford, to the pastoral Office, at Horsleydown, October 24, 1734.— 20. Reformation on the Gospel Scheme: a Sermon at Salters'-Hall, to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, June 30, 1735. Heb. ix. 10.—21. A Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. William Johnson, at Ryegate, in Surry, October 6, 1736. 1 Cor. iv. 1.-22. God's Alarm to Great Britain: or, an Inquiry into our public Mercies and Abuses of them, our Danger and Way of Deliverance; a Fast Sermon, January 9, 1739-40.-23. The Tendency of Liberality to Riches, and of Coveteousness to Poverty: a Sermon preached, at the Old Jewry, March 3, 1741-2, to the Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Protestant Dissenting Ministers.-24. A Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. John Hubbard; preached at Stepney, July 24, 1743. Phil. i. 21.-25. A Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. Thomas Gibbons, at Haberdashers'-Hall, October 27, 1743. Phil. i. 26. Youth's Monitor: in six annual Sermons, preached to young People in New Broad-street. Third edition, 12mo. 1747.-27. An Exhortation to the Rev. Thomas Towle, at his Ordination, March 24, 1747-8-28. A Sermon at the Ordination of the Rev. John Angus, at Bishop's Stortford, October 26, 1748. Col. ii. 5.-29. The unchangeable Duration of God's Kindness and Covenant: a Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Mordecai Andrews, February 25, 1749-50. Isaiah liv. 10.—30. A Paraphrase on the New Testament, 3 vols. 4to. 1752. N. B. Seventeen of the preceding Sermons, together with the Exhortation, were collected together, and re printed by the Author, in one volume octavo, 1756.

NEW BROAD-STREET.-Independent.

reputation to the last. For many years he preached in his turn at the Lord's-day morning lecture, in Monkwell-street, and also at the evening lecture in White's-row, Spitalfields. Mr. Guyse was of a very nervous habit, and subject to great dejection of spirits; and was incapacitated for preaching a considerable time before his death. His removal, more than two years before the death of his aged father, was a very affecting providence; and it was generally apprehended, would have so far depressed the spirits of the venerable parent, as to render him unfit for further service. But it pleased God in a remarkable manner to support him; so that he endured the trial with composure, and cheerful acquiescence to the divine will. Mr. Guyse died at his house, in Artillery-lane, after a tedious illness, on the 8th of Dec. 1759, at the age of 54 years. He was interred in Bunhillfields, beneath a handsome tomb, where the remains of his mother had been deposited upwards of fourteen years before. Mr. Guyse was a tall, well-made man; thick set; and his features well-proportioned. In the latter part of life, his complexion was strongly coloured with a yellow tinge.* We do not recollect that he ever appeared in print. A considerable time before his death, the late Dr. Stafford, was chosen co-pastor with his father.

JOHN STAFFORD, D. D. was born in the month of August, 1728, in the town of Leicester. His ancestors, for many generations, were remarkable for zeal in supporting the great truths of the gospel; which being transmitted to his immediate parents, they carefully instructed him, every Lord's-day, in the Assembly's catechism, pressing earnestly upon his attention, the practice of early piety. These seasonable admonitions, as it appears, made a lasting impression upon his mind, and he became experimentally acquainted with the grace of the gospel, which gave him

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NEW BROAD-STREET.Independent.

unspeakable delight. This produced in him an ardent desire of communicating the same truths to others. Upon his going into the world, it appears that he lost all sense of religion, but his convictions again returned, and he was at length restored to a settled peace.

Some peculiar providences, which took place soon afterwards, induced him to leave his secular employment, which was that of a woolcomber, and devote himself to the work of the ministry. An opportunity presenting itself, at this time, he entered the academy at Northampton, and continued there two years, till the death of his tutor, the celebrated Dr. Philip Doddridge. He then removed to the academy at Plaisterers'-Hall, Addle-street, London, under the tuition of Dr. Marryat; and after his decease, to Mile-End, under Dr. Conder, with whom he finished the remainder of his seven years studies, and for whom he ever retained the most affectionate regard. After his removal to London, he joined himself in communion with the Independent church in New Broad-street, under the pastoral care of Dr. Guyse. The account of his religious experience, which he delivered in writing upon this occasion, is preserved in print, and annexed to his funeral sermon, by Dr. Fisher.

Some of his first ministerial labours were spent at Royston, and St. Neot's, where he preached during several months. Upon his return to London, Dr. Guyse being very infirm, and his son, the Rev. William Guyse, his assistant, declining to engage with his father as co-pastor, the proposal was made to Dr. Stafford, who, on the 30th of March, 1758, accepted the call, and on May the 11th, was ordained to the pastoral office. Dr, Gibbons delivered the introductory discourse; Dr. Conder preached; and Mr. Hall gave the exhortation.

Soon after his entering on the pastoral charge, he formed a society of the younger part of his hearers, who met weekly for conversation on religious subjects, for discussing difficult passages of scripture, and for prayer and praise. This meet

NEW BROAD-STREET.- - Independent.

ing he punctually attended for many years, and had the pleasing satisfaction to see a spirit of prayer and love diffused among them. If his young friends married, or began business, he used to desire a few of them to meet him with the family, and there ardently committed them to the divine favour and protection; assisting them with his counsel, and sometimes with his purse. As he ever retained a grateful remembrance of the assistance afforded to his early studies, by the congregational fund, he was always a strenuous pleader for it upon the return of the annual collection in his own church; and contributed largely himself.*

The year 1779 gave birth to a circumstance that injured the character of Dr. Stafford in the opinion of many persons; but, as appears by the will of the deceased, proceeded from misconception. One of the deacons of his church dying in that year, bequeathed several legacies, and among others, fifty pounds long annuities to Dr. Stafford. The nature of the stock in which the money was left, not being generally understood, several persons conceived that the testator meant to leave the Doctor only fifty pounds in money. The executrix of the deceased having imbibed this opinion, refused to transfer the property. Here the matter was suffered to rest for about three years, when Dr. Stafford finding no other means of redress, commenced a suit in Chancery for the recovery of fifty pounds long annuities, the amount of the bequest. Lord Thurlow, who presided as judge, considered the will so plain, that he immediately gave it in his favour. But this did not altogether remove the odium from Dr. Stafford, who (as it is intimated through private prejudice) laboured under the disadvantage of it many years afterwards.+

Dr. Stafford continued pastor of the church in New

Dr. Fisher's Sermon on the Death of Dr. Stafford, p. 22-32.

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