SALTERS-HALL. -English Presbyterian.

younger years. His occasional preaching laid the foundation of several societies of Protestant Dissenters in those places, where there were none before; and the relish of his labours, excited a desire after a stated ministry. They generally made their application to him, and through his care and influence, several worthy persons were fixed in that part of the country.*

Whilst at Coventry, besides his ministerial employment, he had the care and education of several young gentlemen, who made a considerable figure in their country; and was also instrumental in training up others for the sacred ministry, who were great blessings in the church of Christ.+

As he was indefatigable in his endeavours to serve the interest of Christ, and souls, as long as he lived in the country, so after he was called to a larger sphere of activity and usefulness in London, he continued still to serve his poor country brethren, and their congregations, to the utmost of his power, with the greatest zeal, diligence and success. By improving his interest in his own congregation, as well as in others, he contributed greatly to their relief. His acquaintance among persons of the best rank, for religion and estate, both in city and country, and among some of a different persuasion from himself in the lesser points of religion, was very extensive. They were far from thinking it a dishonour to be numbered among the friends of Mr. Tong.

Upon the death of the Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, in 1702, Mr. Tong was invited to succeed him as pastor of the congregation at Salters'-Hall; and presided over that church with great reputation for upwards of twenty-four years. He preserved a large congregation to the time of his death, and it was esteemed the richest in London. After his removal to the metropolis, Mr. Tong continued to increase in reputation, and took a leading management in all concerns re

• Mr. Newman's Sermon, p. 36, 87.

+ lind.

Ibid. p. 38.

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lating to the Dissenters. He was very soon chosen into the Merchants' Lecture, on a Tuesday morning, at his own place; and though he ranked with the Presbyterian denomination, yet he associated very much with the Independents. During the disputes at Salters'-Hall, in 1719, relating to the doctrine of the Trinity, noticed at the commencement of this article, Mr. Tong divided with the subscribing ministers. Just before this event, he had published, in conjunction with Mr. Robinson, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Reynolds, three London ministers, a Tract, entitled, "The Doctrine of the Ever Blessed Trinity stated and defended." To this piece, Mr. Tong wrote the Introduction. He was, also, one of the ministers employed in continuing the Commentary upon the New-Testament, begun by the celebrated Matthew Henry, but left unfinished at his death. The part undertaken by Mr. Tong, was the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Revelation of John. His popularity as a preacher frequently called him from his own pulpit, upon funeral, and other public occasions; and the sermons he printed afford good specimens of his ability to conduct these services. His skill as a biographer is well known to those who have read the lives of Mr. Henry, and Mr. Shower; and those who have not, cannot fail being gratified by the perusal.

But as no endowments, however superior, nor the most confirmed vigour either of body or mind, can secure the possessor from the attacks of the last enemy, so, when death received its commission, the worthy, the pious, the useful Tong was not exempted from its dominion. For a few years before his death, there was a visible declension of his vigour and strength. During his confinement, his friends were not apprehensive that he was so near his change, till within a few hours before he died. His reason and speech continued till the last, and God was pleased to give him an easy passage from earth to heaven. His indisposition would not admit of his speaking much, but he was very serious and humble.

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He professed his firm belief of the doctrines he had preached, and was conscious that he had sincerely endeavoured to promote the glory of God, and the good of souls; though not without a mixture of human weakness and infirmity. He had a fiducial trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and desired to lie at his feet, repenting and believing. Thus worthily he finished his course, March 21, 1726-7, aged 65 years. His funeral sermon was preached by his colleague the Rev. John Newman, from Psalm lxxiii. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Thus lived and died the Rev. William Tong, who, for reputation and usefulness, was exceeded by few ministers in his day. The preceding review of his life will enable the reader to form some estimate of his excellent character, the outlines of which it may not be improper briefly to delineate. Mr. Tong possessed a fine genius, a rich fancy, and a solid judgment; to which, in his younger years, he united a faithful and tenacious memory. His aspect was grave, and his elocution agreeable. He was an undeniable instance, how much the gentleman and the Christian may meet in one and the same person, and that the sacred character is not blemished, but shines with distinguished lustre in one who perfectly understands in practice as well as in theory, the rules of civility and good manners. Knowing well the requirements of different stations in society, had the providence of God so ordered it, he was qualified to have lived in a court. And as he was not wanting in manly respect to his superiors, so he treated his inferiors with great

kindness and condescension.

He was a person of very considerable learning; well versed in the polite and abstruse parts of literature, both profane and sacred. Having a large capacity and quickness of apprehension, he made great improvement in knowledge; had a good insight into the civil law; and was well acquainted with history, particularly the history and constitu

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tion of his own country. This rendered him a very pleasant as well as profitable companion. His temper was truly pacific, and of the most enlarged benevolence. An utter enemy to all persecution, he thought that every man who did not hold principles destructive of the civil peace, ought to enjoy full liberty of conscience in matters of religion. In doctrines of faith, he was of the same judgment, in the main, with the Reformed Churches at home and abroad; but in matters of church-discipline, he had great latitude. Though he would never give up his own judgment out of complaisance to others, yet, as long as the Head was maintained, he was very easy as to any difference of expression, or opinion, about the non-essentials, or circumstantials of religion. Among those who were not real Antinomians on the one hand, nor Pelagians, or Arminians on the other, he thought the difference more verbal than real, and often expressed his satisfaction in those who kept this medium in doctrinal matters. With respect to the Trinity, he was to the last fully persuaded both of the truth and importance of that doctrine; and as he took up his principles upon mature deliberation, and after a strict and impartial examination, so he was firmly established in them.

His ministerial qualifications were of a very superior order. In his preaching there was an inimitable mixture of seriousness and politeness, of judgment and pathos. His words dropt as the gentle showers of rain, without making any great noise; but they penetrated to the very centre of the heart. What he said of Mr. Newcome, of Manchester, was true with regard to himself, while in his full vigour : He was the prince of preachers; and did Dominari in Concionibus. His discourses discovered great strength and spirituality; were delivered with ease; and adapted to the understandings of different classes of hearers. Those who were strangers to serious religion, could not fail to admire the gracefulness and propriety of his manner. He had an admirable talent of saying much in a little, and could com

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prise his thoughts upon the most weighty subjects, in a single discourse. Though such was the tenderness of his spirit, that he could not dwell long on subjects of terror, yet he faithfully warned impenitent sinners, and frequently, in the most moving manner, dropt remarks that were calculated to affect the mind that was not stifled to conviction. But he took the greatest pleasure in holding forth the mysteries of faith; in displaying the doctrine of God's free grace in the redemption of sinners, by the incarnation and satisfaction of his own Son; and in explaining and enforcing the duties of the Christian life, upon the motives and encouragements of the gospel. He had the tongue of the learned, and knew how to speak a word in season to him that was weary. In short, both in prayer and preaching, he gave not only plain indications of uncommon gifts, but, also, of a holy mind, seriously affected, and deeply impressed with the importance of his work. In the retired walks of private life, he exhibited the divine nature of his principles; living, habitually, under the powerful influence of a strong faith, a lively hope, and a fervent love to God and man, which are the sum of vital and practical religion.* His different publications shall be enumerated below. (c)

• Mr. Newman's Sermon on the Death of the Rev. William Tong,

p. 38-44.

(c) WORKS.-1. A Defence of Mr. Henry's Brief Inquiry into the Nature of Schism, and the Vindication of it: With Reflections upon a Pamphlet, called, The Review; and a brief historical Account of Nonconformity, from the Reformation to this present Time. 4to. 1693.-2. A Sermon, preached at Salters'-Hall, to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, Oct. 4, 1703. Heb. xii. 3.-3. An Account of the Life and Death of the Rev. Matthew Henry. 1715.-4. Memoirs of the Life and Character of the Rev. John Shower. 1716.-5. A short historical Account of the State of Nonconformity in Coventry, from the Time of the Reformation. Prefixed to Mr. Warren's Sermon on the Death of the Rev. Joshua Merrel. 1716.-6. Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Book of Revelation: In the Continuation of Matthew Henry's Bible.-7. The Doctrine of the Ever Blessed Trinity, stated and defended. By four London